Plies Sues Megan Thee Stallion, GloRilla, and More Over Multi-Layered Sample in 'Wanna Be'
Plies has filed a copyright infringement lawsuit against GloRilla, Megan Thee Stallion, Soulja Boy, and Cardi B, alleging unauthorized use of his 2008 song "Me & My Goons" through multiple layers of sampling.
Female singer performing on stage
The lawsuit claims:
- Soulja Boy first used elements of "Me & My Goons" without permission in his 2010 track "Pretty Boy Swag"
- In 2024, Soulja Boy authorized Megan Thee Stallion and GloRilla to sample "Pretty Boy Swag" for their song "Wanna Be"
- The "Wanna Be" remix, featuring Cardi B, also contains the allegedly unauthorized elements
The plaintiffs allege:
- Multiple instances of vicarious and contributory infringement
- Lost revenue from unauthorized usage
- Damage to Plies' reputation in the music industry
The defendants include Universal Music Group, Interscope Records, and Megan Thee Stallion's Hot Girl Productions. Despite pre-action discussions, no resolution has been reached regarding compensation or credits.
The case highlights the complex nature of sample clearance in modern music production, particularly when dealing with samples of samples. The legal proceedings are ongoing in California federal court.