Drake Copyright Lawsuit: Alleged Infringement Over ‘Calling My Name’
In a recent Drake Copyright Lawsuit, Ghanaian artist Obrafour has accused the rapper of unauthorized sampling in the 2022 track ‘Calling My Name’. The lawsuit, filed in New York, seeks damages of at least $10 million.
Details of the Drake Copyright Allegation
Approximately 53 seconds into ‘Calling My Name’, a vocal line “Killer cut, blood, killer cut” is believed to be sourced from Obrafour’s 2003 song ‘Oye Ohene’. This alleged infringement forms the core of the lawsuit.
Who’s Involved in the Drake Lawsuit?
The lawsuit targets not just Drake but also co-defendants including his record label OVO, Republic Records, and its parent company, Universal Music Group (UMG). Additionally, music professionals like Alex Lustig, DJ Diamante Blackmon (known as GORDO), Johannes Klahr, and Beau Nox, all associated with the track, are named.
The Sample Request in the Drake Copyright Case
An agent for Drake and co-defendants reached out to Obrafour for sample clearance shortly before the song’s release. However, without waiting for a response, ‘Calling My Name’ was launched on June 17, 2022.
Track’s Success Amidst the Copyright Lawsuit
The song is a standout from Drake’s chart-topping ‘Honestly, Nevermind’ album. The album garnered over 250 million streams in its debut week. ‘Calling My Name’ alone amassed 47 million Spotify streams and 4.1 million YouTube views.
Claims in the Drake Copyright Lawsuit
The legal complaint suggests that the infringement was intentional. It demands profits from various revenue streams linked to ‘Calling My Name’ and compensation for Obrafour’s legal costs.
Who is Obrafour?
Obrafour is a celebrated Ghanaian rapper, a pioneer in the hiplife genre, blending hip-hop with traditional Ghanaian sounds. Learn more about copyright issues in the music industry from this comprehensive guide on Red Star Media.
Drake in Other News
Separately, an AI-generated song featuring vocals of Drake and The Weeknd titled ‘heart on my sleeve’ went viral. Uploaded by “ghostwriter”, the track saw massive streaming success before its removal.
