The Weeknd is being sued in a $5-million lawsuit for “ripping off” his song “Starboy” from Somali-American poet Yasminah, it’s been reported.
According to documents obtained by The Blast, the Canadian singer has been accused of “stealing the beat” from Yasminah, who claimed the Weeknd only knew about her songs because of his East African background.
The star, real name Abel Makkonen Tesfaye, released the track in 2016, which was seven years after Yasminah recorded her song “Hooyo”.
TMZ added that Yasminah claimed Tesfaye, who was born in Canada but has Ethiopian parents, used the “same hook, same key and a similar tempo” to her track.
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The site added that “both songs featured prominent claps on beats two and four.”
They also said that this wasn’t the first time Yasminah threatened legal action on the Weeknd, claiming two of her producers had previously reached a settlement.
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Despite this though, Yasminah claims she “never got a cut,” hence why she is suing Tesfaye again.
She’s also going after Daft Punk, who are featured in the track, and Republic Records.
ET Canada has reached out to the Weeknd’s rep for comment.
