Re: Music Retailer Wants 50 & Eminem's Backing
Doomed Music Retailer Wants 50 Cent, Eminem Backing
Late last year, the RIAA confiscated up to 1,000 mixed CD's from Alan Berry's Indianapolis stores -forcing him to close the famed Hip- Hop franchise a few months later. Now, Berry is taking his RIAA fight to the hip-hop streets and calling artists like 50 Cent, Jay-Z and Eminem to his defense.
Before the incident, Berry's Music had been an Indianapolis staple for over 13 years. In addition to being a hot spot for mixtapes, Berry prides itself as being the city's premier Hip-Hop provider at a time when rap CD's sat in the back of stores. But on September 23, 2003, the Recording Industry Association of American (RIAA) -- accompanied by Indianapolis police, raided both Berry's Music stores.
"They came in with local police. Cleared out the store of customers. The only reason they gave was they had a search warrant. They were fairly civil," Berry told SOHH.com regarding the raid that left his two stores bankrupt.
Despite receiving 13 felonies, being put out of business and in financial ruin with his home on the line, Berry still hasn't given up. He is positive that that the rap stars featured on the mix CD's could help the legal trouble he currently faces.
"[I want the artists] to step up to the plate and let the RIAA know that mixes are integral to Hip-Hop business. The artist pays the RIAA to exist. So in theory they can also control what [the RIAA] do. Let the RIAA know mix CD's are not what's killing the CD business but that it enhances sales. Why else has everyone from Eminem to Jay-Z dropped lines on mix [CD's] and given freestyle to DJs," Berry explained.
In particular, Berry is calling out 50 Cent to put his power where his mouth is and speak up for the mixed CD industry that made him.
"50 Cent should live by what he states. He has said on numerous occasions that if it wasn't for mixes he would have never hit big," proclaims Berry.
Berry is also outraged by the RIAA's inconsistency. According to him, he has unfairly been penalized in comparison to past offenders.
"Why does the RIAA give a letter of cease and desist to DJ Danger Mouse's Grey Album, but I get arrested," Berry offered. "Why am I being charged criminally and not civilly. When Apple computer used Eminem's lyrics in a commercial for profit, why didn't the police arrest Steve Jobs? Why can 20 different web sites sell mixed CD's world wide and I'm selling $100,000 a month of legitimate CD's along with a few mix CD's and get my whole operation shut down?"