Creativity or Copyright? The Art of Song Remixing

  Speaking from experience, most songs you listen to these days stem from another song. Realistically, there are only so many notes that can be thrown together and the amount of music distributed these days is astounding. Statistically in 2019, 15-20% of songs created used a sample. In retrospect for the amount of songs put out, that is a pretty large number. There are thousands of songs I could use as an example, but this one stuck out to me the most, only because you would never even know there's a song sampled! I find the creative structure very intriguing as well as incredibly enjoyable. 

  To get on with it, the song I am speculating is Money Trees by Kendrick Lamar. The song begins almost eerie but then the high hats come in and it becomes an unforgettable beat. I only recently discovered that the song samples the same background as Silver Soul by Beach House. The main characteristic that changes the song is the beat is reversed! This gives the song a whole new personality. Money trees is up-beat, catchy and full of added components, where Silver Soul is slowed down, with an almost saddened tone. Both songs have completely different lyrics and meanings, yet both leave a powerful message in their own way and I think that is the most important component. This may be biased but I personally enjoy Money Trees way more than Silver Soul, Kendrick Lamars song has left an indent in my brain and I could listen to it on repeat. Silver Soul is the kind of song that makes you look up at the ceiling and thing about heartbreak. The drastic difference is emotions shows that you do not need to copy the genre when sampling, especially in the now where most beats are created on a computer. Silver Soul is very simple and repetitive, where Money Trees is full of back vocals, beats and tones that all form together to make something original and beautiful,

  I also enjoy the change in genres. Since money trees is sped up and is rap, it catches the attention of a whole different group of people. Silver Soul is very sad and soul full, the fact that Kendrick Lamar could change a song so drastically without people even recognizing it is impressive, considering most samples are recognized right off the bat.

  I give this song all the props without the accusation of copyright, it proves that sampling does not always mean copying, but more so improving and interpreting something in your own creative way.