Everything is a Remix Part 1 (2021), by Kirby Ferguson

Summary

The script explores the concept of remixing as a creative process across various domains, from music and memes to the evolution of life itself. It delves into the history of music remixing, starting with DJ Kool Herc in the Bronx, leading to the birth of rap and the rise of sampling in music production. The narrative highlights how artists like Led Zeppelin and Kanye West have built upon and transformed existing works, emphasizing that creativity often involves borrowing and reimagining, with the internet now providing a new platform for remix culture.

Takeaways

• 🔄 Remixing is a creative process of copying, transforming, and combining existing materials to produce new creations, evident in various forms of media like TikTok, memes, and music.
• 🎧 The concept of remixing in music originated in the early 1970s with DJs like DJ Kool Herc, who pioneered techniques such as looping and switching between records to extend instrumental breaks.
• 🎤 Rap music was born from remixing techniques, with artists like Grandmaster Flash developing new art forms by creating music solely with turntables.
• 🎶 The practice of sampling, taking parts of existing songs and using them in new music, became a significant aspect of music creation, especially in genres like hip hop.
• 📀 The Sugarhill Gang's 'Rapper's Delight' was a landmark example of early rap music, which involved copying the rhythm from another song, highlighting the remixing process in popular music.
• 🌐 The internet has revolutionized remixing by making it easier for anyone to access and manipulate music, with artists like Girl Talk challenging traditional notions of musical ownership through mashups.
• 👤 Remixing is not limited to the modern era; earlier musicians also engaged in forms of remixing, such as Led Zeppelin, who were accused of copying but were simply part of a long-standing tradition of artistic borrowing.
• 🎸 Even the most successful artists in history, like Led Zeppelin, have faced controversies over uncredited copying, showing the complexities and legal challenges in remixing.
• 🎵 Kanye West is highlighted as a modern example of a prolific musical remixer, known for his innovative use of samples and techniques across various genres.
• 👥 The creative process often involves collaboration and the incorporation of multiple influences, as seen in the songwriting credits of artists like Kanye West.
• 🚀 The Everything is a Remix series emphasizes the interconnectedness of all creative work, suggesting that all new creations are built upon the ideas that came before.

Q & A

What is the concept of 'remixing' as described in the script?

Remixing is the process of copying, transforming, and combining existing materials to produce something new. It is a creative practice that allows for the reimagining and repurposing of old elements into new forms, as seen in various media such as music, dance, memes, and more.

How does the script illustrate the prevalence of remixing in modern culture?

The script provides examples from social media platforms like TikTok, where users create their versions of dance moves or lip-sync to others' audio, and in the creation of memes, which often involve repurposing images and combining them in new ways. It suggests that remixing is a fundamental part of how we engage with and create content in the digital age.

What role did DJ Kool Herc play in the early development of rap music?

DJ Kool Herc was an early pioneer in the creation of rap music. He extended the instrumental breaks of songs by switching back and forth between two copies of the same record, looping the dancers' favorite parts. This technique laid the groundwork for the development of rap music and the use of sampling in music production.

How did Sylvia Robinson contribute to the commercialization of rap music?

Sylvia Robinson recognized the potential of the emerging rap trend and assembled a team to record an actual rap song. She created The Sugarhill Gang, who used the rhythm from Chic's 'Good Times' to produce 'Rapper's Delight,' which became rap's first commercial hit.

What is the significance of Grandmaster Flash's contribution to the art of DJing?

Grandmaster Flash took DJ Kool Herc's idea of looping beats and refined it, turning it into a new art form. He is known for recording the first music created solely with turntables, which significantly advanced the techniques and possibilities of DJing and music production.

Can you explain the technique of 'sampling' in music production?

Sampling is a technique where bits of existing music are taken and used in new compositions. It originated in rap music and later spread to other genres. Artists would sample from various types of music, including R&B, soul, funk, rock, and even non-musical sounds, to create new and unique tracks.

How did the script describe the evolution of Led Zeppelin's music and its relation to remixing?

The script discusses how Led Zeppelin, despite being labeled as ripoffs by some, were actually engaging in a form of remixing by copying and transforming existing musical ideas. They took elements from blues and other genres, combined them with their own original compositions, and created a new sound that made them one of the biggest bands in the world.

What is the legal controversy surrounding Led Zeppelin's song 'Stairway to Heaven'?

The opening of 'Stairway to Heaven' was claimed to resemble the song 'Taurus' by the band Spirit. This led to a legal battle over copyright infringement, which lasted for years and resulted in Zeppelin prevailing in court in 2020, with the song found not to infringe copyright.

How does the script address the idea that all creative ideas are derivative?

The script suggests that all creative ideas are built upon previous works, citing musician and DJ Questlove's statement that 'the DNA of every song lies in another song.' It emphasizes that creativity often involves taking existing ideas and transforming them into something new.

What is the role of Kanye West in the evolution of remixing in the 21st century?

Kanye West is highlighted as a prolific and inventive remixer in the 21st century. He is known for his diverse sampling choices, innovative use of techniques like autotune, and his collaborative approach to songwriting, which involves many contributors and samples, making his work a prime example of modern remixing.

How does the script connect the concept of remixing to broader cultural and creative practices?

The script extends the concept of remixing beyond music to include other forms of cultural expression, such as memes and even the evolution of life itself. It suggests that remixing is a fundamental aspect of creativity and innovation across various domains.