In May, Karma-Ann Swanepoel, formerly of the South African band, Henry Ate, filed a suit in New Orleans Federal Court against rapper Lil Wayne, citing copyright infringement. The suit alleges that Lil Wayne’s producer, Jim Jonson, illegally sampled or interpolated Swanepoel’s song “Once” in Lil Wayne’s song “I Feel Like Dying” without her permission.
Videos by American Songwriter
In May, Karma-Ann Swanepoel, formerly of the South African band, Henry Ate, filed a suit in New Orleans Federal Court against rapper Lil Wayne, citing copyright infringement. The suit alleges that Lil Wayne’s producer, Jim Jonson, illegally sampled or interpolated Swanepoel’s song “Once” in Lil Wayne’s song “I Feel Like Dying” without her permission. Cash Money Records, Lil Wayne’s record label, apparently tried unsuccessfully to negotiate a licensing deal with Swanepoel but failed to reach an agreement. The label subsequently released “I Feel Like Dying” as a free download. The song is also available on free mix tapes C3: the Leak and The Drought is Over where users downloaded the selection over a million times.
Lil Wayne’s attorneys have until Friday, December 19, to release documents to attorneys representing the company that published “Once.” On Tuesday, attorneys for Lil Wayne requested that the Friday deadline be extended, although the request does not specify a suggested due date. If the New Orleans federal judge grants an extension, it is then anyone’s guess when Lil Wayne’s attorneys will provide the documents in question to the opposing side.
