will.i.am Accused Of Plagiarism [What's Fresh]

Super producer and Black Eye Peas own will.i.am has been accused of copyright infringement. Russian producer and DJ, Arty is accusing the Black Eyed Pea of stealing the tonal structure and hook of his 2011 song “Rebound” and using it in “Let’s Go,” which is featured on the track “Let’s Go” from will.i.am’s new album #willpower. And he’s got a strong case. Aside from a few notes, the tracks sound almost identical.

"Rebound" was produced by Mat Zo for Anjunabeats, the trance label run by dance trio Above & Beyond. Arty insists will.i.am never received sample clearance for the song or the label. "They never cleared rights through Anjunabeats, who's only one label, who owns (sic) the rights for 'Rebound.'" Tweeted Arty.

Will.i.am and his label Interscope have not yet commented, but in reaction to the plagiarism accusation, Chris Brown, who is featured on “Let’s Go,” Tweeted, "I don't even know who mat zo Or arty is I aint got s—t to do wit if ur mad or not. Someone asked for a feature on a record and I did it…. I don’t listen to that shit half the time anyway.”

In a Facebook post, Zo responded to fans, “You don’t need to defend me or Arty. Producers often wait their whole careers for a commercial act to f--- up and sample their track without asking permission. Arty and I are not bitter about this, more surprised. We knew will.i.am was interested in this track, but we declined working with him at this time. To conclude, perhaps it is better to invest your energy into supporting ‘Rebound’ instead of spewing s--- at will.i.am and Chris Brown.”

Delivered Fresh via Jon Wiederhorn of Yahoo! Music