Feb 19, 2015
Hip Hop impresario Amerigo Gazaway is one of my favorite music producers. He reworks samples and records so that his songs transcend both original recordings. Furthermore, an Amerigo Gazaway albums tell a story, like LP's did back in the vinyl days. Moreover, it's his love for his source material and his authenticity that resinates with listeners. Bombarded with cease-and-desist letters for sampling, it all changed when Apple chose his Mos Def/Marvin Gaye retooling into a "Yasiin Gaye" song "You Are Undeniable" for a commercial. (Click the link to get on iTunes.) It's the first unauthorized mashup to be used for a major brand, and a landmark breakthrough for hip hop.
Watch this Apple Computer TV spot "Jason's Verse" to hear the funky "Yasiin Gaye" track.
Amerigo schools me on sample trolls, copyright law, his process and the Brazilian "Cannibalist Manifesto". Near the end of our chat, he turns the tables and asks me about the selection of music for film and commercials.
Please send me your feedback and any filmmaking questions to RespectTheProcessPodcast@gmail.com today.
Thank you,
Jordan
This episode is just over an hour long. Do rate us on iTunes.