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Los Angeles, CA In a high-stakes federal lawsuit filed in the Central District of California, acclaimed singer-songwriter Kenny Nolan has accused Universal Music Group (UMG), recording artists Fat Joe, Logic, and PackFM, along with record labels QN5 and UMG, of willfully infringing on his 1974 musical composition “Nasty” by using unauthorized samples in multiple popular tracks.
According to court documents, Nolan, a veteran hitmaker best known for Billboard-charting songs such as “I Like Dreamin’” and co-writing “Lady Marmalade,” claims that three different artists—Fat Joe with “That White,” Logic with “Nasty,” and PackFM with his own “Nasty”—sampled portions of his copyrighted work without permission, including portions of his vocals.
Nolan alleges that the infringing works were not only distributed by the world’s largest record company, UMG, but also heavily promoted and monetized through streaming platforms, public performances, and digital sales.
Unauthorized Use Across Multiple Tracks
The complaint details that:
Fat Joe’s “That White,” released on the 2008 album The Elephant in the Room, incorporates repeated samples of “Nasty” beginning at the 0:20 mark and continuing throughout the track. The album debuted at number six on the Billboard 200.
Logic’s version of “Nasty,” released in 2013 as a single and video (with over 16 million YouTube views), samples Nolan’s original composition and vocals beginning at the 0:07 mark.
PackFM’s version, released in 2010 on the album I Fcking Hate Rappers*, samples Nolan’s voice and music starting at 0:04 and runs throughout the track.
The complaint asserts that all defendants had access to the composition due to its wide release and recognition, and that the samples were used deliberately, without licensing, credit, or compensation.
Record Labels and Corporate Oversight
The lawsuit goes further to allege that UMG and QN5, as record labels for the named artists, played a central role in the promotion, release, and distribution of the infringing works. Nolan argues that both companies had not only the power to stop the infringement but instead encouraged, condoned, and facilitated it.
Nolan states that he formally notified UMG of the infringement in November 2022, and while the company acknowledged the notice in writing by mid-December, they continued to market and promote the tracks, compounding the harm.
Legal Claims and Relief Sought
The legal action includes three major claims:
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Direct Copyright Infringement
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Contributory Copyright Infringement
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Vicarious Infringement
Nolan is seeking an injunction to stop the continued distribution and performance of the infringing songs, full financial damages including actual and statutory damages (ranging from $30,000 to $150,000 per infringement), attorney’s fees, and the disgorgement of all profits derived from the use of his work.
He also requests that the defendants file a detailed report with the court showing how they are complying with the injunction, should it be granted.
The Bigger Picture
The lawsuit raises broader questions about sampling practices in the music industry, particularly how large corporations handle permissions when legacy compositions are reused by modern artists. With rising scrutiny around digital copyright enforcement and music licensing, this case could set a precedent for how infringement claims involving older works are managed moving forward.
As of now, none of the defendants have issued a public statement regarding the allegations.
