Cardi B, Warner Music, and Others Face Copyright Infringement Lawsuit Over ‘Enough (Miami)’

Cardi B (pictured), Warner Music, and others are now facing a copyright infringement lawsuit over ‘Enough (Miami).’ Photo Credit: Chrisallmeid

Cardi B, Warner Music Group, and others are facing a new copyright infringement lawsuit for allegedly borrowing from a 2021 work without permission in “Enough (Miami).”Two Texas-based plaintiffs just recently fired off the allegations, naming as defendants the mentioned Cardi B and WMG as well as Atlantic Records, “Enough (Miami)” producers OG Parker and DJ SwanQo, and Celebrity Booking Agency.

Overall, the to-the-point complaint, contrasting so many others, doesn’t dive into an all-encompassing comparison of the appropriate efforts’ technical characteristics or a convoluted description of how exactly the defendants may have had access to the allegedly infringed composition.

Instead, the legal text notes that this allegedly infringed work, written by plaintiffs Joshua Fraustro and Miguel Aguilar (known publicly as Kemika1956) in 2021, has been made available via platforms including Spotify. Furthermore, the song in question, “Greasy Frybread,” was recorded by one Sten Joddi, released via Tattoo Muzik Group Studios, and synced in FX’s Reservation Dogs (written as “Rez Dogs” in the complaint).

That series premiered in August of 2021, concluded its third season in September of 2023, and featured “Greasy Frybread” in season one’s fourth episode, according to FX’s website. The television network isn’t a party to the suit, but it apparently dropped an official music video for “Greasy Frybread” via its main YouTube channel.

“Defendant Cardi B, along with other Defendants, has used the song in her new album without permission,” the 10-page document indicates of the alleged infringement of “Greasy Frybread” in “Enough (Miami).”

Beyond that concise description of the actual alleged infringement, the suit provides a detailed account of the plaintiffs’ sought relief. Alleging vicarious and contributory infringement, unfair competition, and misappropriation, the complaint is seeking temporary and then permanent injunctions as well as a temporary restraining order “to prevent further distribution and public performance of” Cardi B’s “Enough (Miami).”

Plus, Cardi B, Warner Music, and the additional defendants should be made to cough up damages, attorneys’ fees, and more, according to the plaintiffs.

A number of industry infringement complaints have made their way into courtrooms during the past month or so, with Drake’s merch company fending off allegations of infringing on trademarks with “Members Only” t-shirts. Also on the trademark front, Louis Vuitton and Pharrell Williams are being accused of infringing on the original Pocket Socks with an expensive product of the same name.

Shifting to some of the copyright side’s recent developments, the major labels last month took aim at alleged infringement committed by generative AIs Suno and Udio, Megan Thee Stallion and Warner Music emerged victorious in a legal battle over “Savage,” and the latter label was sued for allegedly using Tom Petty archival footage without permission in a Wildflowers documentary.