Rick Astley, Yung Gravy Lawsuit Over Vocal Imitation in Viral Hit Song 'Betty' RESOLVED [Report]

Rick Astley has decided to settle with Yung Gravy, and end the months-long legal battle over the interpolation of his iconic song "Never Gonna Give You Up" in the 2022 viral hit song "Betty (Get Money)."

According to reports, the lawsuit claims that Yung Gravy used a vocal impersonator to mimic Astley's distinct voice in "Betty."

While Yung Gravy did get the license to use the instrumental of "Never Gonna Give You Up," Asltey's lawyers claim that the rapper and his producers "conspired to include a deliberate and nearly indistinguishable imitation of Mr. Astley's voice throughout the song."

Yung Gravy, born Matthew Raymond Hauri, and his producers, including Dillon Francis, as well as the vocal impersonator, Nick Seeley (aka Popnick) were all sued.

As of this writing, details regarding the settlement has not been released.

Rick Astley's 'Never Gonna Give You Up' V. Yung Gravy's 'Betty'

Yung Gravy's song became a viral hit sensation on social media; it is the rapper's most successful single to date, and even became the song that landed him on the US Billboard Hot 100, debuting at nNo. 68.

Meanwhile, Astley's "Never Gonna Give You Up" is also his most popular release. It is the first single off his debut album "Whenever You Need Somebody," released in 1987.

The song became a global sensation, topping the music charts in 25 countries, including the US, West Germany, and more.

"Never Gonna Give You Up" earned Astley the MTV Europe Music Award for Best Act Ever.

Rick Asley Sues Yung Gravy

Astley's lawsuit details how Yung Gravy "stole" the voice in the original recording by using vocal imitation.

"A license to use the original underlying musical composition does not authorize the stealing of the artist's voice in the original recording," the lawsuit read.

"Instead, they resorted to theft of Mr. Astley's voice without a license and without agreement."

Another lawsuit that is the same in nature was back in 2015 when Marvin Gaye's family sued Robin Thicke, Pharrell Williams, and T.I. over their song "Blurred Lines." Gaye's family won the suit and the jury awarded them $7.4 million, reports say.

Just like this time around, the two songs had distinct similarities and were even called out by music listeners online.

Tags

Lawsuit, Rick Astley