Soul Veteran Syl Johnson Sues Tupac, N.W.A, KRS-One Over Sample

Veteran Soul and Blues artist Syl Johnson has filed suit against a number of rap and popular music artists for infringement of copyright for the unauthorized use of samples from his song “Different Strokes.” Johnson’s suit, which was filed in U.S. District Court for the the Northern Ditrict of Illinois, names as defendants the estate of Tupac Shakur, KRS-One, N.W.A and various record labels and artists. Johnson owns the copyright to the 1967 track and renewed it back in 1996. According to the suit, the artists named have illegally infringed on Johnson’s copyright since 1991 by using unauthorized portions of “Different Strokes.” ‘Pac’s 1993 track “Peep Game” and KRS’s classic “Criminal Minded” are amongst the tracks listed as sampling Johnson’s song in the suit. The veteran musician is seeking an injunction against further unauthorized use of the recording, and has also requested a full accounting of all “gains, profits, and advantages derived by the defendants” as a result of the infringed work. Also named in the suit are Rocafella Records artists Peedi Crakk and Young Chris, Will Smith and pop legend Michael Jackson. Johnson is the father of R&B singer Syleena Johnson who collaborated with Kanye West on his 2004 hit song “All Falls Down.”