AI Companies Responsible For “BBL Drizzy” Beat Sued For Copyright Infringement
The world has been having a lot of fun since Metro Boomin shared the “BBL Drizzy” beat, whether it be making a Bachata version of the record, a couple entering their wedding while it plays, or even Shaquille O’Neal posting a confusing photoshopped picture of Drake wearing a bikini with the song in the background. Two recent lawsuits against two AI companies show that even the best jokes can come at a price.
The Recording Industry Association of America, specifically Sony Music Entertainment, UMG Recordings, and Warner Records, filed copyright infringement cases against AI companies Suno and Uncharted Labs for using their artists’ content to train their AI systems to create music. The latter company is the developer behind Udio, which made the “BBL Drizzy” beat.
RIAA CEO Mitch Glazier said the lawsuits were “necessary to reinforce the most basic rules of the road for the responsible, ethical, and lawful development of generative AI systems and to bring Suno’s and Udio’s blatant infringement to an end.” He distinguished Suno and Charter Lab’s work from “responsible developers” that the music community is already working with that allow artists and songwriters to have autonomy, and reiterated the dangers of unlicensed services.
Metro Boomin created a viral challenge with the “BBL Drizzy” beat while Drake and Kendrick Lamar were going at it. Several rappers recorded verses over the beat and it contributed to an already difficult time for the Toronto superstar, whose public perception took a hit due to K. Dot’s execution in their battle.
Fans learned that Metro wasn’t the originator of the beat, but rather it was King Willonius. The comedian uploaded his comedic “BBL Drizzy” track in April when Drake and Rick Ross were going back and forth. He claimed his credit for inspiring Metro’s beat, writing “That was dope that Metro Boomin sampled BBL Drizzy. The fact that I, an unknown comedian made an impact in this historical rap beef is kinda cool. I wish he would’ve tagged me tho. It is what it is.” Boomin later apologized and told fans to show him love.
Drizzy attempted to lean into the jokes by rapping over the beat himself on Sexyy Red’s “U My Everything” last month. “BBL Drizzy, they want a new body, they ask me for it/ The last one, Jung, he did it for free ’cause I sent over so many past ones for him/ But Red, don’t even worry about all of that sh*t/ Just keep it natural for ’em, I swear/ I got a passion for you, I swear/ I got attraction for you, I swear,” he spat toward the end of his verse.
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