Jay-Z and Beyonce sued for copyright by Jamaican artist over their 2018 track Black Effect
Jamacian artist Dr L’Antoinette Stines said she felt ‘artistically raped’ by the Carters
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Your support makes all the difference.Jay-Z and Beyonce are facing a federal copyright infringement lawsuit from Dr L’Antoinette Stines, a Jamaican artist who claims they took her work without giving her proper credit or money.
According to TMZ, the couple contacted Steins in March 2018 when they were seeking local dancers to perform in a promotional video for their tour.
After she helped Jay-Z and Beyonce find the dancers, Stines recorded a clip explaining her views on love.
Stines claims that she was ensured the interview would be used in the “Black Effect” video “for promotional purposes” only. So she felt “artistically raped” when she heard the final track, of which the first minute is almost entirely made up of her voice.
According to court documents, a contract from Stine’s services was provided only on the day of the shoot, and she alleges that the Carters’s reps told her not to worry because the video would only be used for promotion.
Stines signed the document but was frustrated that she never got a chance to have it reviewed by her lawyer.
The artist is suing Jay-Z and Beyonce for copyright infringement and violation of her right to publicity, plus damages. She also wants a writing credit on “Black Effect” which would mean she would be paid for her contribution.
In 2017, Beyonce was reportedly sued over claims that she used a recorded line from a dead New Orleans rapper for her song “Formation” without permission.
The Independent has reached out to representatives for Beyonce for comment
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