SmCity Vs. LL Cool J, New Article on Examiner.com

Washington, DC—LL Cool J (James Todd Smith), hip hop icon and a star on the popular new police TV show: NCIS LA, is accused of copyright infringement after his record label Island Def Jam ‘lifted’ a song by rising DMV artist SMCity (Simeon Booker IV) and included it on LL’s last CD “Exit 13” released September 9, 2008. The song “You Better Watch Me” is almost identical to SMCity’s “Watch Me” released four weeks before LL’s version of the song.

“…A review of the two tracks makes plain that substantial similarities exist in several areas, including, but not limited to, identical choruses…,” according to Atty. Lisa Alexis Jones, SMCity’s lawyer. Hear the evidence: Here

A spokesperson for Booker commented, “…We didn’t want to go this route and fully expected them to do the right thing early on, especially considering the blatant theft of Sim’s artistic and intellectual property. But after more than a year, it became clear that this was necessary and that’s disappointing.”

Recently featured on Examiner.com and one of URB Magazine's "NEXT 100" to blow, 2009 has seen SMCity perform along side underground legend Pharoahe Monch and open for mainstream favorites Young Jeezy and Drake. He was a finalist in the recent MTV VMA Best Breakout DC.