Gucci Mane has been credited as a musical influence by several rising hip-hop acts. However, the “Now It’s Real” rapper has been accused of dipping into another person’s creative fountain without properly crediting them.
Yesterday (November 4), Gucci Mane’s ex-girlfriend, former collaborator, and fellow rapper Mac Bre-Z took to her official Instagram with a host of damning allegations including theft, domestic violence, and failure to pay or credit her past creative contributions.
In a series of post, Mac Bre-Z claimed to have been Gucci Mane’s first ever signed recording artist (seemingly to 1017 Records).
“You loved collaborating with me on your albums & mixtapes,” she wrote. “But I would love to get paid for my writing credits. They say you changed for the better. So Why haven’t you done the right thing & just compensate me for everything I’m entitled to? Everybody eating off these records but me.”
Buried in the post, Mac Bre-Z accused Gucci Mane of domestic violence. “I never did a tell all & exposed any stories about your personal life over the 6 years we were together,” she wrote. “When you punched me in the face I could’ve snitched & had you arrested while you were on bond for the murder case of Jeezy artist. I never bad-mouthed you in the media or tried to assassinate your character.”
She went on to hint at potentially taking legal action, writing: “Enough is Enough. Times Up. I’m coming for what’s rightfully mine. Respectfully .”
She is credited as a featured artist on Gucci Mane’s song “Go Head,” which appears on his debut album Trap House. However, Mac Bre-Z claims that she’s made several contributions to other tracks but did not specify which ones.
In a separate upload, Mac Bre-Z alleged that her creatives concepts were hijacked before she could flesh it out for herself. “Gucci [has] been stealing my ideas & running off with them,” she wrote. “Zaytoven was recording me at his mama house when Radric walked into my studio session while I was recording my song ‘Da Kandi Lady’ from my DJ Scream mixtape. He straight stole my idea. Put Brick Squad on it and shot a music video to it. Y’all don’t know the half of what I went through in this industry. I’m telling my story.”
Mac Bre-Z closed by threatening to outline it all in a documentary titled, Life After So Icy.
Gucci Mane has not publicly addressed Mac Bre-Z’s accusation yet.
Future is currently the most hard-working artist in hip-hop. After releasing two albums produced by Metro Boomin this year, We Don’t Trust You and We Still Don’t Trust You, he’s returning to the well one more time with Mixtape Pluto.
For some fans, it’s the best of the three, for the same reason that the paired projects marked a return to form for Future in the minds of many longtime fans. Mixtape Pluto calls back to one of the most productive and fan-revered eras of the veteran trap rapper’s career.
Of course, I am referring to the Future era in which he released no fewer than five standout projects from 2014 to 2016. Beginning with the DJ Esco-hosted mixtape Monster and including Beast Mode with Zaytoven, 56 Nights with DJ Esco, What A Time To Be Alive with Drake, and, of course, DS2, and ending arguably with 2016’s Purple Reign and Evol, Future’s 2015 run was rivaled only by a few in hip-hop, and all of them are titans of the culture.
During this time, he released 10 platinum-selling singles, including some of his most beloved festival hype DJ playlist favorites, like “March Madness” “Jumpman” with Drake, and “Low Life” with The Weeknd. These time may not have produced his highest-charting, but it began Future’s string of multi-platinum hits (beginning with “F*ck Up Some Commas” from DS2 at No. 55) and it contains the densest concentration thereof (peaking with “Low Life” with eight certifications).
Unlike prior albums Pluto and Honest, and latter albums like Hndrxx, High Off Life, or even his Metro Boomin collabs, this success was driven by Future’s gritty solo charisma, with much less of the focus on melodizing his heartbreak. Instead, he growled dismissive dispatches from the depths of his hedonistic excesses, going out of his way to shoot down any suggestion of soulful introspection or simping.
He also needed little in the way of featured artistry to fuel his ascent. While Future himself was a hotly demanded guest star on works from other artists, including DJ Khaled, Mike Will Made It, Travis Scott, Ty Dolla Sign, and 21 Savage, the only collaborations of his from 2015 to chart were those from What A Time, a collaborative album, while “Low Life” with The Weeknd was the biggest hit he had to feature another artist in 2016.
He was at the height of his powers — which you could argue he most strongly taps into on his other mixtapes. Mixtape Pluto might not only apply to 2015 and 2016; it might also refer to his street-bred beginnings with tapes like the original Dirty Sprite or collaborative efforts like Super Slimey with Young Thug or Beast Mode 2 with Zaytoven.
The new tape indeed does find Future going solo for its 17 tracks. There’s a mixture of producers, but all of them provide vintage 808 and skittering snares — exactly the sort of backdrop over which the Atlanta native thrives. The hypnotic, chant-like choruses? They’re represented here on tracks like “Lil Demon” and “Aye Say Gang.” The rapping is as crisp as it’s ever been. And for those fans who love wounded Future, there are a few standouts like “Too Fast” and “Lost My Dog.”
Which is why Mixtape Pluto is hitting all the right notes with those fans who’ve been following him all this time. Future — an artist with roots that reach back to Atlanta’s initial epoch in the rap mainstream with Outkast and Dungeon Family — has transformed dozens of times over the course of his career, but the form he always seems to return to is the one that has the most potential to go anywhere and everywhere else. Mixtape Future is the best Future, because like the future, the possibilities are endless.
Now that Zaytoven is entering the latter stages of his career (even though he has not lost a step), he has been shifting his focus a bit. Of course, he is still working with the best of the best like Gucci Mane, Quavo, Lil Durk, and more. But, he is going back to where he found his passion for music, the Church. Very soon, Zay will be dropping a collaboration album with gospel rapper 1K Phew, who hails from Atlanta. On January 19 Pray For Atlanta will be available.
One of the other ways Zaytoven is moving on from the constant big-time collabs is by working alongside his son. His stage name is ZAYSKII and he has just come out with his debut album, I’m The One. It is a seven-song offering with production credits from his pops. We have covered the tape pretty extensively already, but we wanted to bring your attention to one other track.
As expected, ZAYSKII is still figuring out his sound. He is just 18 years old so its practice makes perfect at this point. But one thing he has nailed is the ability to create some catchy auto-tuned melodies. He does that on the closing track “Um.” This is one of the deeper and more personal cuts. It shows a small look at the type of life the young rapper is living. Some of the writing gets a little sloppy, but with his legendary father by his side, he has the tools to succeed.
What are your initial thoughts on this brand-new song, “Um,” by ZAYSKII and Zaytoven? Is this the best song from his debut album, I’m The One? After hearing this project, do you think ZAYSKII has what it takes to become a star in the next few years? Does this song have the best beat on it? If not, which one would you take over it? Where do you rank Zaytoven amongst the greatest producers of all time? We would like to hear what you have to say about all of this. With that in mind, be sure to leave all of your hottest takes in the comments section below. Additionally, always keep it locked in with HNHH for all of the latest news surrounding ZAYSKII and Zaytoven. Finally, stay with us for the most informative song posts throughout the week.
The greatest thing about music is that it can bring people closer together. There is something about the aura it creates that is unlike anything in the world. It is especially awesome when families become more tight-knit. That happens to be the case with Zaytoven and his son, ZAYSKII.
About a month ago, HNHH spoke with the legendary trap beatmaker about his kid’s debut project. “I’m putting his album out on January 2nd on his birthday. He turns 18.” He continued, “I’m excited about it because he watched me but at the same time, he’s not just trying to do it the exact same way I did. He got his own little twist and flavor to it, too.” It did not drop until the 5th, but we have the project on our hands now.
We covered ZAYSKII’s album I’m The One, but now we want to give you a song to check out. One that is starting to gain some traction for him is the opener “Winnin.” It might have the catchiest melody on the entire record. Zaytoven brings a nice mellow, piano-backed beat which is what he is well-known for at this point. It might not be something totally unique, but it does show that he can write something that can get in your head (in a good way).
What are your initial thoughts on this brand-new song, “Winnin,” by ZAYSKII and Zaytoven? Is this the best track from his debut tape, I’m The One? How do you think ZAYSKII will fare in the rap game going forward? After hearing this song, do you feel he will be able to create his own style, or will he be an amalgamation of others? We would like to hear what you have to say about all of this. With that in mind, be sure to leave all of your hottest takes in the comments section below. Additionally, always keep it locked in with HNHH for all of the latest news around ZAYSKII and Zaytoven. Finally, stay with us for the most informative song posts throughout the week.
Quotable Lyrics:
It’s stars in the ceiling I ain’t losing dreams still laid back chilling Can’t save a thot that’s why the call me a villain I been at the top for a while for a minute She know what I knew man I’m minding my business I ain’t gonna lie that kinda hurt my feelings
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Last month, HNHH had the absolute pleasure in speaking with the iconic trap producer, Zaytoven. His featured interview was a part of our Advent Calendar. It was a 25-day event on the site in which we had one unique feature piece each day of December up until Christmas Day for those who celebrate. In the chat we discussed a whole bunch of topics surrounding the landscape of hip-hop to what he has going on in his career.
One of the interesting things that came up was that his son, who goes by Zayskii, was going to be coming out with his debut project. He also feels that he is uber talented and become a true superstar. “I have a son that I feel like is a real dope artist and can produce for me. I sit and watch him in my studio and he go down there and make beats and record songs all day and I listen like, ‘dang you got the gift without me even shadowing you all the time. You almost know more stuff than I know.’”
Well, the time has come for Zayskii to step forward and show what he has got to offer. He does so in the form of seven-song project, I’m The One. All of the tracks have production from Zaytoven and maybe even Zayskii as well. He raps on every track (obviously), and has some features from Rocco and tana. See what the 18-year-old has got with the links above.
What are your initial thougths on this brand-new album, I’m The One, by Zaytoven and Zayskii? Will his son become the next big time rapper within the following couple of years? Which songs are you gravitating toward the most after the first few listens? Does Zayskii’s sound remind you of anyone else’s, or is he unique? Who should he work with going forward? We would like to hear what you have to say about all of this. With that in mind, be sure to leave all of your hottest takes in the comments section below. Additionally, always keep it locked in with HNHH for all of the latest news around Zaytoven and Zayskii. Finally, stay with us for the most informative album posts throughout the week.
Metro Boomin has big plans for the year, despite having one of his best year’s professionally in 2023. After releasing his second studio album Heroes & Villains in December 2022, he stampeded into 2023 with a parade of releases including the Spider-Verse soundtrack, Young Thug’s album Business Is Business, and even a symphony orchestra. But even with all these accomplishments in his rearview, he looks to remain as busy as ever in 2024, with not just one but three new albums on the way — and maybe even more.
After boasting “2023 was great but just watch what I do 2024” on Twitter, a fan asked how many albums he’ll be dropping in 2024. “3 at the very least,” he replied. And although he didn’t go into detail, hints he shared throughout last year gave us some clue what those albums could be.
Shortly after the release of Heroes & Villains, ASAP Rocky joked that his next album, Don’t Be Dumb, would have so much input from Metro that it should be called Flacko Boomin. Then, a month later, Future suggested that his joint album with Metro would be the “album of the year” — although there’s still no sign of it, almost a full year later. JID also confirmed he and Metro have a joint project in the works, and just before the holidays, Metro said he and Zaytoven are working on a few ideas for a potential project, either with an artist or a compilation of artists.
When you hear Zaytoven’s “producer tag,” you automatically know that song’s going to be a hit.
Currently based in Atlanta, Zaytoven will forever go down in history as one of the best producers in the rap game. Best known for fostering a new sound alongside Gucci Mane, Zaytoven is deemed the Godfather of Trap music, pioneering a new movement and giving new life to the definition of trap music.
And while Zaytoven has endless plaques, endless accolades, and endless hits to his name, he still remains as humble and inspired as when he first entered the game. Fast forward to today, Zaytoven unveils his newest single titled “Winning,” alongside his blood son Zayskii.
The Source spoke with Zaytoven virtually to discuss the moment he fell in love with Hip-Hop, working with Gucci Mane early on, his favorite song with Guwop, and more!
What was the moment you fell in love with Hip-Hop?
This is when I was in Columbus, Georgia. I was visiting, and my older cousin had a Walkman. He had the single “Dre Day” with Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre. I grew up in a church. I’m a church kid and I’m in church all the time. I’m not allowed to listen to secular music. We don’t listen to that. Especially no music with profanity the way that had in it. But he let me hear on his Walkman, and I swear I listened to that all day. Over and over and over again.
I fell in love with the music. You gotta think: after that, I got a hold of The Chronic. I listened to The Chronic album, then Snoop Dogg came with Doggystyle. I turned into a rap fiend, I wanted to hear that all day long. The music, the way the stuff was put together, I fell in love with it.
You made the “So Icy” beat in 5 minutes?!
Yes. If anybody’s been in the studio with me or if you watch online, you can tell that’s how I work. I make beats in 5, 10 minutes. That’s not bragging, that’s not saying my way is better than anybody else’s. That’s how music comes to me. That’s how I create.
How long are you usually in the studio?
Most of the time, I’m having long sessions. But that’s because I’m trying to get 5, 6 songs done in one session. I like to go home and listen in the car. Okay, here go 5 songs we did today. Rather than one song, maybe two songs. That comes from how me and Gucci used to work. Gucci used to come over to my house at 7am, then won’t leave till 2am or 3am the next morning. But we done recorded so many songs that day, we felt like we put in the good work.
I know you have 3 songs on Gucci Mane’s last album. How does it feel to be working with him still now to this day? I love the loyalty.
That’s my ace right there. When it comes to music, we made history. We created a sound that when people hear the music, even when you hear my music without him on it, that’s still the sound that me and Gucci Mane created. I always tell Gucci all the time how much I appreciate him. No matter how far, how big he gets or how far he goes, he always includes me in every everything he does. I always have to tell him: bro, I appreciate you. That’s real love right there.
Do you have a favorite song you did with Gucci?
“First Day Out,” when he first got out of jail. The first time we wasn’t working with each other for about 6 months, the first song we did was “First Day Out” when he got out. I remember getting chills listening to him record to the song, so that’s my favorite.
Gucci had one of the biggest glow ups in Hip-Hop…
He got the biggest! He got the biggest story in Hip-Hop to me.
How was it seeing him bounce back? I’m sure that was inspiring.
I’ve been knowing Gucci from the beginning. So every time he went to jail, every time something happened, I know him and I know how he’s coming back. I know he’ll be bigger and better every time he comes back. Because I talked to him the whole time he gone, and he be so excited. Every time he goes away and get locked up, he calls me and rap songs to me. When I make beats to the song, he rapping to me over the phone. I know how inspired he is to get out and go hard.
One of the reasons that I took all my time — anytime Gucci asked me to do something, whether it’s coming to my mama’s house at 3 in the morning and I got to sneak him in to record. Always did whatever he wanted to do because I knew he had the drive to make it. He was gon’ make it in the music game. I said if I stick with him and follow what he’s doing, then I’ma make it right with them.
Throughout the 50-year history of hip-hop music, Zaytoven is a pioneer who has gone through and created a revolution. However, usually, when you think of “pioneers” more times than not, rappers are the ones that get the majority of the credit for shaping the landscapes in the genre. However, it would be very foolish to not show grace to the ones behind the scenes who make it all happen. Arguably the most important piece to creating incredible music is the production. Beats can make or break how a song turns out.
Of course, Zaytoven knows how vital colorful production is to a record. Undoubtedly, he is one of the best at his craft. He does not need much of an introduction at this point in his career. He has had it going since the late 1990s and has been a major factor in ushering in the trap sound. Since he came into the game, he has helped deliver iconic tracks into the mainstream, but also for rising artists. Now nearly three decades in, Zaytoven has shifted his focus more into the Christian hip-hop subset. However, he is still working with your favorites like Gucci Mane, Quavo, Lil Durk, and all of the other usual suspects.
In our chat with the German-born hitmaker, we discussed some projects he has in the works, and not all of them are music-related. But, Zaytoven certainly had a lot to unpack on that front. He spoke about his feelings toward AI technology. We asked his opinion on where the state of hip-hop is, after Lil Yachty’s recent statements. Additionally, the Atlanta-based producer recently attended the AfroTech conference to bring his studio sessions to life. Of course, we had to talk about his most recent release, Zaytoven The Trapfather (Instrumentals). This and a whole lot more revealed that his work ethic is not stopping in the slightest.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 22: Zaytoven performs onstage at Black & Positively Golden Presented By McDonalds during the BET Experience at Los Angeles Convention Center on June 22, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Liliane Lathan/Getty Images for BET)
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.
HNHH: Hello! How’s it goin’ man?
Zaytoven: I’m doing good. How you doing?
So I wanted to jump right into your solo project. It dropped in November, it’s called Zaytoven The Trapfather. I got to listen to it and I like the way you had this mafia boss-like feeling to the beats. What was your inspiration behind the project?
More than anything I remember back in the day going to the studio and giving out beat CDs. You are trying to get people to wrap on your beats. I used to go to Studio with it and it would have 40 beats on the CD. Now they all might be around two minutes and thirty seconds. And I feel like that was how I was expressing my talent and what I can do. I make so much music every day. Let me get something back to the people, like I used to do just give them a beat CD and let them just start rapping on all the beats, write songs to them or whatever, and that was my inspiration behind it.
Do you plan on getting anyone on these beats in the near future?
As we speak, big artists have already gotten probably five of the beats already.
You’re most friends and frequent collaborators include Gucci Mane, Rae Sremmurd, Shy Glizzy, and Lil Durk. You also have some stuff coming up with Quavo and Juice WRLD at some point. What can you tell us about what you have coming with them?
Man, it’s so crazy that I have some big stuff coming real soon, but it’s things I can’t spoil. And I want to so bad. It’s a timing thing like if we had this interview two weeks from now the stuff would be out or whatever. So it’s just certain things I can’t let the cat out of the bag.
That understandable. We’re looking forward to it. One of those projects that’s already been announced is your one with 1K Phew. Excited for that. We checked out “On Fire” and it sounds amazing. I love Phew’s hook. You’ve worked with them in the past. What has it been like to see his growth within Gospel rap, and also with the Atlanta rap scene in general?
I mean, it’s amazing. I play at a church In Conyers, Georgia called Life Abundantly Christian Center and we were doing this program called Gospel Cafe, and it’s almost like an open mic type of gospel night and he came and rapped and he was dope. My mom was like, ‘Yeah, I like him you need to work with him.’ We started working years and years ago. Then I stayed back and I watched him get signed over there with Lecrae and he doing his thing. And the more I just watched, I waited until the time was right to do a project with him because we have to do it because we connected so long ago on such an upcoming scale, we need to take it to a whole nother level.
For some reason, there seems to be this negative view on Christian hip-hop. Maybe people don’t agree with the message that they’re trying to convey, or whatever their reasons are. How important do you think it is for gospel rap to flourish and how it can expand hip-hop in general?
I think it’s really important. We living in a time in a generation where I think the music almost raises and teaches the kids what to say and how to act and what they should get into. And the more that gospel rap becomes cool, the more it reaches the masses of our youth and that society would be better to our youth. I think hip-hop music has probably the biggest influence on our youth than anything. That’s the reason why I’m putting my best work even with gospel music to make sure I’m in there and trying to help push that message forward.
That’s definitely an important thing and that is the reason why I wanted to ask you that is because Lil Yachty also had spoken about the state of hip-hop recently on his podcast and he said it’s in a stagnant state due to not a lack of originality. I wanted to get your thoughts on those comments.
I’ll definitely agree and I think it’s because technology has made it where everybody can put they music out on the same platform as the artists theylook up to. Even if I wanted to be a producer and I’m not really musically inclined, I can be able to do because the platforms that are making music now, it’s not technical, so I could just learn how to be technical and I can make music and I can put it out on all platforms. And I think it’s so much of that now that creativity almost got washed away. And I think and I will say it’s due to technology. Technology is good, but at the same time it waters down people that have real gift and real musicianship. So, I think that’s really what’s going on more than anything.
You were at the AfroTech Conference at the beginning of [November]. AI was maybe a topic that was discussed, or that you had brought up. Do you think that’s also playing a role in maybe the lack of originality as well?
Definitely. But we really can’t do nothing about it. So you can’t do nothing but try to be a part of it and help steering it in a right direction. But I think everything is so computer based and everything is robotic that its like how much originality can you get from there? You can’t really get a lot of it. Me being a producer right, there are different plugins and programs that made it easy for me to do this or they made it and helped me expand who I am in certain ways. But I understand how it can cripple our musicians and people that’s trying to really make it in music because it’s like this. We’re doing it for you. Who’s making up your mind for you? It’s like you don’t have to learn how to do different things because the computer already knows how to, so it can just do it for you.
Besides [talking about AI], you had a lot of involvement with [Afrotech]. What was your favorite part about participating in the event?
The fact that I got to sit there in front of a whole lot of people and preview my process of making music. For me, to be able to do that right there in front of everybody and watch me create something from scratch to the point where I allowed the people in the crowd to come up and rap to the music. Everything was just done spontaneously. I think that was my favorite part because that to me is what hip-hop is built on that. People that got talent and gifts and can show it and they can do what they own hands and they own mind.
Did any of them have any questions for you on how to get into the industry, or did you impart any advice on them in any way?
I’m gonna start a piano course. Give producers the basic things to learn and my philosophy and the way I hear and see things when it comes to producing music being somewhat of a musician. Knowing these different scales and knowing these different chords can help take you farther than the guy that’s just clicking the computer, going to put in the music together. And that’s really my aim is to help shed light on that and push people back into learning instruments because they’re gonna open up so many other doors when it comes to making music.
Did you want to expand on that at all? Do you have any details on when that’s gonna get started? How can people find it?
I’m actually starting next week on doing just filming and taping the first couple classes. So, I’m not sure I know it’s gonna be in 2024 when I release the classroom. But yeah, I start taping next week. I will announce it maybe via my social media. I’m not sure exactly how I want to announce it, but I’m definitely gonna make it acceptable for everybody to join and be a part of it. It will be a website. It’s a subscription type thing, something that you have to join and I’m really building a Beethoven community of people that really want to get in the music industry or just got the love and heart for music and want to learn and grow and build a network. Because I see that this is what most of our young people want to do. I have a son that I feel like is a real dope artist and can produce for me. I sit and watch him in my studio and he go down there and make beats and record songs all day and I listen like ‘dang you got the gift without me even shadowing you all the time. You almost know more stuff than I know.’
AUSTIN, TEXAS – NOVEMBER 13: (L-R) Fireside chat with Zaytoven and Will Lucas at AFROTECH Conference 2022 – Day One at Austin Convention Center on November 13, 2022 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Robin L Marshall/Getty Images for AFROTECH)
Can we expect anything from him coming down the pipeline?
Yes, I’m putting his album out on January 2nd on his birthday. He turns 18. So yeah, make sure you put that out here. Zayskii is his artist name and I’ll be putting his project out and I’m excited about it because he watched me but at the same time, he’s not just trying to do it the exact same way I did. He got his own little twist and flavor to it, too.
Yeah, that’s awesome! We are looking forward to that! We’ll make sure we spread that news as soon as possible.I wanted to ask stuff relating to the end of the year. We’re coming to the end of 2023. Do you have anything coming up with family and friends?
I love spending time with my family and everything. These are the times where I really get with the family and try to stop with everything else just to take a break and bring back a new excitement when the top of the year hits. Now, I will be dropping another project called Piano Nights. This one is more piano-driven just to give people another taste or another aspect of what I can do.
Do you have any goals or any sort of aspirations personally that you’re looking to get in place and then attack next year? I know you’re also into the movie scene. Is there anything that we can expect there as well?
It’s just opening more businesses. I’ve been a barber ever since I came in the game. Me and my wife been talking about opening up a spot where I do music. She’s a hairstylist. I want to open up a Zaytown facility where people can come and get their hair done, you can record music. It’s gonna be upscale and exclusive but one of those Zaytoven spots where it’s like ‘I gotta go to Zaytoven’s spot.’ It’s probably gonna be expensive to get in there. But, it’s one of those things that I want to do next year that I definitely feel like I will be doing. [For movies] I go into shooting in January. The music-based movies is not really around and it’s a void. So I definitely want to stay in that lane and continue to create content on that level. I’m thinking, about summer next year. I want to be dropping another movie.
Future and Zaytoven have worked together for years, creating several memorable hits, but on Zaytoven’s recent appearance on the R&B Money Podcast, the award-winning producer reveals that he and Future wasn’t always as close as they are now. Zay even admitted that he took some of Future’s verses off the songs they collaborated on in the past.
Zaytoven admits he used to take Future’s verses off songs
Zaytoven later acknowledged Future’s impact on the game as well as his creative evolution, emphasizing how he recognized and valued Future’s progress due to his dedication to his craft.
One of the unfortunate pitfalls that pervades modern music is pesky copyright law. Since the notorious “Blurred Lines” lawsuit made on behalf of Marvin Gaye set an alarming legal precedent, almost every major artist has either faced copyright suits or taken extreme caution to avoid them. One of those artists who was recently subjected to a lawsuit over copyright law is Future. A man named Daquan Robinson reportedly sued Future over his song WHEN I THINK ABOUT IT. The track comes from his collaborative album with ZaytovenBEASTMODE 2 from 2018. The lawsuit claims that the track lifted elements from Robinson’s own song When U Think About It.
Now, according to TMZ, the judge has thrown out the case in a reference-packed decision. Judge Martha Pacold explained her reasoning for throwing out the lawsuit, claiming that none of the similarities between songs constituted actual copyright infringement. Robinson listed guns, money, and jewelry as thematic elements of his song that were lifted by Future. But the judge referenced a trio of hip-hop classics from Wu-Tang, Biggie, and Kanye as examples that those pop up in plenty of other rap songs too. She claimed that no person can claim copyright to those particular themes.
Future has stayed busy this year even if he hasn’t released much material of his own. He teamed up with Lil Uzi Vert and Lil Baby for a new DJ Khaled single called “Supposed To Be Loved.” The track is set to serve as the lead single for Khaled’s upcoming new albumTIL NEXT TIME later this year.
Future also might have some new music on the way alongside Lil Yachty and Southside. The producer previewed some new music with both rappers earlier this month. None of the material has received an expected release date yet though. What do you think of the judge’s decision in Future’s copyright infringement case? Let us know in the comment section below.
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