Funkmeister supreme George Clinton is suing the Black Eyed Peas, their Universal Music Group label and Cherry Lane music publisher for copyright infringement, after the musicians allegedly twice sampled his 1979 hit '(Not Just) Knee Deep' on the 2003 'Shut Up' remix and a Grammy Award-nominated CD.
Clinton, who is one of the most sampled musicians ever, first released his chart-topping hit on his 'Uncle Sam Wants You' album. '(Not Just) Knee Deep' originally ran 15 minutes and has been sampled by iconic rap legends such as Snoop Dogg, Tupac and LL Cool J.
Over the years, the professor of P-funk has had to roll up his sleeves and duke it out in the courts over his music. Clinton actually managed to get a judge to acknowledge his ownership of the legendary phrase "bow wow wow, yippie yo, yippie yeah," in the 1982 timeless hit 'Atomic Dog.' Clinton also won a ruling after record labels violated his rights by re-releasing four of his 1970s albums.
According to the court document, "Dr. Funkenstein" got word of the alleged Black Eyed Peas sampling when he was approached back in 1999 by one of the group's record producers who requested a license for a new remix of the song 'Shut Up.' Clinton says he denied the producer's request and thought that was the end of it. He was not aware that the group had already sampled his song in a prior version.
Clinton is seeking maximum statutory damages of $150,000 per infringement and an injunction prohibiting further distribution of the infringing song.
29-Nov-10 - Facebook Pastor Cedric Miller resigned from his post, after it became public that he had a three-way sexual relationship with his male assistant in wife. Now, it's being reported that he will return to his job.
16-Nov-10 - Forty-five years after he was killed by an Alabama State Trooper, Jimmie Lee Jackson, whose death lead to the first civil rights march on Selma, he is finally getting a small measure of justice.
That's right Mr. George Clinton, sue their ass!!! I am so tired of these young no-talent musicians copying the Masters like Mr. George Clinton. Make your own music and leave the Masters music alone. Be creative and make your own sound. Sampling is for losers who don't have any talent. The Masters put a lot of time and energy in making their original sound and they don't need any copy cats.
It is true that the Judged sort of ruled in his favor regarding ownership of his music. There was fraud involved, But Armen Boladian still retained ownership of the majority of Georges music. Which why George is still working. He doesnt get a dime from all that sampling, Armen does.
In fact Armen has filed over 500 counts of copyright infringements against 800 artists.
There a few songs that George still owns, obvioulsy this is one. Now the truth is, in P-Funks heyday, George didnt take care of business. One hell of a show, but poor business practices.
Whoever you are I am with you on this one. As one who grew up in the 70's on P-funk, EARTH,WIND, AND FIRE, OHIO PLAYERS, ISLEY BROTHERS, COMMODORES, SUN, MAZE, THE BARKAYS, CONFUNKSHON, LAKESIDE, CAMEO, AND BRASS-CONSTRUCTION, I remember every band having it's own sound. You are not the only one out here who is sick and tired of all this cheap "ready-made" sampled crap. I think the reason this has gone on for so long is that the record labels have been pushing this because it is quick, cheap, and easy to produce. QUICK, CHEAP, AND EASY, that seems to be the American Way, SHORTCUTS "BY ANY MEANS NECESSARY." I think another reason why record labels push this is for more control of their artists. These labels would not want too many artists like PRINCE OR STEVIE WONDER who can write and produce their own stuff. This is not only in R&B but some Gospel artists have built their careers on sampling. Personally, I think the stage is being set for real musicians with real instruments to come back and produce some real music. I don't know about you but I want to hear music and not technology.
Thats right is right Copy Cat! i feel the same about these no talent losers that have no musical skills, who have to make a living recyling these groups classic music to get rich and brag about the house they live in and how much they have!
without those punk ass losers sampling these classic groups music, where would they be? nowhere because they dont have what it takes to be unique and don't know how to play intruments to create a band. i hope he get his because they shouldn't of disrespected him like that and go behind his back... thinking they wouldn't get caught!
Its absolutely makes me sick that no talents like Sean Combs and Kyane are millionaires. And all of it from stealing from the true masters.
And the pure audacity they have to compare themselves to Quincy Jones and Michael Jackson.
No one every tries that crap with Prince...i think they know he would call em on it in that cool scathing manner of his. Remember how he gave Trez Songz the icy "I am not pleased" look when that young rude dummy "song jacked" Patti LaBelle and performed the number horribly?
I know a Deal is a Deal, But, Come On Armen, share Some of that Money with The One that made it "FUNKY" , how about 30% of All that George did for You and The World. Then George could let his Music be Sampled for a %. Time to do Right and get out of that Wrong Old Ways. GOD IS STILL IN CONTROL, JESUS CHRIST IS THE ONLY WAY TO THE KINGDOM OF GOD. CHOOSE YOU THIS DAY, RIGHT or WRONG, HELL or HEAVEN, ETC......
So after 7 years he decides to sue? Hmm, must need the money now. If he was smart back in the day he would own his music instead of the rich white man who's gettin paid every time one of his songs in sampled. Such an idiot. Too much funking around and trusting someone else instead of taking care business.
LOL-You took the words right from me! I've read about George Clinton, he was in a drug stupor for most of the 70's, and wasn't taking care of business. Now the fog is clearing from his brain some 30 years later and he wants that check! LMAO
Stupid ass Ericka and dumb ass Carla ford just wanna have something negative to say about a man who Deserves to sue when it's without his permission they sampled his song. why dont you two broke busted miserable hens get together and rub clits.
See!? Young dis-respectful ignorant children! Do you really think George Clinton is sitting in his home 24-7 listening to every new CD out to catch the knuckle heads that steal from him. Talent leaches!!
Michelle Obama Attends Beyonce Concert
7 Weird Ways To Bug-Proof Your Picnic
Comments: (15)
Add a comment
By: stop the copy cats on 12/14/2010 11:48AM
That's right Mr. George Clinton, sue their ass!!!
I am so tired of these young no-talent musicians copying the Masters like Mr. George Clinton. Make your own music and leave the Masters music alone. Be creative and make your own sound. Sampling is for losers who don't have any talent. The Masters put a lot of time and energy in making their original sound and they don't need any copy cats.
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: Brady on 12/14/2010 12:25PM
It is true that the Judged sort of ruled in his favor regarding ownership of his music. There was fraud involved, But Armen Boladian still retained ownership of the majority of Georges music. Which why George is still working. He doesnt get a dime from all that sampling, Armen does.
In fact Armen has filed over 500 counts of copyright infringements against 800 artists.
There a few songs that George still owns, obvioulsy this is one. Now the truth is, in P-Funks heyday, George didnt take care of business. One hell of a show, but poor business practices.
Still, If your using his music, pay him.
Report This
By: G.Anderson on 12/14/2010 2:36PM
Whoever you are I am with you on this one. As one who grew up in the 70's on P-funk, EARTH,WIND, AND FIRE, OHIO PLAYERS, ISLEY BROTHERS, COMMODORES, SUN, MAZE, THE BARKAYS, CONFUNKSHON, LAKESIDE, CAMEO, AND BRASS-CONSTRUCTION, I remember every band having it's own sound. You are not the only one out here who is sick and tired of all this cheap "ready-made" sampled crap. I think the reason this has gone on for so long is that the record labels have been pushing this because it is quick, cheap, and easy to produce. QUICK, CHEAP, AND EASY, that seems to be the American Way, SHORTCUTS "BY ANY MEANS NECESSARY." I think another reason why record labels push this is for more control of their artists. These labels would not want too many artists like PRINCE OR STEVIE WONDER who can write and produce their own stuff. This is not only in R&B but some Gospel artists have built their careers on sampling. Personally, I think the stage is being set for real musicians with real instruments to come back and produce some real music. I don't know about you but I want to hear music and not technology.
Report This
By: Sus7637 on 12/14/2010 8:17PM
Thats right is right Copy Cat! i feel the same about these no talent losers that have no musical skills, who have to make a living recyling these groups classic music to get rich and brag about the house they live in and how much they have!
without those punk ass losers sampling these classic groups music, where would they be? nowhere because they dont have what it takes to be unique and don't know how to play intruments to create a band. i hope he get his because they shouldn't of disrespected him like that and go behind his back... thinking they wouldn't get caught!
Report This
By: lahelama on 12/15/2010 1:02PM
Its absolutely makes me sick that no talents like Sean Combs and Kyane are millionaires. And all of it from stealing from the true masters.
And the pure audacity they have to compare themselves to Quincy Jones and Michael Jackson.
No one every tries that crap with Prince...i think they know he would call em on it in that cool scathing manner of his. Remember how he gave Trez Songz the icy "I am not pleased" look when that young rude dummy "song jacked" Patti LaBelle and performed the number horribly?
Report This
By: Allgood on 12/14/2010 3:25PM
I know a Deal is a Deal, But, Come On Armen, share Some of that Money with The One that made it "FUNKY" , how about 30% of All that George did for You and The World. Then George could let his Music be Sampled for a %. Time to do Right and get out of that Wrong Old Ways. GOD IS STILL IN CONTROL, JESUS CHRIST IS THE ONLY WAY TO THE KINGDOM OF GOD. CHOOSE YOU THIS DAY, RIGHT or WRONG, HELL or HEAVEN, ETC......
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: Erika on 12/14/2010 2:22PM
So after 7 years he decides to sue? Hmm, must need the money now. If he was smart back in the day he would own his music instead of the rich white man who's gettin paid every time one of his songs in sampled. Such an idiot. Too much funking around and trusting someone else instead of taking care business.
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: carla ford on 12/14/2010 3:46PM
Erika
LOL-You took the words right from me! I've read about George Clinton, he was in a drug stupor for most of the 70's, and wasn't taking care of business. Now the fog is clearing from his brain some 30 years later and he wants that check! LMAO
Report This
By: Sus7637 on 12/14/2010 8:05PM
Stupid ass Ericka and dumb ass Carla ford just wanna have something negative to say about a man who Deserves to sue when it's without his permission they sampled his song. why dont you two broke busted miserable hens get together and rub clits.
Report This
By: lahelama on 12/15/2010 1:03PM
See!? Young dis-respectful ignorant children!
Do you really think George Clinton is sitting in his home 24-7 listening to every new CD out to catch the knuckle heads that steal from him. Talent leaches!!
Report This