Accessibility Statement Skip Navigation
  • Why PRWeb
  • How It Works
  • Who Uses It
  • Pricing
  • Login
  • GDPR
  • Create a Free Account
Return to PRWeb homepage
  • News
  • Resources
  • Contact
When typing in this field, a list of search results will appear and be automatically updated as you type.

Searching for your content...

No results found. Please change your search terms and try again.
  • News in Focus
      • Browse News Releases

      • All News Releases
      • Multimedia Gallery

      • All Multimedia
      • All Photos
      • All Videos
  • Business & Money
      • Auto & Transportation

      • Aerospace, Defense
      • Air Freight
      • Airlines & Aviation
      • Automotive
      • Maritime & Shipbuilding
      • Railroads and Intermodal Transportation
      • Supply Chain/Logistics
      • Transportation, Trucking & Railroad
      • Travel
      • Trucking and Road Transportation
      • View All Auto & Transportation

      • Business Technology

      • Blockchain
      • Broadcast Tech
      • Computer & Electronics
      • Computer Hardware
      • Computer Software
      • Data Analytics
      • Electronic Commerce
      • Electronic Components
      • Electronic Design Automation
      • Financial Technology
      • High Tech Security
      • Internet Technology
      • Nanotechnology
      • Networks
      • Peripherals
      • Semiconductors
      • View All Business Technology

      • Entertain­ment & Media

      • Advertising
      • Art
      • Books
      • Entertainment
      • Film and Motion Picture
      • Magazines
      • Music
      • Publishing & Information Services
      • Radio & Podcast
      • Television
      • View All Entertain­ment & Media

      • Financial Services & Investing

      • Accounting News & Issues
      • Acquisitions, Mergers and Takeovers
      • Banking & Financial Services
      • Bankruptcy
      • Bond & Stock Ratings
      • Conference Call Announcements
      • Contracts
      • Cryptocurrency
      • Dividends
      • Earnings
      • Earnings Forecasts & Projections
      • Financing Agreements
      • Insurance
      • Investments Opinions
      • Joint Ventures
      • Mutual Funds
      • Private Placement
      • Real Estate
      • Restructuring & Recapitalization
      • Sales Reports
      • Shareholder Activism
      • Shareholder Meetings
      • Stock Offering
      • Stock Split
      • Venture Capital
      • View All Financial Services & Investing

      • General Business

      • Awards
      • Commercial Real Estate
      • Corporate Expansion
      • Earnings
      • Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG)
      • Human Resource & Workforce Management
      • Licensing
      • New Products & Services
      • Obituaries
      • Outsourcing Businesses
      • Overseas Real Estate (non-US)
      • Personnel Announcements
      • Real Estate Transactions
      • Residential Real Estate
      • Small Business Services
      • Socially Responsible Investing
      • Surveys, Polls and Research
      • Trade Show News
      • View All General Business

  • Science & Tech
      • Consumer Technology

      • Artificial Intelligence
      • Blockchain
      • Cloud Computing/Internet of Things
      • Computer Electronics
      • Computer Hardware
      • Computer Software
      • Consumer Electronics
      • Cryptocurrency
      • Data Analytics
      • Electronic Commerce
      • Electronic Gaming
      • Financial Technology
      • Mobile Entertainment
      • Multimedia & Internet
      • Peripherals
      • Social Media
      • STEM (Science, Tech, Engineering, Math)
      • Supply Chain/Logistics
      • Wireless Communications
      • View All Consumer Technology

      • Energy & Natural Resources

      • Alternative Energies
      • Chemical
      • Electrical Utilities
      • Gas
      • General Manufacturing
      • Mining
      • Mining & Metals
      • Oil & Energy
      • Oil and Gas Discoveries
      • Utilities
      • Water Utilities
      • View All Energy & Natural Resources

      • Environ­ment

      • Conservation & Recycling
      • Environmental Issues
      • Environmental Policy
      • Environmental Products & Services
      • Green Technology
      • Natural Disasters
      • View All Environ­ment

      • Heavy Industry & Manufacturing

      • Aerospace & Defense
      • Agriculture
      • Chemical
      • Construction & Building
      • General Manufacturing
      • HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air-Conditioning)
      • Machinery
      • Machine Tools, Metalworking and Metallurgy
      • Mining
      • Mining & Metals
      • Paper, Forest Products & Containers
      • Precious Metals
      • Textiles
      • Tobacco
      • View All Heavy Industry & Manufacturing

      • Telecomm­unications

      • Carriers and Services
      • Mobile Entertainment
      • Networks
      • Peripherals
      • Telecommunications Equipment
      • Telecommunications Industry
      • VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol)
      • Wireless Communications
      • View All Telecomm­unications

  • Lifestyle & Health
      • Consumer Products & Retail

      • Animals & Pets
      • Beers, Wines and Spirits
      • Beverages
      • Bridal Services
      • Cannabis
      • Cosmetics and Personal Care
      • Fashion
      • Food & Beverages
      • Furniture and Furnishings
      • Home Improvement
      • Household, Consumer & Cosmetics
      • Household Products
      • Jewelry
      • Non-Alcoholic Beverages
      • Office Products
      • Organic Food
      • Product Recalls
      • Restaurants
      • Retail
      • Supermarkets
      • Toys
      • View All Consumer Products & Retail

      • Entertain­ment & Media

      • Advertising
      • Art
      • Books
      • Entertainment
      • Film and Motion Picture
      • Magazines
      • Music
      • Publishing & Information Services
      • Radio & Podcast
      • Television
      • View All Entertain­ment & Media

      • Health

      • Biometrics
      • Biotechnology
      • Clinical Trials & Medical Discoveries
      • Dentistry
      • FDA Approval
      • Fitness/Wellness
      • Health Care & Hospitals
      • Health Insurance
      • Infection Control
      • International Medical Approval
      • Medical Equipment
      • Medical Pharmaceuticals
      • Mental Health
      • Pharmaceuticals
      • Supplementary Medicine
      • View All Health

      • Sports

      • General Sports
      • Outdoors, Camping & Hiking
      • Sporting Events
      • Sports Equipment & Accessories
      • View All Sports

      • Travel

      • Amusement Parks and Tourist Attractions
      • Gambling & Casinos
      • Hotels and Resorts
      • Leisure & Tourism
      • Outdoors, Camping & Hiking
      • Passenger Aviation
      • Travel Industry
      • View All Travel

  • Policy & Public Interest
      • Policy & Public Interest

      • Advocacy Group Opinion
      • Animal Welfare
      • Congressional & Presidential Campaigns
      • Corporate Social Responsibility
      • Domestic Policy
      • Economic News, Trends, Analysis
      • Education
      • Environmental
      • European Government
      • FDA Approval
      • Federal and State Legislation
      • Federal Executive Branch & Agency
      • Foreign Policy & International Affairs
      • Homeland Security
      • Labor & Union
      • Legal Issues
      • Natural Disasters
      • Not For Profit
      • Patent Law
      • Public Safety
      • Trade Policy
      • U.S. State Policy
      • View All Policy & Public Interest

  • People & Culture
      • People & Culture

      • Aboriginal, First Nations & Native American
      • African American
      • Asian American
      • Children
      • Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
      • Hispanic
      • Lesbian, Gay & Bisexual
      • Men's Interest
      • People with Disabilities
      • Religion
      • Senior Citizens
      • Veterans
      • Women
      • View All People & Culture

  • Hamburger menu
  • Cision PRWeb provides efficient communication tools to continuously engage with target audiences across multiple online channels
  • Create a Free Account
    • ALL CONTACT INFO
    • Contact Us


      11AM ET Sunday – 8PM ET Friday

  • Send a Release
  • Sign up
  • Log in
  • Resources
  • RSS
  • GDPR
  • News in Focus
    • Browse All News
    • Multimedia Gallery
  • Business & Money
    • Auto & Transportation
    • Business Technology
    • Entertain­ment & Media
    • Financial Services & Investing
    • General Business
  • Science & Tech
    • Consumer Technology
    • Energy & Natural Resources
    • Environ­ment
    • Heavy Industry & Manufacturing
    • Telecomm­unications
  • Lifestyle & Health
    • Consumer Products & Retail
    • Entertain­ment & Media
    • Health
    • Sports
    • Travel
  • Policy & Public Interest
  • People & Culture
    • People & Culture
  • Send a Release
  • Sign up
  • Log in
  • Resources
  • RSS
  • GDPR
  • Send a Release
  • Sign up
  • Log in
  • Resources
  • RSS
  • GDPR
  • Send a Release
  • Sign up
  • Log in
  • Resources
  • RSS
  • GDPR

Spoken-Word Pioneer Sues Music Publishers and Artists for Copyright Infringement
  • USA - English


News provided by

The Lifestyle Agency

Jul 12, 2016, 08:50 ET

Share this article

Share toX

Share this article

Share toX


New York, NY (PRWEB) July 12, 2016 -- Abiodun Oyewole, known in the music industry as Tunes By Dune, recently filed a sweeping lawsuit against several music publishing companies and recording artists. The lawsuit alleges multiple counts of copyright infringement and unjust content enrichment spanning three decades. As the owner of multiple copyrights, Mr. Oyewole seeks to enforce his rights as the sole owner of the song, When the Revolution Comes, and its lyrics.

My goal is to seek justice for my client - says Attorney Nzengha Waseme.

Post this

The lawsuit alleges various instances of copyright infringement and subsequent unjust monetary gains by music publishing consortiums presided over by Universal Music Group, EMI Music Publishing, Warner/Chappell Music, Kobalt Music Publishing, ROC Nation and Sony/ATV. The lawsuit also names notable hip-hop artists, such as the late Notorious B.I.G., Rita Ora, Busta Rhymes and Eminem.

According to the complaint filed by New York Intellectual Property Law firm, Waseme Associates, PLLC, in New York Southern District court, with a civil action number 1:16-cv-01912, beginning in 1993, Mr. Oyewole’s “Party and Bullsh*t” hook was utilized by Christopher Wallace a.k.a. “The Notorious B.I.G.” or “Biggie Smalls.” Mr. Wallace recorded and published the solo track “Party and Bullsh*t.” While Mr. Oyewole was preparing to file claims against Mr. Wallace, he was notified of artist’s death. “After Biggie, I thought it was over, and out of respect for his wife and mother, I decided not to move forward,” said Mr. Oyewole.

In 2012, recording artist and actress Rita Ora, released the song, “How We Do (Party),” which featured the “Party and Bullsh*t” hook. Subsequently, Busta Rhymes and Eminem’s 2014 collaboration, “Calm Down,” also used Mr. Oyewole’s hook. The lawsuit claims, once again, Mr. Oyewole’s work helped propel other artists to the top of the charts. Court documents lists more defendants that include ROC Nation, Kelly Sheehan, Andrew Harr and Jermaine Jackson, individually, and collectively, the Runners, Trac-N-Field Entertainment LLC, Andre Davidson and Sean Davidson, Monarchs Berry Gordy Jr., SONY/ATV Music, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd, Downtown Music Publishing LLC, Notorious B.I.G. Estate, a/k/a the Estate of Christopher L. Wallace, Universal Records, Universal Music Publishing Group, EMI Music Publishing, Justin Combs Company, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Trevor Tahiem Smith, Jr., p/k/a, Busta Rhymes, and Marshall Mathers, p/k/a Eminem, and a number of others.

Mr. Oyewole began as a spoken-word artist in the turbulent late 1960s Civil Rights movement. His work greatly influenced politically active artists of the day. As the founder of the pioneering spoken-word group, The Last Poets, Mr. Oyewole is credited with being responsible for having laid the foundation of the rap and hip-hop music genres.

The plaintiff is represented by Gregory Reed, a prominent Detroit attorney. “The Plaintiff claims copyright infringement, and seeks to impress a constructive trust,” said Mr. Reed. “And an accounting related to the incidents in question and the payment of punitive damages.”

Mr. Reed, entertainment industry icon and Entertainment Hall of Famer, has represented prominent Americans such as Rosa Parks. In 1999, the civil rights pioneer brought a lawsuit against the hip-hop group Outkast and their record company before the U.S. Supreme Court. Mr. Oyewole is also represented by notable New York attorney, Nzengha Waseme. According to Ms. Waseme, her responsibility is to undo the exploitation of the signature phrase, Party and Bullsh*t.

“The willful infringement ceased with Mr. Wallace’s death, just as Mr. Oyewole predicted. However, 15 years later, it appears that the Estate of Mr. Wallace revived and exacerbated the initial wrong, by reselling authorization that was not theirs to sell.” says Attorney Waseme.

As many in America are seeking justice, Ms. Waseme states that her goal is to seek justice for her client.

Jeremy Stennett, The Lifestyle Agency, http://www.dream-lawyers.com, +1 (646) 499-6992, [email protected]

Modal title

Contact PRWeb

  • 11AM ET Sunday – 8PM ET Friday
  • Contact Us

About PRWeb

  • About PRWeb
  • Partners
  • Partnership Programs
  • Editorial Guidelines
  • Resources

Why PRWeb

  • Why PRWeb
  • How It Works
  • Who Uses It
  • Pricing

Accounts

  • Create a Free Account
  • Log in
  • Contact Us

Do not sell or share my personal information:

  • Submit via [email protected] 
  • Call Privacy toll-free: 877-297-8921

Contact Cision

Products

About

My Services
  • All News Releases
  • Online Member Center
  • ProfNet
Cision Distribution Helpline
888-776-0942
  • Legal
  • Site Map
  • RSS
  • Cookie Settings
Copyright © 2025 Cision US Inc.