Jay-Z and Kanye West have settled a federal lawsuit
by soul singer Syl Johnson, who claimed that the duo used an
unauthorized sample of his song “Different Strokes” on “The Joy,” a
track on the deluxe version of their album Watch the Throne.
According to Johnson, West had attempted to clear the sample for his 2010 record My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, but could not get the deal ready in time for its release and ended up putting the track on Throne
without his permission, proper credit or payment. The details of West
and Jay-Z’s settlement with Johnson have not been made public, though
legal papers filed in Illinois last week indicate that the suit has been
dismissed.
