boot·leg (noun):
1. the part of a boot that covers the leg.
2. something, as a recording, made, reproduced, or sold illegally or without authorization
Etymology: in allusion to concealing objects in the leg of a high boot
A while back I accepted something that grates on my principles. Many of my close friends know that I have strong feelings against copping bootleg anything, especially music. I believe that if you like what an artist is doing, then show your love by making a legitimate purchase. No one wants to toil without compensation, right? And artists gotta eat, too. Well, this guy I was dating gave me a copy of Bilal's unreleased album, Love For Sale. And when I say that it's the hottest ish I've heard in longer than a minute, you best believe it. Bilal's vocals are kaleidoscopic and the production is simple and Zen in all the best ways. I know these pesky leaks can do an artist harm, and rest assured I haven't shared the album with anyone. I believe that the project should have been released despite the leakage, with a few unexposed songs added. Were it to ever launch, I would gladly PURCHASE two copies, one for me and one for my principles. Or maybe three copies, so I could tithe one to a good friend. I'm sure that would alleviate any negative bootleg karma, right?
Best regards,
Ella de la Luna
CEO of Mischief
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It's a hard to thing to monitor.... The internet is an open road, really.... You're only really speeding if you get pulled over by the cops. It's worlds within worlds. I, like yourself, prefer to buy my music, moreso because the quality of the files is usually better. HOWEVER, I believe in the power of sharing.... we were taught that social law since the days of the sandbox. I do believe also that artists, REAL ARTISTS (not record company executives, etc), deserve their compensation. But the difference between eating Hot Pockets and dining at 5-star restaurants is a big one. Some artists do it for love, and therefore (since sharing is a by-product of love), are willing and generous in sharing their work. The rest of them, who are obsessed with celebrity, money, power, etc., are big hustlers anyway. They'll never go without anything, so I'm a little less compassionate to their 'causes'. Finally, I think Bilal might be forgiving, but you never know.... look what happened to the Black-Eyed Peas (chokes). JK
ReplyDeleteI appreciate this post. I too believe that bootlegging and piracy is wrong, but I also believe that any exposure is good exposure when it comes to an artist and his/her work.
ReplyDeleteIf a few leaks happen here and there like this Bilal joint, judging from your review it will prompt people to look for it and cop it! Like the previous comment, it is a hard thing to monitor. But if everyone had a conscious like yours I think a balance can be striked. You admitted you bootlegged but you reviewed it, gave it props and encouraged others to purchase and said you'd purchase it yourself.
Jazz Times magazine this month did an article on the art of the album/cd cover and if downloading and mp3s has killed this art form. I think that there is a move back to collecting the covers and art work in cds and albums so if for no other reason bootlegging for a REAL music connoiseur wont be an issue!
Peace
VerbalEssence78