Lizzo Calls the Origins of Sampling Laws ‘Racially Charged:’ ‘Now Sampling Is Synonymous with Theft’

Lizzo Raises Concerns Over Racial Bias in Sampling Laws​

In a recent interview with the ‘Million Dollaz Worth of Game’ podcast, Lizzo delved into the racially charged origins of sampling laws in the music industry. The talented musician expressed her views on how these laws disproportionately impact Black creativity.

Lizzo highlighted the historical context, noting that sampling was a common practice among rappers in the ’80s and ’90s, as they lacked access to big studios and formal music training. She emphasised that sampling was integral to the birth of hip-hop, where artists created innovative sounds by sampling records from their parents’ vinyl collections.

The Grammy-winning artist pointed out that in the early days of hip-hop, there were no strict sampling laws, allowing for a creative ‘free-for-all.’ However, she lamented the shift towards viewing sampling as synonymous with theft in today’s music landscape.

Lizzo drew attention to a specific incident involving Biz Markie, whose album ‘I Need a Haircut’ was removed from stores due to sampling issues. She criticised the narrative of theft being imposed on Black culture through sampling, highlighting the deep roots of hip-hop in Black artistry.

The musician went on to discuss her personal experience with sampling challenges in 2021 when she faced a lawsuit over her song “Coconut Oil.” This legal battle underscored the ongoing complexities and controversies surrounding sampling laws in the industry.

Throughout the interview, Lizzo underscored her belief that the origins of sampling laws were racially motivated, particularly given hip-hop’s roots in sampling from the ’70s and ’80s. She expressed concerns about the policing of Black art forms through restrictive sampling regulations.

Despite facing pushback from sampling laws and legal challenges, Lizzo remains a trailblazer in the music industry, unapologetically advocating for greater recognition and respect for Black creativity in all its forms. Her willingness to address these pressing issues reflects her commitment to confronting racial biases in the music world.

As an influential figure in the music industry, Lizzo’s insights shed light on the systemic challenges faced by Black artists when navigating the complexities of sampling laws. Her call for a more equitable and inclusive approach to sampling serves as a powerful reminder of the need for greater diversity and representation in the world of music production.