Master P’s classic hit “Choppa Style” has been sampled many times, and the DJ behind the jam wants some major artists to pay up.
DJ JMK, whose real name is Kirk Edwards, filed a lawsuit against Master P as well as Cardi B, City Girls, French Montana and Yo Gotti for copyright infringement, according to TMZ. DJ JMK said in the suit that the 2002 classic “Choppa Style” has over 9 million streams on YouTube, and he hasn’t seen a penny in compensation. He also pointed out that the song appeared as a sample on “Twerk” by the City Girls featuring Cardi B, and “Oh Yeah” with French Montana and Yo Gotti in 2017.
The lawsuit claims that JMK was not paid by Master P, nor the other artistes who sampled the original song. The DJ revealed that he came up with the instrumental in 2000 before he started playing it in clubs where he worked. He claims the rappers “misappropriated many of the recognizable and key protected elements” of his song.
So far, there has been no response from Master P nor the other rappers who used the sample in question.
“Choppa Style” was created by New Orleans rapper Choppa and featured Master P on the verses. The song has had a run for nearly two decades and was even deemed the go-to song for the New Orleans Saints who play it in the NFL stadium and in the locker room. The southern-bounce song is the main sample behind the City Girls “Twerk” song featuring Bronx native Cardi B which peaked at number 29 on the Billboard charts. The video for Twerk has over 102 million views on Youtube.
