S. Samuel
Grammy-winning rapper Kanye West is reportedly being sued for copyright infringement over his 2007 smash hit "Stronger."
According to reports, a Virginia man filed the lawsuit on Friday, June 25.
Vincent Peters, a hip-hop artist known professionally as “Vince P.,” claims in the suit that he gave a copy of his version of “Stronger” to West’s business manager John Monopoly, hoping to convince Monopoly to become an executive producer on his prospective album project. Peters claims in the suit that seven months after his record deal fell through, West released his single, also named “Stronger” on his album “Graduation.” West’s song allegedly “copies significant and important parts of Peters’ lyrics identically or almost identically,” Peters claims in the suit. (My Fox Chicago)
Upon its release, West later won a Grammy for the single.
The single was first released digitally on July 31, 2007 and soon became West’s third number-one single. It won a Grammy Award for Best Rap Solo Performance at the 50th Grammy Awards. (Wikipedia)
The record is from West’s 2007 multi-platinum album, Graduation.
Those who have admired Kanye as a sharp producer while detesting him as an inept MC might find the gleaming synth sprites, as heard most prominently throughout “Flashing Lights” and “Stronger,” to be one of the most glaring deal-breakers in hip-hop history. Though the synthesizer use marks a clear, conscious diversion from Kanye’s past productions, highlights like “I Wonder,” “The Glory,” and “Everything I Am” are deeply rooted in the Kanye of old, using nostalgia-inducing samples, elegant pianos and strings, and gospel choirs. (All Music)
Aside from the “Stronger” suit, West is currently addressing a case with ex-Death Row Records owner Suge Knight.
At the deposition in New York on Friday, West allegedly refused to offer any information to Knight’s legal team during the six-hour proceedings and denied he had any involvement in the security arrangements. Knight’s lawyer, Marc Brumer, tells New York Post gossip column Page Six, “He basically put his hands over his head and didn’t say anything for six hours. He evidently doesn’t know anything about anything, despite the fact that he hosted the party. (Contact Music)
Check out Kanye West’s “Stronger” music video below:
