Almost three decades after Tupac Shakur's death, his music remains a source of inspiration, provocation, and, in this case, litigation. The legendary rapper's estate is now swept up in a federal lawsuit over claims that one of his most political songs, 'White Man'z World,' features an unauthorized sample of a speech by the late Dr. Khallid Abdul Muhammad.
An impassioned speaker and a forceful leader, Dr. Khallid Muhammad was unrepentant about the need for Black power. Shakur's 1996 Los Angeles street Aliean Nation track 'White Man'z World' illegally samples a portion of one of Muhammad's copyrighted speeches without his estate's permission, according to his estate. Now, they're suing, seeking $5 million in damages for the purported infringement.
But this lawsuit isn't just against Tupac's estate. It also targets some of the biggest acts in hip-hop history, including Death Row Records, Suge Knight, Interscope Records, Universal's publishing unit, and the producer Darryl "Big D" Harper. The case can potentially send shock waves through the legal and music industries.
The song is 'White Man'z World,' a deep and introspective track from Tupac's posthumously released The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory album. The song references systemic oppression, racial injustice, and the burdens of Black men and women in America. If successful, the lawsuit would result in 'White Man'z World' being removed from streaming services and future reissues, effectively removing part of Tupac's legacy from public access.
For fans, this is about more than a legal dispute. It is a potential loss of one of Tupac's most socially conscious records, a song that remains relevant to listeners today. 'White Man'z World' exemplifies Tupac's genius at incorporating raw emotion and incisive political commentary into a song. To lose it would be to lose a piece of history."
Sampling has long been a backbone of hip-hop, the ability of one performer to pay homage to another while adding his creative twist. But the sector has a long history of legal wrangling over sample licenses, as estates of dead public figures and musicians demand payments for unauthorized use.
Does this case imply that political superstars must get big old musical samples? Does Tupac's intent to amplify Muhammad's message matter? What does this mean for how hip-hop preserves and repurposes historical voices if the lawsuit is successful?
For the time being, Tupac's estate, as well as the other defendants, will need to battle it out in a courtroom. It's yet to be seen if 'White Man'z World' will survive this legal fight or fade into oblivion. But we at least know this much: Tupac's legacy as a revolutionary artist still lingers for generations after his death.
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