In 2019, the music world witnessed an unexpected collaboration as two stars with a notorious feud from the previous decade, Drake and Chris Brown, joined forces on the smash hit “No Guidance.” The song quickly dominated the charts, peaking at No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100, marking a strong comeback for Chris Brown and reaffirming Drake’s unshakeable influence after a decade of domination. However, the success of “No Guidance” has now embroiled both artists in a legal battle as they face accusations of plagiarism from singer Tykeiya Dore.
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According to AllHipHop, Tykeiya Dore filed a lawsuit on October 25 in New Jersey, accusing Drake and Chris Brown of copyright infringement against her 2016 song “I Got It.” Dore claims that “No Guidance” copied the “melodies, rhythms, structure, tempo, and even lyrics” of “I Got It,” leading her to seek legal action to protect her rights. Dore argues that this similarity is no mere coincidence but rather a result of “theft” of her creative elements, which she had meticulously crafted.
Why Dore Believes “No Guidance” is a Replica of “I Got It”
Dore points to Vinylz—real name Anderson Hernandez—who is a longtime collaborator with Drake and allegedly “accessed” her song “I Got It” through the YouTube channel of Benji Filmz, the music video director for her track. Benji Filmz is a well-known director who frequently works with major artists, and Dore accuses Vinylz of monitoring Benji’s YouTube activity to “seek inspiration,” leading to “I Got It” potentially being copied in “No Guidance.”
In the lawsuit, Dore and her attorney, Marc Stephens, had previously uploaded a comparison video between “I Got It” and “No Guidance” to demonstrate the similarities between the two tracks. However, this video was removed from YouTube, which Dore believes was an “unfair” action by the platform. As a result, she has also sued YouTube and Google for “defamation, fraud, and emotional distress.” She is seeking $5 million in damages from all parties involved.
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History of Plagiarism Allegations Against Drake and Chris Brown
This is not the first time Drake and Chris Brown have faced copyright infringement accusations. Previously, in 2019, Braindon Cooper and Timothy Valentine sued them, claiming that “No Guidance” copied elements from their 2016 track “I Love Your Dress.” Cooper and Valentine alleged that their song had been “recreated” without their consent, but both artists completely denied the accusations. In their statement, representatives for Drake and Chris Brown emphasized that “It is implausible to assume that every musician in Toronto collaborates and shares music with Drake.”
Noah “40” Shebib, Drake’s primary producer, was also named in the previous lawsuit, but he defended the integrity of his work and maintained that Drake’s team always adheres to copyright laws.
Public Reactions and the Complexities of the Music Industry
The phenomenon of famous artists being sued for plagiarism is not uncommon in the music industry. From high-profile cases like Robin Thicke versus Marvin Gaye to the recent lawsuit between Ed Sheeran and the family of Marvin Gaye, more and more musicians and producers are being drawn into legal disputes over copyright. Public opinion on this lawsuit has been divided. Some fans believe Tykeiya Dore may be trying to “seek fame” through association with top artists like Drake and Chris Brown, while others sympathize with her, arguing for the need to protect young, independent creators against industry giants.
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Tykeiya Dore, seeking justice and acknowledgment for her music, has drawn significant attention by standing up against big names. Her decision to also sue YouTube and Google reveals her determination to defend her reputation and rights. She is not only seeking copyright recognition but also wants to end alleged acts of infringement against independent creative artists.
This lawsuit could be a clear indication that the music industry needs stronger protections for independent creators, who are at risk of having their ideas “stolen” without the means to defend themselves. The next developments in this case are sure to draw attention as each party presents concrete evidence to clarify the truth. For Drake and Chris Brown, this may be a new challenge after past controversies, but it’s also an opportunity to demonstrate their integrity in their music creations.
