So, here’s the headline you don’t see every day: 5th Circuit Rules in Rappers’ Battle Over Phrase ‘Back That Ass Up’.
Positive Black Talk Inc., et al. v. Cash Money Records, et al.
Chief Judge Carolyn Dineen King, who wrote the opinion, boiled the case down to a dispute between Louisiana rappers Juvenile and D.J. Jubilee over who owned the rights to a song “that included the poetic four-word phrase ‘back that ass up.’”
In its Jan. 13 opinion, the 5th Circuit sets out the following facts: In 1997, both rappers recorded songs with similar titles – D.J. Jubilee, also known as Jerome Temple, recorded “Back That Ass Up,” while Juvenile, also known as Terius Gray, recorded “Back That Azz Up.”
Juvenile’s song was a hit, sold more than 4 million CDs and grossed more than $40 million in sales. However, D.J. Jubilee’s song failed to elevate either his bank account or his profile. D.J. Jubilee continues to work as a special education teacher.
…I’m sure his students are so proud…