Jay Z Sued Over “Run This Town” Sample

Carl Williott | November 7, 2013 10:38 am

A New York City record label is suing Jay Z for copyright infringement for a sample he used on his 2009 song “Run This Town.” His collaboration with Kanye West and Rihanna allegedly contains a sample of Eddie Bo‘s 1969 funk song “Hook & Sling,” and according to the New York Daily News, TufAmerica says the bit was used without permission.

The label bought exclusive rights to the track in 1996, and the suit seeks profits from “Run This Town,” damages and a court order ending “further distribution and exploitation” of the song. And it turns out Jay has a history with TufAmerica. This is the third suit they’ve filed against Hov’s Roc-A-Fella imprint this year — apparently the first two were settled. 

“Hook & Sling” has been a favorite among samplers in hip-hop and R&B over the years, particularly the ad-libbed vocals at the track’s start. Though not a sample, Justin Timberlake‘s “SexyBack” famously interpolated the “you ready?” yelp in 2006.

[via Vibe]

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