The Weeknd Claims He Didn't Sample Portishead; Geoff Barrow Left "Laughing at This"

BY Josiah HughesPublished Jul 17, 2013

Earlier this week, Toronto R&B experimenter the Weeknd (also known as Abel Tesfaye) caused quite the commotion with Portishead member Geoff Barrow for allegedly using a sample without permission. Now, Tesfaye denies he ever used a sample at all.

Tesfaye was accused of lifting the drum beat from Portishead's "Machine Gun" on the new song "Belong to the World" from his upcoming album Kiss Land. Speaking with Complex, the performer said, "Yeah, that was the inspiration behind that. I wrote a letter to the producers of Portishead and let them know this album is inspired by them."

In response, Barrow tweeted, "Seems the Weeknd have said there is no sample used or enough likeness to Machine Gun to warrant any infringement....or credit.... Just so you know — I am laughing at this.. Also I learned very early on that there are very few people with any morals in this industry."

So far, the Weeknd's camp have yet to acknowledge the uncleared sample allegations. Check out both songs below.



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