Whatever our said modern world would be without the help of technology? Obviously not the point of Chicago-based Consortium Muzik label head Big Cee makin’ his official debut on IDMW’s editorial team. But rather more of how it could be without the presence of pirates or should I say hackers regularly ruining its undeniable convenience…
Over the last week, there has been a great deal of speculation about a certain DJ and his ability to gain access to an alarming number of unreleased projects from various artists, producers and record labels. This is how it began for me in late January 2008, I was alerted that there was a blog that hosts numerous mixes consisting of unreleased material from my label and many others. I was dismayed my material was in the hands of anyone outside my immediate circle of producers, artist and selected DJ's. I wanted to see for myself and upon accessing this blog I found several of my unreleased projects had been a mainstay in the mixes of the DJ for months prior and wonder how this was possible…
Needless to say I became very suspect of the producers and remixers in my camp and started an internal investigation to seal this obvious leak. Before pointing the finger I also consulted with several other producers whose material was also prevalent in these mixes. I wanted to find the common denominator that linked us all. I spoke in detail with Gene King of Shine records who is a good friend and also a victim of this unauthorized access to unreleased material. Gene was most disturbed by these finding because material he had only completed in recent days was already appearing in the playlist of this DJ on his blog. The only common factor was the use of AOL Instant Messenger, I then went directly to this DJ and asked him how was he able to gain access to my material as did Gene. Well of course, the latest was very vague on his explanation and would give no details and felt he was doing us all a great favor by promoting our… stolen music. He claimed he knew several producers who regularly sent him their projects, but this didn't sit well with me because I knew for a fact Gene King hadn't sent this guy anything yet all his most recent music was being played in these mixes. Still being unsure of source of this leak, I continued to search for an answer and solution. I was almost sure this DJ had ability to intercept AOL Instant Messenger transmission and performed several searches on Google for an answer to no avail. Nevertheless I continued to monitor this blog, all the while making changes on how I distributed my material to my inner circle. In effort to appease me, this DJ posted a mix I did for Lars' XM radio show + a lot of promotional information about my label. In late March I was again alerted a new unreleased track from my label had appeared in another of this DJ's mixes. I confronted him and asked how did he obtain this track,. He tried to put the blame on the producer saying he passed it to a friend who then shared it with him. I immediately contacted this producer who was angered by the accusation and also confronted this DJ. At this point I was determined to find and seal this leak, I reached out to a friend who had vast knowledge of the internet and asked is there such a software that can intercept AOL Instant Messenger transmission. My friend thought I was simply paranoid, but did reach out to several of his friends who some might consider to be hackers. Within a week he contacted me back and confirmed my initial thoughts he gave me a link to the following hacker site. http://www.hackinthebox.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=6115&mode. It was here I learned about a flaw in AOL Instant Messenger that coupled with another program you could, as I originally thought, intercept the files being shared. I felt it was my civic duty to alert as many as possible to prevent their material from being exploited by this DJ. Since doing so I have been subjected to numerous threats by this DJ via emails and chat rooms. He would ruin my label and his intent to have all my material uploaded and offered as shareware. He also made postings on several message boards & his blog given fictious reasons why not to buy releases from my label and pleas to artist not work in conjunction with me in the future. I again want to sound the alarm to any producers, artist and labels to refrain from using AOL Instant Messenger when sending your unreleased material.
We must stop this audio terrorist and save the muzik to save our scene......
Lastly, I have made it a point not to use the name of the DJ or give his blog address because since this was first reported and as more and more people came forward to concur my findings they too have become subjects of attacks especially on his blog page. He seems to thrive on the attention and notoriety, even if its negative in nature.........
Big Cee CEO of Consortium Muzik (Chicago)
www.myspace.com/bigceeakapodfather