‘Just white men copying black folks things’: Johnny Depp and Jeff Beck Accused of Stealing Lyrics of Sad Motherf-ckin’ Parade From Incarcerated Black Man, Might Face Legal Action Soon
Johnny Depp and Jeff Beck have been accused of stealing lyrics from a poem written by an incarcerated man. The information came into the limelight after Rolling Stone pointed out that the song Sad Motherfuckin’ Parade‘s lyrics are very similar to a poem called Hobo Ben, written by a man named Slim Wilson. He served in prison for murder and armed robbery.
Johnny Depp and Jeff Beck are accused of plagiarism
Bruce Jackson, who met Slim Wilson in the Missouri State Penitentiary, documented his poetry. He illustrated “Black folk poetry” in his book called, Get Your Ass in the Water and Swim Like Me. People have recently pointed out that the lyrics of Johnny Depp and Jeff Beck’s song Sad Motherf**kin’ Parade are very similar to Hobo Ben, a poem which was narrated by Slim Wilson.
The lyrics of the song are similar to the poem
The lyrics of the song Sad Motherf**kin’ Parade are,
“I’m raggedy, I know, but I have no stink”,
God bless the lady that’ll buy me a drink.
What that funky motherf**ker really needs, child, is a bath”
While the poem by Slim Wilson reads,
“Ladies of culture and beauty so refined, is there one among you that would grant me wine?
I’m raggedy I know, but I have no stink
And God bless the lady that’ll buy me a drink.
Heavy-hipted Hattie turned to Nadine with a laugh
And said, ‘What that funky motherf**ker really need, child, is a bath.”
People have pointed out the similarity between the two and accused the artists of plagiarism.
People on social media trolled Johnny Depp and Jeff Beck
People on social media trolled Johnny Depp and Jeff Beck for stealing lyrics while fans of the actor defended him.
https://twitter.com/MarettaBertram/status/1555364356069949440?s=20&t=-CSo29z7To3EmVva9lBWjw
You guys are stretching… sounds made up! Copyright? A toast! ? By an unknown? Streeeetching
— Silver Wolf G Merlo (@SilverWolfGM) August 4, 2022
"We hate Johnny" – speak for yourself. 🤦♀️
— Ellie Mo (@EllieMonochrome) August 5, 2022
https://twitter.com/ab_allen1/status/1555301272848326658?s=20&t=-CSo29z7To3EmVva9lBWjw
https://twitter.com/mariagaani51/status/1555234067901476864?s=20&t=-CSo29z7To3EmVva9lBWjw
Jackson and his son said they are exploring possible legal options
Jackson, a professor at the University of Buffalo, told Rolling Stone,
“The only two lines I could find in the whole piece that [Depp and Beck] contributed are ‘Big time motherfucker’ and ‘Bust it down to my level.’ Everything else is from Slim’s performance in my book. I’ve never encountered anything like this. I’ve been publishing stuff for 50 years, and this is the first time anybody has just ripped something off and put his own name on it.”
Jackson’s son, Michael Lee Jackson, said they are exploring possible legal options, claiming, “They do not reflect the actual authorship of those lyrics.”
Source: Variety
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