Doug E. Fresh Sues Fox’s Hit Show “Empire” Over Copyright Infringement

A statement released by Doug E. Fresh and Rasheed Rahan Wonder reveals the details of the case:

    Publishing mogul and CEO of Wonderboy Entertainment, Rasheed Rahan Wonder has teamed up with Doug E. Fresh and songwriter Unique Mecca Hall to officially file a Multi-Million Dollar lawsuit against Fox’s top-rated show, “Empire”. The lawsuit contends that during season two of Empire, the show sampled the 1993 Doug E. Fresh hit song, “I-Ight” (Alright). The track was illegally sampled and used in the song “No Doubt About It,” which was performed on episode 3 by Pitbull and Jussie Smollett, as well as featured on Empire: Original Soundtrack from Season 2 Volume 1. The song was produced for the show by Timbaland, who was recently replaced as the musical director of Empire after two seasons.

    Songwriter Unique Mecca Hall is credited with creating the popular party chant, “Ayo, Aight” and in 1993 he and Doug E. Fresh used the phrase in Doug E.’s hit song, “I-ght” (Alright). Since then, the chant has been legally used in many Hip-hop songs and on the soundtracks for “Above the Rim” and “Notorious”.

    Rasheed Rahan Wonder of Wonderboy Entertainment is representing songwriter Unique Mecca Hall in the lawsuit as he is currently serving life plus 20 years in prison for an 848 King Pin charge. Hall is said to be released soon due to new evidence and circumstances with his case. In addition, Rasheed Rahan Wonder is in negotiations to produce a Unique Mecca Hall bio-pic rumored to be titled, “Paid in Full 2”. Hall was known to be the real Nino Brown of Harlem with many putting him on the same level as Harlem legends, AZ, Alpo and Rich Porter.

-Bossip