Infamous Lawsuits Involving Black Artists and Their Music

Copyright infringement claims happen all the time in the music industry. Essentially, it is when work protected by a copyright is used or copied without the owner’s permission.

In an industry where producers and musicians are often sampling other artists’ work, you can see why there are often issues from different sides.

But there aren’t always claims of copyright infringement, sometimes artists claim that a song was stolen from them or that they weren’t paid royalties they feel they were owed.

With Cardi B recently being sued for copyright infringement, let’s look back at some notable cases involving Black artists and their music throughout the years.

Cardi B vs. Producers of “Greasy Frybread”

Producers Joshua Fraustro and Miguel Aguilar, who go by Kemika 1956, claim that Cardi B stole the beat for the 2021 song “Greasy Frybread,” to help create the song, “Enough (Miami).” The complaint was filed on July 3, 2024, and the producers are seeking damages for copyright infringement, unfair competition, and misappropriation.

Marvin Gaye’s Estate vs Robin Thicke & Pharrell

Marvin Gaye’s family sued Robin Thicke and Pharrell in 2013 for copyright infringement, claiming that their hit record, “Blurred Lines,” sounded similar to Gaye’s 1977 song, “Got to Give It Up.” After a years-long legal battle, a judge in 2018 ordered that Thicke and Pharrell pay $5 million to Gaye’s estate. They were also given half of the song’s running royalties.

Co-writer of “Let’s Get It On” vs Ed Sheeran

In May 2023, a federal jury found that popstar Ed Sheeran did not copy Marvin Gaye’s 1973 Motown hit, “Let’s Get It On,” on the 2014 track, “Thinking Out Loud.” The lawsuit was filed by the family of Ed Townsend, who co-wrote the track with Gaye.

Diddy vs. Sting

While this isn’t technically a copyright infringement lawsuit it’s close enough. In July 2002, the controversial hip-hop mogul was sued by Universal-MCA Music Publishing for $4 million, for the the unauthorized use of The Police’s “Every Breath You Take” in his 1997 hit “I’ll Be Missing You.” As a result, they were awarded 100% of the song’s royalties.

Kanye West and Ty Dolla $ign vs. Donna Summer’s Estate

In February, Ye and the Ty Dolla $ign were sued by the estate of Donna Summer, claiming they sampled the 1977 hit, “I Feel Love” without the estate’s permission. In June, both sides settled the copyright infringement case.

Solomon Linda’s Family vs. Disney

The family of Solomon Linda, who wrote and composed the original version of “The Lion Sleeps Tonight,” filed a lawsuit against Disney in a dispute over royalties when the song was used in the beloved 1994 film, “The Lion King.” The company settled with the family in 2006.

Drake vs Obrafour

In April 2023, Ghanaian rapper Obrafour sued Drake for $10 million, claiming that he sampled his 2003 song “Oye Ohene” on the 2022 track “Calling My Name” without permission.

Jay-Z vs Osama Fahmy

Hov and Timbaland were sued for copyright infringement by Osama Fahmy, the nephew of Egyptian composer Baligh Hamdi, over Jay-Z’s 1999 hit track, “Big Bimpin’” in 2007. Fahmy said they sampled his uncle’s “Khosara Khosara” without permission. Jay won the infringement case in 2015 after a US district judge dismissed the case.

Beyoncé vs Da Showstoppaz

In May, Queen Bey was hit with a copyright from the members of Da Showstoppaz, claiming that she sampled the 2014 track, “Explode” by Big Freedia, which uses copyrighted lyrics and melodies from their 2002 song, “Release a Wiggle.”

Lil Wayne vs Done Deal Enterprises

A year after he was released from jail, Lil Wayne and his label, Young Money, were named in a $15 million lawsuit from Done Deal Enterprises, claiming that he stole the 2009 hit song, “Bedrock.”

Family of Ron Miller vs Lisa Miller

In September 2023, Two of the daughters of Ron Miller, who co-wrote the 1966 track “For Once in My Life,” filed a lawsuit against their half-sister, Lisa Miller, claiming that she gained control of their father’s copyrights through illegitimate means.

2 Live Crew vs Roy Orbison

Miami hip-hop group 2 Live Crew was sued by Acuff-Rose Music in 1994 for creating a parody of the 1964 track, “Oh, Pretty Woman” by Roy Orbison, without permission. 2 Live crew was granted a summary judgment, with the court determining that the song was a parody that made fair use of the original.

50 Cent vs Luther Campbell

Luther Campbell, of 2 Live Crew, sued 50 Cent, claiming that he stole the opening line from his 1994 song, “It’s Your Birthday,” on his 2003 hit, “In Da Club.” The lawsuit was dismissed in October 2006.

De La Soul vs The Turtles

Famed hip-hop group De La Soul was sued by The Turtles for the use of their 1968 track, “You Showed Me” on the song “Transmitting Live From Mars.” The two sides settled out of court for $1.7 million.

Megan Thee Stallion vs Producer of “It’s About to Be On”

The producer of the 1999 instrumental track, “It’s About to Be On” filed a lawsuit against Megan Thee Stallion and Warner Music Group, claiming that they stole elements of the song on Megan’s 2020 hit, “Savage.” The suit was dismissed in federal court in June.