It’s been nearly two decades since Biz Markie’s landmark sample clearance case in 1991, and Hip Hop artists are still reeling in its wake. Now, Cunnin;ynguists producer Kno is latest beatsmith to feel the industry’s wrath, as the producer was served with a cease and desist order over his group’s album A Piece of Strange.
The QN5 producer received the cease and desist last year after the representative from an as-of-yet unidentified artist illegally sampled in one or more of the songs off the group’s ’06 album. According to aboveGroundMagazine.com, YouTube members’ comments about Kno’s use of samples may have inadvertently prompted the suit. Kno took to the QN5 message board to explain that although he understands sampling clearance laws, he’s willing to take the risk because of his love for the music.
“[A Piece of Strange] would have cost $3+ million to clear all of the samples on it – but some people have told me it literally saved their lives,” he said. “Should it not exist? Should I now be lectured on legal morality by people with just as many skeletons in their closets and blunts in their ashtrays just because they want to defend their right to talk about samples on one of the biggest websites in the world?” (aboveGroundMagazine.com)
He also added, “The music I make infringes on copyrights. I am aware of this and have been aware of this, that is why I don’t stress getting rich off of it, I tell people to download it if they want to and I sink any money I do make back into making more records…I am not ‘blaming fans,’ I’m stating facts…public discussion of specific instances of copyright infringement in my work is making it impossible to even create the music period, even if I were to give it away for free. It would still end up on YouTube and I’d still get served by Google-searching lawyers and publishing houses who think they might be able to squeeze money out of me.” (aboveGroundMagazine.com)
Although Kno’s comments about his future in music may appear dismal, the famed independent producer explained to aboveGround in a recent email that he will only quit making music if it is an absolute necessity.
“I said, again, i[f] ‘X, Y and Z’ happens I won’t have any other choice,” he explained. “If THAT happens, then I will quit due to necessity. That hasn’t happened, so I am not quitting. I feel like the guy who makes a passing remark about a bad day at work only to have 10 of his co-workers call his boss jockeying for his ‘eminently opening position’. I get to work Monday and there’s a bunch of ‘We’ll Miss You, Bob!’ cards on my desk.” (aboveGroundMagazine.com)
Despite Kno’s recent sampling issues, the Cunninlynguists are preparing to release their fifth album Oneirology on March 22 via QN5 Records. Kno also released his debut solo LP Death is Silent last year to critical acclaim.
that’s some bullshit.
these kids don’t get it. need to stop yelling out them samples!
fu@king sample snitchez…. on jewtube
stop snitchin
Kno is one of the most under appreciated producers in the game. You Tube snitches get a fuckin’ life already!!!!
Man tons of kids don’t even know better..
It’s hard to get away with samples now because this new generation of fans and know-it-all producers immediately want to know where the sample came from… and will make it known if they find out like it’s a fucking medal of honor. These fools even post the originals on Youtube and title it “sampled by _____”. Idiots! This new age of sharing info can backfire sometimes.
KNO’s comments are BS. You are stealing their work to make money. Worse than your everyday downloader in my opinion.
Do you have downs? Sampling is a huge aspect of hiphop jackass.
wow. your hip-hop pass is officially revoked. get off this website, stop listening to music, and go kill yourself. you are an uneducated-faggot-ass-bitch.
I know sampling is a huge aspect of hip hop dickhead. Did I say otherwise? I love some of Kno’s beats. My point is you should pay to use other peoples work. It’s simply stealing, there is no other way to put it. And then he blames his fans for talking about his samples and getting caught??? Pretty wack. He wants to take the risk to not credit the samples that’s on him, but when you get that letter in the mail don’t come out with this bullshit.
It’s about time producers start think about using the “3 second rule” I think. I make beats myself & this story has even made me start to think about approaching sampling different . It is a lot of snitches telling on people too…FUCKIN’ LAMES!!! But to all my fellow beats makers [who do sample], be a little more creative with the way you sample…
death is silent was in the top 5 of the year no doubt if you haven’t listened to it you really missing out
if this guy stops making music i think i’ll snap
I really hope he doesn’t quit. I’ve always loved his beats for the CunninLynguists and Death Is Silent was my favorite album of 2010, I even bought it.
sucks how producers get the short end of the stick man. Especially producers who make good beats.
lol, how do they get the short end of the stick? they just have to credit the peoples work they are using.
Premier talked about this shit a long time ago; people need to stop snitching out producers on the samples they are using.
I agree w/ Kno completely, & artists need to stop bitching about the samples tryin to make money in every little way possible, hip hops based off sampling…& if you are an artist whos in the industry just to make money, FUCK YOU
Anonymous you’re a retard just stop cuz you make no sense…Here’s my comparison in reasoning
when a painter paints a famous landmark etc.. answer me this Do they get sued? When a photographer takes a picture of something then photo shops it into their own is that stealing too?