RantCrush Top 5: February 9, 2017

Beyonce is reportedly being sued for $20 million by the estate of late Youtube star Messy Mya. His sister claims Bey used a voice sample by Messy Mya in her hit song “Formation” and went on to make millions off of it. Messy Mya, whose real name was Anthony Barre, became an internet sensation for his videos about his hometown of New Orleans and his comedic observations. But he is also known for some of his more chilling comments. At one point he claimed that he probably wouldn’t last long as a young black guy in New Orleans. In 2010, when he was 22, he was shot and killed.

According to Messy Mya’s estate, lawyers reached out to Beyonce about the sampling issue but she blew them off. Now they’re seeking $20 million in back royalties and damages. But as some people pointed out online, his estate seemed happy enough right after the release of “Formation” and thanked Beyonce in a Facebook post. Beyonce also credits Messy Mya in the video.

Messy Mya’s estate wanna sue Beyoncé but they posted this on his official Facebook page after Formation was released? Lmao, ok then. pic.twitter.com/LW2SZptvpL

— wig fertilised (@AshBx93) February 8, 2017

Emma Von Zeipel

Emma Von Zeipel is a staff writer at Law Street Media. She is originally from one of the islands of Stockholm, Sweden. After working for Democratic Voice of Burma in Thailand, she ended up in New York City. She has a BA in journalism from Stockholm University and is passionate about human rights, good books, horses, and European chocolate. Contact Emma at EVonZeipel@LawStreetMedia.com.