Future, Metro Boomin, and Kendrick Lamar shook up the rap scene last year with the release of “Like That,” a track that not only targeted Drake and J. Cole but also set the tone for a dramatic 2024 in hip-hop.
However, following the song’s massive popularity and controversy, one of the key figures behind its inspiration is now seeking justice.
As reported by HipHopDX, Rodney O has filed a lawsuit against the artists and the estate of Barry White, alleging unpaid royalties related to the track.
He claims that the sample used was not properly cleared, that he was excluded from the songwriting credits in the Grammys submission, and that he was denied access to the version of “Like That” featuring Kendrick Lamar.
The track samples “Everlasting Bass” by Rodney O and Joe Cooley, which itself includes a sample of Barry White’s “I’m Gonna Love You Just A Little More Baby.” Both songs were used in the original version of “Like That” and its Kanye West remix.
A representative for Metro Boomin reportedly told TMZ that Rodney O was paid $50,000 for the sample clearance.
The rep also stated that any royalty disputes should be directed at the Barry White estate and Epic Records. As of now, the Barry White estate has not commented on the matter.
“It is crazy because the song was big when it came out and for it to be even bigger now all these years later, it’s crazy,” Rodney told Vibe last year concerning “Everlasting Bass” and how Future, Metro Boomin, and Kendrick Lamar revitalized it. “I heard the song, I knew it was good, but when it comes out and the world hears it how you hear it and react to it the way you reacted to it, that’s confirmation.
“Every song that I’ve cleared, they’ve sent it to me prior and I’ve been able to check it out,” he continued. “A lot of people used the same sample in the past. But when I heard [‘Like That’], they totally demolished it. Somebody called me the day before it came out and said, ‘Hey man, I got some news for you…I actually heard Kendrick is on that record.’
“And I was like, ‘No, Kendrick ain’t on that record because I have it,'” Rodney concluded of the chart-topping homage. “Songs now, they’ll be two minutes and 30 seconds, so when I heard it, I’m like, ‘That’s the whole song.’ So I said, ‘He might be on a remix or something like that,’ that’s what I’m thinking.”
