Is Alicia Keys a Sampler or a Stealer? Giving credit isn't enough!

[discoAL]

cheating is cheating...

[Belgianidiot]

it's thief, not stealer....

I'm just sayin'

[EASings]

@Belgianidiot "Stealer" is a conjugation of the word "steal" and can be used as a noun. Most people do use "thief" instead but that is because they don't know the usage of "stealer" is allowed! Furthermore, I used "stealer" instead of "thief" following the word "sampler" for alliteration purposes...

I'm just sayin' :o)

[JonathanGardnerTV]

WOW was my reaction when I heard Loleatta Hollaway's "We're Getting Stronger". The WHOLE beat itself was taken! They did a good job though lol. On the verses you can definately hear how they took the melody as well!

At least when Amy Winehouse had Mark Ronson remake the instrumental for the original version of Ain't No Mountain High Enough to create Tears Dry On Their Own, at least she made a completely different melody and lyrics on completely different subject matter.

[EASings]

Thank you sir! I love when people are able to decipher for themselves! :D

[s3xych1ka91]

..righhht then forget race why do this? no point nobody really cares I on the other hand am very disapoint in you because your dissin awesome people. Not everybody is who they say they but yet they do it. do you think everybodyy has to right there own songs every single time they make one? no that would be to much work so they have sometimes people do it for them. PLus you never know things are about to change we need the same music but with more beat so just leave it--x

[s3xych1ka91]

I'm surprised that you just did blaq ppl... enh watt about the white people who copy blaq people's music, or Taylor Swift who copied Saving Jane (belong to me and girl next door) tell me if your going to ""be real stay real/ love me hate"".Just doing this one thing sorta pronounces that your racist because it's only black people yu did. And waistd 6min.keep it up beat next time and information shortout.BtW everybody recopies look at cardinal official-copied reggae nd mix it up.ME A GOT chu now~.

[EASings]

I brought those specific "artist" up because they all sing the same style of music! Furthermore, if you ever feel like you wasted your time watching a video, remember, YOU waster YOUR time! I didn't force you to watch it!

BTW...just bcause many people copy doesn't make it right! Yes I brought up a specific artist but it is because she is the latest to steal music!

[EASings]

I didn't even realize I only brought up artists who were all the same race (which they are not...btw) but if they were, I still wouldn't have thought about it! Why? Because I don't care about their race! However, you clearly do...I don't concern myself with worry about a musicians race but you did so what does that say about you?

[EASings]

I brought those specific artists up in this video to parlay off the fact that these artists perform in the SAME genre and present themselves as real singer/songwriters! That was why I brought it up! I never even thought of race in my choices because again, I don't concern myself with such unimportant things! I don't care about a musician's race! I care about music!

[pannoni1]

I think Alicia may have cost Whitney not only a radio hit but also a Grammy; this may backfire at the Grammys, but it's not Whitney's fault (unless she was smart enough to remember dance music from 1976 which she grew up on).

[EASings]

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[ohigotchu]

If you gonna call somebody out call somebody everybody knows like Beyonce you ain't say her name cause you fear losing subs and getting bashed fake asses.

[EASings]

Firstly, please watch your typing...lol! Name calling shows a young mind! Secondly, no one used Beyonce because no one cares about Beyonce! Everyone knows she steals music! That is nothing new! Thirdly, Alicia was used because she "wrote" the latest song "Million Dollar Bill" that is completely like the original! Fourthly, Alicia is respect as a true artist and Musician, Beyonce is not! Fifthly, Alicia was the person brought up in the original video! Get it, got it, GOOD!

[ohigotchu]

You will be exposed by the way. Oh I got chu lmao

[EASings]

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[CHANTELsce]

EAsings, I'm gonna say this. Yes, I disagree with what you're sayin, but I do respect your opinion. I was just stating my opinion and may have started a harmless debate on music. I am a hardcore music lover myself and I do study music...but either way, it doesn't make anyone's opinion more valid. I do appreciate your sincerity on the topic and maturity overall. I wasn't here to "BEEF" or degrade anyone...great convo

[EASings]

I respect your right to have an opinion as well! I also respect my subscribers opinion to your opinion! We are all grown here and I have no control over how people express themselves! Thanks for watching and for having a reason for while you believe the way you do! Too many do not and just follow what others say instead of making up their own thoughts on a subject! Thanks again!

[twilliger123]

I think a great example of a sample where you wouldn't even know the song it's used from is "I Adore You" by Caron Wheeler. Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis only use the part of Sybil's "Don't Make Me Over" where she sings "I Adore You" and made it into a totally different song. Alot of people didn't know that unless you read the credit on the song...amazing.

[CHANTELsce]

SMH because we speak something of what we feel is right, we are stans??? SMH Yea nice defense mechanism. Just because you share your opinion doesn't mean that i'm not a music lover...in fact, I'm sure that I could know more about music than you all, since I don't stick to a particular genre. If we want to speak truth, we should do research. That's what i'm saying. You don't make an scientific assumption without research and clarity..so why do it with music?

[EASings]

I never called you a "stan" so maybe you should do a better job @ commenting to that specific person! Also, do not discount my credibility! If you knew anything about me or my channel, you would know that I do not stick to a specific genre due to the fact that I am a classical trained vocalist and I sing Opera with Opera Houses around the country, furthermore, I was correct about Beethoven! James Brown sampled Beethoven and she sampled James therefore she sampled Beethoven! Take care!

[CHANTELsce]

If you knew I wasn't speaking about you, why bother making it known? It doesn't matter if you are a classical trained vocalist or grew up singing in church, it doesn't make you more knowledgable than anyone in this case. Also, if James Brown's violins in "A Man's World" sampled Beethoven, does that make him an artist who lacks creativity? Though I would say the chords played in the beginning of "Fallin" were more of Chopin rather Beethoven.

[twilliger123]

I'd like to know where the hell you are getting this out of what EA is talking about, he is talking about acknowledging a sample or a rewrite and not saying it is your own when it is not....People who are trained in music have to sing and listen to all styles in order to get their degree, so people such as EA or myself would know more about different genres of music than most people, not being arrogant about it but a simple fact! EA is stating his opinion and I agree with him! Chill!

[twilliger123]

Also taking a sample and making it into something new and unique, not just changing words to the same song!

[CHANTELsce]

Im not hot, so there is no need to chill. He has an opinion and I respect that. What's so hard with respecting other opinions tough? Not everyone is going to agree with what everyone thinks and debates are harmless. I understand you and he had to study different styles and genres to get a degree, but does that make your judgment and knowledge of music more valuable or valid? no. I'm stating my own opinion also..can I not do that, my previous comment was not even aimed at him.

[twilliger123]

I understand that, and now after reading your profile I understand you're obsessed with Alicia Keys so it all makes sense now....LMFAO.

[CHANTELsce]

Exactly what I just spoke on. SMH...If you do have education, it's not showing with your behavior. I'm not obsessed, but I am a fan. Which is why it's strange that you people are condemning an artist who had nothing to do with the production of the claimed "Stolen" or "Sampled" songs.

[twilliger123]

Coming from a 20 years old I'll take your insult for what it is...childish. No one is condemning Ms. Keys for anything, only that she should actually write her own music instead of taking old songs and rewriting the words. EA is right, it's not a sample, that is a remake or rewrite. She's too good and talented to be doing that.

[CHANTELsce]

I'm childish, but I've yet to call you out your name or throw insults. Okay. If Alicia wrote the lyrics herself, how exactly did she steal and re-word them? Listen to Whitney's song and then listen to "We're Getting Stronger" in which Swizz Beatz sampled for Whitney's track...the lyrics have no common similarities.

[twilliger123]

She stole the music, it's essentially the same song with new words. It would be one thing if she took a sample track from the song and made a whole new vibe, concept and took it in a different direction, not the exact same song with different words. I'm not speaking about any other song than Million Dollar Bill and don't care about any other songs, this thread is to discuss that song and the fact that Ms. Keys used the entire song, did not sample anything. What is so hard to understand?

[CHANTELsce]

I would ask the same thing..What's so hard to understand that she did not produce the song? She was responsible only for the lyrics of the song, if she produced the song, I wouldn't even care. All I was speaking on was Million Dollar Bill, so I don't even understand the relevance of that statement. I mentioned "We're Getting Stronger" is the song that was sampled in the creation of Million Dollar Bill"

[twilliger123]

Ummmm, obviously you're trying to draw attention from what Alicia obviously has done....it doesn't matter about the production, she wrote the song with the music from an entirely different song, it doesn't matter who produced it, they aren't going to change the song during production. I can tell this conversation isn't going to go anywhere because overobsessed uber-fans of someone are always out of control this way, unfortunately. Bye, get a life honey!

[CHANTELsce]

SMH dude, it's sad you can't even have a mature debate without getting overly defensive and start to throw out names. It doesn't matter what you think of me, I don't really care enough to think of you which is why I never viewed your profile to see who you were. I stated what I said, you disagreed..N/P Most people know that Swizz brought the track to Whitney, Clive & Alicia this year, while in 2008, Alicia already had the song written for Whitney. It's on video, you can view it if you like.

[twilliger123]

Ok, last time I'm going to comment...WHO CARES ABOUT PRODUCTION??? It is still the same song regardless, Alicia wrote it with that song....HELLO!

[CHANTELsce]

It's whatever you think, I feel differently on the situation. Keep your opinion, i'll stick to mine..

[EASings]

My thing is this: why write a very similar melody to the track of a sampled song, change the words and then call yourself a song writer? That is like me getting a Brandy beat from Rodney Jerkins that sounds like "Boy Is Mine" writing a melody similar to that of the original song and writing new words to it and then saying I wrote this song!!! I don't see it! Yes, I realize Swizz produced the song but Alicia had to have known the original song to write a melody and chorus so similar!

[EASings]

The reason why the mess hit the fan is because you said "Just because you share your opinion doesn't mean that i'm not a music lover...in fact, I'm sure that I could know more about music than you all, since I don't stick to a particular genre." I brought up my background because I felt you were trying to attack my knowledge on the subject! And now I am finally reading that my subscribers had some things to say about it! I decided to leave it alone because I said everything I wanted to say!

[EASings]

I said something to you because you may have mistakenly sent me the message thinking it was sent to the person to whom you are actually speaking! If I said nothing, you may have thought he didn't respond! So, I responded so you would know you sent it to the wrong person! It wasn't that serious!

[EASings]

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[twilliger123]

Way to speak out, EA...as a musician/singer/songwriter myself I've used samples on occasion but I make my version my own, you wouldn't know it only that I always give credit to the sample. ITA.

[EASings]

That is all I am asking! No one is saying never sample but if you do, at least make the song sound different or just call it what it is...A REMAKE!!! Thank you for watching and commenting!

[bullabelly]

I gave my brother Thruthealcove his props for his video and i'm going to do the same here E. You expressed it just right but you know what, as he said, people are not interested in the origins of music, it's all about the hype and the artist. A lot of artist sample, but how many of them give credit where it is due?

Alicia got this going only because she is responsible for this current affliction and the fact that she is or should be a composer herself.

[EASings]

EXACTLY!!! That last sentence expresses it all! Just write new music and stop trying to sell other peoples ideas! Because that is what it is! Thanks Duane!

[thruthealcove]

Dude, I give up!!! These younger fans, and some older ones too, wanna be right but still don't know or understand the point we all are trying to make!!! We're living in an era now where people are "stans", not caring about the music & the quality of it, it's just all about the singer/performer!!! There is NO WAY you can steal music in these days without lawsuits coming from the woodwork, but that's so not the point of our videos, people just want us to be messy!!!

[thruthealcove]

And further more, we used Alicia & this song because it's the latest song to fall victim of this unfortunate common practice in today's music. If you wanna really be a music LOVER not a FAN, knowledge about this stuff is VERY important because millions of people out there are believing that these songs are 100% original because of how they are marketed. We're not exposing some scandal, we're protecting the integrity of the original music that came before us!!!

[thruthealcove]

This is just a prime reason why I will NEVER defend ANYBODY but my family & friends!!! LOL They don't care about me personally, just buy they're stuff!!! We need to get real & understand that there was a time when we didn't have to sample, it's a very lazy & cheap way to produce music IMO, no matter how you slice it!!! I'm done Eron, you're doing an excellent job with this, thanks so much dude!!! COME ON FRANCE!!! LMAO

[EASings]

LOL...I think they see the words "sampler" and "Stealer" and think my definitions are the same as what their definitions are! If they listen to the video I explain what a sample is to me and what stealing is! But they are responding with their pre-conceived definitions! If a you respond to a vlog, at least respond based off the definitions the vlogger has laid out for you! That is what is causing the confusion! Plus, "stealer" is such a harsh word and they would rather I use another one! LOL

[seand67]

Here's a few more examples of Alicia's sampling habit... 'Fallin' SAMPLES 'It's a Man's Man's Man's World' by James Brown, 'Gangsta Lovin'  SAMPLES 'Don't Stop the Music' by Yarbrough and Peoples, and 'A Woman's Worth' SAMPLES 'Footsteps in the Dark' by the Isley Brothers. TOO Funny!!!!

[EASings]

I think people are totally not understanding how I define stealing music! I know that Alicia is giving credit but if you are going to remake a song, REMAKE IT!!! Use the whole song with words--EVERYTHING! But don't take a song, the instrumental, arrangement, harmonies, melodies, whatever, and write new words and try to sell it to me!

[Backatwon]

Tell the truth man .........define it .....people  need to remember history in all facets of life !!...Which is to say don't kill the messanger ..........just ap[preciate that they have told the truth!.........stay blessed

[EASings]

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[lovie2000]

In order to sample a whole song, the copyright owner gives them permission to use it in which they did.

Beyonce has redone so may old Artist, (the Chi-Lites being one) it is rediculous. She is the real remake queen, she took Mary J Blige place on that.

Songwriter writes lyrics. A composer composes the music. So she did write the the lyrics, and that being the case, she wrote the song and produced the arrangement, thus the title songwriter is relevant.

So she did not steal the song

[CHANTELsce]

Exactly, and stealing is using and taking w/o permission. It's a fact that she has given credit to artists that were sampled. For the people who are naming songs..check the producers. None of the songs that are being mentioned were produced by Alicia Keys. Name some of the songs she produced herself and see if you find something "stolen" or the correct term "sampled" with permission

[EASings]

Chantel! Thank you for your strong support of Miss Keys! I think it is wonderful that she has a fan who speaks the truth! If you listen to my video, my usage of "steal" has nothing to do with taking a song without permission! If you read my title, it says "giving credit is not enough!" So in saying all of this, I am NOT saying she didn't have permission! I am saying there is a difference between sampling and using the entire instrumental, and melody of the original song! That isn't sampling!

[CHANTELsce]

This has nothing to do with my support for Alicia, if it were anyone else in this situation, i'd do the same. Alicia wrote lyrics for this song, she had nothing to do with the sound. As I say..Swizz Beatz produced Million Dollar Bill, and Kanye produced her other sampled tracks. If we talk about whole albums, let's review whole albums instead taking 4 or 5 tracks and saying her whole catalog consists of sampled songs...4 or 5 songs out of 50 or 60 or so is far fetched

[EASings]

Everything you said is true lovie and I am glad you are supporting her but you are missing the major point! Giving credit, getting permission, etc. not enough! She knows what music she is writing too! If it ain't yours, if it ain't new and if it is sampling an entire song, I have a problem with it! Write new music, compose new music! And yes, she does have a HUGE say so in what music is composed for her so to act like she doesn't know! Write and play new material!

[lovie2000]

It's not about support, it's about giving a valid point from one songwriter to another, one artist to another.

The point here is that she didn't steal the arrangement, sample, or whatever you want to call it.

When someone steals music, they re-record it and don't give credit at all once it is released. I can name some thieves in the industry and Alicia Keys is not one of them.

[EASings]

I think we just have a different understanding and definition for stealing music! You keep going back to giving credit and like I say in the title, "giving credit isn't enough!" My reasoning behind using the term "stealing" is because of the definition I explain in my video! It is not as if she is using the music and not giving credit it is more than that...! I respect your opinion based on the way you are defining the term!

[EASings]

BTW...she didn't produce the arrangement because the arrangements in question were used on the original song! She just changed the words around and used the original arrangement! LOL...that's another problem! And that is why I say whether you have permission or not she stole the concept, changed the lyrics and resold it to the masses as if she made something new! That's like me taking Stevie's "Higher Ground", changing only the lyrics, and keeping everything the same and selling it to yall!

[lovie2000]

I do understand what you mean when you say be original, it's a grand thing to be original, BUT, All new music comes from old music, the Chi-lites for example were honored and obliged that Beyonce wanted to sample their full arrangement from their song "Are You My Woman" they said so themselves.

One of the biggest major Artists that is a the thief in the industry is MADONNA, love her but she is the thief here, not Alicia Keys.

[EASings]

I do understand why you use Madonna but this video honestly isn't about her...no shade! Madonna is a HOLLYWOOD CREATION! She is an entertainer! She doesn't suggest that she makes music or that she is bringing about a movement in music! She is and never will be a real musician! Alicia is suppose to be giving us soul back in our music! You can't give me what we already have by using what was and what already is!

[EASings]

Make something new, move me with creativity and have musical integrity by being a true artist being that she profits from selling the idea of "True artist" to us!

[ohigotchu]

I understand your points but if people going to call folks out don't just use Alicia Keys let the truth be known Beyonce,Ciara,Britney,Janet,& etc does it as well I yet to hear somebody say that.

[EASings]

Yes! People can call out many people! I speak on this specific person because she is known by millions of fans to produce her OWN ORIGINAL music that remains people of the sound of the seventies when in fact, most of her ideas, concepts, instrumental, etc. for songs were created for her by artists in the 70's! Sampling is using a part of an original song not the whole thing! Someone who doesn't use lots of songs from the past is India Arie! Love all her wonderful new ideas and creativity!

[G30rg1aPeaches]

I love Alicia Keys and will never stop loving her, and I did realize the sample or whatever from unbreakable. Still love the song though. I just wanted to say that no one realize that many other artists do the same. They Sample or even steal a concept from an Unknown artist, which honestly I perceive as worst. Any one who know music will realize where some of Alicia keys' songs come from, but It's not like that with Unknown artists.

[EASings]

This isn't an "you love her or hate her" situation! I just want her to write and create all new music for the public! She has a HUGE say so in what music goes on her album and to have so many songs that are just remakes when it is not an album of remakes...! I can buy the originals! Why should I buy her music if she is just reselling old songs? Write new music--writing new lyrics isn't enough---new music!

[TruthSerum101]

I love Million Dollar Bill.

[EASings]

Yes! It was a great song in the 70's too!

[TruthSerum101]

LOL! I've had Holloway's album since it was released digitally and the two songs really stand on their own for me. The melody and lyrics of Million Dollar Bill are very different from We're Getting Stronger.

Maybe it's a matter of how one views arrangements. Are arrangements necessarily considered a part of the composition?

[EASings]

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[thruthealcove]

OMG you read & read the WHOLE BOOK!!! LOL Thank you my brotha for doing this video!!!

[EASings]

LOL...I see so many folks don't understand where I am coming from either! They are going all around the point in support of the artist! Has nothing to do with that! Write new, real music with your own concepts! Musical integrity is what this is about! Stop trying to sell me reused music when you pride yourself on making new music! Just write to and arrange new music and melodies! Why is that so hard to understand! Aww well! *shrugs shoulders*

[TruthSerum101]

I think there can be great pride taken in sampling. It depends on the output and the artist. "New music", sampled or otherwise, often consist of borrowed elements - patische.

[TruthSerum101]

...and that would include borrowed riffs, cliche ridden lyrics and plain old covering a song.

[CHANTELsce]

Another person ignorant of things...There are 3 parts of a song..The vocals, which are from a singer, the lyrics, which are from the songwriter, and the Production which is from the producer. Now seeing that Alicia only wrote "Million Dollar Bill" how is this her doing? Another fact you my have not researched. Fallin did not sample Beethoven, in actuality, it produced the same chords and percussion as "A Man's World".We need to do more research before we open our mouths sometimes.

[EASings]

You feel better? Take care! :D

[CHANTELsce]

I've never fely bad, I do enjoy truth and facts though which is what I always bring. Anger is not an option in my case, but you, truth is..Let's GOOOOO!

[CHANTELsce]

*feel

[EASings]

LOL...you feel better?

[wackedoutgurl]

You know... you have a great point. There is a lack of creativity and vision in the industry. I think it's why I have been listening to independent artists rather those who are signed and mass produced to keep the pop/rock business alive.

And you are right... she (Keys) doesn't have to credit any composer before 1913 because it is public domain and can be used without any legal problems. I love that song... but still. Keep speaking out!

[lovie2000]

"she (Keys) doesn't have to credit any composer before 1913 because it is public domain and can be used without any legal problems"

Not necessarily the case, wackedoutgurl.

All works written before 1978 are not public domain, if the copyright was renewed by a new owner (meaning the ownership of copyright was transferred to a new copyright holder or next of kin and renewed).

[wackedoutgurl]

True, I knew I forgot that legality. If the ownership was not transferred by the copyright owner, then of course...

Point is that she probably did not... which I believe is the point that EA is trying to make and her hit in which sounds like an original in score and lyrics may not be truly "original".

Thanks for clarifying and take care.

[EASings]

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[cooleo505]

great

[EASings]

thanks!

[1DjRadeoConscyous]

this upsets me; but you make damn valid point.

[EASings]

Thank you! It is very upsetting and unsettling!

[seand67]

GREAT video Brother, I also HAD TO respond to Thruthealcove's joint. Check out my video titled 'Sample This!'. Enough of this Sampling mess.

[EASings]

I will check it out soon!  It is so annoying!

[renethel]

What happened to music being an art form? :0

[EASings]

Music sold out to big business! That's what happened! And the public got suckered into allowing big business control their thoughts on what is good music!

[renethel]

It makes me so mad!!! Grrr!

At least YOU are a real musician! :)

[JsoulFan]

right is right and wrong is wrong. put'm on blast

[EASings]

Thank you for understanding!

[iAmV247365]

Okay so I totally know where you are coming from. Credit needs to be given where it is due. That'll be all!

[EASings]

It is not just about credit! It is also about being an artist and writing ALL your material (music, lyrics, etc.) Don't sample an ENTIRE song! That isn't sampling!

[iAmV247365]

I'm in no position to say what an artist should or shouldn't do. I just do youtube videos and covers at that. :0( However, you are in a position to say something and you said it well. :0)

[EASings]

LMAO...how pc of you! I'm not saying everyone has to write for themselves but Alicia prides herself on being a singer/songwriter but she ain't writing! And then she has folks thinking she wrote the songs! Yes, it is not her fault that they think that but it is her fault the she promotes herself as one thing and keeps doing another! She should be called a Singer/Samplewriter...LOL!

[iAmV247365]

LOL!! I am PC aren't I. I think I'm just laid back tonight. I didn't even realize she didn't write a lot of songs that she's released until now. I mean golly gee I done been educated. lol

[Quadracer687]

Eron Thank-you so much for your video and your right people who are using the artist songs and not making it thier own and I totlaly agree with you and you should continue to write music. I hope your doing well and thank-you again for your video and I hope to hear from you soon Quadracer687 (Laura)

[EASings]

I checked your video out! Wonderful! Thank you again for watching!