In response to her explicit take on the King of Pop’s classic ‘Beat It,’ Michael Jackson‘s estate has slammed Sexyy Red after footage of the St Louis rapper’s ‘Just Eat It’ version went viral earlier this week.
In a statement for the Jackson estate, on Thursday (2.12,) a spokesperson told Billboard “We were totally unaware of this.” “The use of the music is unauthorized.”
The social media frenzy started when Lil Yachty posted the clip of Red rapping along to her version of the Michael Jackson’s anthem in the studio. As the footage quickly spread, It drew an angry backlash from Jackson fans after Yachty joked in his caption that Red’s spicy remix was set to appear on the soundtrack for the upcoming Michael biopic.
Addressing the controversy, the female musician (born Janae Nierah Wherry) took to Instagram with a separate clip of her rapping, along with the caption “Leaked footage from da Michael Jackson movie hoochie tribute to da best LLMJ.”
Iconic Rap pioneer Monie Love took to X condemning the sample, calling the move “beyond disrespectful,” adding “Whoever cleared the Beat It sample for Sexyy Red, I hope they know they not seeing heaven.” “Playing with MJ name and discography like that is beyond disrespectful!”
Having peaked at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1982, ‘Beat It’ was released as part of Michael Jackson’s Thriller album, produced by Quincy Jones.
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Author: Al Dente
Photo: HOTSPOTATL