Memphis Musicians Take On Big Names in Lawsuit
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – It’s not unusual to hear stories about artists facing off in court over copyright issues, but the latest lawsuit making waves is particularly noteworthy. Memphis rappers Criminal Manne, DJ Squeeky, and the estate of the late Kilo G are suing none other than Ye (formerly known as Kanye West) and fellow artist Ty Dolla $ign!
The Lawsuit Unfolds
The three Memphis artists filed their complaint on Wednesday in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Tennessee. Their beef? Copyright infringement! They claim the music in the song “(Expletive) Sumn” from the album “VULTURES 1” features “numerous unlicensed samples” of their earlier work, particularly the co-written track “Drink a Yak (Part 2)”.
In fact, according to the lawsuit, it’s pretty easy to spot their actual vocals at the beginning of the contested song. Talk about an open-and-shut case! As stated in the filing, the Memphis rappers assert, “these acts of copyright infringement are so brazen, yet easily discernible…” Ouch!
A Twisted Tale of Sample Clearances
Here’s where the plot thickens! After the release of the song, the Memphis crew was approached by Alien Music to discuss negotiating a sample clearance, which essentially means they’d receive compensation for the use of their music in Ye’s new track. Pretty standard practice in the music biz, right?
But just when they thought they were getting somewhere, things went south. The court documents reveal that in June, after a few months of discussions, Ye completely fired his legal and business team. Talk about a sudden shake-up! This left him scrambling for legal representation, and the Memphis artists were told to sit tight and wait for those new lawyers to contact them.
All Talk, No Walk
When they finally got some communication from Ye’s new attorney, Eric Galen, things seemed to look up. But, in a jaw-dropping twist, after just two days, the Memphis rappers were informed Galen was no longer on the case. Can you believe it? The lawsuit claims that this game of musical chairs left the Memphis trio feeling abandoned, forcing them into a corner with no choice but to file the lawsuit.
Desperate Measures
The Memphis artists state they tried everything possible to settle the matter amicably, reaching out multiple times to resolve the issue without stepping foot in a courtroom. Unfortunately, their efforts proved futile, and now they’re ready to take on the heavyweight duo in court.
Weathering Stormy Relations
In the meantime, the weather in Memphis seems to reflect the tension. Expect a high of 67°F today with partly cloudy skies and some mild winds coming from the south at 5 to 10 mph. As nighttime approaches, temperatures dip to a low of 51°F, with slightly stronger Southern winds from 10 to 15 mph. Sounds like a cozy evening to keep an eye on the legal developments, right?
What’s Next?
As this lawsuit unfolds, it’s bound to be a fascinating saga to follow – not just for fans of hip-hop, but for anyone interested in the intersection of art and law. The artists from Memphis are determined to fight for their rights, and as they square off against Ye and Ty Dolla $ign, one can only wonder how this story will end.
Stay tuned for more updates as we watch this courtroom drama unfold. Will the Memphis rappers claim victory, or will the famous duo stand their ground? Only time will tell!
