CROWdfunding The Superchamp Books Publishing Project

Superchamp Books is an independent publishing house based in New York and Paris. We’re a new kind of publishing company. One reason is because we take the position that great authors can emerge from anywhere, at any time.  Another reason is because we’re especially committed to amplifying the voices of freelance writers.  All of our titles are distributed globally and we typically bring books to market three to six months after signing.  This system allows a rapid publishing turnaround so books can thrive quickly in the media market, and authors can begin earning royalties soon after publication.  What also sets us apart is our portfolio of print, digital publications, and other verticals, including our popular anthology series: Best Damn Hip Hop Writing and Dating & Sex: The Theory of Mutual Self-Destruction.

—Amir Said (Said) & Amir Ali Said (Amir), Co-Founders, Superchamp Books

About The Superchamp Books Publishing Project

Within the next several months, Superchamp Books will publish two powerful new books.  First, the third edition of The Art of Sampling: The Sampling Tradition of Hip Hop/Rap Music & Copyright. Second, Dating & Sex: The Theory of Mutual Self-Destruction, Vol.2.

The Art of Sampling, 3rd Edition

The art of sampling, one of the most innovative music processes to emerge in the late-twentieth century, stands today as both a celebrated art form and a cultural activity within the hip hop/rap music tradition and beyond.  And now more than ever, the debate about sampling and copyright law is more louder than ever.  The Art of Sampling examines this complex and controversial music process, and presents a study that illuminates the history, creative mechanics, and philosophy of sampling, while also exploring the implications that it holds for copyright law.

Extensive, comprehensive, and loaded with the most accurate and up-to-date information on sampling and copyright law, The Art of Sampling remains the #1 book in the world on the subject.  Divided into three primary parts, including an in-depth History part, a robust Instruction (how-to) part, and a highly comprehensive Copyright Law part, The Art of Sampling is detailed, sharply informative, and engaging.  Astute and intensely thought-provoking, it's the definitive book on sampling in the hip hop/rap music tradition and copyright law, and one of the most striking and poignant music studies to come along in years.

Totaling 26 chapters and more than 1,500 pages (triple the size of the previous edition), this edition will be Superchamp Books' most ambitious book to date. Due to the size and scope of this book, we're going to need help completing production and making the first print run on schedule.  

Dating & Sex: The Theory of Mutual Self-Destruction, Vol. 2



The doctrine of mutually assured destruction (MAD) is a fitting analogy and guide for dating and sex and the types of bonds that we form from these interpersonal relationships. Why some couples stay together (or why some bonds last) and why others ultimately split up (and why some bonds crash), often speaks to self-preservation. People in relationships - serious or casual - stay in or leave those relationships based on what Said calls the "theory of mutual self-destruction" (TMSD). As an umbrella term, TMSD serves as an excellent pathway to exploring the nature of dating and sexual relationships.

Dating & Sex: The Theory of Mutual Self-Destruction s an anthology of essays written by a number of different writers from all walks a life. Edited by Said, this profound and in-depth collection offers a great deal of insight into relationships, modern dating, love, and sex.

Vol. 1 of Dating & Sex: The Theory of Mutual Self-Destruction was success! And as the creator and editor of this series, what I'm most proud of is that I published the work of more than 30 different writers from around the world.  For Vol. 2 of Dating & Sex: The Theory of Mutual Self-Destruction, I'm increasing the number of writers that will be included in the book.  This will double the total amount of commission fees that will have to be paid writers.  And I'm going to need help covering these fees as well as other production and print costs.

Creating something this ambitious is not easy.  Especially for an independent publisher.  The third edition of The Art of Sampling will be the first book of its kind to  include a historical and instructional exploration of the art of sampling, a robust examination of copyright law, and an in-depth look at originality, creativity, and authorship. 

As the debate about sampling and the implications that it holds for copyright law continues to amp up, and as questions about originality, creativity, and authorship continue to challenge the Romantic notion of originality and authorship, I want to bring The Art of Sampling to as many people as I can. 

Similarly, as couples continue to face the challenges of dating and sex in the age of the internet and in world more localized than ever before, I want to bring Dating & Sex: The Theory of Mutual Self-Destruction to as many people as I can.  

And I want to make both of these books as affordable as possible once they are available. But the costs of research, writers fees, production, and printing are high. That’s where you come in. I need YOU to help make this project a reality.

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The Art of Sampling: The Sampling Tradition of Hip Hop/Rap Music & Copyright Law, 3rd Edition

  • A 1,600-page book

  • 26 chapters, covering the history of sampling; the compositional aesthetic of sampling; the story of rhythm in Black music; criticism surrounding sampling; the history, principles, and objectives of copyright law; sample clearance and more.

  • An extensive index

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The Art of Sampling will illustrate the different artistic, legal, and social questions related to music sampling as well as the continuum that sampling serves in Western popular music.

Dating & Sex: The Theory of Mutual Self-Destruction, Vol. 2

  • A 300-page book

  • True-story essays from more than 50 writers around the world

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Dating & Sex: The Theory of Mutual Self-Destruction will explore themes of relationships, sex, love, and self-preservation in the new dating age through autobiographical essays from people with different backgrounds from all over the world.

The final list of writers is still being finalized — a major reason why we need your support!


The Anthology is currently planned for release in December 2018. A successful Kickstarter will help us stay on schedule! Backers will also be the first to receive the Anthology, plus receive rewards that won’t be available anywhere else.

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First and foremost—the Anthology! Backing the project at $100 and above on Kickstarter means you'll be among the first to receive the box set —plus you’ll get bonus swag the Smithsonian will make available only to Kickstarter backers.

Backers at $100 and above will also receive a digital-only track by 9th Wonder that the Smithsonian won't make available anywhere else, remixing sounds pulled from the Smithsonian Folkways archives.

And thanks to our amazing backers who met the challenge to reach $200,000 by Nov 6, every backer who pledges $100 and above gets a Free Digital Album download from Smithsonian Folkways Recordings! This includes albums from the African American Legacy Series, a multi-year collaboration with the National Museum of African American History and Culture that explores the rich African American musical and oral heritage in the United States.

Backers of the project at higher levels get even more bundled with their Anthology, including a cling-on decal of the box set cover art designed by Cey Adams, illustrated hip-hop trading cards, and a subscription to Smithsonian magazine.

Those of you who want to support the project at lower levels can still get the decal and the trading cards, which the Smithsonian won't be offering anywhere else.


  • Artist and licensing fees for 120+ tracks (and the samples they use);

  • Research, essays, notes, design, and image rights for the book;

  • Production costs and fulfillment of the full Anthology package;

  • Kickstarter fees and costs to produce rewards.

Risks and challenges

Editing and production: With the sheer scope and size of The Art of Sampling, the biggest risk and challenge will be that the editing, proofreading, and indexing takes more time than planned. As for Dating & Sex: The Theory of Mutual Self-Destruction, Vol. 2, with the increased number of writers and overall expansion of the series, the biggest risk and challenge will be that editing will take longer than planned.

If the funding goal is not met, Superchamp Books will remain dedicated to publishing these books, but it will be delayed until the required funding is secured. There is nothing that stands in our way of meeting this goal once we have the funds in hand. We have an actionable plan, a realistic timeline, and – most importantly – the in-house expertise to get the job done.

Dating & Sex: The Theory of Mutual Self-Destructionis an anthology of essays written by a number of different writers from all walks a life. Edited by Amir Said, this profound and in-depth collection offers a great deal of insight into relationships, modern dating, and sex.

Paperback: 254 Pages
ISBN: 978-1-64404-001-0
Price: $24.99
Available now at Amazon | Bookshop | Indiebound