My husband has become a fan of mashup DJ Gregg Gillis who goes by the handle “Girl Talk.” His frenetic re-mixes leap from one style to another uniquely tied together by lyrics and/or beats.
As a writer and artist, I’m still undecided on this “recycling” of intellectual property. On one hand, Gillis’ work is catchy. On the other hand, I can understand how Lil’ Wayne and Metallica might both be pissed at having their songs juxtaposed!
One aspect of Gillis’ life that I find to be particularly interesting is that he was a biomedical engineering student focused on tissue engineering until he decided to commit to his music fulltime.
According to Wiki, “Tissue engineering combines cells, engineering and materials methods, and suitable biochemical and physio-chemical factors to improve or replace biological functions.” I think this means they jumble a lot of things up to make tissue work.
Gillis seems like the type of mad genius who would thrive in any type of kitchen where he could concoct stews of unlikely ingredients that somehow taste great. I’m just not sure how “Kosher” his ingredients are.
I guess the true test will be when another dj comes along and starts mashing up Gillis’ mash ups… Will he cry foul or accept it as the evolution of “borrowing.”
CB 
Relevant Links:
