Four Christian rap and urban artists, including Lecrae and FLAME, have filed a lawsuit in Federal Court alleging that Katy Perry stole elements from their song in her chart-topping hit, “Dark Horse.”
According to the lawsuit—which was filed Tuesday—Perry used FLAME’s 2007 song “Joyful Noise” without permission. The plaintiffs are seeking damages and profits gained by Perry, Capitol Records, and others from the unauthorized use of the song.
They also want the court to prevent Perry from using any form of their music through an injunction, as previously reported by TMZ, MTV, Rapzilla, Fox News, St. Louis Post-Dispatch and CourthouseNews.com.
Besides the alleged copyright infringement, the lawsuit states, “the devoutly religious message of 'Joyful Noise' has been irreparably tarnished by its association with the witchcraft, paganism, black magic, and Illuminati imagery evoked by the same music in 'Dark Horse,’” and noted that the music video spurred an online petition signed by more than 60,000 demanding removal of an “offensive religious image.”
Making Flame aware of this tarnishing were his fans. Driving from a concert, Flame’s DJ, Cho’zyn Boy, noticed an “influx" of tweets to Flame and Lecrae asking them about the new Katy Perry song. Flame doesn’t listen to Katy Perry, so he had no idea why his opinion of her music mattered.
Cho’zyn Boy searched for and listened to the song out of curiosity, which turned into shock.
“Wow,” Cho’zyn Boy said, telling Flame, “You got to hear this. It sounds like ‘Joyful Noise.’”
Cho’zyn Boy then turned on the djay 2 app on his computer and made a side-by-side comparison of the tracks. Here’s the audio he created to show Flame how similar “Joyful Noise” and "Dark Horse” are and a breakdown of how he did it.
“Joyful Noise” received a 2008 Dove Award nomination for Best Rap/Hip-Hop Recorded Song of the Year, and appeared on FLAME’s album Our World: Redeemed, which received a GRAMMY nomination for Best Rock or Rap Gospel Album.
By comparison, Perry’s “Dark Horse” hit No. 1 for several weeks on the Billboard charts. It has sold millions of copies and YouTube viewers have watched its music video more than 435 million times. Hundreds of artists have covered the song on YouTube and other formats, and Perry herself has performed “Dark Horse” in front of sold-out concerts.
Thursday, July 3, 2014
Tuesday, July 1, 2014
Lionel Richie Was Told Singing 'Jesus Is Love' Would Ruin His Career
It started out as a tribute to singer Lionel Richie at the BET Awards show on Sunday but by the time Yolanda Adams finished singing the Commodores hit "Jesus Is Love," many who watched the performance which drew a standing ovation, felt like they were brought to church.
"My GOD @Yolandalive just brought the Holy Ghost to the @BET Awards! #JESUS #BETawards2014," tweeted Grammy-nominated recording artist James Fortune.
"#BETAwards tribute to Lionel Ritchie just went next level. Yolanda Adams had church!" tweeted managing editor of The Grio, Joy-Ann Reid.
Adams' tribute was so moving, Richie was moved to respond to her performance as he accepted BET's Lifetime Achievement award.
"After listening to 'Jesus Is Love,' I'm glad I sang the song first. Otherwise, I would not be up here. That was absolutely amazing," said Richie, according to Billboard.
As part of the tribute, singer John Legend sang a medley of Richie's "Hello," and "Still" while Ledisi performed "Brick House."
Richie explained that before singing the songs he was told that they would have ended his career.
"These are all the songs that they told me would ruin my career," said Richie before continuing, "Soul is a feeling, not a color. Talent is a God-given gift and not a category. And out of the box, out of the box is that magical place where talent – true talent – goes to live and thrive and breathe. And may you never give that up as long as you're in this business."
"My GOD @Yolandalive just brought the Holy Ghost to the @BET Awards! #JESUS #BETawards2014," tweeted Grammy-nominated recording artist James Fortune.
"#BETAwards tribute to Lionel Ritchie just went next level. Yolanda Adams had church!" tweeted managing editor of The Grio, Joy-Ann Reid.
Adams' tribute was so moving, Richie was moved to respond to her performance as he accepted BET's Lifetime Achievement award.
"After listening to 'Jesus Is Love,' I'm glad I sang the song first. Otherwise, I would not be up here. That was absolutely amazing," said Richie, according to Billboard.
As part of the tribute, singer John Legend sang a medley of Richie's "Hello," and "Still" while Ledisi performed "Brick House."
Richie explained that before singing the songs he was told that they would have ended his career.
"These are all the songs that they told me would ruin my career," said Richie before continuing, "Soul is a feeling, not a color. Talent is a God-given gift and not a category. And out of the box, out of the box is that magical place where talent – true talent – goes to live and thrive and breathe. And may you never give that up as long as you're in this business."
Friday, June 27, 2014
Clint Eastwood's Son To Star in New Christian Film 'The Perfect Wave'
Scott Eastwood, the son of famed Hollywood actor and director Clint Eastwood, is set to star in a new Christian film "The Perfect Wave," set for a July 11 release in select theaters.
Director Bruce Macdonald has described the movie as "a 'love story with four pillars:' a mother's love, a young man's love for surfing, first love, and most importantly, God's love."
He added, "This film shares the amazing story of God's plan for Ian's life and reminds viewers that no matter how far you run, you can never outrun God's love."
The plot follows Ian McCormack, who grew up surfing the waters of New Zealand, and journeys looking for adventure to challenging destinations throughout Australia, Southeast Asia and Africa. During one evening swim, he is stung multiple times by the deadly box jellyfish and pronounced dead shortly after his arrival at the hospital. Ian "miraculously awakens" following a divine post-mortem encounter, however, and is transformed with a new understanding of life.
Eastwood is a rising star in Hollywood and has already played roles in critically acclaimed films such as "Gran Torino" and "Flags of Our Fathers," and has been cast as the lead of the film adaptation of Nicholas Sparks best-selling novel The Longest Ride for summer 2015.
"The Perfect Wave" also stars Rachel Hendrix ("October Baby") and Cheryl Ladd ("Charlie's Angels").
Christian and faith-based films have performed well at the box office this year, with Darren Aronofsky's "Noah" taking in over $350 million worldwide, while "God's Not Dead," "Heaven Is for Real" and the Roma Downey and Mark Burnett-produced "Son of God" all staying in the top 10 at the box office for several weeks.
Director Bruce Macdonald has described the movie as "a 'love story with four pillars:' a mother's love, a young man's love for surfing, first love, and most importantly, God's love."
He added, "This film shares the amazing story of God's plan for Ian's life and reminds viewers that no matter how far you run, you can never outrun God's love."
The plot follows Ian McCormack, who grew up surfing the waters of New Zealand, and journeys looking for adventure to challenging destinations throughout Australia, Southeast Asia and Africa. During one evening swim, he is stung multiple times by the deadly box jellyfish and pronounced dead shortly after his arrival at the hospital. Ian "miraculously awakens" following a divine post-mortem encounter, however, and is transformed with a new understanding of life.
Eastwood is a rising star in Hollywood and has already played roles in critically acclaimed films such as "Gran Torino" and "Flags of Our Fathers," and has been cast as the lead of the film adaptation of Nicholas Sparks best-selling novel The Longest Ride for summer 2015.
"The Perfect Wave" also stars Rachel Hendrix ("October Baby") and Cheryl Ladd ("Charlie's Angels").
Christian and faith-based films have performed well at the box office this year, with Darren Aronofsky's "Noah" taking in over $350 million worldwide, while "God's Not Dead," "Heaven Is for Real" and the Roma Downey and Mark Burnett-produced "Son of God" all staying in the top 10 at the box office for several weeks.
Thursday, June 26, 2014
Lee Brice to Record Gospel CD
According to Christian Post, country music artist Lee Brice is planning to record a Gospel album with his mother as a way to pay homage to his original musical influences.
Brice, having earned Grammy nominations and other notable accolades despite his short time in the country music scene, grew up playing Gospel tunes on his aunt's piano and now wants to make the new project a family affair.
"My mom and all her sisters sang gospel music my whole life, and they're amazing. They made a record in Nashville," said Brice, reports Rolling Stone. "I'm going to send a tour bus to pick them all up in South Carolina in July and bring them here to my house, and I'm going to make a new record on them. We're going to sing classic gospel songs and have them sing in the background."
Although his third studio album I Don't Dance, which is set to release in early September, is a priority for the country singer, he says he "cannot wait" to begin the faith-inspired project. However, Brice did not reveal whether the album will be released to the masses.
Despite delving into secular music once his career took off, Brice still acknowledges his Christian upbringing and Gospel influence that led him to pursue his artistic dream.
Despite his fame and success, Brice strives to uphold his faith-based roots and morals.
"I try to be a good man and try to be a Christian man. I want to be remembered as a writer and a singer. That's what I've been doing my whole life – writing songs," Brice said in a statement on his website. "I want people to hopefully one day say, 'he gave his all to it.' Hopefully, that's how they will remember me."
Brice, having earned Grammy nominations and other notable accolades despite his short time in the country music scene, grew up playing Gospel tunes on his aunt's piano and now wants to make the new project a family affair.
"My mom and all her sisters sang gospel music my whole life, and they're amazing. They made a record in Nashville," said Brice, reports Rolling Stone. "I'm going to send a tour bus to pick them all up in South Carolina in July and bring them here to my house, and I'm going to make a new record on them. We're going to sing classic gospel songs and have them sing in the background."
Although his third studio album I Don't Dance, which is set to release in early September, is a priority for the country singer, he says he "cannot wait" to begin the faith-inspired project. However, Brice did not reveal whether the album will be released to the masses.
Despite delving into secular music once his career took off, Brice still acknowledges his Christian upbringing and Gospel influence that led him to pursue his artistic dream.
Despite his fame and success, Brice strives to uphold his faith-based roots and morals.
"I try to be a good man and try to be a Christian man. I want to be remembered as a writer and a singer. That's what I've been doing my whole life – writing songs," Brice said in a statement on his website. "I want people to hopefully one day say, 'he gave his all to it.' Hopefully, that's how they will remember me."
Tuesday, June 24, 2014
Inspiration of Possession Film 'Deliver Us From Evil' Says Everyone Born Into Spiritual Battle
Deliver Us From Evil, the latest in a string of Hollywood projects inspired by belief in the demonic, is based on the experiences of a former police officer-turned-demonologist who says everyone born automatically becomes involved in a spiritual battle, whether or not they believe in God. Former New York Police Department Sergeant Ralph Sarchie argues in a behind-the-scenes video on how his work inspired Deliver Us From Evil.
Deliver Us From Evil, starring Eric Bana as Sarchie, and co-starring Olivia Mann, is based on a 2001 book the former NYPD officer wrote with Lisa Collier Cool titled Beware the Night. In Beware the Night, Sarchie "discloses for the first time his investigation into incredible true crimes (and) inhuman evil that were never explained, solved, or understood except by Sarchie and his partner," according to the publisher.
Sarchie, a Roman Catholic, insists that his spiritual work is not to entertain people, but to help people. He says in the video, however, that Deliver Us From Evil might scare some people but that "it should be enjoyed."
"There are messages inside this movie," he says.
Near the end of the 15-minute video featurette, Sarchie insists, "It does not matter if you believe or not. You don't have to believe in God. You don't have to believe in the devil. It doesn't withdraw you from this battle. You're involved in it. You were born into this world. No, you probably didn't ask to be born, but you're here. You need to make a choice. You need to pick a side."
The former cop suggests that the devil would be upset if any moviegoers who watch Deliver Us From Evil become convinced of his Christian beliefs and "turn back to God."
"The devil hates that s***," he says.
According to movie review website Rotten Tomatoes, audiences are highly anticipating Deliver Us From Evil's July 2 release, which is not surprising considering Hollywood's recent successes in its exploration of the demonic. Deliver Us From Evil comes on the heels of films like Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones and The Conjuring, two of the top-grossing horror films of all time, and precedes titles like Paranormal Activity 5 and Jessabelle. A 2013 YouGov survey revealed that at least half of all Americans believe in demonic possession, with that number climbing dramatically among born-again Christians, at 72 percent.
The film is rated R for bloody violence, grisly images, terror throughout, and adult language, according the MPAA.
Deliver Us From Evil, starring Eric Bana as Sarchie, and co-starring Olivia Mann, is based on a 2001 book the former NYPD officer wrote with Lisa Collier Cool titled Beware the Night. In Beware the Night, Sarchie "discloses for the first time his investigation into incredible true crimes (and) inhuman evil that were never explained, solved, or understood except by Sarchie and his partner," according to the publisher.
Sarchie, a Roman Catholic, insists that his spiritual work is not to entertain people, but to help people. He says in the video, however, that Deliver Us From Evil might scare some people but that "it should be enjoyed."
"There are messages inside this movie," he says.
Near the end of the 15-minute video featurette, Sarchie insists, "It does not matter if you believe or not. You don't have to believe in God. You don't have to believe in the devil. It doesn't withdraw you from this battle. You're involved in it. You were born into this world. No, you probably didn't ask to be born, but you're here. You need to make a choice. You need to pick a side."
The former cop suggests that the devil would be upset if any moviegoers who watch Deliver Us From Evil become convinced of his Christian beliefs and "turn back to God."
"The devil hates that s***," he says.
According to movie review website Rotten Tomatoes, audiences are highly anticipating Deliver Us From Evil's July 2 release, which is not surprising considering Hollywood's recent successes in its exploration of the demonic. Deliver Us From Evil comes on the heels of films like Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones and The Conjuring, two of the top-grossing horror films of all time, and precedes titles like Paranormal Activity 5 and Jessabelle. A 2013 YouGov survey revealed that at least half of all Americans believe in demonic possession, with that number climbing dramatically among born-again Christians, at 72 percent.
The film is rated R for bloody violence, grisly images, terror throughout, and adult language, according the MPAA.
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