Zomby accused of plagarism by fellow producer Reark
Things are getting a little heated after a producer called Reark posted a clip on his Soundcloud today that points the finger at the elusive British producer Zomby. Reark uploaded a short clip of a track he says he wrote by himself back in 2007 that is nearly identical to Natalia’s Song, the lead single from Zomby’s 2011 album ‘Dedication’. The caption goes into detail on the development of the song:
“1. I wrote this loop back in October 2007, entirely by myself, posting it on myspace.
2. Zomby, with whom I was communicating, hears the loop and offers to collaborate to finish it. I agree and send him the original Reason song file + Rex file of the vocals.
3. Zomby posts the loop on his myspace without crediting me, I complain, he takes it down.
4. In the next months Zomby suggests where the track might get released. I continue to remind him that it’s a collaboration.
5. Without my knowledge, a slightly revised version is aired by Mary Anne Hobbs on Radio 1, you can hear Zomby’s revised drum variation from 1:06 — 1:36. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MDLXRtbeLg0 This is the only significant change he’s made to the track. The rest is looping, and some slight editing of the vocal cuts.
6. The track gets released on 4AD in May 2011, I notice in August 2011. I complain first to Zomby with no effect, then to 4AD, to whom I send this loop plus an e-mail sent from me to Zomby with the original Reason song file from October 2007. 4AD accept my evidence and change credits to include my name.”
As point six shows, 4AD have credited Reark for his involvement but the problem seems more ethical than legal, with the producer feeling that he and his singer friend with still haven’t received their dues.
“Zomby has been vague in interviews when asked about the vocal sample. The singer is Natalia Ladygina (hence the name of the track), a Russian friend of mine. She is singing a cover of Irina Dubcova’s song ‘O nem’. I have other samples of her, so you can expect to hear more of her in the future.”
The debate is currently continuing online as Zomby defends himself against the critics and is in turn defended by loyal fans. In turns defensive (“Sold about 4 records and you want hype off me”) and irreverent (“Hilarious tho”), Zomby sees the issue as done and dusted because of a legal settlement:
(“Everything is dated and all legalities are took care of this is music business not Internet nerd drama”).
He finally stated “I nearly got shot in Moscow for that sample this bro doesnt know hes born […] Dudes are going on like they wanna do something to me over a sample they know nothing about lol dont embarrass yourself”
