August 29, 2006 @ 1:10 pm

Reggae Artist Accuses Lil’ Kim of Plagiarism

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According to the suit filed in Manhattan federal court last week, Stephens not only claims Kim stole her song, but says she did so after flying her out to New York in 1999 and singing the very song she ripped off as a way of demonstrating what a big fan of Stephens she was. left Stephens and her representatives from the Royalty Network were appalled when they first listened to Lil' Kim's late-2005 album, The Naked Truth. The lyrics of Kim’s track “Durty” are virtually identical with “Mi and Mi God” – a track that was released by Stephens in 1997, they claim. The controversial rapstress, a.k.a Kimberly Jones, even sings the tune with a West Indian accent, the suit alleges. An enraged Stephens is claiming she should own the song and receive all past and future royalties. Stephens, 33, who played Radio City Music Hall last year, sings in a patchwork style of reggae, dance hall and R&B. It has a rough-and-tumble street style — without Lil' Kim's hip hop sexuality. She even rejects the rapper’s sexy sales pitch, which may be adding even more fuel to this already blazing fire. Have a news tip? Email us.

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