Katy Perry 'Dark Horse' Song Lawsuit: 'Prism' Singer Sued for Copyright Infringement by Christian Artists [Listen]
Eleven-time Grammy nominee Katy Perry faces copyright infringement lawsuit by a group of Christian hip-hop artists over the 2013 hit "Dark Horse" off her fourth studio album "Prism."
The 29-year-old pop star, whose parents used to be Pentecostal pastors, debuted back in 2001 with her Christian rock and gospel album "Katy Hudson." She is now under fire for allegedly ripping off Christian rapper Marcus Tyrone Gray's 2008 track "Joyful Noise" for her smash inspired by the 1996 film "The Craft."
Gray, who goes by the alias "Flame," previously earned a Grammy Award nomination for Best Rock and Rap Gospel Album and a Stellar Award nod for Rap Album of the Year with his fourth solo record "Our World: Redeemed." The album features "Joyful Noise," which also scored him a Gospel Music Association Dove Award nomination.
Produced by Dr. Luke and Max Martin, "Dark Horse" featuring Juicy J was undoubtedly an enormous success, selling 6 million copies as well as gaining 441 million views for its Egyptian-themed music video.
The St. Louise Post-Dispatch reported that the 32-year-old Christian rapper, along with his fellow gospel musicians -- Chike Ojukwu, Emanuel Lambert and grammy-winning rapper LeCrae Moore -- sued the California-based singer and Capital Records in Missouri District Court on Tuesday, July 1, claiming that his high-pitched techno melody and snap-based beat were slowed down in Perry's song.
The filed lawsuit stated that Flame's music has been "irreparably tarnished by its association with the witchcraft, paganism, black magic, and Illuminati imagery evoked by the same music in 'Dark Horse.'"
Meanwhile, chart-topping Katy Perry is set to continue her "Prismatic" world tour at American Airlines Arena in Miami on Thursday, July 3, at 7 p.m.
Listen to both Flame's "Joyful Noises" and Katy Perry's "Dark Horse" below:
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