Swizz Beatz Issued Take-Down Notice by Universal For “Mega Song” Video

When Swizz Beatz helps an artist out the outcome is usually a hit record. Apparently, when an artist helps Swizz out the outcome could be a lawsuit.

Swizz is the CEO of the Internet Company MegaUpload, which allows users to send large media files over the Internet. The site however had been plagued with piracy issues as users share music files illegally and it has come under fire from the music industry as one of the main sites helping piracy.

Now, Swizz has received a “take-down notice” from Universal Music Group for his “Mega Song” video on YouTube, which features the label’s artists Sean “Diddy” Combs, Kanye West and will.i.am. The label claims the performances were unauthorized.

MegaUpload has filed a lawsuit with Universal Music Group to stop them from blocking the distribution of the video. “We have never received any word that any artist has [individually] filed a take-down . . . [we have] legally binding agreements with the performers that appear in the video,” said a representative.

Swizz’s wife Alicia Keys has also promoted MegaUpload as her picture appears on the website. Mary J. Blige, Kim Kardashian, Lil Jon, Chris Brown and Floyd Mayweather are among other stars that have been asked to promote the site and they each appear on the homepage of the site with a video promoting it. —Nicholas Sella