Universal Music Group is being sued over a potentially unauthorized sample used in Justin Timberlake's "Suit & Tie," which featured Jay Z and was produced by Timbaland. The single peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard 100 and appeared on Timberlake'd 2013 album The 20/20 Experience. According to TMZ, a lawsuit has been brought forth by two members of the R&B trio Sly, Slick and Wicked, whose 1973 James Brown-produced single "Sho Nuff" was sampled in "Suit & Tie."
Apparently Universal paid Sly, Slick and Wicked to clear the sample, but the group members are arguing that the label never secured "the rights to the vocal performances" of "Sho Nuff." They feel they are entitled to increased royalties from the single's massive sales, which currently stand at over 3 million copies.
Universal also authorized "Suit & Tie" to be used in a Bud Light commercial, and the suing members of Sly, Slick and Wicked believe they are entitled to payments from the song's commercial use.
As of now, it appears Universal is the only the party being sued, but we'll keep you updated if JT, Hov, or Timbaland end up being implicated.
