Monday, April 4, 2011

Legal Fight Breaks Out Over Rebecca Black's Unoriginal "Friday"


Rebecca Black

A legal fight has erupted over the rights to the Rebecca Black song and video "Friday." Ark Music Factory, who wrote and produced the song, in exchange for $2,000 from the 13-year-old's parents, insist they own the rights to the project. Black's parents beg to differ. As a result, there is talk of potential legal action over a song and video netting $27,000 per week via YouTube and iTunes.

Rebecca Black's "Friday"

Considering, Rebecca Black and her parents did not write the song or video, they most likely do not own the rights to either product, as that is the standard in the entertainment industry. Unless they signed a contract with Ark Music Factory, specifically stipulating they own the song and video, they are out of gas, as the aforementioned company appears to be functioning as a record label and production company.

Jodeci

Coincidentally, in listening to "Friday" it dawned on me last week that the song sounds like Jodeci's raunchy 1993 track "Let's Go Through The Motions." The songs have similar synths, basslines, melodies, rhythm, raps, crowd chants of "yea" and the word "day" repeated in the chorus. Both videos also feature a lot of people partying in the backyard of a house, a singer in bed and a car scene. However, Jodeci did theirs almost two decades ago.

Jodeci's "Let's Go Through The Motions" 1993 (left) - Rebecca Black's "Friday" 2011 (right)

Side Bar: Is it really appropriate that a 13-year-old should be singing about partying on the weekend, rather than studying and fighting acne. The subject matter seems older than the artist.

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