Word on the Web is Beyoncé is in hot water after being accused of stealing a song from her backup singer. According to Javon Lee, the "Drunk in Love" songstress stole his melody to create the hit song "XO."
As reported by TheGrio, Lee filed a suit claiming the track infringes upon his copyright and wants $3 million in damages. His track "XOXO" was released six months prior to Beyoncé's December 2013 "XO" debut.
In the legal filings, he writes that "I am seeking the earnings she has made from the copied record. Also live performances, etc. I would like money compensation of $3 million, or whichever is greater."
Lee claims he shared the track with another backup singer, who then showed it to Beyoncé. The lawsuit makes claim that Lee "worked with [Beyoncé's] background singer Crissy Collins as a background singer for another artist" and "sent her the material" after it was released.
Beyoncé's songwriting practices also came under scrutiny earlier this year when Drake's ghostwriter Shi Wisdom made claims she did not believe Beyoncé had written any of her records:
"To be a songwriter on a song all you have to do is contribute one word. By the time the "R.I.P." record I did with Drake was finished, six writers including myself and him touched that song. That wasn't the plan, but that's what happens: Somebody comes in and says, 'Iinstead of saying "boy" say "you."' Now they're a writer on the song, but that's access. For the longest time Beyoncé didn't write any of her records. I personally still don't believe she's written any of her records."
Any thoughts? Can you hear the similarities in Javon Lee and Beyonce's songs? Sound off in the comment section.
