I love the new paradigm. You don’t have to play an instrument or sing to make a record. You don’t have to sell your music to get famous. But that doesn’t mean you’re not a musical genius. Greg Gillis, aka Girl Talk, mixes samples of other people’s music- hundreds of them on each album, to create mashups that are completely unique. He ignores genres- rap and country have never been more friendly than on one of his compositions.
Since samples became part of the pop music continuum with the advent of hip hop in the 1970s, the role of intellectual property has yet to be clearly defined. Early rappers have been successfully sued over their use of other people’s music. The seminal funk band, the Meters has earned more off of royalties, now that the the legal situation has compelled samplers to pay, than they ever earned from the recordings themselves.
Since Girl Talk uses hundreds of samples, he just gives the music away thereby avoiding the law. This strategy has allowed him to become a successful performance artist. Each time he has visited New Orleans, he has played in a bigger venue. Tonight and tomorrow night, Girl Talk is at the House of Blues. Next year, he will probably be at the New Orleans Arena.
If you are not familar with this new style- check it out here-
