Chicago soul singer Syl Johnson's lawsuit against Jay-Z and Kanye West for nicking a sample of his '60s-era single "Different Strokes" has been dropped, as both sides agreed on a settlement outside of court.
According to TMZ, legal documents indicate that the suit was dismissed from an Illinois court. Beyond the fact that both sides agreed to the settlement, no other details have been revealed on the infringement case.
Johnson filed suit last fall after Jigga and Yeezy included a sample of "Different Strokes" on Watch the Throne bonus track "The Joy," which appeared on the deluxe edition of the album. Back in December, representatives for the rappers argued that the song was exempt from current U.S. copyright law, since it was crafted before the law was amended in 1972, making the tune fair game.
Johnson alleged at the time that West had attempted to break bread with the soul singer, stating:" [Kanye] said he wanted to meet with me and apologize -- since I sued him -- but I didn't sue him to be smart, I sued him because that's the right thing to do man. I'm a musician."
According to TMZ, legal documents indicate that the suit was dismissed from an Illinois court. Beyond the fact that both sides agreed to the settlement, no other details have been revealed on the infringement case.
Johnson filed suit last fall after Jigga and Yeezy included a sample of "Different Strokes" on Watch the Throne bonus track "The Joy," which appeared on the deluxe edition of the album. Back in December, representatives for the rappers argued that the song was exempt from current U.S. copyright law, since it was crafted before the law was amended in 1972, making the tune fair game.
Johnson alleged at the time that West had attempted to break bread with the soul singer, stating:" [Kanye] said he wanted to meet with me and apologize -- since I sued him -- but I didn't sue him to be smart, I sued him because that's the right thing to do man. I'm a musician."
