50 Cent And Fat Joe Accused Of Stealing Hit Songs From Independent Producer

According to Music Business Worldwide David W. Smith has filed a lawsuit against 50 Cent and Fat Joe claiming copyright infringement for 50 Cent’s 2005 single “Candy Shop” and Fat Joe Terror Squad’s 2004 hit “Lean Back.” He is seeking a percentage of profits made from both songs, compensation for damages and legal fees, and claims the plaintiffs have made “made millions of dollars from their exploitation.”

According to the suit that was filed on April 27, Smith claims both songs contain elements poached from his 2003 song “WHACHACOM4?” featuring rapper Moe Wet. However, an official copyright for the song was not issued until April 2022. Smith claims musical notations and comparative images of waveforms of all three songs will help prove his case.

The lawsuit names Interscope Records, Aftermath, Shady Records, TVT Music and 50 Cent Music LLC as co-owners of the “Candy Shop” copyright. Warner Chappell Music and Warner-Tamerlane, Remynisce Music, and Terror Squad Productions are listed the copyright co-owners for “Lean Back.”

Smith believe Storch found his song “WHACHACOM4?” off a record pool out of New York City which he believes both were clients of when his song was released.