News

Lil Wayne and Birdman Facing Copyright Infringement Lawsuit

8:57 a.m. · November 2, 2009 · by Nick Neyland

Thomas Marasciullo probably didn’t see the funny side when Lil Wayne’s head was turned into a birthday cake. He is suing Wayne, and his collaborator, Birdman, for using his vocals without permission on their joint 2006 album, Like Father, Like Son. The record features spoken-word contributions from Marasciullo.

According to the singer, Wayne and Birdman asked him to record “Italian-style” vocals for the album, but never actually compensated him for his efforts. His words were used on “Respect” and on Birdman’s “5 (Star) Stunna,” and Marasciullo is suing them and the Cash Money Records label.

Incredibly, it seems Marasciullo didn’t realize his words had been used by the hip-hop stars until he heard them in the shape of a ringtone his daughter was thinking of purchasing. This case adds to Wayne’s recent legal woes, with a possible year in jail already on the cards after he plead guilty to possession of a weapon.

[BBC]