Frank Ocean Sued by Producer Om’Mas Keith Over 'Blonde' Royalties
The legal battle over Blonde songwriting credits continues.
UPDATE:
In response to a Counter-Claim that was recently filed by Om’Mas Keith in Frank Ocean’s case against him, Ocean’s attorney, Ed McPherson of McPherson Rane LLP gave the following statement:
“Mr. Ocean stands behind everything that we alleged in the First Amended Complaint, and we look forward to having the case heard by a judge and jury. We are confident that, when the true facts are presented, Mr. Ocean will prevail. It is quite telling that on the list of the many songs that Mr. Keith claims to have co-written is a song called ‘At Your Best (You Are Love),’ which was written and recorded by the Isley Brothers in 1975, and covered by Aaliyah in 1994."
Read the original report below.
In February, Frank Ocean filed a lawsuit against music producer Om’Mas Keith and his Analog Genius Corporation alleging he wrongfully claimed songwriting credits for several songs of his 2016 project, Blonde.
READ: Frank Ocean May Be Making His Acting Debut In A Feature Film Soon
The musician claimed Keith was paid a flat fee for his production work on Blonde and was ineligible to receive any songwriting credit. According to a report in The Blast, Keith has now denied the allegations in the original suit and is countersuing Ocean.
Keith reportedly registered himself with ASCAP as producer and co-writer for “Nikes,” “Ivy,” “Pink + White,” “Be Yourself,” “Solo,” “Skyline To,” “Nights,” “Pretty Sweet,” “Facebook Story,” “White Ferrari,” “Siegfried,” “Godspeed,” and “Futura Free,” as well as Endless tracks “At Your Best” and “Florida.”
The producer claims the flat-fee he agreed to was for Ocean's 2012, Channel Orange and that he did not accept the same terms for Blonde. He also claims he has not received any royalties for his work on Blonde and alleges Ocean released the songs without his permission.
READ: Frank Ocean Mocks Kanye West, Praises Michelle Wolf On Tumblr
Keith is seeking a court order stating that he co-authored the tracks in question and is requesting Ocean's lawsuit be thrown out. He is also reportedly seeking unspecified damages, claiming Ocean’s conduct has caused him “enormous and irreparable harm.”
Source: The Blast