Kanye West and Kim Kardashian’s recent VOGUE cover has led to criticism, parody and now — a lawsuit. Former child star, singer Ricky Spicer, has filed a lawsuit against the magazine over music featured in a behind-the-scenes video for the KimYe photo shoot. Spicer was the pre-teen lead singer of a soul group called The Ponderosa Twins Plus One, a Jackson 5-esque ’70s act. Kanye’s single “Bound 2” samples Spicer’s voice and was the background music for the behind-the-scenes video.
According to the New York Post, the lawsuit states that “Mr. Spicer’s voice is used substantially throughout the video, comprising approximately 44 per cent of the lyrics.” The suit was filed in Manhattan Supreme Court, and Spicer says that he can be heard five times in the video.
Ricky Spicer is suing Vogue publisher Condé Nast Entertainment. Condé Nast did not get Spicer’s permission to use his voice. Spicer is asking for unspecified damages.
Spicer previously filed a lawsuit this past December against West for the sample. VOGUE representatives have refused to address the suit publicly.
“We don’t comment on pending litigation,” said Joe Libonati, vice president of corporate communications for Conde Nast.
