Master P, Cardi B, City Girls, French Montana, and Yo Gotti have all put out chart-topping tracks with the same beat sample and the creator of it is now making them pay up. Here’s what…
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In 2002, “Choppa Style” by New Orleans rapper Choppa was an instant hit. Produced by DJ JMK, the song is even more famous now, thanks to the New Orleans Saints and some of your favorite rappers. In 2002, Master P jumped on the remix of “Choppa Style,” which popularized the song. In 2017, Yo Gotti and French Montana sampled the track on “Oh Yeah,” and just recently Cardi B and the City Girls used the sample in their massive hit, “Twerk.”
Now, the producer of the beat wants all of these artists to pay up.
According to TMZ, DJ JMK, who’s real name is Kirk Edwards, is suing the rappers, claiming they never paid for the sample. He says when it came time for the artists to pay, he didn’t get a thing. According to the news outlet, JMK says that the artists have “misappropriated many of the recognizable and key protected elements” of his work. And because of that, he’s suing them for copyright infringement.
DJ JMK is also suing rapper Choppa, claiming that he never received a 30% bonus nor any royalties. Instead, his compensation was given to another producer. In addition to copyright infringement, JMK is also asking for compensatory, statutory and punitive damages. The actual amount is to be determined at trial. As of now, non of the artists have responded to these allegations.
Now, I’m not sure what kind of legalities were or weren’t involved, but hopefully this gets solved and JMK is much smarter in the future.