Rapper Sues Childish Gambino Over “This Is America”, Alleges Copyright Infringement
Donald Glover is being sued for copyright infringement by a Florida rapper, TMZ reports and Pitchfork can confirm via court documents. The rapper, Kidd Wes, claims that the Childish Gambino song “This Is America” infringes on the copyright of his 2016 song “Made in America.” Kidd Wes, whose real name is Emelike Wesley Nwosuocha, filed his lawsuit today (May 6) in a New York federal court.
The list of defendants in Kidd Wes’ lawsuit is extensive. In addition to Donald Glover, the defendants are: “This Is America” co-writer Young Thug, “This Is America” producer Lüdwig Goransson, Kobalt Music, RCA Records, Sony Music Entertainment, Young Stoner Life Publishing LLC, 300 Entertainment, Atlantic Records, Warner Music Group, Roc Nation, Universal Music Publishing Group, and Warner Chappell Music.
Kidd Wes first uploaded “Made in America” to SoundCloud on September 11, 2016. A document filed with the lawsuit shows that Wes was granted a copyright for his album Eleven: The Junior Senior Year on May 24, 2017. “Made in America” is the closing song on Eleven, which got released later in 2017.
