Photo by John Shearer/Getty Images via ABCMiley Cyrus is being accused of stealing the lyrics to her 2013 hit, “We Can’t Stop.”
According to legal documents first obtained by The Blast, Caribbean songwriter Michael May, who performs under the name Flourgon, has sued the singer in New York federal court.
The suit claims Miley’s lyrics “We run things / Things don’t run we” were adapted from May’s song “We Run Things” which contains the line “We run things / Things no run we.”
Additionally, he adds that the song “substantially incorporated” his “vocal melody/rhythm/cadence/inflection.” He alleges both songs have the theme of “defiant audaciousness in the realm of self-discovery and self-governance.”
May is suing for an injunction prohibiting Miley from continuing to sell the track, and for unspecified damages.
The credits for “We Can’t Stop” list seven people, including Miley, her producer Mike WiLL Made-It and the two brothers who comprise the duo R. City. It was the lead single from her 2013 album Bangerz.
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