JAY-Z SUES OVER CHILDREN’S BOOK
SYDNEY» When the children’s alphabet book “A B to Jay-Z” was released by a small Australian online retailer more than two years ago, the company said it sold out within days. But it also drew criticism on social media as a particularly cringeworthy example of cultural appropriation.
The book, the creation of a company calling itself Little Homie, featured likenesses of hip-hop artists in the hope of inspiring, as the retailer put it, “the next generation of hood rats.”
And it borrowed from famous lyrics, including one of Jay-Z’s: “If you’re having alphabet problems I feel bad for you son, I got 99 problems but my ABCs ain’t one.”
Little Homie says this was all in celebration of hip-hop.
Jay-Z, who has spoken out about black identity and equality, says it was theft.
Jay-Z has now sued the company, alleging trademark and copyright infringement. The use of his name, likeness and references to “99 problems” in the book and other Little Homie products is “a deliberate and knowing attempt to trade off the reputation and goodwill” of the rapper and uses his intellectual property “for their own commercial gain,” according to his complaint.
The complaint alleges that the company had made a “false and misleading representation” that Jay-Z had approved and was affiliated with the book.
Little Homie said Thursday it had done nothing wrong and intended to fight the case.
“We are unbelievably disappointed to find ourselves caught in a legal battle with someone whose music we love and adore,” Jessica Chiha, the company’s owner, said in a news release.
The book and others she has produced have included other hip-hop artists who have not raised objections, she added. Having “someone like Jay-Z file legal proceedings is daunting beyond belief and hugely dispiriting,” Chiha said.
The artist is the first hip-hop billionaire, according to Forbes.
A lawyer for Jay-Z, Jordan W. Siev, declined to comment because the litigation is pending.
“A B to Jay-Z” is one of dozens of hip-hop-themed products offered by Little Homie. Other titles include “First 50 Words With 50 Cent” and “1 2 3 With the Notorious B.I.G.”
“A B to Jay-Z” is the result of a successful crowdfunding effort that raised more than 8,500 Australian dollars, or about $5,700, according to a Kickstarter page.