There’s a fine line between sampling a song and straight ripping off someone else’s artistic integrity. Imitation is recognized as the highest form of flattery – but at what point does it go too far?

Most recently, Madonna finally spoke out about her insane influence of Lady Gaga, with focus on ‘Born This Way‘ and it’s similarity with Madge’s 1989 hit ‘Express Yourself’. And in the spirit of that buzz – we’re delighted to bring you a little sampling, thirteen songs that famously ripped off others (and were pretty successful in their own right). Some of which dealt with court settlements and others were able to slip through the legal cracks. For those arguing that the likes of Hammer and Vanilla Ice had the right to sample – both were busted by the predecessors for their use. Ice even argued in an episode of VH1′s ‘Behind the Music’ that it was completely original and the sampling accusations were bogus.

Tell us what you think! Below are thirteen examples, first being the song that ripped off the following song:

Jennifer Lopez “On The Floor (Ft. Pitbull)” VS. Los Kjarkas “Lloranda se fue”

MC Hammer “U Can’t Touch This” VS. Rick James “Superfreak”

Sean Kingston “Me Love” VS. Led Zeppelin “D’yer Mak’er”

Sum 41 “Pieces” VS. Coldplay “The Scientist”

Ray Parker Jr. “Ghostbusters” VS. Huey Lewis “I Want A New Drug”

Red Hot Chili Peppers “Dani California” VS. Tom Petty “Mary Jane’s Last Dance”

Flo Rida “Right Round” VS. Dead Or Alive “You Spin Me Round (Like A Record)”

The Offspring “Why Don’t You Get A Job” VS. The Beatles “Ob La Di Ob La Da”

Vanilla Ice “Ice Ice Baby” VS. Queen & David Bowie “Under Pressure”

Avril Lavigne “Girlfriend” VS. The Rubinoos “I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend”

Coldplay “Viva La Vida” VS. Joe Satriani “If I Could Fly”

Green Day “Boulevard of Broken Dreams” VS. Oasis “Wonderwall”

Fergie “Fergalicious” VS. J.J. Fad “Supersonic”

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The Black Eyed Peas songstress has more time on her hands now that the band in on a “hiatus”. She and Josh Duhamel revealed their family Christmas card on her Facebook page and it’s not as ridiculous as the Kardashians’ card.

“Happy Holidays from Zoe, myself, Josh & Meatloaf! Are you ready for Christmas? xo,” she wrote to her fans. Zoe and Meatloaf are the two dogs her and her husband have.

The 36-year-old is dressed up as a sexy Santa while her hubby puts a carrot on his nose and plays the role of a snowman. It’s incredibly cute and way more creative than the Kardashian Christmas card we showed you earlier this week.

The singer also shared a mash-up video of the Black Eyed Pea’s “Pump It” with the Charlie Brown Christmas movie. Did you know Fergie did the voice of Lucy in the Charlie Brown films? Watch the awesome mash-up video below.

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The fantastic foursome of Will.I.Am, Fergie, Taboo and apl.de.ap – otherwise known as the Black Eyed Peas, came together for a final farewell at Miami’s Sun Life Stadium on Wednesday.

Hosted by Queen Latifah, the concert also featured performances from Cee-Lo Green, Jason DeRulo, Flo Rida, T-Pain and Sean Kingston – all respectable fans of the Peas.

Will.i.am reflected on the earlier days of the Californian group. “I remember when we got 30 dollars to play a Cal State Northridge party. And it feels so good that this many years later we’re here  and we thank you guys from the bottom of our hearts for helping us pursue our dreams.”

He also had some advice for up-and-coming musicians:

“Whatever it is you wanna do in life, if somebody tells you no, don’t listen to them. Pursue your dreams, surround yourself with good friends,” he preached. “Black Eyed Peas is a family, we are friends, and we helped each other get here—and you guys are an extension of that friendship. We are here in this stadium today representing family and love, a day before Thanksgiving, and we thank you guys for the love.”

He is in the midst of prepping his much-hyped solo album “#willpower” that is set for release next year. Fergie, the 36-year-old songstress, wants to focus on starting a family with her husband, actor Josh Duhamal. While apl.de.ap is planning on going home to the Philippines and Taboo will get to spend more time with his family. It’s the end of an era, my friends.

Despite their hiatus, the group insists they are not breaking up. ”We always have two cycles of records and then we take a break. And then two cycles of records and then a break. When we take breaks you know, we work on side projects and get our personal stuff in order then come back and make beautiful music. We think beautiful music,” he recently told Ellen DeGeneres.

Will you miss BEP? Let us know.

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We’re thankful for celebrities. Without them, we wouldn’t have much to write about on andPOP. We love all the shenanigans they get into, all the strange hookups and the inappropriate things they tweet about. But today is the one day we give them privacy with their loved ones and American stars celebrate Thanksgiving today.

Some even spoke with US Magazine and shared their holiday plans.

American Idol judg Jennifer Lopez says: “I’m just going be with my babies We’ll cook a turkey, which will be good, and then we’ll eat it!”

New Year’s Eve star John Dumel says: “There’s things I love to eat that my mom makes. She makes an incredible Thanksgiving dinner — she’s an incredible cook. She even makes food and freezes it for us when she comes out to visit. Fergie and I eat it for the next six months!”

Ms. George Clooney a.k.a. Stacey Keibler says: “I’m just looking forward to spending time with my friends and family. I’ll be eating a lot of food on Thanksgiving — I put gravy on everything on my plate! And I’ll be watching my Baltimore Ravens hopefully kick some butt on Thursday.”

Glee’s Jane Lynch says: “A lot of eating! We eat with friends. We like the basics, the good stuff — the turkey and all that. But our friends bring new and weird things to dinner. Last year someone brought a pork butt! And it was delicious! Shaking it up on Thanksgiving!”

Basically, come Friday or Saturday, we’re going to be playing the age old “Is It A Baby Or A Food Bump?” game a lot.

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

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Get your barf bangs out, everybody!

Newlyweds Nikki Reed and American Idol contestant Paul McDonald are so in love they had to record a cheesy song to let it all out.

The couple premiered their song “Now That I Got You” on Ryan Seacreast’s radio show this morning. She told Ryan she attends a lot of open mic nights with her hubby and plans to record more songs with him.

You can listen to the song posted below.

Nikki and Paul aren’t the first couple to record music together but they definitely should be the last. Before you know it, Gwyneth Paltrow can be found on every Coldplay song! The gesture is nice but incredibly cheesy and unnecessary in my opinion. Let’s separate business from pleasure, shall we? Here are some other couples who should never make music together.

Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel

We all know Justin’s a triple threat. Jessica’s only known for her acting – for now! Let’s hope Justin doesn’t convince her to sing harmonies for his next album.

Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon

She can belt a note like no other, but Nick should stick to making an ass of himself on television. The R&B diva is doing fine on her own.

Fergie and Josh Dumel

Fergie’s one fly babe when she’s on stage with the Black Eyed Peas, but could you imagine Josh Dumel booty-popping with her on stage? That’s an epic fail waiting to happen.

Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin

Gwyneth have have sang in that Country Strong movie and duetted with Cee Lo Green at award shows, but if she ever summons Chris Martin into a song, all hell will break lose. She should stick to mediocre acting and raving about organic food.

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Are the Black Eyed Peas getting a little Foolish?

No disrespect to the Peas here, that was just a pun off the fact that with Fergie taking an “indefinite leave” from the group as of November 23rd, the Black Eyed Peas are reportedly working on filling her spot with Ashanti, whose debut single was Foolish. Good one, right?

Ashanti has been touring with the Black Eyed Peas for a month now and it’s thought that this has been a test to see how well she worked with the Peas and if they thought she would fit well with the group.

An unnamed insider says that although the announcement hasn’t been made yet, expect it to be public in the next couple of days.

Not only does Ashanti have a Grammy under her belt, she has also sold more than 30 million albums so there’s really no question about it she can pull this off. However, it really won’t be by past achievements that she’ll be judged, it’s up to listeners everywhere to decide what they think of her as Fergie’s replacement.

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Black Eyed Peas are taking a break to concentrate on “personal time,” reports CTV.

The hitmakers have eased their busy schedules in recent months and singer Fergie is pleased because it has meant she has been able to spend more time with her husband, actor Josh Duhamel.

“We’re taking a break … getting more of that personal time, but, you know, Josh and I have gotten to spend a lot more time together this year than other years, which is great,” says Fergie.

The 36-year-old singer, who married Josh in 2009 after five years of dating, also admitted the couple are keen to have a baby.

Asked if they are planning to start a family, she said “Oh yeah, of course. Not right this second. Not pregnant, for the record. But, yeah.”

While Fergie is enjoying spending time with her husband, her bandmate will.i.am is using his break to work on releasing a solo album .

Fergie says “I believe Will is coming out with a solo album, I’ve heard it, it’s called ‘Black Einstein’, and it’s amazing. I’ve been waiting for him to come out with this for so long, because I want it. He won’t give it to me. I want it for the gym. He’s so amazing. Such a genius lyricist and I’m really excited for his project.”

The Peas are always off and on, either focusing on solo stuff or doing stuff as a band, so this isn’t really shocking. I’m excited to here will.i.am’s new album – Fergie should release some solo stuff too, her last solo efforts were from her ‘Big Girls Don’t Cry’ days. It’s time for new things!

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Pop Eater is reporting that we’ll be seeing will.i.am and his merry band of music-makers will be headlining this year’s Super Bowl halftime show. Fans have had their fingers crossed for the announcement ever since Fergie was spotted making the Super Bowl party rounds last winter in Miami.

The “I Got a Feeling” singers’ big news was announced just days before the release of their next album, “The Beginning,” slated for a November 30^th drop.  After some rigorous promo, BEP will surely go into rehearsals for the Feb 7^th football extravaganza.

“They could have picked anybody,” will.i.am told Rolling Stone magazine. “But it says something that they picked us.”

How humble of him! Everybody loves a modest man, amirite?

We’re more excited to see who will make a guest appearance on the famously well-done Super Bowl ads!

Will YOU watch Super Bowl XLV?

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Are the Black Eyed Peas and James Cameron working… together?

Will.i.am seems to think so, reports VIBE.  The BEP member and mega producer says that James Cameron (Avatar) will direct a new Black Eyed Peas 3D movie based around their world tour.

As of this time there’s no official confirmation, but Will.i.am tells VIBE that it’s going to happen.

“Right now we are planning our 3-D tour movie and James Cameron is directing it,” he says. “We have the biggest director because we are the biggest group on the planet. The Peas are filming it in South America. People will be able to see us in the theatre with the 3-D glasses and everything.”

“There will be a storyline that [Cameron] came up with, which will be dope,” says Will.i.am. “It’s a full-length film and it’s based around our tour activities,” continuing, “we want to go across the planet.”

Even though recent reports indicated that Fergie and Will.i.Am were in the middle of a big feud, Will.i.am claims that everything is fine, and they’re ready to focus on what’s next for the group.

The frontman says, “Fergie wants to do another solo record, so of course we are going to do that,” adding, “but right now we are focused on the Peas—our world tour and the movie.”

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RadarOnline is reporting that Fergie is close to leaving the Black Eyed Peas as tensions rise in the band.  What’s the cause of the feud?  Apparently Fergie doesn’t get along with Will.I.Am.

A source close to the band claims, “Fergie is saying she wants out of the band and the second half of the tour isn’t confirmed for early next year.”

The Black Eyed Peas are scheduled to go on in the summer and have been supposedly planning another tour for early next year, but if Fergie leaves the tours might not go on as planned.

“Things have gotten really bad with Will.i.Am. And it’s not just Fergie who is clashing with him. So is the rest of the band. His ego is out of control,” said the source, continuing, “Fergie just wants to get away from the whole thing.”

Drama, drama, Fergie!

The source says, “Between that and the bad blood with Will, it looks like the 2011 tour is in big trouble and she’s saying she’s going to split for good.”

I gotta feeling that the Black Eyed Peas days are numbered.  What do you think?

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Things are starting to look a little shady in terms of the Black Eyed Peas’ reputation.

The hip hop group is being sued by artist Phoenix Phenom for their 2009 smash hit Boom Boom Pow. Phoenix Phenom, formally known as Ebony Latrice Batts, claims that her song Boom Dynamite sounds too similar to BEP’s Boom Boom Pow to be honest coincidence.

It appears that Phoenix Phenom not only feels ripped off by Fergie and co., but by Interscope Records as well. One year ago, Phoenix Phenom pitched her song to the producers, and her track was flat out refused. A little while later, Boom Boom Pow was topping the charts and was nominated for a Grammy for Best Dance Recording.

This isn’t the first time the band has faced allegations of plagiarism. In November 2009, the band was sued by Adam Freeland because his song Mancry sounded suspiciously similar to BEP’s Party All the Time.

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If I could party with any celebrity, it would be The Black Eyed Peas. And I think that’s exactly what they are going for. After all, they have managed to make a living off it.

Their latest album, The E.N.D. is a self-proclaimed party soundtrack and has skyrocketed them to the top of the Billboard charts in a record-breaking leap. Between singles “Boom Boom Pow” and “I Gotta Feeling”, BEP clocked in 20 weeks up there, beating legends like Elvis Presley and The Beatles.

The record isn’t a new theme for the group who have made a name for themselves with songs like “Let’s Get Retarded” and “Pump It”. Not much has changed in the four years since their last release. Except the resurfacing of mainstream electro-house music, which the peas were exposed to on various world tours and quickly adapted to fit their hip-pop repertoire thanks to guest DJs like Mstrkrft and Crookers.

In an interview with Rolling Stone, Will.I.Am said he was inspired by some nights of clubbing in Australia during the filming of X-Men Origins: Wolverine.

“Every song on the record is for the clubs,” Will told Rolling Stone. “I want to own Vegas, Ibiza, St. Tropez, Dubai, London, France and Brazil. And for the college kids who just want to party in their dorm room, you should put this record on beginning to end. It’s already DJ’d for you.”

Mission accomplished.

Their latest single, “I Gotta Feeling” is not only climbing the ranks of songs of the summer 2009, the music video makes me want to party immediately. And it’s 10 a.m. on a Thursday.

Unlike a hoard of other drinking songs that appeared this year, such as “I Love College” by Asher Roth and “Just Dance” by Lady GaGa, this video makes partying look like innocent fun.

Just an honest to goodness house party - if a little glammed up considering it’s Hollywood Blvd. with special guests Kid Cudi and French DJ David Guetta (who produced the track) lurking in the background. Even when two girls are making out in the middle of the living room, something still feels right. It isn’t a crass video about going to college for the rest of your life, nor is it a story about the stupid shit you do when you get so sloppy you lose all your things and turn your shirt inside out.

It’s not a challenge or a boast, it’s just The Black Eyed Peas telling you have a good time, and giving you a soundtrack so hot it will be impossible not to.

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B.E.P members Fergie, apl.de.ap, Taboo and will.i.am have announced the release date for their anticipated studio album, scheduled to hit stores on June 9.

This will mark the group’s first studio recording since 2005’s “Monkey Business” which earned them four Grammy awards.

B.E.P is also expected to go on tour for their upcoming album titled The E.N.D. The acronym stands for The Energy Never Dies. Dates and cities for the tour have yet to be confirmed.

“When [the album] comes out, there’ll be 12 songs on it, but the next day there could be 100 songs, 50 sketches, 1,000 blogs all around The E.N.D., so the energy really, truly never dies.,” will.i.am said to Billboard last year.

Will.i.am told Billboard to expect “a lot of dance stuff, real melodic, electronic, soulful. We call it, like, electric static funk, something like that”.

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Black Eyed Peas songstress Fergie will play a prostitute in her latest film.

According to CTV.ca, Fergie will play Saraghina in the film “Nine”, directed by “Chicago” director, Rob Marshall.

Fergie, whose real name is Stacy Ann Ferguson, will be among box office giants like Daniel Day-Lewis, Marion Cotillard, Penelope Cruz, Nicole Kidman, Judi Dench and Kate Hudson who have also signed on to the film.

The film was adapted from the Tony Award winning musical.

In a recent interview with the Associated Press Fergie said, “I’m singing, but I’m not singing as myself. I’m going to be singing as a character, and that’s what’s really exciting to me.”

Fergie has also appeared in the 2006 film “Poseidon” as well as 07’s “Grindhouse”.

“Nine” is set to begin filming in October.

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Singer Fergie has signed a deal with Brown Shoe to create a new line of footwear.

The Black Eyed Peas singer is collaborating with the footwear company in order to capture her fashionable and glam style.

Although the collection is scheduled to debut for spring 2009, retailers will have an opportunity to look at her designs this June 2008 Fashion Footwear Association of New York (FFANY) shoe show.

“I have always loved fashion because it’s a great way to express your mood. And I’m definitely a shoe lover. The right pair of shoes can change the feel of an outfit, and even change how a woman feels about herself,” says Fergie.

Other plans regarding Fergie’s footwear collection include launching a website and personal appearances.

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Fergie is engaged to actor Josh Duhamel, TMZ.com has reported.

Duhamel’s rep confirmed the news, saying that Duhamel popped the question recently, but it was not on Christmas. The couple have been dating since 2004.

In a interview with Playboy earlier this year, Fergie admitted that Duhamel keeps things hot in the bedroom by dancing seductively for her, “in some very interesting outfits… He wants to. He likes dancing.”

Fergie had better wear some tall high-heeled shoes on the big day, or she’ll have to have her first dance on her hubby’s feet. She is 5’4″ while Duhamel is 6’3″.

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The hard-shelled Fergalicious Fergie Ferg, solo artist and front-man of the chart topping hit makers The Black Eyed Peas has always seemed like a tough cookie.

However, in a recent interview with Blender magazine, where she was named the mag’s woman of the year, the singer reportedly got pretty emotional when the subject of her long-term boyfriend, Josh Duhamel, came up. As she was being commended for all of her achievements in the music industry thus far, the humble Fergie insisted that behind every great woman is a very great man.

“He understands how to treat a woman and give me respect. And I’m gonna miss him on tour,” the bombshell gushed.

“I’m madly in love with him.”

Fergie is set to hit the road to tour her tunes around the country, including her latest smash hit “Clumsy”, and “Big Girls Don’t Cry” which earned her a Grammy. Although touring should be exciting, the singer is in fact a little down about the whole thing. Why? Because the aforementioned love of her life, Duhamel, will not be joining her.

Through tears, the singer expressed just how much she’ll miss her boyfriend, to whom she is “practically married”, and also how thrilled she was to be named Blender’s woman of the year.

I can’t believe you made me cry. I’m so embarrassed. And I’m f—ing up my eyeliner.”

I guess Big Girls do cry, after all.

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A Black Eyed Peas’ show was cut short, as police forced the hitmakers to throw in the towel due to complaints that the sound was too loud.

Performing an outdoor concert at an event marking the opening of the Hard Rock Hotel San Diego police officers arrived to shut the show down, E! News reported.

Being the lady that she is, Fergie very calmly informed the fans that the show would need to be cut short, but not before playing their smash hit “Where is the Love” which they reportedly, perhaps a little facetiously, dedicated to the police who waited near by.

According to a Hard Rock representative, the show was only 90 minutes into it’s scheduled rump-shaking agenda when the police requested that they pack it in. Apparently, locals were complain about the loud music, some from as far as two miles away.

In addition to the concert, the Peas designed a suite for the hotel. All of the profits gained from the use of the pea-themed room are to be generously donated to the Peapod Foundation, the band’s personal charity.

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NELLY FURTADO has further fuelled a war of words between her and FERGIE after hitting back at comments The Black Eyed Peas star made about her on radio last week.

Fergie told Los Angeles DJ Ryan Seacrest that she and Furtado had fallen out over a lyrics mix up when she appeared on his morning show last week.

Furtado appeared on the same show days later and admitted she was puzzled about why her pop rival was still talking about the spat.

She told the host, “We spoke about it face to face… We kinda cleared it up about a month ago… I thought it was water under the bridge.

“I threw the first punch, technically, thinking she had thrown the first punch. She told me she did not and then I said, ‘You know what, I’m sorry…’ I’m sure we’ll be friends again in the future.

“I’m not a bully, I’m just an artist and when you’re an artist you have a certain artistic license and when you feel things intuitively and you feel like you’ve been insulted or hurt you just react.”

(c) 2007 WORLD ENTERTAINMENT NEWS NETWORK LTD. All global rights reserved. No unauthorized copying or re-distributing permitted.

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THE BLACK EYED PEAS frontwoman FERGIE has sent ALANIS MORISSETTE a derriere-shaped cake after being impressed by the rocker’s version of My Humps.

After the video for Morissette’s version of the band’s hit song My Humps became a worldwide sensation on video website YouTube, the star sent the Canadian singer a congratulatory cake with a note attached reading “Alanis, you’re a genius. Love, Fergie.”

In Morissette’s video for the song, she sings a down-tempo version of the hit track while surrounded by men wearing sunglasses and fedora.

(c) 2007 WORLD ENTERTAINMENT NEWS NETWORK LTD. All global rights reserved. No unauthorized copying or re-distributing permitted.

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