Late last week, Olympic swimmer, and diamond grill wearer, Ryan Lochte filed papers to trademark his “Jeah” catchphrase. But West Coast rap legend MC Eiht isn’t feeling that particular business move, reports TMZ.
Eiht tells TMZ he coined the phrase back in 1988 and is insulted to hear Lochte is trying to claim it as his own now. Eiht tells us, “Why try and trademark something his A$$ didn’t even create? I am mad that he isn’t giving me proper recognition for taking my saying. He is just disrespectful.”
The Compton’s Most Wanted rapper tells TMZ he’s not so much concerned about the money as he is the “respect and the truth.”
Eiht says he plans on sending a cease and desist letter urging Lochte to stop using his phrase.
Lochte’s manager tells us, “Ryan has been using JEAH for years,” adding, “This is the first I have heard of this claim by MC Eiht.”
In Hip-Hop circles, there is no denying Eiht’s claim. The Compton rapper dropped It’s Compton Thang, as part of Compton’s Most Wanted, back in 1990. One of the pioneering groups biggest hits was “Growing Up In The Hood,” from 1991’s Boyz N The Hood soundtrack. However, the question has to be asked, why didn’t Eiht ever apply for a copyright before?
Then there is of course the nuanced and varied use of the word, which is fairly common in Hip-Hop; see Big Boi on any of his albums or Mystikal’s “The Man Right Chea.” We’ll have to wait and see how this catchphrase beef pans out.
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Photo: TMZ
