Jan 27 (Reuters) – Rick Astley has sued the rapper Yung Gravy over a tune that borrowed closely from the British singer’s signature “By no means Gonna Give You Up,” claiming that the brand new tune illegally used an impersonator who imitated Astley’s distinctive baritone.
The criticism filed on Thursday in Los Angeles Superior Courtroom stated Yung Gravy’s 2022 tune “Betty (Get Cash)” violated Astley’s proper of publicity by that includes the singer Popnick, who imitated Astley’s voice so properly that listeners thought Astley was truly singing.
“In an effort to capitalize off of the immense recognition and goodwill of Mr. Astley, defendants … conspired to incorporate a deliberate and practically indistinguishable imitation of Mr. Astley’s voice,” the criticism stated. “The general public couldn’t inform the distinction.”
Astley’s lawsuit seeks “hundreds of thousands of {dollars}” in damages, in addition to income from “Betty.”
Among the many defendants are Yung Gravy, whose actual identify is Matthew Hauri, and his document label, Common Music Group’s (UMG.AS) Republic Data.
Common and a consultant for Yung Gravy didn’t instantly reply to requests for remark.
Astley, 56, reached No. 1 on the Billboard Scorching 100 in 1988 with “By no means Gonna Give You Up”. The tune noticed resurgent recognition about 20 years later via the “Rickroll” web meme, the place it unexpectedly interrupts unrelated content material.
Astley’s lawyer Richard Busch is thought for representing Marvin Gaye’s household in opposition to Robin Thicke and Pharrell Williams over their alleged copying of the tune “Obtained to Give It Up” for his or her “Blurred Strains.”
Thursday’s criticism stated Astley’s declare resembled a 1988 case the place Bette Midler efficiently sued Ford Motor Co (F.N) for utilizing a soundalike to promote automobiles, although Ford had licensed her tune “Do You Need to Dance” for a business.
“Mr. Astley owns his voice,” Busch stated in an electronic mail. “California regulation is obvious … that no one has the correct to mimic or use it in a brand new sound recording with out his permission, or cross it off as if he did approve the use.”
Reporting by Jonathan Stempel in New York
Enhancing by Peter Graff
: .
