Published
Mon, Feb 23, 2015, 06:01
- More than £10,000 has been raised for Richard L Spencer.
An online fundraising campaign has been launched for the creator of the iconic Amen break.
The break—which comes from "Amen, Brother" by The Winstons—has long been a cornerstone of electronic music, from hip-hop to breakbeat to drum & bass, but its creator, Richard L Spencer, has never received royalties. The same goes for the person who played drums on the break, Gregory Coleman, who died in poverty in 2006.
The person behind the GoFundMe fundraiser, Martyn Webster, said he was inspired by a BBC radio documentary in which Spencer spoke of his frustration at the break's widespread use. "This is where I came into the story... after hearing the interview that someone had posted in a Facebook jungle music group," Webster writes. "It got me thinking, that no one had actually taken up the challenge of trying to fulfill his wishes, so I immediately tasked myself with getting in contact with Richard, which I managed quite quickly. I explained my plan to try to get a donation page up and running, and got his blessings to do so. All monies raised will be given to him, as the copyright owner of 'Amen, Brother'."
Within a week more than £10,000 has been raised. Ben UFO described the fundraiser as a "nice idea" on his Facebook page. More high-profile DJs have followed suit, including Eats Everything, Artwork and Rob Da Bank.
Webster today posted a handwritten note from Spencer that reads: "Please thank all of the great souls who are kind enough to be a part of this event. I am reminded of the impact of Europeans like yourself who have historically been "The keepers" of African American music."
You can make a donation here.