I've followed this debate for the last couple of days with interest (although I have to admit that I never intended on becoming embroiled in such matters when I signed up to the list for reasons of musical interest), because clearly it is a topic of integral importance to the techno movement. Coming from South Africa, a country with as racially divided a past as any, I feel that I have a couple of points that may be worth a mention here.
Firstly, the issues that are raised in this debate are larger societal problems not limited to techno or even music as a whole, but any forum that provides an opportunity raise awareness should be used! On the issue of people getting signed to major labels, the record industry (major labels) has always been much more interested in money than in giving due credit or financial reward to the people who are responsible for the music in the first place. It's a capitalist game, and the reality of the situation is that it is controlled by a few very wealthy white people. A case in point is a local group Ladysmith Black Mambazo (definitely not techno but a case in point for this example), who have sold hundreds of thousands of copies of records worldwide over the last 25 years and have seen virtually no reward for it. The whole Napster issue highlighted that most of those artists who do get signed to major labels don't get to see the proceeds of the work anyway. In this consumer driven society that we find ourselves in, record companies merely need to find one or two radio friendly "artists" to market to the public to reap huge returns. Such a small minority benefit, and factors such as racism compound this problem, particularly in the choice of who gets signed and marketed, but I would have to question whether, even given the opportunity, may/mills/saunderson/any number of notable others would want to be associated with that corporate money-grabbing anyway, as it would essentially equate to being a lottery winner celebrating his windfall and sudden rise from poverty as some kind of fundamental change for society as a whole! Still, that doesn't change the fact that it's inherently unfair and is something that needs to be redressed! And about artists not giving credit where it's due, (imho) RESPECT is just about the most important thing in life, and those artists who don't pay the necessary dues only serve to further alienate themselves from the rest of the artistic community. If it's done with financial reward as the main reason, even mores the pity! Everyone involved is entitled to make as much of a stink as they like about them and, above all, it's their choice and right not to support them. Not long ago (I was there for a year in 1999), the vast majority of the US population regarded any form of electronic music as techno, and they are the ones who view Moby as the US techno saviour. Those more educated and dedicated to the scene and to what it stands for DO give credit where it is due be it black, white, whatever (Hardfloor's Respect as an example), and are committed to keeping moving forward. And we shouldn't forget to focus on the positives too as examples of what should be done! My personal thanks and respect goes out to the founding gurus of this music that gives me and plenty others so much joy, and to everyone involved at all levels in keeping it moving forward! Everything you do makes a difference. It all depends on how much of a difference you care to make! And big up to everyone for raising the issues and encouraging discussion. Education! It is only through history, sharing our ideas and debating issues that we are able to develop and reinforce our ideas on what is right and wrong, and what needs to change and how it can be done. That's what direction and focus are born out of! My 3 SA cents Krakhed The world is your forum
