Over the past several years, I have created almost 100 new versions of popular songs using acapellas of the originals, and then adding my own music using FL Studio. This has been nothing more than just a fun thing to do for myself, and only a few friends of mine have heard any of them. They're people I can trust - meaning I don't want someone else taking credit for something I did. I also used a lot of copyrighted samples in creating them, so obviously I have to be careful there, too. Am I better off just keeping all my creations to myself? Has anyone else done anything like this?

Yeah I've done this quite a bit in the past. The main thing is that no one will touch your recordings because they'll be full of copied stuff that everyone will get their asses sued for.

The only comparison i can draw with what you're doing is the Soul Wax stuff, are you familiar? I'm sure you are but in case you don't know they take accapellas of one song and put it over another... The most famous one being bootylicious over teen spirit.

I've done a Marilyn Manson one where I put beats and synths under a track that starts off the album 'Holywood'. We played it live in our set once and almost emptied the dancefloor! Another one was to mix 'Solo' in with an Orbital sounding track I did.. there's a few more but I wont bore you with them.

Over all maybe if someone really likes what you've done then they could do some white lables and give them to DJ's ... or maybe you could do it instead.

Xplanet said:

I don't know, maybe I'm just being overly paranoid. I thought about giving them to a DJ at a club or something, but number one, he might take credit for what I did - or number two, even if he doesn't want the credit, who's to say he won't turn me in and get me in trouble for all the copyrighted stuff I used. Or number three, maybe he doesn't want to empty HIS dancefloor!

Maybe if you've friends who are DJs that could play something for you? Everyone knows a DJ. Then you could trust them with your stuff. Maybe you should get out and talk to people, I'm sure you've tried though.

The thing with us at that time is that we knew a few people about the place. This I'm sure brings to mind the old saying of it's not what you know it's who.

Don't give up, I've got about £2,500 worth of stuff just laying around idle and a shed load of songs and it's a shame I gave up because for a time people really liked what we did.

First off, why are you worried about losing credit for a song that you yourself are ripping off? I'm not saying the ripping off is the bad thing. I'm saying, if you are worried, then go ahead and go through with licensing the samples. It's only something like 14-20 cents per copy, (if under a thousand). So then, take your best stuff, license them, and THEN distribute them to some DJs in your area. You're covered, and they'll be more encouraged to play your jams because they themselves wont come under fire for playing illegally copied tunes.

However, there exists a huge underground movement of pirated mixes. The White Label does some Prince stuff, I think. I could be way off. I've got a friend who's a DJ and we've talked about it. I think the basic attitude is, "publish now, worry/fix the problem later". So, if your mix starts getting heavy play, to the point that people want more stuff from you, just be ready to forfeit ALL your earnings from those songs.

Talk to a lawyer about "what's the worst thing that could happen?" - or check it out online - www.harryfox.com - they do most pop song licensing, and when I emailed them a question a couple of weeks ago, they wrote back within the hour.

Don't let your doubts hold you back. Don't be STUPID, but don't keep your art hidden in the basement.
[Edited 5/9/05 6:17am]