Although Hip Hop is by far the youngest of all genres, since its inception it has been proven to be the most vocal and trendsetting over the years. Nevertheless even with numerous artists achieving success, it’s been limited to a market cap due to what ultimately comes down to ownership. 

It’s well understood that once an artist signs a recording contract, he or she assigns all rights pursuant to 17 U.S.C. § 106 to that of the record label. The current statutory term or duration an assignee has for recordings made after 1978 is 35 years. In accordance with 17 U.S.C. § 203,  after 35 years an author and or composer is entitled to reclaim their masters, depending of course if a notice of termination was properly sent out two years prior to the effective termination date. 

This specific right only goes into effect after 35 years from the assignment date, however the latest a notice of termination can be sent is 33 years after the assignment date. Essentially this means for all master recordings released in 1987, the latest notice of termination can be sent in 2020. 

On behalf of the artists who've recently become eligible to request their master recordings , DJ RESOLUTION in collaboration with RESPECT MUSIC has published the mixtape "87' Boombox."  This mixtape is available to stream and download exclusively at DjResolution.com. 

With the release of "87' Boombox' , DJ Resolution hopes to inform and empower artists who may have otherwise been unaware of this reversion right.  Not only will this mixtape serve as a reminder of the classic material most of us grew up on, it will further allow fans to support their favorite artists as they begin to send their notice of terminations respectively.

 

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific legal guidance regarding your situation, please consult a qualified attorney.