Two of popular music’s biggest stars are the latest to face lawsuits over their hit songs. Darake is accused of sampling a jazz track with out permission and The Weeknd faces a charge of song plagiarism.
Drake
A jury trial that would determine if Drake misappropriated music of jazz musician Jimmy Smith is looming, with Drake on the plaintiff’s witness list.
Drake was sued by the estate of Smith and music publishing company Hebrew Hustle in 2014, both of which accused him of using a sample of Smith’s on the song “Pound Cake/Paris Morton Music 2” which, includes a shout-out to Live Nation chief Michael Rapino.
Hebrew Hustle has provided its witness list and it includes Drake’s name as one of the main people they want to call to the stand, according to The Blast.
Drake has denied the accusations that he has used the song without permission and countersued Hebrew Hustle, claiming it was using his image on its website without his permission, making it appear he worked with the company and endorsed its work. – CelebrityAccess
The Weeknd
The Weeknd is being sued by a trio of British songwriters for allegedly copying one of their songs.
Brian Clover, Scott McCulloch, and Billy Smith are accusing the multi-platinum selling, Grammy award winner of modeling his song “A Lonely Night” off of his 2016 Starboy album on their 2004 song “I Need to Love.”
The Weeknd’s legal team has reportedly denied the claim.
Clover says that the trio had tried to sell a number of songs, including the one in dispute, through a record label, however, after no buyers were found, the rights were returned in November 2016.
According to the BBC, Clover initially wrote to The Weeknd’s management hoping to strike a deal, but his request was denied.
Clover, McCulloch, and Smith have reportedly been locked in pre-court proceedings with The Weeknd’s camp since the beginning of 2018.
photo: The Weeknd. Anton Mak [CC BY 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons