lawsuits

A Hungarian Folk Singer Is Suing Beyoncé Over ‘Drunk in Love’

A Hungarian folk singer has lobbed a civil suit at Beyoncé, Jay Z, and Timbaland for allegedly sampling illicit material on “Drunk in Love.†Monika Miczura Juhasz, a.k.a. Mitsou, claims Bey and Co. distorted (without proper permission) and then used vocals from a song she released almost two decades ago to create the song’s exotic-sounding intro. “Page Six†reports that the purported original song, “Bajba, Bajba Pélem,†was recorded in 1995 and released in the U.S. two years later as part of an album titled Gypsy Life on the Road. “Following Mitsou’s stirring featured solo vocal introduction, Mitsou’s voice continues to sing as Beyoncé begins to sing,†reads the suit. “All together, Mitsou’s vocals are featured for over one and half minutes of the five and one half minute song.†Since Mitsou did not sign any documents that would allow anyone to alter or repurpose her voice, the singer is reportedly seeking unspecified damages, as well as an end to the distribution of “Drunk.â€

Someone Is Suing Beyoncé Over ‘Drunk in Love’