There has been a huge discussion with pro and cons about sampling in the house music scene last year, about whom the song belongs to and a paradigm was set by the story about the top rated house track of 2011 “Doin’ ya thang” by Oliver $.

Oliver $ was sampling the voice of Moodyman, taken from a live set recording, putting it over his own track, working it so perfectly that it resulted into a whole new “live” recording, so to say.

The track got loads of love and climbed up the ladder to the top charts – and stayed there for weeks and weeks. It was played up and down the whole ladder in every club. Most people didn’t know who the great Moodyman was, simply because he was not “in” any more – and this track brought Moodyman back to the game. A win-win situation for both artists. But Moodyman decided to release the track made by Oliver $ under his name “Moodyman feat. Oliver $” and selling it. Bad move. Instead of being thankful to have brought Moodyman back into the consciousness of the bookers worldwide, he decided to play dirty.

I do respect Moodyman a lot and I do understand that he was mad that Oliver $ did not mention Moodyman’s voice sampling, and I do hope the gigs following after that have made up for all the inconveniences… But still. Why just not laughing about it, being happy for the extra PR and produce a track on his own that is of equally good quality?

The funny thing about this story is, that “Doin’ ya thang” was never intended to be a No.1. hit…

And as loads of house producers use sampling, I am sure there will be not one that can point a finger to Oliver $ and accuse him of stealing, when they use sampling themselves.

For me, “Doin’ ya thang” belongs to Oliver $ and should not be sold under Moodyman’s name.

…. But what happens, if a producer sends another producer (label owner) a promo track and instead of releasing that track, the label owner makes his own track out of it and puts it online under the same title?

Everyone uses certain songs and samples it, because some tracks are just “made for sampling” – but in this case – can you blame someone to take your idea and bringing out a track before you? Artists vs label head. Usually, you know who the winner is.

If this whole story is true, I am very disappointed.

For 2012, I wish that everyone does work hard on their own stuff so that arguments cannot occur at all.