This is HUGE.

Although, supposedly the rumor is they just wanted to use the mixtape excuse as a reason to look into other nefarious dealings DJ Drama was doing...

The fact was, it was HIS mixtape he was producing. Considering how popular mixtapes are, and have become a vital marketing tool in general(see Clipse), this is going to be a very interesting case.

The real reason CD's sales are in a slump is because of people like DJ Drama making Mix CD's (usually commisioned by the record label) which promote their artists releases. This should totally make record sales recover in 2007!!!!!!!

People like DJ DRAMA are totally the reason why CD's sales are in a slump. His mix CD's (usually commisoned by record labels) which are used to promote artists releases need to be stopped. This should totally help CD's sales recover in 2007!!!!!!

more interesting points from here: http://nahright.com/news/2007/01/16/dj-drama-and-don-cannon-arrested-for-piracy/

Atlanta’s Fox 5 reports that a police SWAT team in conjunction with RIAA anti-piracy agents raided DJ Drama’s Gangsta Grillz recording studio earlier today and arrested both he and fellow Aphilliate Don Cannon on piracy charges. The ramifications of something like this are potentially pretty huge for high profile mixtape DJ’s. The RIAA just disgusts me to the point where I don’t want to ever pay for a retail cd again in my life.

They didn’t seem to mind a year ago when Drama was promoting T.I. and pushing his album to Gold status in a week. And check out the report below and notice how even though the cops didn’t find any illegal drugs or weapons, they were sure to mention how the discovery of such contraband is typical during these raids on "counterfeiters." In the video they are clearly confiscating boxes of Gangsta Grillz mixtapes, yet they act like these guys were in there burning copies of retail albums.

and from

http://www.smokingsection.net/TSS/?p=765

This is foul because…

1. That means Cannon tapes are on hiatus for a sec. and we won’t be hearing the world’s best drop…”CANNNOONNNN…..STEPPP BACKKK!“

2. They seized a Beanie Gangsta Grillz tape that was prolly en fuego.

3. Yes, there are some copyright infringement issues here, but be serious. Labels PAY Drama to put out tapes.

4. All the crime and mayhem in the streets and this is all the APD has time to do? And we’ll assume this police department isn’t exactly full of angels & geniuses, considering this is the same department who fatally shot a 88 year old woman.

5. SMH @ the news reporters making it seem like they were selling “traditional bootlegs,” i.e. counterfeit material. I’d rather these fools crack down on fake sellers on eGay.

Also, add on the cops for misleading and insuiating that drugs are usually found in similar raid situations. Yeah, Drama did drop Welcome To The Traphouse but I sincerely doubt…nevermind.

6. It’s kind of disheartening knowing that the mixtape game and that avenue for artists, could possibly be undergoing an impending change based on this situation. As much many may hate to admit, 50 and G-Unit’s early mixtape run produced some classic material. The same can be said for Budden, Saigon, Papoose, and Young Jeezy. Hell, even Lil Weezy.

Imagine the rap game without these artists and the medium thru which they recieved early acclaim.

Disheartening if you ask me.

SO THE RIAA PROTECTS THE MUSIC LABELS. THE MUSIC LABELS PAY DJS LIKE DJ DRAMA TO PUT OUT MIXTAPES. THEN DJ DRAMA GETS ARRESTED. FAIR? NOT AT ALL. BESIDES THAT (MOST) MIXTAPES ONLY GIVE LISTENERS A SAMPLE OF NEW MUSIC. THEY DO NOT COPY CD'S SOLD IN STORES AND REPRODUCE THEM.

GET YOUR FACTS STRAIGHT BEFORE YOU SPEAK ON SOMETHING YOU KNOW NOTHING ABOUT.

Typical fox style new reporting too. Makes me so mad

i guess this is why he is called dj DRAMA?

meanwhile, Timbaland (or whichever underling is responsible) roams free.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M4KX7SkDe4Q
http://forums.somethingawful.com/showthread.php?threadid=2274635

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/18/arts/music/18dram.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

Cd Sales Are In A Slump Because Of Dj's Like Drama!! Come On, Drama If Anything Helped Lil Wayne,Jeezy & T.I. Get The Sales They Have Right Now.Cd Sales Are In A Slump Beacause Of Wack Material!!! 17 Songs On A Cd And 2 Of The Songs Are Hits.Let's Point The Blame At The A&R's/Label Exec's For Putting Out This Garbage Not To Mention The Trash That's Being Played 30 Times A Day On Your Local Hot 97.5 In Las Vegas And Everywhere Else."Cut The Check" That Is The Name Of The Game Now,It's Not About The Quality Of Music.When Is The Last Time You Heard A Hit Record That You Can Play 10 Years From Today?This Shit Is Bigger Than Drama By A Long Shot.The Media And Everybody Else Is Using This Brotha As A Scape Goat Just Like The Labels That Comission Us To Do Mix Tapes.I Don't See The RIAA Going After Them....

I think it is bull shit I really like his mixtapes

plan and simple crackers can't stand to see a nigga have shit it's just that simple

plan and simple crackers can't stand to see a nigga have shit it's just that simple

Support DJ Drama Keep The Mixtapes Alive

wowo...

musicians unite. Use creative commons to license your music, and give djs an easy way to avoid this kind of bullshit...

www.creativecommons.org