ITH's 96K = rip off of Black Star/Mos Def

[Humbert]

Posted: 6/17/08 at 9:49am

Did anyone realize that 96,000 sounds exactly like that Black Star song? It's uncanny. It sounds totally derivative. Which makes sense - I can totally see Lin listening to Mos Def.

[Fiyero13]

Posted: 6/17/08 at 9:50am

which black star song?

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 6/17/08 at 9:50am

Care to post a link to the song?

[Humbert]

Posted: 6/17/08 at 9:52am

I have to find it. My friend (not in theater) played it for me the other night right after the performance on his i-pod. I think I have it too and will post as soon as I get home today.

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 6/17/08 at 9:59am

Well, I felt IN THE HEIGHTS was a rip-off of many things (especially RENT). I remember sitting there watching the show and not falling for its charm. It was so easy to read right thru it.

Some of the latin material was refreshing, but it all had this 'its so much like...' feel to everything.

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 6/17/08 at 10:03am

How does one equate IN THE HEIGHTS with RENT exactly?

They seem to be on total opposite ends of the spectrum to me.

[spencinthecity]

Posted: 6/17/08 at 10:03am

I'm just curious... where exactly did you feel the story/show resembled RENT?

I mean, they both had characters named BENNY, they both had songs that were numbers in digit format.... But other than that?

Let me know

[Patash]

Posted: 6/17/08 at 10:05am

"How does one equate IN THE HEIGHTS with RENT exactly?"

Why, that's clear! Both take place in run down neighborhoods. For that matter, In the Heights is a total rip off of West Side Story which was an even closer locale!

LOL, how silly this discussion is. Is there anything that can't be compared to something that went before?

[Drunk Chita Rivera]

Posted: 6/17/08 at 10:15am

Oh My, they both are in New York. Big Deal!

That doesn't matter, there are many shows in New York. The only thing that is similar is that Rent and iTH are they both have "today" music. And Lin has clearly stated that he was inspired by Rent, so it's not like he isn't crediting Rent

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 6/17/08 at 10:18am

And Kevin Adams used the exact same lighting design for PASSING STRANGE that he used for SPRING AWAKENING.

[HennyPenny]

Posted: 6/17/08 at 10:21am

http://youtube.com/watch?v=Rx5aVI2zsFE

Go to the 1:40 mark.

[musicalmaster703]

Posted: 6/17/08 at 10:32am

MY bad sorry

Updated On: 6/17/08 at 10:32 AM

[TonyVincent]

Posted: 6/17/08 at 10:37am

Passing Strange was started in 2004 so SA copied PS if thats what your thinking

SA's first workshop was in 2000, if that's what your thinking

https://www.broadwayworld.com/bwidb/sections/shows/index.php?var=6641

[broadwaybaby086]

Posted: 6/17/08 at 10:39am

Seriously? It's one verse, and one that's obviously meant to sound like that song. It's Not a rip off, it's a brief sampling at worst, and an homage at best.

[Calvin]

Posted: 6/17/08 at 10:42am

I thought something was fishy when he said "too darn hot." I was thinking, "I've heard that somewhere before." So, I did a little research, and it turns out that was a song written in the last century by some obscure composer named Cole Porter. Plagiarism!

Also, I'm pretty sure he stole those six notes in the A Train bit. I smell another Vanilla Ice/Queen trial coming.

[VenusEnvy]

Posted: 6/17/08 at 10:42am

I still think a sampling is a rip off to a degree. If you want to sample something you should give credit. Plain and simple!
Thank you HennyPenny for posting the link.

[Humbert]

Posted: 6/17/08 at 10:43am

Come on now.

rip. off.

[Weez]

Posted: 6/17/08 at 10:44am

Yeah, I think the ripping off is shameless. I mean, he even stole from some obscure early '80s musical in his ACCEPTANCE SPEECH of all things! Shocking, truly shocking.

[Calvin]

Posted: 6/17/08 at 10:46am

We tease because we love.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 6/17/08 at 10:48am

Didn't anyone notice? He stole a line from SITPWG in his acceptance speech! He can't even write his own SPEECH for God's sake how could he write an original musical!

[futurenala]

Posted: 6/17/08 at 10:57am

lmao at this thread!

[Drunk Chita Rivera]

Posted: 6/17/08 at 10:58am

My god, people, relax!


He did not steal the lines he said that lines. Lets see you write an entire show.


And what line did he supposably "steal"?

[Humbert]

Posted: 6/17/08 at 11:05am

I just don't find anything about the show to be original.

There are more rip-off's, which I can post later. Lot of Black Star lifts.

There's nothing wrong with revisionism or anything, I just think a lot of the show is really cheesy

[JP2]

Posted: 6/17/08 at 11:05am

LOL @ this thread

[PalJoey]

Posted: 6/17/08 at 11:09am

Does anybody remember the song "If I...I Had a Million Dollars" from a show called THE ME NOBODY KNOWS?