Both Jay-Z and R. Kelly are being sued and for the life of me I can't determine which case is a bigger bastardization of the legal system.
Jay-Z is being sued for $88 million dollars by a boxer who claims Jay stole his "whispering rhyme style" and used it for monetary gain. Mitchell Rose claims to have given Jay-Z a demo tape at a boxing match in 2001, and soon noticed the rapper using his techniques on hit songs.
"I saw Jay-Z as we were leaving the arena after the fight, gave him my tape, and asked him to listen to it", explained Rose, who also wrote a book called Mike Tyson Tried To Kill My Daddy. "He took the demo with him and shortly after that he began using the whispering (which he now frequents) in his songs. I had previously trained some of my artists to use that style, but it quickly became obsolete after Jay-Z got a hold of it. He used the whispering to enhance his music and financially benefit from it. Jay-Z disregarded the fact that it was my demo where he got the style from as he went on to use it for his own personal gains, which is wrong"...
In other news...
R. Kelly is being sued by a former associate who says R. Kelly used his dance moves to take his career to another level, and demands financial compensation. Back in 2002, R. Kelly had a hit record called "Step In The Name Of Love", in which Henry Vaughn claims he inspired.
"In a lawsuit filed yesterday in Cook Circuit Court, Henry Vaughn claims he inspired the "Trapped in the Closet" crooner to engage in the "stepping" moves that are now a signature trademark of Kelly's performances. He is demanding, in return, a cut of the star's bank account.
He claims in his lawsuit that he and Kelly made a "verbal contract" back in 2001 to share in the proceeds of any songs that featured his steps.
My Trusted MOGs
Sounds like 2001 was a big year for stealing other people's stuff.
And what company published that dude's book?
My Trusted MOGs
I'd have to vote the Jay-Z suit the more ridiculous. Kelly should get sued just to keep his butt too busy to make any more crap records.
My Trusted MOGs
damn. That is disgusting. I couldn't live with myself. Outta pocket.
Actually, I don't think I can articulate how horrendous this is so I'm gonna stop.
Good post Frost. Shows some social insight into our flawless legal system ;)
My Trusted MOGs
Jay-Z also is known for stealing such things as wearing his watch on the left hand and tilting his brim lower than his brow.
My Trusted MOGs
What a load.
My Trusted MOGs
I think R. Kelly's got bigger concerns right now.
My Trusted MOGs
Man, the future of slipping an artist/record company exec just got better! You'll pop the CD in your computer and have to agree to an End User Liscencing Agreement before you can listen to their shitty music!
Who's gonna sue Master P. for his trademark grunt? Surely someone out there once grunted into the mike before him...
My Trusted MOGs
Eminem's grandmother is contemplating a suit against Michael Jackson as we speak.
His likeness is causing her emotional distress and financial hardship.
My Trusted MOGs
It's hard being rich and famous, baby ;)
That's why I enjoy my anonymity and poorness. I think. ;)