A new lawsuit has been filed against Nicki Minaj, accusing her of stealing the beat for her song “I Lied” from another artist. The rapper, along with producer Mike Will Made It, is being sued by Julius Johnson, who claims that the music playing under the vocals on Nicki’s track sounds like a carbon copy of a song he created years before she released “I Lied.”
According to sources close to Nicki, she was not involved in the production of the beat and is solely a lyricist. They state that the claim regarding production will need to be addressed by the appropriate parties. It appears that Mike Will Made It was the one who brought the beat to Nicki.
The history of the dispute dates back to September 2011, when Johnson claims he published his song, titled “onmysleeve,” on YouTube, three years before “I Lied” was released. He alleges that he had the beat on a hard drive while attending the Art Institute of Atlanta, and in 2013, the hard drive was taken from a studio session without his consent.
Johnson believes that associates of Nicki and Mike Will Made It, who were at the Institute around the same time, somehow got their hands on his missing hard drive. When Nicki’s song gained attention upon its release in December 2014, Johnson claims that he immediately recognized the similarity to his beat. He asserts that, apart from the lyrics, Nicki’s track has essentially the same underlying instrumentation and beat as his track.
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In the lawsuit, Johnson is seeking the profits that Nicki and Mike Will Made It earned from “I Lied.” He also wants a judge to order them to stop using the beat or, at the very least, give him credit for his contribution to the song.
A representative for Nicki Minaj has not provided any comment on the matter.
This lawsuit raises questions about copyright infringement in the music industry. Artists often face accusations of stealing beats, melodies, or lyrics from others, and the line between inspiration and imitation can be blurry. Copyright laws exist to protect artists’ original works, ensuring that they receive appropriate credit and compensation for their creations.
In cases like these, expert analysis of the two songs involved is crucial to determine whether there has been a violation of copyright. It is not uncommon for disputes to arise in the music industry, with artists, producers, and songwriters asserting their rights and seeking legal remedies. These cases often require a deep understanding of music production, copyright law, and intellectual property rights.
Legal battles over intellectual property can be complex and lengthy, involving expert witnesses, forensic analysis of sound recordings, and examination of copyright registrations. The outcome of such cases often depends on the strength of the evidence presented and the interpretation of copyright law by the court.
Ultimately, it will be up to the court to decide whether Nicki Minaj and Mike Will Made It infringed on Julius Johnson’s copyright. If the similarities between the beats are deemed substantial enough and there is evidence to support Johnson’s claims, the court may rule in his favor, potentially awarding him damages and requiring the defendants to give him credit for his contribution.
In the ever-evolving music industry, where ideas and sounds can be easily shared and reproduced, disputes over copyright are a constant challenge. Artists and producers must be vigilant in protecting their original works and understanding their rights under copyright law. Similarly, those accused of infringement must be prepared to defend themselves and demonstrate that they did not violate the rights of others.
As the lawsuit unfolds, it will undoubtedly shed light on the intricacies of music production, copyright law, and the importance of giving credit where it is due. It serves as a reminder to artists, both established and emerging, of the need to respect the intellectual property of others and to ensure that their own creations are properly protected.
