As Cardi B gears up for the release of her long-awaited sophomore album, Am I The Drama?, set to drop in September, the Bronx rapper is facing legal heat over her recent single, “Enough (Miami).” However, she’s not backing down — and neither are her record labels.
Two Texas-based artists, Sten Joddi (real name Joshua Frausto) and producer Kemikal956 (Miguel Aguilar), claim Cardi and her team lifted the melody and bassline of their 2021 track “Greasy Frybread” for use in her song. But according to AllHipHop, Cardi’s legal team — alongside Atlantic Records and Warner Music Group — has filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit entirely.
Lack of Copyright Registration at the Heart of the Defense
The defendants argue the case is legally baseless because the plaintiffs never formally registered their track with the U.S. Copyright Office, which is a requirement under federal law for such claims to proceed.
“It is black-letter law that a copyright registration is required to file a federal claim,” Cardi B’s attorney, W. Andrew Pequignot, reportedly stated.
“The lack of a copyright registration therefore dooms these claims…”
Without this registration, the plaintiffs’ attempt at a federal case was blocked, prompting them to pivot to common-law copyright claims under Texas law — a move Cardi’s legal team says won’t fly either, arguing that federal law supersedes state-level copyright claims.
Allegations Beyond Copyright
The lawsuit also levels accusations of defamation, misappropriation, and unfair competition. However, Cardi’s defense asserts that all the allegations stem from the same unregistered copyright claim, making them subject to dismissal under federal preemption.
Moreover, her team questioned the jurisdiction of the Texas courts, emphasizing that:
- Cardi B lives in New Jersey,
- Warner Music and Atlantic are based in Delaware and New York,
- And the plaintiffs have shifted their story multiple times, further weakening the case.
What’s Next?
Cardi B and her team are seeking a full dismissal of the case with no option to amend. Whether the plaintiffs will respond with new legal strategies — or the court will side with Cardi’s motion — remains to be seen.
As the legal drama unfolds, fans remain focused on Cardi’s upcoming album, which promises bold energy and signature confidence — all while she juggles music, motherhood, and mounting legal scrutiny.
