‘Uptown Funk’ flew to the top of the charts in 2015 and has remained a fixture on playlists the world over.
However, it’s now at the centre of a lawsuit that could prove costly for its producer Mark Ronson.
Details below…
TMZ secured legal papers filed against the hitmaker by Lastrada Entertainment.
The company owns rights to Roger and Zapp‘s 1980 classic ‘More Bounce to the Ounce’ and says Ronson ripped off the song. Collaborator Bruno Mars is not being targeted.
Particular aim is being taken at the first 48 seconds of the track. Per the suit, that portion includes the repeated talk-boxing of the word “doh” akin to the lyrics of ‘More Bounce.’
Adding to the legal jab, Lastrada’s suit also adds that Ronson is on record citing Roger and Zapp as influences. The filing also includes note-for-note comparisons of the songs.
So what’s being sought?
Lastrada is suing Ronson, Sony, Spotify, Apple, producers, and other entities to shut down future plays and sales of ‘Uptown Funk’ – a release, which to-date, has shifted over 11 million units.
They are also seeking unspecified amount in damages too.
Take a listen to both songs and let us know what you think…
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Yikes!
Folk ought to be careful not to be dismissive of this.
Just ask Robin Thicke and Pharrell; the family of Marvin Gaye made similar accusations against them over the track ‘Blurred Lines’ — and won.
Similarly, a much less public issue saw Kandi Burruss and Tameka ‘Tiny’ Cottle added to the credits of Ed Sheeran‘s ‘Shape Of You.’
The production also sound similar to Michael Jackson’s “Jam”
I always told folks Bruno and his team have been doing this for a longggg time and im honestly surprised that its just now been confronted.. He been ripping off for a long time
Zapp and Roger are SO LEGENDARY and should be compensated when you rip off the sound THEY CREATED AND PIONEERED.
The origional tune sounds dated. Bruno Mars version has made it incredable. 2 different songs to me
Good. They be stealing a lot from them old school artists
Mark mixed so many different damn songs together lol…that’s why everybody had a nostalgia for it…like, I can’t put my finger on it, but that’s my jam! Pay up hunnie…cash, check or credit is accepted!
I agree.
I can’t spot the similarity.
Well then u must be deaf, dumb, AND stupid not to hear it! The entire song Uptown Funk is lifted from the the first 40-50 seconds of More Bounce by Zapp.