Soulja Boy, GloRilla & Megan Thee Stallion Hit With Copyright Lawsuit Over 'Wanna Be' Sample Chain
Rapper Plies has filed a copyright infringement lawsuit against GloRilla, Megan Thee Stallion, Soulja Boy, and Cardi B, alleging unauthorized use of his 2008 track "Me & My Goons" through multiple layers of sampling.
Female singer performing on stage
Key Points of the Lawsuit:
- Plies claims Soulja Boy first used elements of "Me & My Goons" without permission in his 2010 track "Pretty Boy Swag"
- In 2024, Soulja Boy allegedly authorized Megan Thee Stallion and GloRilla to sample "Pretty Boy Swag" for their song "Wanna Be"
- The lawsuit extends to the "Wanna Be" remix featuring Cardi B
- Additional defendants include Universal Music Group, Interscope Records, and Hot Girl Productions
The plaintiffs allege:
- Unauthorized use of substantial elements from the original track
- Loss of potential revenue
- Damage to Plies' reputation and industry goodwill
The defendants have reportedly failed to:
- Offer compensation
- Provide proper credit
- Resolve the matter through pre-action discussions
This case highlights the complex nature of sample clearance in modern music production, particularly when dealing with samples of samples. The lawsuit seeks damages for both vicarious and contributory infringement.
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