Here's what I wrote to her:
Ms. Lapolt,
I hope all is well. I'm a fan of 2Pac Shakur, who
happens to be a deceased artist signed to the label of
one of your clients, Amaru Records.
I don't know how much it means to you, but since I
became aware that you and Mr. Malcolm Greenridge are
primarily in charge of the posthumous releases of
Tupac Amaru Shakur, I thought that before the next
album you might take into consideration a petition I
drafted personally nearly 2 years ago, in regards to
the manner and content of 2Pac's releases.
Here's a link:
http://www.petitiononline.com/2pacogs/petition.html
Now, although I only signed the petition once, I have
to apologize in advance for any
filth/derogatory/excess comments that may be posted as
signatures on the petition. I've heard about some
terrible comments you have had to endure from some
"fans," and I don't feel this is appropriate to you.
Still, all I would like to do is initiate some
dialogue between you at the record label, and the true
fans. I would like to possibly have this carry over
to a discussion with a small group of members who are
much more actively involved with the 2Pac community
than I am.
But the point is, over 10,000 fans have signed this
hoping that you all will change your strategy for the
next release.
All I would like to ask is, if you continue to remix
songs and swap out guest artists--what is the
reasoning behind such moves?
Many 2Pac fans have been baffled by this, as an
overwhelming amount of people, even those who bought
the previous 2Pac release, Loyal To The Game (I did
not and have not listened to nor downloaded the
tracks, with the exception of legal 30 second clips
which solidified me in my decision), feel the musical
quality of these songs is not worthy of a 2Pac
release, whether it's in the remixing of songs, the
controversial choice of having certain artists
collaborate with 2Pac, or horrendous production.
Clearly, sales cannot possibly be an issue. My
favorite posthumous album released by Amaru, which
happens to be "R U Still Down" sold incredibly, and
yet barely any of the songs were remixed or changed to
omit guest artists. If these things did happen, they
hardly took away from the feel of the song.
Please read the content of the petition and if you
have any questions, let me know. I do hope this has
some influence over you and could tell me what I can
do as a fan to change your mind if not. Because after
all, it is the fans who will bring you your sales.
Hope to hear from you soon.
Warm Regards,
And here's what she responded with:
Hi
Thank you for your email but I am only the attorney that drafts and
reviews
all the agreements and other necessary paperwork required in connection
with
the Tupac Shakur record albums. I do not produce records nor do I
participate in the creative process. Please note that Tupac's
mother,
Afeni Shakur, is the sole creative force behind all of her son's music
and
she is also the executive producer of all the albums.
Also, please note that all the master recordings contained on Tupac's
record
album "R U Still Down" were all remixed. As a matter of fact, that
particular album also has 27 samples that are embodied on the remixed
masters as well. Furthermore, please also note that most all of the
unreleased masters Tupac left behind are largely unfinished or contain
samples/interpolations are cannot be cleared pursuant to the US
Copyright
Act which forces Ms. Shakur to remix the music and perhaps add other
artists.
I forwarded your email to the appropriate parties responsible for
assisting
Ms. Shakur in the continuation of her son's legacy.
Kind regards.
Sincerely,
Dina LaPolt
----
For someone who is "only involved with the legal paperwork," she sounded pretty defensive, telling me "Please note" 3-4 times. She also left out the fact that EDI has had a huge part in the production. I can't say I'm not surprised though.
What do you guys think of this.
-Z-
Ms. Lapolt,
I hope all is well. I'm a fan of 2Pac Shakur, who
happens to be a deceased artist signed to the label of
one of your clients, Amaru Records.
I don't know how much it means to you, but since I
became aware that you and Mr. Malcolm Greenridge are
primarily in charge of the posthumous releases of
Tupac Amaru Shakur, I thought that before the next
album you might take into consideration a petition I
drafted personally nearly 2 years ago, in regards to
the manner and content of 2Pac's releases.
Here's a link:
http://www.petitiononline.com/2pacogs/petition.html
Now, although I only signed the petition once, I have
to apologize in advance for any
filth/derogatory/excess comments that may be posted as
signatures on the petition. I've heard about some
terrible comments you have had to endure from some
"fans," and I don't feel this is appropriate to you.
Still, all I would like to do is initiate some
dialogue between you at the record label, and the true
fans. I would like to possibly have this carry over
to a discussion with a small group of members who are
much more actively involved with the 2Pac community
than I am.
But the point is, over 10,000 fans have signed this
hoping that you all will change your strategy for the
next release.
All I would like to ask is, if you continue to remix
songs and swap out guest artists--what is the
reasoning behind such moves?
Many 2Pac fans have been baffled by this, as an
overwhelming amount of people, even those who bought
the previous 2Pac release, Loyal To The Game (I did
not and have not listened to nor downloaded the
tracks, with the exception of legal 30 second clips
which solidified me in my decision), feel the musical
quality of these songs is not worthy of a 2Pac
release, whether it's in the remixing of songs, the
controversial choice of having certain artists
collaborate with 2Pac, or horrendous production.
Clearly, sales cannot possibly be an issue. My
favorite posthumous album released by Amaru, which
happens to be "R U Still Down" sold incredibly, and
yet barely any of the songs were remixed or changed to
omit guest artists. If these things did happen, they
hardly took away from the feel of the song.
Please read the content of the petition and if you
have any questions, let me know. I do hope this has
some influence over you and could tell me what I can
do as a fan to change your mind if not. Because after
all, it is the fans who will bring you your sales.
Hope to hear from you soon.
Warm Regards,
And here's what she responded with:
Hi
Thank you for your email but I am only the attorney that drafts and
reviews
all the agreements and other necessary paperwork required in connection
with
the Tupac Shakur record albums. I do not produce records nor do I
participate in the creative process. Please note that Tupac's
mother,
Afeni Shakur, is the sole creative force behind all of her son's music
and
she is also the executive producer of all the albums.
Also, please note that all the master recordings contained on Tupac's
record
album "R U Still Down" were all remixed. As a matter of fact, that
particular album also has 27 samples that are embodied on the remixed
masters as well. Furthermore, please also note that most all of the
unreleased masters Tupac left behind are largely unfinished or contain
samples/interpolations are cannot be cleared pursuant to the US
Copyright
Act which forces Ms. Shakur to remix the music and perhaps add other
artists.
I forwarded your email to the appropriate parties responsible for
assisting
Ms. Shakur in the continuation of her son's legacy.
Kind regards.
Sincerely,
Dina LaPolt
----
For someone who is "only involved with the legal paperwork," she sounded pretty defensive, telling me "Please note" 3-4 times. She also left out the fact that EDI has had a huge part in the production. I can't say I'm not surprised though.
What do you guys think of this.
-Z-
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