Music

The Absolutely Ridiculous Lawsuit Filed Against Taylor Swift

An unknown R&B artist is suing Taylor Swift to the tune of $42 million for allegedly using lyrics from his song in her hit "Shake It Off."

The Absolutely Ridiculous Lawsuit Filed Against Taylor Swift
Getty Images / Jason Merritt
Article by Lexie Hammesfahr
SMS
November 2, 2015

Jesse Braham, an R&B artist who goes by "Jesse Graham," has filed a $42 million lawsuit against Taylor Swift for allegedly stealing lyrics from his 2013 song "Haters Gone Hate."

According to Braham, T-Swift's dance-worthy chorus in "Shake It Off" was pulled from his song's lyrics: "Haters gone hate, playas gone play. Watch out for them fakers, they'll fake you every day."

Braham told the New York Daily News, "If I didn't write the song 'Haters Gone Hate,' there wouldn't be a song called 'Shake It Off.'"

OK, there are some similarities with the lyrics — but it's going to be hard to prove Swift did anything wrong. The two songs do not sound even remotely similar. (Video via Big Machine Records / Taylor Swift, New Day Worldwide).

What's more, Braham is representing himself in court, and a legal source told Perez Hilton, "The Copyright Act does not protect short phrases, and these phrases are not original to him."

On top of the $42 million he's seeking in damages, Braham wants his name added as a songwriter on "Shake It Off." Earlier, he had only asked for a selfie with Swift — because that's apparently enough compensation for him. (Video via Big Machine Records / Taylor Swift)

Braham also told the Daily News he plans to sue CNN's morning show "New Day" because, like Swift, the news channel supposedly stole the name from Braham's church organization, New Day Worldwide. (Video via CNN)