The 'Blinding Lights' hitmaker insists he never illegally sampled Yeasayer in response to the lawsuit filed by the rock band following the release of his single 'Pray for Me'.
- May 2, 2020
AceShowbiz - The Weeknd has denied stealing a sample from Yeasayer in his latest response to a lawsuit filed against him by the rock band.
The rockers sued The Weeknd and his collaborator Kendrick Lamar over the 2018 hit "Pray for Me" in February 2020, accusing the pair of illegally lifting samples from the group's 2007 song "Sunrise", but the Canadian pop star has disputed accusations of copyright infringement.
"Each and every allegation contained in the complaint not specifically admitted herein is denied," court papers filed by the star read. "The sound recording of Pray for Me does not capture any actual sounds from the sound record, Sunrise."
Members of Yeasayer, which disbanded at the end of 2019, are asking for damages in the lawsuit, an injunction on sales and licensing for "Pray for Me", as well as any profits earned from the song.
The case continues.
