Plunderphonic

Plunderphonic is a term used to describe music created by sampling and manipulating pre-existing recordings. This process involves taking segments of audio, often from commercial music, film soundtracks, or spoken word recordings, and recontextualizing them into new compositions. The resulting works can range from subtle collage to complete sonic reinvention.

The term "plunderphonic" was coined by Canadian musician and artist John Oswald in the late 1970s and popularized through his 1989 album of the same name. Oswald's work explored the legal and ethical implications of sampling, arguing that all music is inherently derivative and that sampling is a natural extension of musical evolution. His album featured extensive use of samples from a wide variety of artists, leading to legal challenges and debates about copyright and artistic ownership.

Plunderphonic music is a significant element within genres like musique concrète, hip-hop, and electronic music. Artists employ various techniques, including looping, rearranging, altering pitch and tempo, and layering sounds to create new sonic textures and narratives. While often associated with specific genres, the practice of using found sounds and samples has become increasingly common across contemporary music production. The creative and legal boundaries of plunderphonic music continue to be a subject of discussion and innovation.