Taylor Swift may have thought she shook off a copyright infringement claim against her 2014 megahit ‘Shake It Off’ when the case – brought on by the writers of 3LW‘s 2001 tune ‘Playas Gon Play’ – was dismissed in 2018, but to her surprise an appeals court revived the legal dispute and is deferring to a jury with the first hearing set for September 19.
In a motion to dismiss (as we reported here), Swift not only alleged she was the sole writer of ‘Shake’ but that there was no way she could have stolen content from 3LW as she had never heard of them or their song before the lawsuit.
The ongoing drama has sent Swift’s fans, affectionately called #Swifties, into an uproar with many of them taking their frustration out on the three members of the defunct R&B trio.
Kiely Williams, the group’s resident rapper, has grown weary of the online attacks and took to Instagram Friday (August 12) to explain why she nor former bandmates, Naturi Naughton and Adrienne Bailon, have anything to do with the copyright kerfuffle.
In a 5-minute video uploaded to her personal IG, the ‘No More’ hitmaker says she wants no more of the antics of the angry fans – many of whom have misguided anger, she believes.
“It has nothing to do with me,” said Williams. “We did not write ‘Playas Gon’ Play’ and I’m not defending Adrienne or Naturi, but it’s true. So don’t come on their page. Don’t say anything. Nobody’s suing [Taylor].”
The lawsuit is actually being helmed by the song’s writers, Sean Hall and Nate Butler, who allege Swift’s ‘Shake It Off’ lifted the lyrics “players gon play” and “haters gonna hate” from 3LW’s 2001 single without permission. It should be noted Hall also produced the R&B trio’s tune.
Williams says she’s finally addressing the hoopla due to the “increasing number of hate messages” she’s received from #Swifties regarding the topic.
“The point of all of this is to say and to educate you all since that’s not being done. We didn’t write the song. We’re not suing Taylor Swift. We aren’t even a thing,” said Kiely. “I’m speaking for myself, but what’s right is right. [Adrienne and Naturi] didn’t write the song either. They don’t deserve any kind of flack for it and the whole bringing our actual names into it.”
And although the 36-year-old says she isn’t taking sides on the matter, she does want herself, Bailon, and Naughton left out of the drama.
“I really felt compelled just because it’s been escalating. I’ve been watching it and I’m like, ‘Oh, I don’t care. I don’t care. I don’t care. I’m good.’ But like what? Okay. You’ve never heard of [the song]. Okay, that’s your defense. That’s fine. But please educate people on the fact that it has nothing to do with us. When you say things like that, it’s inflammatory. Because now, once you bring the group’s name into it, it becomes like these money-grabbing bitches are just trying to take some of Taylor’s coins. Nope. I don’t want her coins,” Williams shared.
At writing, Adrienne, Taylor, nor Naturi have weighed in on Kiely’s video statement. Press PLAY to watch it in full above.