First George Harrison, then Vanilla Ice, now the Black Eyed Peas: the hip-hop group's top single "Boom Boom Pow" was stolen from Chicago artist Phoenix Phenom, alleges a new lawsuit.
Ebony Latrice Batts, who performs as Phoenix Phenom, and her songwriter Manny Mohr of Aurora, IL, claim that the hit is a little too similar to their song "Boom Dynamite" to be coincidence.
To make matters worse, Phoenix Phenom sent the song to Interscope Records, the Peas's label, in the hopes of getting Fergie to perform on the track. Instead, Interscope turned them down, and the Black Eyed Peas came out with their chart-topped shortly after.
The Source, one of the premier hip-hop magazines in America, suggested that "Boom Boom Pow" might be a rip-off in April of 2009, and Urban Daily was also suspicious.
The lawsuit, filed this week, seeks damages from each of the Peas individually, as well as from Interscope and Universal Music Group. They are also asking for a share of the profits and future songwriting credit.
Did the Peas rip off the Phenom? Tell us what you think. Watch the videos below and then cast your vote:
BOOM DYNAMITE, by PHOENIX PHENOM
BOOM BOOM POW, "by" THE BLACK-EYED PEAS