Photo: WENN
Record label Anjunabeats have responded to Will.i.am's apparent song theft on his track, 'Let's Go'.
The song sounds identical in parts to Arty and Mat Zo's 2011 track 'Rebound', and Will.i.am even admitted that he had stolen parts of the song - although he said that it was accidental, as he had contacted them last year and didn't realise that he didn't have clearance to use it.
Arty had previously written on Twitter, "They never cleared rights through Anjunabeats, who's only one label, who ownes the rights for 'Rebound'."
Anjunabeats have now spoken out about the controversy in the form of a statement, saying, "Anjunabeats is the record label behind Arty and Mat Zo, and owns the master recording rights to their collaboration 'Rebound'. Mat Zo and Arty have been important members of the Anjunabeats family for a number of years, and 'Rebound' was one of the label's most popular releases in 2011.
"As has been widely reported, a large section of 'Rebound' was sampled on will.i.am's track 'Let's Go' featuring Chris Brown, and this took place without the permission of Anjunabeats or Arty & Mat Zo."
Listen to Arty & Mat Zo's 'Rebound' below
The statement continues, "Although Arty (but not Mat Zo) was credited in the sleeve notes, this is not the same as obtaining permission. To present someone else's work as your own, you need to seek permission, agree terms and file paperwork, which has not happened in this case.
"We've remained silent on this issue until now, but as a record label it is our obligation to protect our artists' interests and we felt it was necessary to respond to some of the inaccuracies that have been reported following will.i.am's recent comments to Associated Press."
You stole my song! Stars accused of music theft
