Public Enemy Goes 'Open Source'? (a contest)
 

Public Enemy Goes 'Open Source'?

By: LTVNET © 2001-07-16

Now THIS could be an answer to the so-called file-sharing dilemma. Put the file-sharing public to WORK!

Public Enemy of "Fight the Power" fame is producing their next CD with an "open source" twist. If you wanna get involved, you better get hoppin'. After September 14, 2001, your "big opportunity" is gone.

Each week, download a newly recorded acappella vocal track from Public Enemy. Produce some music tracks around the vocals and upload your unique version back to them. Winners get $1,000 per song plus an album credit. How 'bout that?

They're stressing innovation and quality. Go Techno or even Country if it works.

This collection will fall under Public Enemy's own record label SlamJamz.com, as they move aggressively to retain more creative and marketing control of their products. PE is also partnering with House of Blues Digital for a DVD of Public Enemy live in concert. Both products are scheduled for release this year.

Chuck D of Public Enemy is notorious for his "pro-Napster/anti-major label" views. In 1999, they released an MP3 version of their CD "There's A Poison Goin' On," before the release of the actual CD. This ruffled the feathers of many traditional retail outlets who initially responded by refusing to carry PE's CD in their stores.

For details on the contest, go to SlamJamz.com.

Re: Public Enemy Goes 'Open Source'? (a contest)
 

I like this idea a lot. It's a good example of how the evolving technology allows artists to invite their online audiences to whole new games of creative interaction. Another similar idea could be to let out unmixed or semi-mixed multitrack material and let people come up with different mixes of it.

- tg ;)

This reminds me of something Napster had called Tonos TC8 or something like that. Different users make songs and pass it on to the next user for refinement. I downloaded the program but never bothered giving it a try.