Ross says he got there first on his own chart-topper “Hustlin’,” which contains the lyric “Everyday I’m hustlin’.” The song was released on Ross’ 2006 debut album, Port of Miami.
According to a lawsuit filed in Florida federal court, “The use of ‘Hustlin’ ‘ in ‘Party Rock Anthem’ is readily apparent, despite the slight change from ‘Everyday I’m hustlin’ …’ to ‘Everyday I’m shufflin’ …’ and constitutes, inter alia, the creation of an unauthorized derivative work.”
It’s further alleged by the plaintiffs that the phrase is “performed in a manner to sound like” Ross’ own, and “is an obvious attempt to capitalize on the fame and success of Hustlin’.
“Hustlin'” was the song that garnered Ross his claim to fame to within the rap industry’s elite. It only peaked on the Billboard 100 at #54 but has went on to sell over five million copies and been licensed in a host of advertisements.
LMFAO’s “Party Rock Anthem” has gone to being crowned as the third best-selling digital song ever, according to Yahoo Music with sells nearing the diamond mark at 9.7 million.
The group’s members, Redfoo and SkyBlu have been mum about the case thus far but this isn’t the first time the ubiquitous number has caused money riffs. In April 2012, the royalties received from the record almost split the group apart due to right hands not seeing the left hand DJing.
No word on how much of the cake Rick Ross is asking for just yet. Listen to the LMFAO hit below and the Miami “bawse” version on the next page and see if you can determine if this case will go the distance.
