Rapper Lil’ Kim is being sued by a Jamaican singer and songwriter who claims that Kim stole her lyrics.

Tanya Stephen, 33, filed a lawsuit in Manhattan federal court accusing Kim, 32, whose real name is Kimberly Denise Jones, of stealing her lyrics for the song “Durty.” The song appears on Kim’s last album “The Naked Truth.” The song almost has the exact same lyrics as Stephen’s song “Mi and Mi God”, which was recorded in Jamaica and released in 1997. Not only did she use Stephen’s lyrics, but Kim also used the same West Indian accent on her song.

“If she had bothered to give props where due even once, I would have said, ‘Let it go.’ That isn’t even one of my better works. Really, if she had linked me, I would’ve written her a much better song for free,” said Stephens, reports MTV.

Stephens is asking for the ownership rights of the song and all past and future royalties.

“The lawsuit against Atlantic Records and Lil’ Kim is the result of Royalty Networks Inc’s failed attempts to extract unreasonable sums and percentages of Lil’ Kim’s new song for an interpolated use of a song which happens all the time in hip-hop. There are no damages to Tanya Stephens, they never objected until after their efforts failed, and Kim was and remains willing to be fair. This matter should have been resolved but it appears to be another money and media play at Lil’ Kim’s expense. This issue was no secret. Kim was advised licenses were obtained by those who handle clearances at the time. We shall defend this action,” said L. Londell McMillan, Kim’s entertainment attorney, reports AllHipHop.com.

Lil’ Kim didn’t make it a secret that she was a huge fan of Stephens. They met up in 1999 to record together for Kim’s album. They even sang and performed “Mi and Mi God” together. However, Stephen’s contribution never made the album.

Lil’ Kim has currently been released from jail, after serving only a 10 month sentence. Kim was sentenced after she lied under oath about a shooting that happened outside of New York Hot 97 radio station.

The court date is uncertain at the moment. Kim’s camp did not comment on the lawsuit.






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