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Usher and Alicia Keys Accused Of Stealing Song, Remy Martin To Sponsor Usher OMG Tour

Fresh off two wins at last night’s American Music Awards, R&B singers Usher Raymond and Alicia Keys have been hit with a lawsuit from a songwriter, who claims the pair stole Usher’s 2004 hit song “Caught Up.”

According to a lawsuit filed by Wadena Pyatt, the song produced by Dre and Vidal off Usher’s diamond album Confessions, is a “plagiarized” version of a song she penned as an artist on Keys’ MBK Entertainment label.

Pyatt claims she wrote the original version of “Caught Up” in 2002, while she was under contract with MBK, which is owned by Keys and her business partner, Jeffery Robinson.

According to Pyatt’s lawsuit, she inked a record deal in 2003 and planned to use the song on her own debut LP, before finding out that Usher’s had already used it on his album.

Writing credits for the Usher song were officially given to Ryan Toby, Andre Harris, Vidal Davis and Jason Boyd.

Pyatt is suing for a full accounting, as well as damages disgorgement of any profits received from sales of “Caught Up.”

In related news, Rémy Martin Cognac announced today that the brand will be an official sponsor of Jive recording artist Usher’s OMG concert tour and celebration after-parties. The sponsorship begins immediately and will last until February 2011.

Rémy Martin is pleased to expand its successful ‘Things Are Getting Interesting’ marketing campaign by supporting the tour and celebration after-parties of such an accomplished entertainer as Usher,” says  Lamar   Johnson, Director of Marketing and Branded Entertainment, Rémy Cointreau USA, Inc.

The OMG concert tour and celebration parties will take place in cities across the globe including New York, Los Angeles, Washington D.C., Atlanta, a special New Year’s Eve event in Miami, and events in Toronto, Berlin, Paris, and London among many others.

Rémy Martin will feature its signature “OMG” cocktail at the concert celebration parties.    Guests in select markets will also enjoy the luxurious “Louis XIII Hot Toddy,” made with the most exclusive and rare cognacs of Rémy Martin reserves, and garnished with 24 carat gold leaf flakes.

The cocktail is inspired by Usher’s 2010 hit single “Hot Tottie” which features a Louis XIII lyrical mention.