A copyright infringement lawsuit vs. Lil Uzi Vert, Young Thug, and Gunna has been settled out of court, according to signed legal documents shared with Digital Music News. Here’s the latest.
Sun City Publishing launched the lawsuit in January 2023 for allegedly sampling Blackout’s 1995 song, “Dim Da Lights” on their collaborative track “Strawberry Peels.” Sun City Publishing alleges the sample was used without permission, naming labels Atlantic and Generation Now, as well as “Strawberry Peels” producer Wheezy.
The song amassed more than $1 million as a successful hit with more than 39 million streams on Spotify and four million plays on YouTube. As a result, Sun City Publishing sought at least that much in damages. Now it appears the case was dismissed in April 2023 after the matter was settled outside of court.
“The court has been advised that this action has been settled. The court therefore orders that this action is hereby dismissed without costs and without prejudice to the right, upon good cause shown within 45 days, to re-open the action if settlement is not consummated,” reads the court order, signed by United States District Judge Andre Birotte Jr. “This Court retains full jurisdiction over this action and this order shall not prejudice any party to this action.”
While this brings to close the copyright infringement lawsuit, Young Thug and Gunna are still facing RICO charges in Atlanta. Prosecutors allege that the Young Slime Life (YSL) collective is a street gang behind several serious violent crimes in Atlanta. Gunna managed to secure his freedom in December 2022 by pleading guilty to a racketeering charge, while Young Thug remains incarcerated and will stand trial.
The grand-jury indictment identifies Young Thug, Gunna, and 26 other associates as members of the YSL gang—alleging that Young Thug is the leader. He founded the Young Stoner Life rap label in 2016 as an imprint of 300 Entertainment.