Sampling has become a staple in modern day music, from electro to hip hop and even rock 'n roll. But just because something is a staple doesn’t mean that it sits well with everyone. MTV News reported yesterday that Steve Angello, member of the group of house DJ/producers better known as Swedish House Mafia, has found that out the hard way.
Beatportal.com spread the word to their followers in early August that the beloved hook that pulls together Angello's "Knas" is a loop taken from readily available software. The loop is a part of a sample pack created by the popular German producer, Manuel Schleis. However, as with all loop software, when purchased, using these loops is 100% legal.
Debaters are more concerned with creativity than legality, though, and this discovery has caused them to criticize Angello and the powerhouse trio. Swedish House Mafia has been renowned for their unique tracks since they hit the scene in the mid 2000s. Steve Angello defends his track stating that “It all depends what you do with it, if you chop up a sound, or if you do something to a sound. If you just take a sound fresh, it’s a different story.”
It’s going to take a lot more than letting the public know where they get their loops to slow the Swedish House Mafia guys down. Aside from their deluxe book set, "Until One," available for pre-order now, the group is slated to appear at mega music festivals ULTRA and Coachella in 2011.