In a plot twist that had the music world buzzing, Rick Astley took legal action earlier this year against rapper Yung Gravy, stemming from Gravy’s 2022 track “Betty (Get Money),” which cleverly sampled Astley’s iconic 1987 hit, “Never Gonna Give You Up.” The heartwarming news is that Astley has now settled the lawsuit against Yung Gravy, as reported by MyNewsLA.com and Deadline.
When Newsound reached out to Yung Gravy’s representatives for a statement, they opted for radio silence. Meanwhile, we’ve sent emails to Astley’s camp and his attorney, the formidable Richard S. Busch, eagerly awaiting their comments.
The crux of Astley’s lawsuit, filed in a Los Angeles court back in January, revolved around the claim that Yung Gravy had ventured into dicey territory by mimicking Astley’s distinctive vocals without the necessary legal permissions. While Gravy and his trusty producer Popnick did have the green light to use the underlying musical composition, Astley argued they were way out of bounds when it came to his voice.
In a bizarre twist, Gravy and Popnick huddled in the studio, attempting to replicate Astley’s dulcet tones from “Never Gonna Give You Up,” a move Astley’s legal squad deemed an “unauthorized, intentional theft of his voice for commercial purposes.” Astley’s legal arsenal fired back with a barrage of claims, including violations of his right of publicity, false endorsement, unfair competition, and more.
Notably, Richard S. Busch, Astley’s attorney in this legal showdown, is no stranger to high-stakes music copyright battles. He famously represented Marvin Gaye’s family in the pivotal copyright infringement case against Robin Thicke, Pharrell Williams, and T.I. over the chart-topping hit “Blurred Lines.” In the end, the jury awarded the Gaye family a whopping $7.4 million in 2015.
In an era where nostalgia often takes center stage in music, this lawsuit provides a unique glimpse into the intricacies of copyright and the boundaries artists must navigate when sampling the past to create new hits.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Copyright Battles
What was the basis of Rick Astley’s lawsuit against Yung Gravy?
Rick Astley’s lawsuit against Yung Gravy centered on the claim that Yung Gravy had used Astley’s voice without proper authorization in his 2022 single “Betty (Get Money),” which sampled Astley’s hit song “Never Gonna Give You Up.”
What rights did Yung Gravy have to the music he sampled in his song?
Yung Gravy and his producer had the right to use the underlying musical composition of “Never Gonna Give You Up.” However, the dispute arose over the use of Rick Astley’s distinctive vocal performance.
What specific claims did Rick Astley make in his lawsuit?
Astley’s legal team alleged several claims against Yung Gravy, including violations of Astley’s right of publicity, false endorsement, unfair competition, and more. They argued that Gravy’s attempt to mimic Astley’s vocals constituted an unauthorized and intentional theft of his voice for commercial purposes.
Who represented Rick Astley in this legal battle, and what is their legal track record?
Rick Astley was represented by attorney Richard S. Busch, known for his involvement in high-profile music copyright cases. Busch notably represented Marvin Gaye’s family in the “Blurred Lines” copyright infringement case, which resulted in a $7.4 million award for the Gaye family in 2015.
How does this lawsuit relate to the broader music industry and the issue of sampling?
This lawsuit sheds light on the complexities of copyright law in the music industry, especially when it comes to sampling and using elements from existing songs. It serves as a reminder of the legal challenges artists face when incorporating elements of the past into their music to create new hits.
More about Copyright Battles
- Rick Astley Sues Yung Gravy Over Vocal Impersonation
- Details of the Lawsuit Settlement
- Richard S. Busch’s Legal Career
- Music Sampling and Copyright Issues
- Marvin Gaye’s “Blurred Lines” Lawsuit
1 comment
Dang, this copyright stuff’s tricky biz! Good read on music & law, thx!