Celebrity News

Kanye West, Solange Knowles Sued for Allegedly Stealing Song
Download PDF
1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars (No Ratings Yet)
Loading...

Solange and Kanye West. Photo courtesy of Pitchfork.

Summary: Prince Phillip Mitchell is suing Kanye West and Solange Knowles for allegedly using his music without his permission. 

Kanye West and Solange Knowles have been sued for copyright infringement. According to TMZ, a musician from the 1970s said that the influential musicians stole his tune, “If We Can’t Be Lovers.” He is seeking punitive damages.

  
What
Where


Leroy Mitchell, a.k.a. Prince Phillip Mitchell, penned “If We Can’t Be Lovers” in 1970, and he said West and Knowles both sampled the song without his permission. Now he wants them to pay up.

Mitchell said that West used his song on West’s track, “Everything I Am,” and Knowles used it for her tune, “F-ck the Industry.” Both songs were not hits, according to TMZ, but Mitchell wants them to pay for their unauthorized use. It is noted, however, that West and Knowles gave Mitchell co-writing credit.

According to The Independent, West credited Mitchell on his single as a co-writer. He also listed other musicians such as George Clinton. When Solange sampled West’s song, she attributed Mitchell and all the writers credited on West’s track as well.

Get JD Journal in Your Mail

Subscribe to our FREE daily news alerts and get the latest updates on the most happening events in the legal, business, and celebrity world. You also get your daily dose of humor and entertainment!!




In addition to punitive damages, Mitchell is also requesting that West and Knowles stop performing the tracks and that the songs cease playing on the radio.

Mitchell, 73, was a solo singer in the 1970s and 1980s. He also wrote big hits for Millie Jackson and Mel and Tim.



West is an international rap and R&B superstar who has released seven hit albums, including “The College Dropout” and “Graduation.” He frequently collaborates with Jay-Z, who is Knowles brother-in-law. Jay-Z is married to Beyonce Knowles, who is Solange’s older sister.

Knowles is a singer, model, actress, and activist. She has released four albums, two of which included the song “F-ck the Industry.”

While it happens quite frequently where musicians are sued for alleged plagiarism, this case is unique for two reasons. One, Mitchell was credited for his work, unlike many other infringement cases; and two, he is suing for two songs that were not popular nor money-making. However, West and Knowles reportedly have deep pockets. According to Instyle, West is worth $145 million; and Knowles has $5 million, according to The Richest.

What do you think of the lawsuits against Knowles and West? Let us know in the comments below.



 

RELEVANT JOBS

Personal Injury Insurance Defense Attorney

USA-CA-Los Angeles

Hickey Smith Dodd is seeking a Personal Injury Insurance Defense Attorney in the Southern California...

Apply now

Associate Attorney - Defense Litigation Experience

USA-TX-Dallas

Galloway\'s Dallas office is seeking an Associate Attorneys with 2 - 5 years of experience to handle...

Apply now

Part-time Staff Attorney – Housing and Homelessness Prevention Unit

USA-CA-Santa Ana

  Part-time Staff Attorney – Housing and Homelessness Prevention Unit ...

Apply now

Staff Attorney – Housing and Homelessness Prevention Unit

USA-CA-Santa Ana

Full-time Staff Attorney – Housing and Homelessness Prevention Unit Organization Descriptio...

Apply now

BCG FEATURED JOB

Locations:

Keyword:



Search Now

Education Law Attorney

USA-CA-El Segundo

El Segundo office of a BCG Attorney Search Top Ranked Law Firm seeks an education law attorney with ...

Apply Now

Education Law Attorney

USA-CA-Carlsbad

Carlsbad office of a BCG Attorney Search Top Ranked Law Firm seeks an education law attorney with 4-...

Apply Now

Education Law and Public Entity Attorney

USA-CA-El Segundo

El Segundo office of a BCG Attorney Search Top Ranked Law Firm seeks an education law and public ent...

Apply Now

Most Popular

SEARCH IN ARCHIVE

To Top