The sample. A historic art of hip-hop that has evolved into a notoriously unfriendly lawsuit waiting to happen. Unfortunately, Cypress Hill just got bit with a 29 million dollar one. Blues singer Syl Johnson claims that Cypress Hill used his music off his 1969 record Is it Because I’m Black for their song “Lockdown(interlude)” off their 1993 album Black Sunday. He decided that this use is worth 29 million from the associated labels and publishing companies, as well as Cypress Hill. Apparently this isn’t the first time Syl has sued. He filed lawsuits against 2Pac, Michael Jackson, Will Smith and KRS-One for using his 1967 song “Different Strokes” without permission. Legit? Who knows. Sadly, we have to let the court decide. Good luck, Cypress. Thanks for Kevin Nottingham for the heads up.
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