http://www.divisionbrand.com/news/

The DIG Do’s and Don’ts of Song Jacking

“Pretty sure that’s a Song Jack Dude?”

26 Oct 2016

Soungjackingtitle2

By Joey Spinoza

“Pretty sure that’s a Song Jack Dude?” is a phrase I hate with absolute abhorrence. It grinds my gears because although I 100% adhere to the rules of song jacking I am also genuinely observant of the ambiguity of this rule. I want to discuss this in its true form, I want to shake the filthy water from between the sheets and lay it all out to dry so people can make an appropriate and correct judgment. Lets start at the beginning.

Before the Internet, or even in the early days of the Internet you could song jack and it would mean something - because the availability of content was so minimal that you could track the origin of the jacked content and your ruling would be valid. Basically I am saying that back then you should have known better, you should have noticed before you released. Now, in 2016 we face a new problem - we have to understand that the rules have changed and in fact there is now a new set of rules due to a colossus world of BMX content available deeming a ‘song jack’ either legit or non-legit.  

Song Jack Dude

Example:

So imagine you work for a brand, a legit BMX brand that makes parts, bikes, apparel and has been in the game long enough to remember when Edwin messed with X-Up landers (I’m trying to set a scene alright). This brand creates a video for a rider, the song you use is a song you chose in good faith and you did an average amount of research but most of it is based on the fact that you watch and observe BMX videos every day due to the nature of your job. 16 minutes after releasing the video on Youtube and every media channel has scooped it up you notice a comment that reads “sOng jACK ToDd chambeRs eDit” and immediately your eyes roll and you slump into the back of your chair. A quick Google for Todd Chambers brings up a video filmed with a Go Pro in Norwich, England and the video had 1,220 views and was once embedded by a Russian BMX blog. THAT IS NOT A SONG JACK! If you seem to understand what I am saying, and if you agree with this new wave of difficulties then the following Do’s and Don’t’s might help.

1. The song was used in a parts promo and the edit featured a lot of panning shots of frames and pedals, can I still use it?

Yes, use it but use it for a fucking epic banger section, if it means so much to you, if it's an amazing song then you shouldn’t feel like a child who got picked last in football, you should feel like an Amazon warrior who just hunted a snake with a piece of string. Be bold and prove that the song you chose is better off with bangers not wangers.

2. The song was used like 20 years ago in a section on a VHS. What even is VHS?

No, go search for a new song and stop being a sneaky git. If you know the song is out there, it's been used even if it was used way before you developed a pubic hair then just leave it where it is. Search for something new.

3. It was used on the end credits of a DVD?

Hard one this, no one watches end credits because they have already got up and gone to piss, so the chances are no one will ever know. Saying that though you are still being a sneaky git, you could probably find another song and keep thing legit. My advice is to move along, nothing to see here.

4. It was background music for an interview.

Use it. Not even going to discuss this one. Just use it.

5. An Energy Drink Co used this song and they probably paid for it? Can I use it?

If an energy drink company used it used it then there's a chance that it might just be really bad; made by some hippy guy in Garage band in Greece on a ‘year out’ after Uni. It was possibly even downloaded by googling ‘Royalty Free Hip Hop Guitar Music?’ So you should probably have a little walk to the bottom of your street, find an empty space and ask yourself what the fuck you are doing with your life

6. I want to use ‘Diary of a Mad Man’ is that cool, I mean – its been ages right?

Please use it. Please see what happens. Please. 

Previous

Setups: Chase Hawk

That boost button has gotta be hidden somewhere...

Next

The Aaron Ross Podcast

DIG X SNAKEBITE

Related Content

Mulville   Bmx 5 Reasons  Tbog   Rd

5 Reasons Why Sponsorship Loyalty Kicks Ass

Profile's Mark Mulville breaks it down...

29 Dec 2015
matt coplon graphic 1

9 Pros and Cons Of Being One Of The Busiest Men In BMX

Matt Coplon on the ups and downs of the 24/7 hustle...

1 Jun 2015
10 rules of the road Malouf Wescott McGrath Puerto rico

10 Rules of the Road - How to be a good BMX House guest

BMX Travellers Respecting The Local Connection in Puerto Rico

9 Mar 2015
SHAD JOHNSON GOODS PORTLAND 8REASONS BMX RD

8 Reasons Why You Should Never Open a BMX Shop... And 8 Reasons Why You Probably Should.

And no, we're not seriously trying to discourage anyone from opening up a shop...

14 Jul 2015
DIg vegan

15 ways to help get your photos published by DIG

Don't be a double dipper. No editor wants to get sent scraps...

9 Apr 2015
https://digbmx.com/videos/sibling-unity-home-turf-halahans-profile

Latest Content

J Lx Sm AOV2dchqdefault
Play Button

Garrett Byrnes - Demolition Parts 2002

Over 20 years old and still holds up

28 Mar 2024
D Fb Pku RF Exghqdefault
Play Button

Inspired: The Scotty Cranmer Story

Against all odds

28 Mar 2024
V8 Rf l K1d M Ihqdefault
Play Button

Magnetar BTS: Europe

Spots on Spots!

27 Mar 2024
2 S7mig Va Q Bwhqdefault
Play Button

SIBLING UNITY - HOME TURF - PROFILE

The entire Halahan clan shredding 9 Acres

26 Mar 2024
W u Mecnsu2ohqdefault
Play Button

Davey Osgood - March Biking

Top biking!

26 Mar 2024
T Zljypy Nk D0hqdefault
Play Button

S&M - MOORE BIKING

Welcome!

26 Mar 2024
H Wn B Ehxm Wu8hqdefault
Play Button

Tech Tuesday - 19mm, 160mm Profile Cranks on a budget - Profile

The backstory behind the 160s

25 Mar 2024
G4f GV Ho ZD Johqdefault
Play Button

ANIMAL BIKES - 'AHUEVO'

Three weeks in Mexico

25 Mar 2024
A P Tpd2h NDA8hqdefault
Play Button

Source BMX: Kilian Roth BTS RAW

Lock-in Unlocked

25 Mar 2024
E As1wz V Sw4hqdefault
Play Button

Factory Friday: Mad Dog Toolin' Around!

Mad Dog frame, Barbie pink Shortcut, Softgoods & more

25 Mar 2024
CG9 Rqtk Jz shqdefault
Play Button

FIT Power Hour - Clarkdale Skatepark

45 minutes with Milky and Ison

25 Mar 2024
Kz U e Bk201chqdefault
Play Button

DIG Partner stores

More Dig This

Thee void leader
Cinema apparel 24 sring
DSCF2930

PRODUCTIVITY - ECLAT 1023 STEM

Designed in Cologne. Made in Kyoto.

31 Jan 2024
Dig2023stack

DIG BOOK #2023

NOW SHIPPING

8 Jan 2024
Wheel mill winter welcome 24 WIDE

EVENT NEWS: The Wheel Mill - Winter Welcome Jam 2024

Shelter from the storm.

19 Dec 2023
TJP WTP 22 6

SETUPS: TYSON JONES-PENI'S 22" CHAOS MACHINE

"I'm not saying the 22" will become the new standard, but it might help some riders stay on a BMX, rather than switching to MTB."

18 Dec 2023
TAMERICA tam roastin BSD 2023 mcgrath 11

The TAMerica Interview

The USA didn't know what was coming!

12 Dec 2023
Wethepeople THE SWAMPMASTER matt black 01 web

PRODUCTIVITY: WETHEPEOPLE SWAMP MASTER

Bouncy BMX Time

11 Dec 2023
Jj book cover crop

PRINT MATTERS: The Dirt in Our Skin

When BMX and literature collide

7 Dec 2023
Sniper Lever Yuma 11

ARE BRAKES COMING BACK?! - THE ECLAT SNIPER LEVER

Read what brakey boy Yuma Oshimo had to say on. the subject.

21 Nov 2023
UWS casey thumb
Uws video teaser dig this thumb

UWS: BMX ON A MISSION - EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW

A new online street contest

17 Nov 2023