Fxck Universal Music. Lakim Remixes Relocated

So if you follow @Soulection or the growing number of artists on their roster (or not but making similar kinds of music) you know that Universal Music Group is on a warpath and soundcloud is the newest front after the label has been given power to directly take down infringing content (as happened on youtube before).

Lakim is just one of many producers who have been doing insane re-mixes of popular songs who has been forced to take down his work from soundclopud for using UMG samples. Soulection has had shows removed, countless accounts (even paid for ones) have been shut down and in general there is a “Fuck UMG” fervor.

I can’t say I disagree. Clearly these are artists who make their own work and trapped out flips of the latest top 40 is not the extent (or even focus) of what they create. For a huge industry player like Universal to devote its considerable resources and time to this certainly comes off as hate. That being said, we can’t pretend that these flips don’t get a certain attention and reaction for taking some (usually terrible) song and turning it into an undeniable thumper – after all that’s the whole point. But is Universal doing right by its artists shutting down other musicians? I honestly only listen to the remix of most of the songs they’re mad about and I know I’m not alone in that. I think artists should be free to make whatever they want and share it but it’s not the first time that crazy idea has been shitted on by capitalism.

However, regardless of what UMG or anyone does, anyone who’s bout it will always find a way. Lakim has now made all of his remixes available on Bandcamp. And dropped something special on soundcloud to help guide his listeners and this is just one example of ways the music keeps playing.

I don’t know if Bandcamp is only a matter of time, but I have confidence that if it is, we’ll still be able to get our flip fix.

On the flipside, (bad pun intended) I hope the silver lining in all this is that more of these talented producers spend more time (not like they aren’t in the lab 24/7 anyway) on their original work, and getting original vocals with other artists. Don’t get me wrong, I’m always down for a good ‘Trap House Jumpin Like Jordan’ but we know that’s light work, even if its good work.

Now go pick up that Lakim album, and DL some remixes and stay tuned to the moves he and his Soulection fam are making.