Rick Astley, whose 1987 worldwide hit “Never Gonna Give You Up” is an enduring cultural landmark, has sued rapper Yung Gravy. Astley’s multimillion-dollar lawsuit alleges that the use of an imitation of his voice on the single “Betty (Get Money)” was not permitted.
Astley filed the lawsuit in Los Angeles. The lawsuit claims that only the song’s instrumental is licensed and that Astley’s distinctive voice is an instrument that must be managed with care.
The legal documents allege that Yung Gravy and his producers, including Dillon Francis, “conspired to record a deliberate and almost indistinguishable imitation of Mr. Astley’s voice throughout the song.” He is also suing Nick Seeley (aka Popnick), the vocal impersonator.
Astley claims that permission was never given to use his voice or impersonate him. The legal documents claim Astley was looking for a way to record his voice in a future project in collaboration with another artist, a project that has now been scrapped.
“Never Gonna Give You Up” was a #1 hit worldwide. “Betty” was Yung Gravy’s most successful song and reached gold status in the US.
Writer: Bruce Herring
Source: Deadline
Elizabeth Cabrera is an author and journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a talent for staying up-to-date on the latest news and trends, Elizabeth is dedicated to delivering informative and engaging articles that keep readers informed on the latest developments.
