Mary J. Blige's "Real Love" has led Universal Music Group (UMG) into a legal dispute with Tuff City Records. The issue is due to the fact that "Real Love" samples "Top Billin," which sampled the Tuff City Records-owned "Impeach the President."
Mary J. Blige 'Real Love' Sued for Copyright Infringement
According to AllHipHop, Tuff City Records sued UMG for allegedly sampling "Impeach the President" after "Real Love" sampled "Top Billlin," which contains a sample of "Impeach the President."
"Both the 'Real Love' sound recording and the 'Real Love' musical composition contain an uncleared sample from 'Impeach the President,'" Tuff City alleges. "Plaintiff has advised Defendant repeatedly of the presence of the uncleared sample from 'Impeach the President' in 'Real Love,' and Defendant has repeatedly refused to engage Plaintiff in substantive negotiations to rectify the foregoing, let alone agreed to compensate Plaintiff for the past infringement or on an ongoing basis. Defendant's refusal to cooperate with Plaintiff is difficult to reconcile with the fact that Plaintiff reached an agreement with UMG Recordings, Inc. with respect to the presence of the uncleared sample from 'Impeach the President' on the master sound recording of 'Real Love.'"
Tuff City Records has claimed that UMG caused their company "great and irreparable injury that cannot fully be compensated or measured in money." UMG was said to have ignored warnings sent to their corporation, which resulted in the lawsuit. Tuff City claims it has given UMG enough time and ample deadline to respond to the lawsuit, but the label claimed that they received no response.
As of this writing, neither Blige nor UMG has commented on the lawsuit. Tuff City Records sought undisclosed damages plus preliminary and permanent injunctive relief. (via TMZ)
Mary J. Blige 'Real Love'
Released in 1992 on her What's the 411? debut album, "Real Love" became Blige's first Hot 100 Top 10, peaking at No. 7 at the time.
The has been certified gold by the Recording Industry Assn. of America and was ranked by Rolling Stone as No. 327 of their 500 Best Songs of All Time in 2021.
The track also received glowing reviews from critics at the time of its release, praising Blige for her soulful tone and cadence.
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