Hitmaker Pharrell Williams’ 2015 came in with a bang as he was able to celebrate two consecutive year-end chart-toppers with Robin Thicke‘s ‘Blurred Lines’ (2013) and his own ‘Happy’ (2014).
This week, however, brought with it news that certainly didn’t bring a smile to Williams face after he, Thicke, and Sony were found liable for ripping off Marvin Gaye‘s hit single ‘Got To Give It Up’ – a misstep that cost the trio a hefty $7 million.
But, if Gaye’s family has their way, that price tag may only the beginning. See more below:
Via The Grio:
“…when asked about similarities others have pointed out between Pharell’s hit song ‘Happy’ and ‘Ain’t That Peculiar’, a Marvin Gaye classic, the family just isn’t thinking about going down that legal road again. At least, not right now.
“I’m not going to lie. I do think they sound alike,” Nona Gaye, Marvin’s 40-year-old daughter, said of the two songs. But she quickly added, “We’re not in that space.”
Nona goes on to weigh in on “inspiration” vs. swagger-jacking [in regards to ‘Blurred Lines’]:
“I don’t think there’s anything wrong with being inspired. I’ve been inspired when I made music before. Inspiration’s fine, but the line is when you decide to take the complete and utter essence out of the song. When you take all the meat, and leave the bones. “
“When I first heard that he [Williams] had said he did it [wrote the song] in an hour, my first thought was, ‘That’s because it was already done in 1977.’” Janis [Gaye’s ex-wife] added. “So why would it take you any longer than 20 minutes… to redo something that had already been done 40 years earlier?”
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Her statement at the end almost got me fired. Lol
Rofl yesss, the read was on point
They need to sit their happy asses down.
Girl, shut up!
Pharrell is a NEW black,
He deserves it.
You want to profit off black people, but you won’t support them when they need you? *tilts head
Someone trust fund is running out so they go for a backup plan. Lmfao
Similar. I like pharell but if you stole from an artist once, why woukdnt you do it again? Will I am did this crap too.
Pfff what a bunch of leeches suing everybody just because one song sounds kinda funky b**** it was the 70’s every songs sounded the same
If you use the same instruments, it’s not taking imo. So many songs and beats sound alike, there’s even Off The Wall MJ songs that sounds like Gaye’s. If your music is a 70’s style, you’re going to sound like songs from the 70’s. Sampling vs inspiration, thin line, but worlds apart imo. So will Iggy get sued by DJ Mustard for her knockout mustard beat?
I heard the major similarities in Blurred Lines and Got To Give it Up. In fact, when I first heard it, I thought it was done by a sample. However, Pharrell said that he was going for that sound, so I assumed the Marvin Gaye dynasty knew of this. Then this happened… As for Happy though, I don’t hear it. I think they’ll wait to sue when they finish spending the first 7 million lol. They could win the second time, bc as mentioned above, if you steal once from an artist, why wouldn’t you do it again?
Happy sounds like this.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pwnefUaKCbc
Love your avi btw. My god she was so beautiful.
Lol it actually does similar. And yes, Aaliyah was the most exalted one in beauty of all female artists. Her face is unbelievably GORGEOUS.
Lol and smh. Poor Pharrell, he will never listen to another Marvin Gaye song again lmao
This is what happens when you dont do business right, or legally!
They should sue as many times as they can, Pharrel knew better. And they must pay up! Too much stealing going on! And they knew they were going to lose, Since thats the sound Pharrell was going for anyway! They should have settled out of court like Beyonce always does….. This wouldnt be making headlines if they did that.
–
Hell I need to find somebody I can sue and cash tf out!
when it rains.
Everyone steals songs. Madonna, Michael, Mariah, Lauryn Hill etc… All have lawsuits against them claiming they stole something. lol.
Girl bye. Mariah won for Hero, Michael won Dangerous (the song) and Lauryn Hill issue was about crediting. Now Madonna, that’s something I’ll leave out lol
I agree. But, I was just stating that all big artist gets accused of stealing songs..
Lil’ Kim could win a case in court against Stinkpussynika Garbaj.
http://youtu.be/Vll8aUALTOs
No, Nic’s music is totally different from Kim’s.
LOL are you legit going to post that on every thread, even if there is no mention of Nicki?
Are your mother’s walls ever going to be repaired after being ran train on by every crack smoking ni99a in the hood?
Ridiculous. So many songs from that same era have the same sound. That was a sound that he stole from, not just that one song.
If this is going to be a trend, then every other person making dance music or reggaeton should sue each other because they sound “similar.” So stupid.
Ok they need to get a grip now. Yes Marvin was a highly influential part of 70s music, but he was NOT the only one. He did not define the genre. But he did master it. With that said, they need to understand that Pharell and a lot of other artists’ style these days takes after 70s music. So not every song that’s has an old school vibe or 70s style is a rip off a Marvin Gaye song. Cuz if that’s the case then every person that has made music reminiscent of an older decade should be sued for ripping off Michael Jackson, or The Temptations, or Billoe Holliday, etc etc. like sitcha ass down and stop overthinking this. It’s so annoying
I love how all of a sudden everybody here has a law degree of some sorts, If it wasnt stealing then they would have lost the case. The judge made the final decision and they must pay up! stop acting as if this doesn’t happen all the time.
The family are leeches because they have no talent themselves. Every song sounds a bit like some other song. It’s a joke. ANY new song that comes out sounds a bit like something. Doesn’t mean it was stolen. This is simply a case of no talented family losers leeching off their dead father. It’s pathetic.
she read him for filth at the end
Wow I didn’t know TGJ has so many lawyers! The COURTS made their decision. I would’ve sued too. It’s all apart of business.
Its all about the money…all about the money
They need to sit all the way down
The Gaye estate will lose on appeal. You canNOT successfully sue for copyright infringement for swagger-jacking a sound. Blurred Lines did not sample Got to Give It Up, nor did BL directly copy the melody. And there is absolutely no similarity between Happy and Ain’t That Peculiar.
Exactly. This is just a no talent family of leeches. They literally listen to every new song to find some tiny similarity. It’s pathetic