A rapper claimed his song was sampled by Wyclef Jean but was not mentioned in the credit.
- Jan 11, 2008
AceShowbiz - A copyright infringement case has hit former The Fugees star, Wyclef Jean, after a song from his latest album, 'The Carnival II: Memoirs of an Immigrant', is claimed to sample another song without permission.
A track from Jean's sixth studio album called 'Welcome to the East' allegedly samples a 1995 song by Blahzay Blahzy titled 'Danger' but did not credit it. One of the group members, Blahz, filed the lawsuit in Manhattan U.S. District Court. Beside Jean, Sony BMG is also named in the lawsuit and both parties are expected to receive litigation papers this week.
No specific amount of compensation has been unveiled but sources claimed that it could be as high as $50 million. Blahz, who is a rapper, preferred the term "a lucrative sum".
Speaking on The Wendy Williams radio show, Blahz also revealed his intention in filing the lawsuit. "Being a part of the music industry over the past decade has been a rewarding experience, but I've also witnessed, first-hand, artists such as myself getting taken advantage of and legally violated by record labels and 'big name' artists alike - not to mention commercial artists constantly stealing from the underground," he said.
"I was left with no choice but to move forward with my decision to take full legal action against Wyclef Jean, and Sony BMG, on behalf of myself and the all the artists around the world who have been the victim of blatant disrespect," he added. "A message has to be delivered to the music industry that these unjust common business practices can't be ignored or swept under the rug anymore."
