Add Lil Wayne to the long list of rappers who have been sued for allegedly sampling songs without permission or proper credit. Wayne- is being sued by a music publishing company that owns the rights to the Rolling Stones song Play with Fire. Abkco Music Inc. claims that Wayne released an alternate version of the song — that they’re calling “explicit, sexist and offensive” — without permission. They’re suing for copyright infringement and seeking unspecified damages.
In the song's chorus, blues singer Betty Wright croons the line, "But you can't blame me if I set this stage on fire," which has similar wording to the Stones tune's chorus: "But don't play with me/ 'Cause you're playing with fire." Wright sings the line with a different cadence and emphasis than Mick Jagger does however.
Wayne's song begins with Wright singing, "So you've got so many diamonds/ You wear all the finest clothes/ And you grill is shining/ As you're driving down the streets of gold/ But you can't blame me if I set this thing on fire." The Stones version begins with the lines: "Well, you've got your diamonds and you've got your pretty clothes/ And the chauffeur drives your car/ You let everybody know/ But don't play with me/ 'Cause you're playing with fire."
A rep at the label could not be reached for comment.
T.I., whose first official single, Whatever You Like, recentyl leaked, is set to shoot the new music video this weekend in Los Angeles. His Paper Trail album however, is being pushed back to September 30th!
