The former lead singer of the 70s R&B group “The Impressions” slapped the estate of Notorious B.I.G with a lawsuit Tuesday alleging the late rap icon ripped him off by sampling one of his songs without approval.
Lee Hutson, 68, of Miami, filed the copyright-infringement suit in Manhattan federal court saying he’s entitled to unspecified money damages because Biggie allegedly sampled Hutson’s 1973 song, “Can’t Say Enough About Mom” for the tune “The What” featured in Biggie’s multi-platinum 1994 debut album “Ready to Die.”
Hutson claims he noticed his song was sampled by Biggie in 2012 and sent a letter co-defendant Bad Boy Entertainment demanding the record company “cease and desist” from selling any recordings containing samples of his song — but has been snubbed.
The suit was filed two days after Notorious B.I.G’s estate went on the offensive in anticipation of Hutson’s strike.
The estate filed its own federal lawsuit in Central California seeking a court ruling that Biggie didn’t commit copyright infringement of Hutson’s song and is entitled to reimbursement of legal fees and other monetary damages.
Biggie’s suit alleged Hutson’s “accusations are without merit.” It also claims the 70s crooner is barred from making his copyright claims through “statute of limitations” and that he wrongfully threatened legal action “while knowing that no infringement exists.”
Warning: Graphic language