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Kanye West, record labels sued over jazz samples

NEW YORK
Thu May 22, 2008 6:31pm EDT
Entertainer Kanye West performs during the Desert Rhythm Festival in Dubai October 26, 2007. West, Method Man, Redman, Common and their record companies were sued on Thursday by late U.S. jazz musician Joe Farrell's daughter, who accused them of using her father's music without approval. REUTERS/Jumana El Heloueh

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Rappers Kanye West, Method Man, Redman, Common and their record companies were sued on Thursday by late U.S. jazz musician Joe Farrell's daughter, who accused them of using her father's music without approval.

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The lawsuit, filed by Kathleen Firrantello in the U.S. District Court in New York, names the rappers and Island Def Jam Music Group and its label Roc-A-Fella Records, Universal Music Group, its labels Interscope Records, Geffen Records and A&M Records and its parent company Vivendi.

None of the record companies or representatives for the rappers were immediately available for comment.

The lawsuit said all the rappers used portions of Farrell's 1974 musical composition "Upon This Rock" in three separate songs -- West in "Gone," Common in "Chi-City" and Method Man and Redman in their song "Run 4 Cover."

Firrantello is seeking punitive damages of at least $1 million and asked that no further copies of the songs be made, sold or performed, according to the lawsuit.

(Reporting by Michelle Nichols; Editing by Eric Beech)
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