Katy Perry sued by Christian rapper
 |
|
Where there’s a hit there’s a writ … Katy Perry is no stranger to lawsuits.
Source: AP
KATY Perry is being sued by a Christian rapper for polluting his song with the ‘black magic’ messages in her No. 1 hit Dark Horse.
Religious rapper Flame started legal action in the US this week claiming his 2007 song Joyful Noise has been copied on Perry’s
Dark Horse.
Cho’zyn Boy, who produced Joyful Noise, states that musically Dark Horse is “essentially the same” with just a drop in 10 beats per minute and a pitch one octave higher than the Flametrack.
As well as the infringement claims, the lawsuit states that “by any measure, the devoutly religious message of Joyful Noise has been irreparably tarnished by its association with the witchcraft, paganism, black magic, and Illuminati imagery evoked by the same music in Dark Horse.
Ironically before going gay for pay with I Kissed a Girl in 2008, Perry had a failed career as a gospel singer under her real name Katy Hudson, releasing a Christian album in 2001.
The lawsuit, filed in Michigan, seeks profits and statutory damages.
Dark Horse has sold over six million copies, as well as generating major radio play and sales of Perry’s album Prism.
Dark Horse is credited to six writers, including Perry and hitmakers Max Martin and Dr Luke.
Controversial … Katy Perry performs Dark Horse at this year’s Grammy Awards.
Source: Getty Images
Dark Horse has already caused Perry grief — the video had to be digitally censored after an online petition from offended Muslims.
The deleted scene featured Perry disintegrating a pendant that appeared to have the Arabic word for Allah printed on it.
The petition accused Perry of “representing an opposition of God” and had over 65,000 signatures.
The Dark Horse video has had over 440 million views on YouTube.
It is the second time Perry’s album Prism has spawned a single with a similar sound to an existing song. First single Roar appeared to be influenced by the Sara Bareilles song Brave.
Not only did Bareilles have no problem with the nod to her song, ironically after Roar’s success Brave belatedly became a hit, also helped by use in a TV commercial.
“If I’m not mad I don’t know why anybody else is upset,” Bareilles said.
I enjoy writing music but mostly I enjoy making an impact & leaving a Godly legacy. #MyPassion
— FLAME (@FLAME314) June 25, 2014
Electronic producer Dillon Francis also slated Perry on Twitter, suggesting the initial lyric video for Roar video was similar to his video for Messages, with both using iPhone texting to spell out the lyrics.
In 2009 Perry sued Australian fashion designer Katie Perry in an attempt to stop her using her own name. Perry was born Katy Hudson.
The case was settled and the Australian continues to operate and retained the katieperry.com.au website.
Perry’s record company has yet to comment on theFlame lawsuit.
Legitimately this is so dope that @katyperry's director thought my video was good enough to rip off
— DILLON FRANCIS (@DILLONFRANCIS) August 12, 2013
Originally published as Katy Perry sued by Christian rapper
www.news.com.au/entertainment/music
