‘This is America’: Childish Gambino sued for copyright infringement

A Florida rapper is suing Childish Gambino for copyright infringement on his Grammy-winning song This is America.

The rapper Emelike Nwosuocha, who goes by the stage name Kidd Wes; says Childish Gambino lifted the viral hit song from his song, Made In America. According to US federal court documents, Nwosuocha says the 2018 rap hit from Donald Glover AKA Childish Gambino, is “glaringly similar” to Made In America; which he released two years prior on the Soundcloud platform.

The complaint filed in New York cites “nearly-identical unique rhythmic, lyrical, and thematic compositional and performance content contained in the chorus — or ‘hook’ — sections; which are the centrepieces of both songs.”

At the 2019 Grammy Awards, This Is America become the first rap song to ever win both best song and best record.

Nwosuocha says the flow of his song and Gambino’s are “unmistakably substantially similar, if not practically identical”. He cited a musicologist he employed to compare the two tracks. The expert said, “similarities in melodic contour, rhythmic triplet flow in each performance”. He also said the lines “Made in America and This is America” are “likely not coincidences.”

As one can expect, Nwosuocha is seeking a trial and damages, including for lost profits and opportunities. Among the defendants named in the complaint are Gambino’s record label RCA; along with Roc Nation and the rapper Young Thug, who has writing credits and performed some backing vocals.

Gambino has not publicly responded to the copyright infringement allegations concerning This is America. You can compare the two songs below and tell us what you think in the comment section.

Here is Made in America (2016)

And This is America (2018):