Christian Rap Artist Flame Wins Copyright Case Against Megastar Katy Perry
Christian rap artist Flame (real name Marcus Tyrone Gray) could be in line for a substantial payout after a US court ruled that international mega-star Katy Perry copied his 2009 song 'Joyful Noise' in her 2013 smash hit single 'Dark Horse'. During the trail Katy denied she had ever heard Flame's song, but on Monday the jury ruled against her with a unanimous verdict.
Flame's lawyers started legal proceedings as long ago as 2014, with the trial finally taking place this week. The court will continue this week to decide what damages Gray may be owed, after hearing that Perry's song earned $41 million.
'Dark Horse' was the third single on Perry's 'Prism' album, spending four weeks at the top of the Billboard charts and earning a Grammy Award nomination.
The BBC reports that Flame's lawyer stated in court that, "They're trying to shove Mr Gray into some gospel music alleyway that no one ever visits", after pointing out that Katy Perry started out as a Christian artist herself.
