Sir Jinx Sues T.I. Over Unpaid 'Dope' Royalties

A federal judge has ruled that T.I.'s company, Grand Hustle LLC, must face a copyright lawsuit filed by hip-hop producer Sir Jinx. Jinx, who is Dr. Dre's cousin and gained fame in the 1980s with Ice Cube, claims he was never paid for his production work on the 2016 song "Dope." He asserts that his copyrights were infringed because his approval for the song's release was never secured.

T.I.'s company sought to dismiss the case, contending that Jinx had consented to the song's release. However, in a ruling made on Monday, August 17, Judge Sherilyn Peace Garnett stated that it was too early to determine if such approval was obtained. The judge noted that implied license is a fact-specific inquiry not suited for early dismissal.

The judge also denied the motion to dismiss claims that Grand Hustle LLC breached a contract by releasing "Dope" without Jinx's authorization. This ruling, made on August 17, does not signify a final victory for either party but advances the case towards discovery and a potential trial. Jinx, who rose to prominence in the 80s with the trio C.I.A., has a history of litigation regarding "Dope," including prior cases alleging non-payment of royalties, which faced setbacks.