Underground R&B sensation and Odd Future fellow Frank Ocean is catching some static from the Eagles' Don Henley.
The singer isn't feeling Ocean's "American Wedding," which samples the old classic "Hotel California." Henley threatened
to sue Ocean if he performs it again, and now the performance videos on YouTube are muted.
This sort of thing pisses us off. Why punish an up-and-coming artist for revitalizing your music? Especially when your band's Greatest Hits collection is one of the best-selling records of all time. That's just selfish.
But shitty music suits are nothing new. Check these six completely ridiculous musical disputes.
Joe Francis v. Madonna
Madonna's dropped another crappy single, called "Girl Gone Wild," from her upcoming album MDNA, and it's already coming under fire. But not just because it sucks. Joe Francis, the man behind the sort-of-porn franchise with a very similar name thinks Madonna owes him.
In this instance, Francis should just keep his cool and take the publicity. After all, he's been sued himself for much more serious charges. Like, getting his leading ladies mega-drunk and using footage of their boobies without consent.
And honestly, if anyone sues Madonna for this turd it should be Deadmau5. The opening melody is a clear rip-off of "Some Chords."
Rosa Parks v. Outkast
Back in 1999, Southern funkadelic heroes Outkast were getting their first taste of mainstream fame. But celebrations were cut short when old-school freedom fighter Rosa Parks filed suit over their '98 single titled "Rosa Parks."
Even though the song totally rules and has basically nothing to do with her stand against institutionalized racism, the black icon felt it was a misappropriation of her likeness. We think she should have appreciated the shout-out and hushed that fuss.
Red Hot Chili Peppers v. Showtime
In another instance of musicians not appreciating free publicity, RHCP took cable TV network Showtime to court over its hit show Californication. Lead singer Anthony Kiedis felt they ripped off the title from what he considers the band's "signature CD."
While it is a pretty awesome album, it's also a fabulous show. And considering the sexy and scandalous plot, there's really no better name they could use. Just accept the fact, Tony, that every fan of this show will be forced to think of your album and call it a day.
Syl Johnson v. Cypress Hill
It's one thing to sue a group for sampling your music without asking. But it's a whole 'nother story when you wait 15 years after its release to pick a fight.
Blues singer Syl Johnson took '90s rappers Cypress Hill to court for $29 million because a decade and a half earlier they sampled his record "Is It Because I'm Black" for a minute-long interlude.
The Johnson v. Hill case was preceded by other suits against Michael Jackson, 2Pac, Will Smith, and KRS One. Obviously, the old dude ran out of money and started hitting up musicians like they were ATMs. But why bring up old wounds for such an absurd amount of money? That money is gone, yo.
Carly Simon v. Starbucks
In a gross display of thinking you're better than you are, Carly Simon sued Starbucks in '09 for not promoting her new CD hard enough.
Just because Paul McCartney sold a bunch of copies of Memory Almost Full through a similar campaign, that doesn't mean it's the coffee giant's fault you failed to see the same numbers. Shit, he's a Beatle. People will buy his music until the end of time.
No Secrets was great and all. But it's time to accept reality. Talk about vanity...
Momma Marshall v. Eminem
And of course, nothing beats getting sued for slander by your own mom, which is exactly what happened to rap's king of controversy in 1999.
Mrs. Marshall wanted $10 million from her son for making her out to be an unstable drug addict. Of course, hitting your kid up for money in court only makes your relationship seem more dysfunctional. We see it as just another episode in rap's
best family feud.
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