Im not sure where this is from as it has been forwarded to me from a coworker...
Before continuing below I would like to add that KRS1 one mentions a few points that I brought up in this discussion a couple weeks ago (namely that packaging can make a difference).
Also - READ THIS CAREFULLY - when replying to this email try not to get hot-headed and argue this to death. It is the opinion of one person (KRS1) and is simply worth posting to this list because KRS1 is a well respected innovator and originator in the hip-hop community. Although this is the IDM list, part of that includes M for music and we can't deny how much of electronic music borrows it's roots from hip hop beats.
And one more thing - please don't CC me when replying as that just gives me two copies of your message - one from the list and one from the CC.
Geez.... I can't believe I have to put such a lengthy disclaimer when posting to this list......
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O: How do you think the Internet and Napster will affect the way people use
and listen to music?
KRS: Let me say, first and foremost, that you're talking to a biased person
in that sense, because I'm all for Napster. I think that Napster is the
greatest invention since sliced bread. Napster, to me, is liberation and
freedom for artists. Yes, it directly goes against copyright laws. It is
copyright infringement and it does, I think, dip into the sales of record
companies. I think, in that sense, that it's a destructive force for
corporate America. But, then again, that's what I stand for. Not to totally
destroy corporate America, since I'm a product of it, but I think Napster
puts capitalism in check, and that, to me, is a great service. If we're
going to operate in a capitalist system, then let's uphold Napster, because
that's the balance, where people can go and download albums or singles or
whatever. To me, that's great. I think music should be free. I think all
communication should be free. I think people should respect artists, and
there should be a certain respect for artists who give their music away for
free. If your music winds up on Napster and you approve of it, then the
person downloading your music should at least go to your concert, should at
least purchase your songs. Like, if they want a CD or cassette or the
mastered copy of your album, they should go out and buy it, but you should
not have to buy a song. You buy records, which present songs. But you
shouldn't have to buy songs. Songs are things that you get around a campfire
and listen to and enjoy. So, again, I think Napster is a step forward. I
think it will affect music in this country, or the world, really, and force
record companies to concentrate on their packaging more.
O: Why do you think artists like Dr. Dre and Metallica spoke out against
Napster?
KRS: Because it directly goes against their sales. It damages their ability
to make money. The bottom line is, "Are you in this for money, or are you in
this for art?" And Dr. Dre is my man, straight up, he gets all the respect.
We've worked together, and to this day he's a supporter of KRS, and I'm a
supporter of him. But he has his philosophy, and I have mine. I don't even
know if Dre even thought it out that much: He may have been put up to it
because of his record company. Same thing with Metallica. I don't know that
they really thought about this, because if you really think about it, it
would tell you to step up the packaging of the products, so Napster will
become an advertising vehicle, as opposed to the end-all-be-all, "I got your
record for free and that's it." No, it should be, "I got your record for
free, I got your album for free, but your packaging is also worth money, and
so I'm gonna go purchase your material, because I want to read the booklet
that you have. I want to see the rare pictures you're putting in. I want to
see the packaging." So, again, Dre, Metallica, and everyone else who speaks
out against Napster, I think it's a balanced argument. I think they're
correct in their argument, but it comes down to, "What are you in this for?"
I'm in this for the art and the culture of it, and I've always made that
clear and stood by that. Not that I'm against making money on a record, but
that's not my end-all-be-all. That's not my bottom line. My bottom line is
respect. Other people's bottom line is money. I think both arguments are
correct.