Jay-Z’s lawsuit over Australian mother’s children’s book paraphrasing his lyrics is ’embarrassing’

Jay-Z’s lawsuit over Australian mother’s children’s book paraphrasing the US rappers lyrics is ’embarrassing’, her lawyers say

  • Jay-Z is suing Australian mother Jessica Chiha business called The Little Homie
  • Ms Chiha’s business launched in 2017 and features children’s books and clothing
  • Lawsuit stems from a book called ‘AB to Jay-Z’ where rappers teach the alphabet
  • It features the phrase: ‘If you’re having alphabet problems I feel bad for you son’
  • Jay-Z claims this cashes in on the lyrics from his famous track ’99 Problems’
  • Ms Chiha’s lawyers said Jay-Z’s lawsuit was ’embarrassing in its present form’

A lawsuit by US rapper Jay-Z over a children’s book paraphrasing the Grammy-winner’s lyrics has been labelled ’embarrassing’ by lawyers for the Australian Mum he is suing.

Jessica Chiha and her business The Little Homie are named in a Federal Court lawsuit by the billionaire, legally named Shawn Carter, who claims his trademarks have been infringed.

Ms Chiha started out with the picture book ‘AB to Jay-Z’ – which refers to well-known rappers to teach the alphabet – but has expanded to include a colouring book and clothing since her 2017 launch.

The book includes the line ‘ZZ is for Jay-Z and he has 99 problems, but his ABCs ain’t one,’ while the back cover includes the quote ‘if you’re having alphabet problems I feel bad for you son, I got 99 problems but my ABCs ain’t one.’

A lawsuit by US rapper Jay-Z (pictured with wife Beyonce) over a children’s book paraphrasing his lyrics has been labelled ’embarrassing’ by lawyers for the Australian Mum he is suing

Jay-Z’s 2004 song 99 Problem famously opened with ‘if you’re having girl problems, I feel bad for you son, I got 99 problems but a b***h ain’t one.’

In a defence filed in the Federal Court, Ms Chiha’s lawyers said the suit filed by Mr Carter was ’embarrassing in its present form.’

It challenges the performer’s claim of co-ownership of the original music, literary work in the lyrics and in the hook of the song.

‘The title and parts of the lyrics of Mr Carter’s ’99 Problems’ song were copied from another song titled “99 Problems” which was recorded and released in 1993,’ the defence says.

Jessica Chiha and her business The Little Homie have been sued by Jay-Z, who claims his trademarks have been infringed in her children's book 'AB to Jay-Z'

Jessica Chiha and her business The Little Homie have been sued by Jay-Z, who claims his trademarks have been infringed in her children’s book ‘AB to Jay-Z’

That song by Tracey Lauren Marrow and Mark D. Ross – better known as rappers Ice-T and Brother Marquis – included the lyrics ‘so if you havin’ girl problems, I feel bad for you son, got 99 problems and a b***h ain’t one – hit me.’

Documents filed last month by the rapper’s Australian lawyers noted Mr Carter asked Ms Chiha in March and July this year to stop selling the book.

‘Mr Carter has suffered, and will continue to suffer, loss and damage,’ they said.

The lawyers said the retailer and director deliberately and knowingly attempted to trade off the reputation of the rapper, who is married to singer Beyonce.

AAP understands the book came to Jay-Z’s attention after controversy broke over accusations of cultural appropriation and racism in 2017, when a customer asked if the company was black-owned. 

AB to Jay-Z is Ms Chiha's children's book that uses famous rappers to help teach the alphabet

AB to Jay-Z is Ms Chiha’s children’s book that uses famous rappers to help teach the alphabet

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