Mac Miller Sued by Lord Finesse for $10 Million

Nearly two years ago, Mac Miller released his song “Kool Aid & Frozen Pizza” in the form of a music video that has since garnered nearly 24 million views. That clip and others that accompanied songs off of his breakout mixtape, K.I.D.S., helped take the young rapper’s career from the underground blogosphere into one of sold-out world tours, international superstardom, and a Billboard chart-topping debut album all by the mere age of 20. But what’s making news today on Miller is not another addition to his extraordinary list of accomplishments. Unfortunately, it seems as though the past has come back to haunt the Pittsburgh emcee in a way that is leaving people baffled.

In a suit filed by hip-hop legend Lord Finesse, Miller is being sued $10 million for borrowing the beat to Finesse’s self-produced 1995 single, “Hip 2 Da Game,” and using it in “Kool Aid & Frozen Pizza.” Even though Miller’s song was given away as part of a free mixtape and never sold for money, the problem seems to lie with the success that allegedly came about as a result of the track. “This is a case about a teenage rapper—Mac Miller—copying the music from a song written, produced and performed by Lord Finesse, a hip hop legend, changing the title and then distributing it under his own name in order to launch his music career,” the complaint by Finesse and his legal team states. Amongst the illegal allegations against Miller are acts of copyright infringement, unfair competition, unjust enrichment, interference and deceptive trade practices.

According to a tweet (see below) sent out by Finesse, it seems as though the whole ordeal is more of a statement against the general practice of sampling/remixing other artists’ work and giving it away for free rather than a direct attack against Miller’s use of “Hip 2 Da Game.” No official statement has yet been made by Miller or his camp. Is the lawsuit justified? Is the monetary amount that Miller is being sued for absurd or within reason? Could this set precedent in music? Read the full scoop over at Courthouse News Service and leave your thoughts below.

This case is about the overall picture.. If you’re just looking at “one” point.. It’s about so much more #look deeper..

— Lord Finesse (@LordFinesseDITC) July 10, 2012