Megan Thee Stallion, Big Sean and others have been named as defendants to a copyright infringement suit. The lawsuit claims that the rappers copied essential parts of a 2012 song entitled “Big Sean”. “Krazy”Create their collaboration “Go Crazy” for Big Sean’s 2020 debut album Good News. The record, produced by J.R. Rotem, also featured 2 Chainz, though he isn’t named in the suit.
The Monday complaint was filed and obtained by Rolling StoneDetroit artists Duawn “Go Hard Major”Harrell and Payne “H Matic”James claims that “Go Crazy”Features “nearly identical”Timing, melody and harmonies, as well as wording within the chorus, are important aspects of their track. “Krazy,”This was also published online via YouTube, ReverbNation and other sites. “thousands of copies”Distribution in CD format. Multiple club performances in Detroit.
“An average lay observer would recognize the Infringing Work as having been appropriated from the Copyrighted Work because of the striking similarity between the two compositions and the way in which they are performed,”Read the complaint. “Indeed, the Infringing Work is so strikingly similar to the Copyrighted Work as to preclude the possibility of independent creation.”
According to the filing — which also names Universal Music Group, 300 Entertainment, and 1501 Certified Entertainment — Payne and James performed their record “Krazy”They believe that Big Sean (real name Sean Michael Leonard Anderson) frequented the bars and clubs of hip-hop.
“Anderson had further access to the Copyrighted Work given the Copyrighted Work’s number 1 ranking on the Detroit charts at ReverbNation in 2015,”The complaint states. “The sale of thousands of physical copies of CD’s featuring the Copyrighted Work on the streets of West Detroit and the parking lots of hip hop clubs in West Detroit frequented by Anderson provide further access of the Copyrighted Work to Defendants.”
The lawsuit claims that Megan Thee Stallion and Big Sean were also sent cease and desist letters. “in good faith, sought to amicably resolve the issue.”
It goes on: “Since being placed on notice of their infringing conduct, Defendants have continued their willful and reckless disregard of the exclusive copyrights belonging to Plaintiffs, forcing Plaintiffs to initiate this lawsuit.”
Injunctive relief and damages for copyright infringement are sought in the lawsuit. The amount will be determined at trial. Representatives of Big Sean declined comment. Megan Thee Stallion representatives did not immediately reply to our inquiries. Rolling Stone‘s request for comment.