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Gorillaz Accused of Plagiarism by Eddy Grant

Virtual band Gorillaz have found themselves in very real trouble after reggae star Eddy Grant accused the band's mastermind, Damon Albarn, of plagiarising his 1983 song, 'Time Warp,' for the cartoon band's recent hit, 'Stylo'.

The row centres around a keyboard section of Grant's record that, he claims, has been used without his permission by Albarn. 'Stylo' features vocal contributions from rapper Mos Def and soul legend Bobby Womack.

Speaking to NME, Grant said, "Damon Albarn knows in his heart of hearts -- it's unfortunate that we can't get into people's hearts -- he knows that this is a song that he's loved, in his club days ... I don't know the guy ... but he knows this is a song he loves."

Grant went on to highlight the irony of both artists sharing the same publisher who, he feels, should have alerted him to the alleged similarities with a view to negotiating a royalties split. Instead, claims Grant, label EMI consulted a musicologist to compare the two tracks to ascertain the degree of similarity.

"In a properly configured relationship I would have gotten a call from EMI to say, 'Damon wants to use 'Time Warp.' What arrangement can you guys come to? Would you claim 100% would you claim 60%, or 70% of whatever it is?'," Grant said.

"That phone call never came. Instead what happened is somebody went straight to a musicologist, implying that there was some kind of pre-knowledge of some kind of infringement."

EMI Publishing have refused to be drawn into the row, simply saying, "This is a private matter between Eddy Grant and Gorillaz, and we're not intending to make any further comment."

Eddy Grant scored massive hits in the early 1980s with tracks such as 'I Don't Wanna Dance' and 'Electric Avenue' as well as writing Rockers Revenge's 'Walking on Sunshine'.

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29 Comments

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anyoschka

The original song and the version are brilliant, and the version stylo has got more brilliant elements added to it.
I think that they should have contacted Eddy though.
The music industry seem to be cynical enough to have some cartoon stealing your stuff.
Gorillaz should have been smarter.

May 09 2010 at 3:31 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Pre OL' Guy

Love the vids!!!!

April 15 2010 at 4:44 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Don

If Damon stole it from Eddy Grant, then Eddy Grant stole it from Marvin Gaye's vocalizing at the beginning of this song http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dmZ03Q7AoaU

March 19 2010 at 12:28 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
t-bone

JahRasta, really? Eddie Grant? WTF? I can see your reggae vibration suffers from the unknown. Open your mind my friend and listen to the real vibration. If you need help just ask. Peace!!

March 16 2010 at 5:57 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
PREFAB H8R

Eddie Grant IS A LEGEND...comparing him to the questionable "talents" of the "GORILLAZ" is like comparing MICHAEL JACKSON to EMINEM : simply no contest!

March 16 2010 at 3:48 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
aett2

Yes JahRasta, Eddie is a legend, a virtuoso on most instruments and a prolific composer. Check out youtube's interview with Eddie, he's a very intelligent, well spoken, thoughtful individual. I don't agree with all of his politics,but you gotta' give him credit. He's a driven, committed artist. A man of substance.

March 16 2010 at 3:04 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
JahRastaPark

what cracks me up is most of the people that are commenting on this thread have absolutly no idea who Eddie Grant is and btw storeysound Billy Ocean did Carribean Queen lololol

March 16 2010 at 2:46 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
storeysound

Oops! My bad.

March 16 2010 at 2:04 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
storeysound

Eddie Grant shouldn't be leveling charges of plagiarism when his biggest hit, "Caribbean Queen" contains a repeating guitar riff that is a direct ripoff of the signature riff in "Billie Jean".

March 16 2010 at 1:34 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
3 replies to storeysound's comment
spelling?

Who still says "colored"? You're in idiot if you haven't heard of the Gorillaz, and if it matters to you what color they are.

March 16 2010 at 1:32 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply