Photo: Benc/Getty
Lil Wayne has settled the lawsuit the Rolling Stones’ publishing company Abkco slapped him with after the rapper’s Tha Carter III song “Playing With Fire” was deemed too similar to the Stones’ 1965 hit “Play With Fire.” Abkco originally sued Lil Wayne in July 2008. The lawsuit cited lyrical comparisons like the Stones’ original chorus “But don’t play with me, ’cause you’re playing with fire,” and Wayne’s line “But you can’t blame me if I set this stage on fire,” and also alleged that the public might assume the Rolling Stones approved of Wayne’s use of “explicit, sexist and offensive language” — because in no way would the Stones ever want to affiliate themselves with explicit, sexist and offensive lyrics. (See: Some Girls.)
While originally denying any wrongdoing, Wayne wisely removed “Playing With Fire” from all TC3 copies being sold through digital music services to avoid having to lose any royalties from online sales. (It was replaced by a track called “Pussy Monster.”) Tha Carter III sold over a million copies in its debut week in 2008. We won’t find out how much of that royalty money is going to Abkco, however, as “terms of the settlement are governed by a confidentiality agreement.” Both parties are “satisfied with the amicable settlement,” a statement reads.
While the Stones deprived Weezy off rocking out to “Playing With Fire,” the rapper will have an opportunity to get his thrash on when he explores his rock star alter ego on his new album Rebirth, due out April 7th. Check below for more on Wayne’s transformation from MC to MC5:
• Inside Lil Wayne’s “Real Rock Album”: “Prom Queen” Producers Talk “Rebirth”
• Lil Wayne Plots Rock Album “Rebirth,” First Single “Prom Queen” Leaks
Related Stories:
• How Lil Wayne Became a Superstar
• Inside the Strange Mind of Lil Wayne
Share
Email
Stumble
AIM
Del.icio.us
DiggThis
Fark It!
- Portions of Album Content Provided by All Music Guide © 2009 All Media Guide, LLC.
Get RS Mobile
RSS