Interview With Deborah Mannis-Gardner (Cleopatra Of Sample Clearance)

Deborah Mannis-Gardner doesn’t rap or produce, but you’ll likely spy her on more album credits than all of the 808 mafias combined. One of America’s leading clearance agents, Deborah has spent 20 years dodging red tape to acquire music for film, samples and video games. Her role includes hunting obscure records, checking artists get their dough and putting the G-Funk in Grand Theft Auto.

Mannis-Gardner’s clients include Cash Money, Kanye, Rick Ross, Nas, Diddy and almost every other private jet gaucho. She fights for superstars as well as minor artists and is fervently against clearance becoming solely a millionaire’s game. Deborah’s vocal about protecting the culture of sampling and despite the thirsty trend of litigation, is yet to be taken to court. The feisty Jewish woman, who loves rap, discussed her favourite unreleased track, urban artists being unfairly sued, repercussions from the “Blurred Lines” lawsuit and getting Diddy on the phone with Enya.

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