Katy Perry Sued By Christian Hip-Hop Musicians Over Copyright Infringement For ‘Dark Horse’

Katy Perry is being sued by a group of Christian hip-hop musicians over her 2013 hit “Dark Horse,” claiming that the song from her album “Prism,” is a rip-off of their 2008 number titled “Joyful Noise.”

A lawsuit was reportedly filed in a federal court in St. Louis, claiming that Perry dishonored their song by associating it with “black magic.” According to reports, the lawsuit, which was filed by rapper Flame, Chike Ojukwu, Lecrae Moore and Emanuel Lambert, claimed that the 29-year-old singer was not authorized to use their song, and added that she exploited the song to profit from it.

“By any measure, the devoutly religious message of 'Joyful Noise' has been irreparably tarnished by its association with the witchcraft, paganism, black magic, and Illuminati imagery evoked by the same music in 'Dark Horse'," the lawsuit reportedly states.

The plaintiffs are reportedly seeking damages and have demanded that Perry should immediately stop using their music. The lawsuit also named Capitol Records, rapper Juicy J, who featured in "Dark Horse," producers Cirkut and Lukasz Gottwald, better known as Dr. Luke, and songwriters Max Martin and Sarah Theresa Hudson.

In 2008, Flame won a Gospel Music Association Dove Awards for "Joyful Noise.” The song’s album “Our World: Redeemed” was nominated for the Best Rock/Rap Gospel Album at the Grammy Awards in 2009.

Here is the video of the 2008 song by Flame.

Here is the video of Perry's 2013 song, "Dark Horse," featuring Juicy J.