I always envisioned the DIY audio as open source but now I am
learning otherwise as well. Certain softwares are now on a sort
of subscription basis.

This is what Lessig referred to (paraphrasing) as the privatization
of the commons. In other words, knowledge that was freely exchanged
may provide the basis of a new concept. When that concept goes up for
sale there is a lack of recognition of the commons of information as
a contributing factor.

The other thing about Last Poets... HBO has a new film called
Walkout about student acctivities in 1968. That should be a very
worthwhile thing to follow up on.