wnyc.org / 93.9fm / am 820

A surprising new court ruling finds that rap artists should pay for every musical sample included in their work—even small, unrecognizable snippets of music. Until now, it has been legal to use musical snippets—a note here, a chord there—as long as it wasn't identifiable. But this ruling may have more far-reaching consequences for everyone from rappers to DJs to classical composers. Susan Butler, contributing legal editor at Billboard and Entertainment Law Weekly gives us the low-down on what the ruling may mean for musicians and fans alike.

Can politically oriented music influence anyone’s vote? The subject seems more timely than ever. Today we take listener’s calls on this question as we’re joined by two guests that have a particular familiarity with the topic. Composer Phil Kline made a splash earlier this year with “Zippo Songs: Airs of War and Lunacy,” a song cycle that looks at the nature of war using poems inscribed by G.I.'s on their cigarette lighters during the Vietnam War.
Additional Resources:
» Susan Butler’s Web site
» Court Ruling Could Chill Sample Use
» New Sounds Live: Phil Kline's Zippo Songs at Merkin Concert Hall