Kaskade has decided to chime in to the mashup discussion that was sparked after Hardwell uploaded some and got an earful (or eyeful in this case) on twitter from Axwell and Sebastian Ingrosso for doing it for Facebook likes. Through a post on his tumblr, Kaskade talks about how the essence of being a DJ is brought out through mashups using the DNA of other originals and creating something new.

“Use the tools of songs to create something new. This is the essence of DJing, after all.”

In an industry where it is has been very difficult to get the audience to actually purchase the product through Beatport and iTunes, mash-ups have been seen as a catalyst in the piracy problem. Not only being a problem in EDM, Kaskade uses the example of Hip-hop where samples from older songs have been used for years with new verses and drums perhaps to create new  (not technically, lets say tweaked) songs. In most forms of art, there has always been the question of plagiarism and how it is described. Words like influence, inspiration and adaptation are used to justify using elements of other creations in their own. What it boils down to according to Kaskade, is really the intentions and motives behind these mashups and remixes that are released for free.

“But the devil is in the details, and comes down to intent.

It’s different for everyone. I speak for only myself when I say the mashups I put up are strictly for pleasure. I’m not looking for likes or dollars with these pieces. Usually they are a combination of songs that have been washed, rinsed and repeated enough that they’d be in the DNR pile for most DJ’s. When I bring them out, I’m certainly not claiming that they are my brainchild alone and in fact always give credit to every artist involved”

Although the discussion only started when big name Hardwell uploaded a mashup, it raises questions as to how else newcomers can get recognition for their skills. They don’t have the backing of record labels with deep pockets that can be dug for marketing and promoting of tracks and gigs. There seems to be a set method and outlined process for an upcoming artist in the electronic music world to be seen. You start from DJ-ing for small gigs and gatherings, move up as your talent gets recognized while developing more skills in the art and eventually try your hand at production. Of course there are many that start from production with professional training and such. But most producers have adapted from passionate Djs mixing tracks in their homes or on the floor. The audience actually getting to hear your sound is what is essential to getting the recognition any body would want to achieve. Putting up remixes and mashups for free that people can download and listen to wherever and whenever gives them that push to like you even more. But again, this view of intent can be skewed and everybody has their opinion on how to use social media portals to market themselves.

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Here are some of Kaskades most heard mashups