Girl Talk

Gregg Gillis (aka Girl Talk) is a not a DJ. He cuts up songs, stretches and loops beats, mixes samples of many different genres to create recontextualized and fresh songs. Call it mashup on ecstasy. Went to school for biomedical engineering, but quit in 2007 to focus on his music. The legality of said music is oft discussed, as he uses at least two dozen unauthorized samples per track. Gillis cites "fair use" as a legal defense for his sampling practices. He feels as though copyrights inhibit creativity. So far, there hasn't been a lawsuit. Girl Talk has released four albums and several EPs on Illegal Art. His latest, "Feed the Animals" uses over 300 samples and is critically acclaimed. Where else can you hear Salt 'N Pepa mixed with Nirvana? That's what I thought.

Person 1: Hey, let's go to the Culture Room tonight. I hear Girl Talk is playing.

Person 2: Yeah, he definitely puts on an insane show. What with all the improvised hyper-danceable beats, wild dancing, and mixing with the crowd. Perhaps he'll remove his shirt as well?

Person 1: We'll see 'bout that! It'll be sick!

211👍 90👎