Los Angeles, CA – Juice WRLD was slapped with a $15 million lawsuit by the now-defunct band Yellowcard on Monday (October 21). The pop-punk group claims he copied their 2006 song “Holly Wood Died” when he created his mega-hit “Lucid Dreams.”
According to Billboard, Yellowcard accuses Juice copying “melodic elements” from their record. They are seeking more $15 million in damages and future royalties or statutory damages “for each act copyright infringement.”
The disbanded group alleges the overwhelming success “Lucid Dreams” caused his career to take f and gave him “substantial opportunities to tour and perform around the world,” which they claim entitled them to damages from his tours and public appearances. The band asserts Juice is a fan the 2005 album From Under the Cork Tree by Fall Out Boy. Neal Avron, the producer that album, also produced Yellowcard’s “Holly Wood Died.”
According to Billboard, Juice’s co-defendants include “Lucid Dreams” co-writer Taz Taylor, in addition to his publishers Taz Taylor Beats, Artist 101 Publishing Group and publishing administrator Kobalt Music Services; producer Nick Mira, along with his publishers Nick Mira Publishing, Electric Feel Music and publishing administrator Songs Universal; the record’s publisher BMG Rights Management; record label Grade A Productions and Interscope Records, the parent company Grade A.
The Nick Mira-produced “Lucid Dreams” famously samples Sting’s 1993 record “Shape My Heart” and paid a hefty price it. According to Mira, Sting secured 85 percent ownership the song yet still threatened to sue as well.
“Lost millions made millions…the song impacted to many ppl in a good way for me to be upset over it,” Juice wrote in response to Sting’s lawsuit threat. “There’s always more money to be made and I will it so.”
Listen to Yellowcard’s “Holly Wood Died” below and compare it to “Lucid Dreams” above.