Home >> Celebrity Justice, Beyonce Knowles >> Beyonce Accused of a Musical Cover-Up

Beyonce Accused of a Musical Cover-Up

Posted Apr 18th 2007 12:06PM by TMZ Staff

Beyoncé Knowles is going to war with a pop star from the past who claims the former Destiny's Child star covered her song, but didn't cover her ass.

According to a lawsuit filed yesterday in Manhattan Federal Court by music administators, Beyoncé allegedly never obtained proper clearance to cover a song called "I'm Kissing You," originally co-written by a singer named Des'ree -- famous for her 1994 smash hit, "You Gotta Be." Des'ree's version was used in Baz Luhrmann's 1996 film "Romeo and Juliet," Beyoncé's version can be found on the re-release of her album, "B'Day."

In the lawsuit, Des'ree and her reps claim that Beyoncé, along with her record company people, originally tried to work out a deal to use the song. When they weren't satisfied with the proposed terms -- which included not being able to change the title or make a music video for the song -- Beyoncé allegedly blew off copyright law completely, and recorded the song and video without permission. The song was eventually released on Beyoncé's album, "B'Day - Deluxe Edition" on April 3, 2007, with the title "Still in Love (Kissing You)."

Des'ree is suing to halt distribution of the song, video and album and seeking at least $150,000 in damages.

Lawyers for Beyoncé and Des'ree couldn't be reached for comment.

Tags: beyonce, des'ree

Comments [86]

SHARE |

Email 4ie6

Relevant Posts

Ultra D-Bag Kanye Hijacks Taylor Swift (9/14/2009) (2038 comments)
Donald Trump -- Boycott Kanye! (9/14/2009) (346 comments)
Taylor -- Beyonce 'Immediately' Reached Out (9/14/2009) (271 comments)
Beyonce & Jay-Z Get Real Tipsy (10/27/2009) (85 comments)
NFL Announcer Rips Whoopi Goldberg (9/13/2009) (111 comments)

Reader Comments

(Page 6 of 6) Previous 15 Comments

76. News Flash Beyonce is not the only one making money. I would not even call her a business woman. It's her father who is the business person she is just selling sex. She is not smart enough to do anything else. They are not marketing geniuses only liars, sceemers, and beaters. Anyone who worships and honor them are low class, low self esteem, and most of all can not have a personal relationship with God! By the way I am not being judgemental or hating. I am only calling it as it is being revealed. Beyonce is not bearing any fruits that would direct anyone towards God. Her fruits are leading people into more sin of this destructive world.

Posted at 9:59PM on May 8th 2007 by Real Talk

77. Honey Des'ree should be glad tht someone as OVAHHHHHHHHHHH as B would even take the time 2 cover the one hit wonder's song!! U better be glad, better be wise, better be stronger, all i knw is shut up and enjoy someone remembering u presents!!! U shuld get 2gether and do a duet and be feature in a remix video maybe yur career will rise again!!!!

Posted at 5:42PM on May 10th 2007 by Triniti Infiniti

78. Who cares about this useless Bitch Beyonce sue the Bitch she asked for it. She
is nothing and definately not a legend for anyone to be honored that she is
demolishing their song.

Posted at 3:31PM on May 11th 2007 by Beyonce is Garbage!

79. I knew I knew that song was from Romeo and Juliet the moment I heard it on her album. I looked inside the cover and it said written by Beyonce Knowles and didn't even mention Des'ree. I expected this would happen. Come on B, you know better than that.

Posted at 4:39PM on May 12th 2007 by Me

80. oh my goodness, here we go again with this mess...

Why is Beyonce copying everyone in the music industry nowadays? Don't get me wrong she's a good singer or what not but she needs to work on her being more ORIGINAL with her work.

And what's up with her singing in spanish?? The original of "Beautiful Liar" has her on it (not shakira) and some of the words she's speaking is in spanish. it's super corny and dumb. Beyonce you ARE A BLACK AFRICAN AMERICAN!! NOT SPANISH! Remember not all your fans are spanish!

Whatever. i think Desree should have sued her for like 5 million for what beyonce did. $150,000 is what beyonce carries around for shopping on a daily basis.

Posted at 1:48PM on May 14th 2007 by Candice

81. TELL IT CANDICE! SHI-THAT IS MONOPOLY MONEY TO MS. THANG! AND WHAT IS UP WITH HER AND JAY? ARE THEY STILL TOGETHER! AND I HEARD HE HAS A NEW ARTIST COMING OUT! MAYBE SHE WILL GIVE BEYOUNCE' A RUN FOR HER MONEY IN THE INDUSTRY AS WELL AS W/ JAY! I LOVE IT! SUE HER,IT'S NOT LIKE SHE WILL MISS IT. SHE SEEMS LIKE SHE IS REALLY UNGRATEFUL. AND DOEN'T CARE WHO SHE STEPS ON!-------SHE IS BEGINNING TO LOOK REAL GENERIC------- NEXT!!!!!!

Posted at 12:29PM on May 15th 2007 by TIPPY

82. An individual work must be protected at all cost. It is always a good idea to get permission before infringing on someone's work. One is never too old to learn. This situation is a learning experience for everyone concerned.

Posted at 4:07PM on May 29th 2007 by Mrs. Laughing Pants

83. This woman should have more exposure :)

Posted at 5:02AM on Jun 10th 2007 by yahpete

84. I really listened to both songs and they sounded almost the same to me, but slightly different. I like Beyonce' and all, but we have to remember that she doesn't have much education behind her. Beyonce', I am not hating on you at all, but maybe you should have gone to school and you would have known that stealing from other artist/ writer's only gets you a law suit. Stick to your orginal music girl, it's safer.

Posted at 8:52AM on Jun 25th 2007 by Princess Of Peace

85. @83 Nobody always hates on Beyonce. The last time I checked it's called an opinion. Step out of your delusional world and recognize that the girl is a liar and a thief. She stole that song and she should pay for what she has done as simple as that. I think you need to put yourself in the shoes of the people that she have taken advantage of and then you will realize they are just standing up for themselves. Who is Beyonce to let walk all over you? Answer nobody and she have a buch of low self esteem fans running right behind her. So in conclusion get a life and some morals because Beyonce is not the best thing that life has to offer.

Posted at 10:12PM on Jun 23rd 2007 by Keeping it Real

86. thats what she get for thinking she's all that and that her selfishness won't catch up to her

Posted at 1:20PM on Jul 10th 2007 by nricepgh

Previous 15 Comments