The pop-punk band Yellowcard are still pursuing the $15 million lawsuit against the late rapper Juice WRLD, despite his passing.
The disagreement is regarding Juice’s hit single “Lucid Dreams.” According to court documents obtained by XXL, the lawsuit was supposedly put on hold following the passing of the 21-year-old rapper; however the band decided to pursue their lawsuit, despite the adversity. Yellowcard filed their initial lawsuit back in October 2019, over similarities between “Lucid Dreams” and their 2006 track called “Holly Wood Died.”
A lawsuit like this one could actually be disastrous! Members of the Yellowcard band want a portion of the song’s royalties and a songwriting credit as well. According to producer Nick Mira, a large portion of the royalties from the song already is going to an English musician called Sting. “Lucid Dreams” contains a sample of Sting’s 1993 song called “Shape of My Heart.” Sting receives 85% of the song’s royalties, which is a huge cut. The 68-year-old musician even jokingly said that the song’s royalties will put his grandkids through college.
If Yellowcard win their lawsuit, they could be asking between 5% of the remaining royalties or the entire 15%. Basically that means that it won’t be Juice WRLD’s song anymore and his family would collect 0% of the song’s royalties for “Lucid Dreams.” The band is also seeking $15 million in damages.
The young rapper passed away on December 8, 2019, few days after celebrating his 21st anniversary. Juice WRLD suffered a fatal seizure shortly after arriving at the Chicago’s Midway International Airport.
May he rest in peace.