Arrests of mixtape DJs rock hip-hop world
Atlantans Drama, Don Cannon rode promo compilations to fame
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 01/19/2007
Atlantans Drama, Don Cannon rode promo compilations to fame
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 01/19/2007
The arrest of two prominent hip-hop DJs this week under the state's Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act highlights an ongoing effort to curb music piracy in metro Atlanta.
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 DESMOND/J.R. Studios | |||
| Police confiscated 81,000 illegal CDs in a raid on DJ Drama, aka Tyree Simmons, and Donald Cannon, known as DJ Don Cannon. | |||
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MOST POPULARAlmost 1 million illegal CDs were seized in Atlanta during 2005, according to the Recording Industry Association of America. On Tuesday, Clayton and Fulton deputies and Morrow police confiscated 81,000 more in a raid on two prominent Atlanta hip-hop DJs, Tyree Simmons, 28, known as DJ Drama, and Donald Cannon, 27, known as DJ Don Cannon.
The men are scheduled to appear in Fulton County Superior Court Jan. 24 to answer allegations that they illegally sold recorded music materials, mostly via the Internet, authorities said. If convicted, they each face one to five years in prison and a fine of $10,000 to $100,000.
The bust is high-profile because of the DJs' celebrity status, but RIAA's executive vice president for piracy Brad Buckles said Thursday that the resulting haul was relatively small. "We've had any number of them in Atlanta over the last year that were considerably bigger than this," Buckles said.
In 2005, the most recent year for which statistics were available, Atlanta ranked behind only New York and Los Angeles in the number of seized illegal CDs.
"I don't know exactly why Atlanta is worse than other cities," Buckles said. "I think we have found quite often that places with a lot of interest in music tend to be places with a lot of piracy. And Atlanta, as you know, is a city that loves its music."
Last May, the Washington-based RIAA designated Atlanta one of 12 national "hot spots" for music and film piracy. At the time, it said that the recording industry lost an estimated $1 billion in CD sales in 2005, almost a third of which was blamed on sales of illegally copied CDs.
Compilations build buzz
The artists arrested here Tuesday, particularly DJ Drama, have become stars in the hip-hop world for their work creating "mixtapes," promotional compilations used to build street credibility and buzz for rappers.
Mixtapes — which despite the name are actually released on CD — might include a remix of a hit, a collaboration between two artists, a freestyle rhyme, a preview of a forthcoming official album or all of the above. Drama has had success with a mixtape series called "Gangsta Grillz," featuring artists including Atlanta rapper Young Jeezy.
Drama and Cannon are free on $100,000 signature bonds posted after their arrests Tuesday, authorities said. Their bank accounts have been frozen.
The men were charged under the state's RICO law because of what Morrow police Chief Jeff Baker described Thursday as "an organized, concerted effort to reproduce and distribute on a continuous basis." The law, authorities say, requires that the name of the licensed owner of the recorded music be on the package.
Reached at home Thursday, DJ Drama declined to comment in detail, but said "I'm in high spirits." He said he has received numerous messages from fans, artists and people in the music industry expressing their support.
MTV News hip-hop editor Shaheem Reid said the pair's arrest "definitely has sent a shock wave throughout the hip-hop community."
Reid, who writes the weekly Mixtape Monday column for MTV's Web site, said Thursday, "I don't know what the future holds for Drama, if he's going to keep making mixtapes with this heat on. If he stops making mixtapes, I will go on record as saying it will be one of the biggest tragedies ever to happen to the mixtape community."
Boundaries no longer clear
Mixtapes are just one part of an increasingly complicated "gray market" in the music industry that blurs the line between legitimate and illegitimate uses of copyrighted material. Music videos routinely appear on the video site YouTube. Songs are posted online before they're released in stores. DJ Danger Mouse, one half of the duo Gnarls Barkley, became famous for creating "The Grey Album," an unlicensed record that fused The Beatles' "White Album" with Jay-Z's "Black Album."
Little Five Points music store Criminal Records does not sell mixtapes. But store owner Eric Levin, who serves as president of the national Alliance of Independent Media Stores, sees mixtapes as valuable — to a point.
"I think mixtapes are absolutely promotional tools — just like streaming audio, just like making a mixtape for your friend to turn them on [to music]," he said. "From commerce to just turning folks on, anytime music spreads around it can only help — as long as the consumer makes the ultimate right choice in purchasing and supporting the artist" they come to admire.
Nielsen SoundScan, a service that tracks music sales, reported a 4.9 percent drop in album sales from 2005 to 2006. Nevertheless, sales of overall music — including albums, singles, music video and digital tracks — were up 19 percent.
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Comments
By GS
January 19, 2007 09:48 AM | Link to this
Wait a minute, we have police thugs shooting old women and throwing jay walkers in jail and the AJC wants to promote them for arresting people making mix tapes? I think my head is going to spin off of my body.
By jolie
January 19, 2007 10:01 AM | Link to this
Actually, I wouldn’t say that the AJC is “promoting” the police, rather they are just reporting the facts of a recent arrest by the police. To report news does not mean “prmoting” the parties involved in the story.
By Doug
January 19, 2007 10:10 AM | Link to this
More sour grapes from the RIAA and the music industry as a whole. They are so backwards, so strapped to traditional music sales and marketing models, that they can’t see the damage they do by suing music fans and mixtape DJs. Most mixtapes are so different from the original mixes that they’d never be misconstrued by the consumer. The music industry needs to wise up and understand they can’t control what we listen to.
By john
January 19, 2007 10:14 AM | Link to this
The problem is that they sold their mixtapes. Free promotion is one thing, but these guys profited off other peoples music. If they had any real talent, they would produce their OWN music and sell that.
BTW - tell the old lady not start shooting first next time….
By jinx
January 19, 2007 10:17 AM | Link to this
whateva’!! the music industry charges insane prices for the cd’s, pay the artist pennies on the dollar and some fat cat boss reaps fortunes off the backs of the artist. and I am supposed to give a damn. I will always by mixed cd’s, neva from the store!!!
By john
January 19, 2007 10:19 AM | Link to this
they could sell their own production in the same means they sold the mixtapes. the only difference would be it would be original… wouldnt that be a nice change.
so much for your fat cat boss theory
By F Tha "Industry"
January 19, 2007 10:30 AM | Link to this
This is exactly why we need to expand our minds and stop chasing those B-S dreams and embrace and CONTROL our OWN creative and ORIGINAL music.
These record labels and all who associate with them on the corporate level are nothing but goons.
By kmf
January 19, 2007 10:30 AM | Link to this
the problem is that the record labels actually give the dj’s the music to place on their mixtapes. It’s free promotion for their artists. Imagine if they spent hundreds of thousands promoting an artist that fans aren’t feeling. That’s why they give it to the dj’s…to test the market. Now they’re arresting the dj’s???? The RIAA is the real criminals. Trying to tighten up on their “racket”
By abu
January 19, 2007 10:32 AM | Link to this
Jon, the material at most times are given to the mixtape dj’s by the artist themselves, please do research before speaking on a subject. some artist do drops for the mixtapes or freestyles. all of this is in order to push a buzz in the street for the artist to sell there records. you even have cases were some of the record labels ask the artist to do the mixtapes to create a buzz. drama himself is aphilliated with atlantic records so please lets be informed before making snap judgements.
By MusicFiend
January 19, 2007 10:33 AM | Link to this
I feel SOOOO much safer knowing that they are arresting mixtape DJs.
I hope the RIAA is paying for this mess and not tax payers.
By Jinx is so smart
January 19, 2007 10:36 AM | Link to this
Jinx, it’s good that you are holding strong to your beliefs about ‘beating the man’, the only problem is that your ideas are lead by ignorance. These guys were making money from another person’s music, similar to your ‘fat cat boss theory’.
Get a clue.
By Tee
January 19, 2007 10:37 AM | Link to this
To: Jinxthe ignorant person who stated we should tell the old lady not to shoot first. How do you know she did? How do you know she did not shoot out of fear? Everyone’s not a punk like you.
By Lioness74
January 19, 2007 10:39 AM | Link to this
The artist apparently don’t have a problem with it since many if not all of them have appeared or contributed versus to mixtapes at one time or another so why are the police so worried about the artists money if the artist is not worried about these particular individuals and how they deliver there music to the public.
By GILLY
January 19, 2007 10:42 AM | Link to this
With such intelligent acronyms in “this community” – I can’t imagine why they have the social issues they do. After all, I would gladly hire a guy named “DJ Drama” or “Ski Mask” – Wow…This community is killing itself and none of its “leadership” seems to care! Often times, they even agree to call them by these silly nicknames…Do you know how funny it is to see Jessie Jackson refer to someone as “snoop”? It’s sad really!
By J
January 19, 2007 10:43 AM | Link to this
The RIAA always tries to claim that it’s protecting the rights and revenues of the artists, but this story puts the truth up against that bald-faced lie. “Mixtapes” are almost always done with the encouragement, input, and support of the artist, who actually can and does profit from its sale. The RIAA is only interested in protecting corporate income streams - the BS about protecting the artists was just something they invented to protect an old, dying and corrupt business model.
By sw atl
January 19, 2007 10:44 AM | Link to this
This seems fishy Why would a DJ with a recording contract with Atlantic Records (CD coming out 2nd half of the year) go and do piracy?
He’s been very supportive of the industry and labels.
By john
January 19, 2007 10:48 AM | Link to this
dont talk to me about informed. you have no clue how informed i actually am. i work for a record label buddy. we do give promos to be included in mixtapes - most def. it DOES create a huge buzz. but, we never asked them to sell the tapes for a whopping profit. the issue is simple, you can’t profit on licensed material. period. you wanna put it on a mix tape? pay the lisence fee like dance artists do.
By da shiz nizzle rhyme playa dj chronic lovin da bustin caps yo
January 19, 2007 10:54 AM | Link to this
Hip hop/rap is the dumbing-down of America and most people are too stupid to realize it. The fact that this ignorant garbage, and the worthless trash that performs it, are glorified is sickening and the people that support this talentless crapfest are ignorant morons.
By MoZeek
January 19, 2007 10:59 AM | Link to this
Who cares!!! Hustling makes the world go round! Ask your President. Do what you got to do; for all you honest working Americans. With out you all who is there to PIMP.
By Pop
January 19, 2007 11:00 AM | Link to this
John, by the time the investigation is over regarding the elderly lady, we will know the TRUTH about who shot first…if the cops told one lie they probably told several. I wonder if your mother or grandmother was shot down….would you have this same attitude.
By ummmmm....
January 19, 2007 11:01 AM | Link to this
JOHN….aka record label employee…..you must not be that “informed” because you clearly can’t spell sweety. Its license not lisense!!!
By Russ M
January 19, 2007 11:01 AM | Link to this
These guys are not cranking out pirated Harry Potter DVDs.
Promotional mix tapes are free advertising for the recording artists.
The record label is losing a couple of pennies in royalties (wah).
Meanwhile the listener of the mixtape will buy other music from the same artist.
Hey prosecutors, there are terrorists, child molesters, and killers on the loose.
But Nooooo, let’s spend our tax dollars making sure that the record industry vampires get every drop of blood.
By J.Gates
January 19, 2007 11:04 AM | Link to this
Actual the mixtapes are free…..what u pay for is the insert included with the mixtape
By MoZeek
January 19, 2007 11:05 AM | Link to this
What is the differences between piracy and cloning? Its all a hustle!
By MoZeek
January 19, 2007 11:06 AM | Link to this
I got to stop sleeping so late
By YoYo
January 19, 2007 11:06 AM | Link to this
No more gangsta grizzills No more DJ Drama
By Dee
January 19, 2007 11:10 AM | Link to this
First off, kudos to dj’s drama and cannon for creating another side to the dynasty we all call the Hip Hop world. And second I agree, if it wasn’t for DJ’s mixing it up in the club half of the artist out where would be nobodies. So yeah, why not take that track mix it up play it in a club then put it on a cd and make a profit they deserve it. DJ’s make Hip Hop. Hip Hop would be nothing without the DJ.
By Inglis007
January 19, 2007 11:10 AM | Link to this
This is crazy i’m a true mixtape fan that comes from the old days of dj jelly and what’s nwextthe government r goingto go after that whole click also. DJ drama and Cannon have not done anything but bring out rappers to the under ground scene and make their careers bigger. thanks DRAMA AND CANNON
By musicman
January 19, 2007 11:12 AM | Link to this
MoZeek, I want to address your comments. While I do agree with you that a lot of hiphop does not send positive messages there is positive hiphop out there. But I think you forget how many jobs hiphop has provided for the community. These are the same guys that may be on the corner dealing drugs or kickin in your door to rob you. Everyone always wants everything to be 100% positive. We I need to tell you that isn’t “real life.” In real life everything has positives and negatives.
By Dennis Byron
January 19, 2007 11:14 AM | Link to this
Interesting headline: “Federal arrests of mixtape DJs rock hip-hop world” The Feds were not involved in the arrest of these local DJ’s. Actually they declined even touch the case. Anyone in the music industry understands that mixtapes are a neccessary evil that is very important for an artist trying to get that national exposure without having to spend the big budget to do so. Artists from Jay Z to Jermaine Dupri know its a very important tool to have mixtape dj’s play their artist music.
By Tired of Pink Toes
January 19, 2007 11:16 AM | Link to this
Hey John, If it is so wrong what the DJ were doing Mr. Record label, then why did you keep giving it to them? Tell the truth you got mad when You saw people of color doing it without your help and making alot of money off it. I understand now, like all Pink Toes you just want your cut!!!
By MoZeek
January 19, 2007 11:16 AM | Link to this
Musicman I didn’t send that comment
By MoZeek
January 19, 2007 11:20 AM | Link to this
Lets just cut through the BS and understand one thing. Until we start running s%$t we’re not going to get away we S&%t. Know your role! Keep Hustling Baby!!!
By Dennis Byron
January 19, 2007 11:21 AM | Link to this
My artist H-Flo just finished shooting his video “Look At Ya Boy” with Producer Jazze Pha and yes we allowed the song in a mixtape before we spent thousands on a video and other marketing dollars. RIAA…get real, you already know what is the deal. Genie is already out of the bottle and it’s too late to stop the flow of mixtapes and the great services DJ’s like Drama & Cannon do for so many signed and unsigned artists!
By jimmy want more
January 19, 2007 11:21 AM | Link to this
I am so againist the RIAA for making an example out of drama , but three are two reasons this happened
By MoZeek
January 19, 2007 11:21 AM | Link to this
with (sorry)
By musicman
January 19, 2007 11:23 AM | Link to this
Sorry, my comments we actually for da shiz nizzle rhyme playa dj chronic lovin da bustin caps yo
By young dread
January 19, 2007 11:27 AM | Link to this
@ John I want you to go live in the “bluff” and see the day to day violence in the area. Then tell me you wont shoot your gun when someone kicks in your door without notice
By gee
January 19, 2007 11:29 AM | Link to this
Well, I must admit I am dissapointed by all this “nothing”! You mean to tell me it took a couple of wagons of cops and fbi men, guns drawn, building surrounded, to arrest 2 dj’s for bootlegging music?? Give me a break man. Victor Hill is a modern day Napolean who’s focusing on the wrong thing in his crime riddden county. You have 15 year old kicking in doors and robbing people daily out there and you want to focus on bootlegged music? Gee I wish we could get somebody in office with common sense!
By MoZeek
January 19, 2007 11:30 AM | Link to this
SIMPSON RD
By NHR
January 19, 2007 11:32 AM | Link to this
I think this is ridicilous. WIth all the trouble going on in Iraq, the murders here and everywhere unsolved, the homeless and drug problems that are numerous here in Atlanta, and the police arrested someone for some bootleg CD’s(need I remeind readers of the expenses it takes to conduct a raid, taxpayers money)! RIDICILOUS!!
By Case
January 19, 2007 11:33 AM | Link to this
This is one thing alone..Record industry control over hip-hop and music in general.. Drama was working directly with the artists in the creation of these cds..which mean WHAT DO YOU NEED the RECORD LABLE FOR?? He will get some minor charge — This is just to scare the DJs “inline”.. Guess Houstons “chopped and screwed” mixes are next on the hit list.
By MoZeek
January 19, 2007 11:34 AM | Link to this
John you sound like a Corporate Clown. Pay license fees!!!! You must make at least $10.00 a hour as a gopher. Get a brotha on folk!
By gee
January 19, 2007 11:36 AM | Link to this
To hell with the RIAA! The industry has been screwing artists out of their money since day one. Now they are jealous because someone else is benefitting as well. What’s next? Ipods??
By WhoCares
January 19, 2007 11:39 AM | Link to this
how about these boys get a real job and make an honest living and this isn’t an issue. yet another drain on society…
By Boots
January 19, 2007 11:44 AM | Link to this
I don’t think that most people understand the mixtape situation. Labels cut the DJ’s check to put those songs out to the masses this way. If they can create a buzz with a song 3 months before it an artist cd comes out, they’re going to remember that song 3 months later and go buy the cd. I don’t see this as bootlegging if the Sony, Arista, Def Jam and them are cutting the checks to the DJ’s. Oh and yes, tax payers are paying for this raid.
By gee
January 19, 2007 11:47 AM | Link to this
@ whocares… You are the one on here blogging while they are out hustling and WORKING. So YOU GET A JOB LOSER!
By Big Dee
January 19, 2007 11:47 AM | Link to this
I will alway support the mix tape/CD DJ’s, they allow your (with the blessing of the artist) to get your hands on some hot joints. The government and RIAA need to chill out and stay out of our communities and out of our business. Go arrest some freakin terroist or find Osama.
By MoZeek
January 19, 2007 11:48 AM | Link to this
WhoCares is right! Everybody lets all get jobs maybe the unemployment rate will come down to 0%. Hey maybe we can solve the deficit as well. WhoCares 4 President!!!!
By musicman
January 19, 2007 11:49 AM | Link to this
Whocares - you need to go back and read my earlier comments about how hiphop has really been good in our community. These guys do have real jobs & they probably make more than you.
By MoZeek
January 19, 2007 11:50 AM | Link to this
Whocares another Corporate Clown
By HIP HOP
January 19, 2007 11:52 AM | Link to this
This is simply about the record company lossing money…nothing else.
By Amanda
January 19, 2007 11:53 AM | Link to this
To all of you getting up in arms about all the other problems we have in the US and the fact that the police choose to arrest these guys, what they were doing was illegal too. Yes, I’m sure the greedy record companies helped aid the investigation, but they broke the law.
By MoZeek
January 19, 2007 11:56 AM | Link to this
Amanda is right!!! I feel safer now that there are 2 less mix DJs in the street. Get with the program this type of crap makes the headlines. My company is about to outsource to India for cheaper labor and still make money off the American people. Now that’s a crime!
By nonomeluvluvme
January 19, 2007 12:07 PM | Link to this
Jinx,
What is it that you do for a living that you believe it should be given away for free? What’s the difference between stealing copyrighted music (just because YOU think it costs too much) and your boss deciding not to pay you for your work (because he thinks you are asking for too much money)?
I doubt DJ Danger Mouse would be happy, now that he’s making some of that money from hitting it big, would be too happy for people to rip off his stuff without paying for it.
By Travis
January 19, 2007 12:16 PM | Link to this
Funny how this is getting spun, no pun intended, but how is the RIAA wrong in this instance? How can people say its justified for these people to sell these mixtapes? Do you not understand by claiming you are trying to avoid these “fat cat bosses” wallets, that in fact you are taking away from the very artists that provide the music in the first place?
By bman
January 19, 2007 12:17 PM | Link to this
Amanda is right. These guys broke the law and they should be punished for it. The mixed tape idustry has been around for a while and a lot of successful artists have been found from this industry (ie. DJ Clue). But you have to abide by the law no matter what you do. The music industry is over a billion dollar industry a year and for those that want to make illegal profits from it deserve to be punished. This is America land of opportunity but you must abide by the law.
By Letta
January 19, 2007 12:24 PM | Link to this
DJ’s are the core of the hiphop community and have been since the mid 70’. I view these arrests as a waiste of time and energy on the part of the RIAA and all involved. I support DJ Drama and DJ Don Cannon and everything they stand for. And I am a well Educated member of Corporate America…
By lisa
January 19, 2007 12:31 PM | Link to this
John…you truly are an idiot if you think the old lady should not have shot at the police officers that stormed her house (with a warrant that was obtained after they LIED!) IODIOT. How would you feel if it had been your mom?
By over it
January 19, 2007 12:35 PM | Link to this
When was the last time you saw or read a positive story about a rapper? Most of the time its about a shooting, a death, a scrape with the law, some kind of crime…the music glamorizes crime, violence and total disrespect for anyone, but self. What great lessons we are teaching our young people.
By Eddie Williams
January 19, 2007 12:36 PM | Link to this
What would really be interesting to show the record execs how much they really benefit from the mix tape game is if the mix tape dj’s were on like a strike. That would be the only way the record execs would respect the mix tape game. I mean the artist already understands.
By John the "CRAPTIST"
January 19, 2007 12:39 PM | Link to this
Yo! this is jinx, allday, baby!! i support the artist by goin’to their concerts. that is where they make their OWN money. they are slaves of the record company. that is why prince left his company and that is why m.j. left motown back in the 80’s and went to EPIC and then in 2000’s he complained about them. i jammin’ a mixed tape now, i support the artist at their concerts, and stickin’ it to the man at the same time. the record labels get nothin’ from the artist’s concerts, partna’!!
By jinx
January 19, 2007 12:43 PM | Link to this
as soon as the music execs figure out away to rape the artists who MIX the tapes, then they will be okay with it. tommy motola is a prime example. he raped mariah and plenty of otha artists. big time artists don’t want you to buy the records ‘cause they new the slave master is gettin’ over!! that is why NWA sold their 1st records outta their trunks, that is why MASTER P sold his albums outta his trunk!!!
By nonomeluvluvme
January 19, 2007 12:45 PM | Link to this
Yo yo yo Jinx. It might interest you to know that artists make less off the tours than they do from record sales. Tours are used to PROMOTE the record, not the other way around. And copyrights are permanent baby! So when you rip a record, that’s a theft that lasts a lifetime, not just for a one-night tour.
But let’s use your logic(?) here. Let’s say I only steal from you on Monday and Tuesday. Is that OK? You can get your whole paycheck the other 3 days of the week.
By Okay
January 19, 2007 12:47 PM | Link to this
As an artist who wouldn’t want there work on mixtapes? Put my music on the street get my buzz up that is what the game is all about. These clowns on this blog that don’t understand that must not even be REAL hip/hop fans. They all sound like so MTV 106 and Park losers. Hip/hop is hte street that is were it starts that is were you get respect, doing clubs, parties TRYING to get a BUZZ. Clowns
By somebody
January 19, 2007 12:52 PM | Link to this
The law is the law.. you break the law you suffer the consequences.. period.. you don’t like the laws educate yourselves become a politician and change the laws.. period.
By nonomeluvluvme
January 19, 2007 12:53 PM | Link to this
So let me understand this, “Okay”. If mixtapes are so great and the key to getting your music out there, why do you need the labels at all? The labels are only enforcing the theft of the music they have a right to.
Here’s your lesson, baby: If you can make it rich through the mmixtapes, DON’T sign with a label. Then you’re in the clear.
Got it?
By k.a.
January 19, 2007 12:54 PM | Link to this
IF U ARE NOT PART OF THE HIP-HOP COMMUNITY.. please stop trying to talk about the “profiting off of copywrited material” b.s.
if u knew anything about DJ Drama, you’d know that labels and artists alike BEG to have a gangsta grillz mixtape…
to say he has no talent is garbage—-he is whats called a DJ—- he mixes records…
he’s not making bootlegs of albums, he’s creating his own works with the blessings of the artists.
By ss518
January 19, 2007 12:57 PM | Link to this
I’m a hip hop recording artist and all I have to say is that I really appreciate the mixtape scene. Because of mixtapes, my music has spread to areas that I thought it never could.And, as an underground artist,it really gives me joy that Dj’s enjoy my music enough to put it on there tapes and freely market my voice. Every artist has to start there career somewhere especially hip hop artist. In my oppinion, mixtapes are the best source.
By jen
January 19, 2007 12:59 PM | Link to this
Jinx, I think you are as ignorent as anyone else who thinks that old women should not defend themselves. That is the most sick staetment I have ever heard. That is still someones mother, aunt, sister whatever. Since your mind is that strong, you should be one of the 20,000 being deployed to Iraq.
By joie
January 19, 2007 01:07 PM | Link to this
Listen up everyone. I work in the publishing game, and many of your big time artists are to busy enjoying the fame aspect of the music industry to sit down and actually get a true understanding of what copyright law is all about and how it PROTECTS and EFFECTS them and so they willing participate in their own financial demise by contributing to the mix tape phenom. Bottom line is that those dudes were stupid, they sold copyrighted material via the internet & promoted it on radio airwaves.
By jt
January 19, 2007 01:11 PM | Link to this
Thug
By Kulcha
January 19, 2007 01:17 PM | Link to this
DJs saves hip-hop,being that I’m one, what we play at clubs, in the streets is heard first, before hitting radio, tv, etc..mixtapes are good advertisement for artist & the DJs but I think the RIAA is wrong for going all out to make arrests, but at the same time the big name hip-hop artists should take a stand & vouch whether they approve or disaprove of their actions……believe me, just a small incident don’t think you will hear much more from it, unless the artist get involved!
By joie
January 19, 2007 01:17 PM | Link to this
PS - The most successful hip-hop artist in Atlanta is Ludicris. No artist has sold more records than him and he’s never done a Gangsta Grills or any other big mix tape for that matter. Bottom line is if you hot, people will buy your music the way they are supposed to.
By Billy Goat Gruff
January 19, 2007 01:21 PM | Link to this
All I see on this comment board is a lot of lip-flapping by people who don’t own copyrights and have no clue as to how royalties work.
Don’t cha just love the fans who buy bootlegs? They might as well be saying: “I love insert artist’s name here so much I want to put them in the poor house so he has to go back to detailing cars/frying burgers/slinging rock for a living!”
By Why
January 19, 2007 01:33 PM | Link to this
Why does the RIAA invest their time in money in something so minor? This country has so many other problems that money should be spent on. And yes us taxpayers are paying for it. John you are the most ignorant person. From the lies that were told by the police we all know they are covering something up. Remember someone’s life was taken. As an elderly woman she should of shot. You must have never lived outside of a neighborhood with the white picket fence. Think before you comment, DUMBO!
By Dumb move
January 19, 2007 01:46 PM | Link to this
I understand both sides of the issue, that these actions are illegal and the mixtapes also help promote lesser known artists. What Drama & Cannon should have done is more research to clear up the gray areas in doing these mixtapes. If they totally knew that things they were doing were illegal, then my question is why are they promoting it on their website and on the raido? Now that is a dumb move and could cost them a signifiacnt amount of money and possibly end their careers.
By Dumb move
January 19, 2007 01:52 PM | Link to this
To the people bad mouthing hip hop as a whole. Yes, there are those artists that get arrested and have questionable content, but that is not the hip hop community as a whole. It’s just that the negative images get the most media attention, while the postive things get pushed to the back burner. Please stop generalizing everything based on a small percentage.
By Mista 2007
January 19, 2007 02:11 PM | Link to this
People who support the Aphilliates, Drama and Gangsta Grillz know their mixtapes just are not a grab bag of remixed hits. They are a full artist feature with exclusive tracks. Drama, Cannon and Sense aren’t selling music of people they weren’t working with, which is the central beef against bootleggers. It was sophisticated, elaborate and popular, which is why they were chosen to be shat on.
By jinxl
January 19, 2007 02:17 PM | Link to this
i hate the industry execs they rape their artists! tlc had to file bankruptcy, toni braxton had to file, even james brown was ripped off. by me buyin’ the cd from walmart, i am support the fat cat bosses. BUY MIX TAPES OFF THE STREETS. FORGET THE MAN!!!
By Dumb move
January 19, 2007 02:22 PM | Link to this
Mista 2007, I am not to clear on the details of the indictment, but I think the problem is coming from the artists that they are working with rapping over other artists tracks and Drama not getting permission to use those tracks and making a profit. Now I support the mixtape scene, but they got to be a little smarter about what they are doing if what I said previously is the case. But my question to the police: Is it really worth all this?
By Dumb move
January 19, 2007 02:29 PM | Link to this
To jinxl, I feel your passion on this topic, but if everybody bought mixtapes and not the artist’s actual CD, they would get dropped from their label and distribution company, in turn still making them go bankrupt. The best way to stick it to the man, so to speak, but not hurt the artists is to buy independent artist that distribute their own music. Doing this would mean all your favorite artist would have to be independent.
By DJ Teef
January 19, 2007 02:40 PM | Link to this
WHO CARES?
By aa
January 19, 2007 02:52 PM | Link to this
Exactly who cares, everone buys bootlegs… noone wants to pay full price for a cd…the music sucks anyway..Why are they in jail again???
By judge ye not
January 19, 2007 02:54 PM | Link to this
For all of the hip-hop bashers out there: Don’t make judegements about something that you so obviously have NO CLUE about.Be careful…some of you are letting your thinly-veiled racist feelings show. ie. “their community”
By Dumb move
January 19, 2007 03:05 PM | Link to this
For the people who say who cares: If you really don’t care, why are you wasting you time responding to this article? If you don’t have something intelligent to say, negative or postive, don’t say anything, thanks.
By baldtexan
January 19, 2007 03:07 PM | Link to this
Jinx, you need to stick your head in a toilet and flush. The law, most of them anyway, are corrupt. Instead, you should say something like this,”she did the right thing, shoot first ask questions later. If they rolled up into my residence all abrupt I’d shoot their a— too! They deserve it. She was well within her rights. They lied, they covered up, and they tried to get the snitch to lie. Duh….a snitch lying. What is the world coming to? Now, the DJ’s. Make your money!! These artists,?? HMM
By Copyright Owner
January 19, 2007 03:23 PM | Link to this
Since when is being a DJ equivalent to being a musician/songwriter?How, exactly, are they any different from the agents, publicists, and managers who make a living from the work of others? DJs are no different from promoters, who, as much as they like to think otherwise, are NOT stars in their own right. Unless these DJS have contacts with the artists and distribute royalties, they’re just deluded parasites.
By Tired of the whinning
January 19, 2007 04:15 PM | Link to this
For everyone out there complaining about “thug rappers” and the violence they promote, why not complain about these corporate execs in the record companies that continue to market their music. I never hear that complaint. All I hear is a bunch of whinning about the thugs. Sounds like sour grapes to me.
By Dee
January 19, 2007 04:56 PM | Link to this
Okay, enough already…yeah they broke the law and all that good stuff. who doesn’t. But me persoanlly, truth of the matter, I think the only reason they got caught is because they got greedy. Now I dont know for how long but they was international with their sales. Now if thats not funny I dont know what is. Once again kudos: DJ Drama and Cannon were “The Ultimate Hustlers”!!!
By Najeh Davenpoop
January 19, 2007 07:08 PM | Link to this
Apparently it doesn’t matter to them that these mixtapes are crucial to the success of the so-called “victims” of this crime — the rappers. Mixtapes increase a lesser-known rapper’s visibility and increase the odds that they will sell a lot of records when they drop a real album. If the record companies are behind this, they are being very short-sighted.
By Chris Mc Neil
January 19, 2007 08:01 PM | Link to this
f*** da law!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By Chris Mc Neil
January 19, 2007 08:16 PM | Link to this
Before mixtapes that’s right it was mixtapes (cassette’s)& i grew up on Bootleg like so many other great rappers & music heads alike. If Record companies stop put’n out that b******, it would not be a problem. Labels mad cause they can’t push Units stop signing dat b****** & start shopping for ARTIST where it started the MUTHAFUCK’N HOOD!!!!We live by a totally different Creed, what artist wouldn’t want his s** on mixtapes this day & time & if you don’t then yo s** is probably WACK anyway!!!
By Bigredd115
January 20, 2007 12:25 AM | Link to this
After reading all the comments, I see the big discrepancy is between what a bootleg is and what a mixtape is. Bootlegs are simply copies of an artist’s entire album that prevents people from going to the store and purchasing the real thing. Mixtapes, however, only allow one or two of an artist’s songs to appear in the original format or a remix thus creating the buzz for getting the real album sold. Bootlegs harm the bottom line for everyone associated with the production of the album but
By Bigredd115
January 20, 2007 12:26 AM | Link to this
mixtapes help the albums sell because of the anticipation of what else the artists have to offer. That is why artists do not mind paying to appear on a mixtape. Know the business before you speak.
By sefon ward
January 20, 2007 12:26 PM | Link to this
DJ Drama and Cannon did not deserve the “SWAT” treatment. Does anyone know these individuals? They greatly influenced HIP HOP, in a very positive matter. They both are wonderful individuals, at that. They will come out on top of this entire fiasco.
By masio freeman
January 21, 2007 01:28 AM | Link to this
NAS WAS RIGHT HIP-HOP IS DEAD BECAUSE IT WAS BORN IN THE STREETS BY DJ’S BRING A NEW STYLE, BEATS CRAZY THING YOU NEVER HEAR ON THE RADIO. IT SAD TO HEAR ABOUT THAT WE KILLING IT OURSELF
By Confetti Da Real Soulja
January 21, 2007 03:53 AM | Link to this
All this is another way for them F* f*** to stop a young nigga from getting his money. Jealous mutherfuckers need to paid attention to there on stacks or racks and there on b***. Why worrying about his s** there b*** probably sucking on ten dicks on the side and mutherfuckers robbing them blind. Focusing on Drama they can’t get rich. Drama do U and Confetti gonna do him. We gonna be some Multi million dollar nigga one day. Get that money Nigga
By The Funkadelic Relic
February 6, 2007 03:56 AM | Link to this
Imagine this: If Kool DJ Herc, Grandmaster Flash or Afrika Bambaataa had been arrested back in the day for the same charges that Drama & Cannon caught and received the maximum prison sentences for RICO charges at that time. . would Hip Hop be the same? Justo (R.I.P.) must be turning over in his grave now… but then again. If you don’t know who Herc, Flash, Bam are or who Justo was then you have no right to comment at all.