Jermaine Dupri slams Ciara for new single: 'I Bet' is a complete rip-off of Usher's 'U Got it Bad'

theGRIO REPORT - Jermaine Dupri calls out Ciara ripping-off Usher's 'U Got it Bad' for her new single 'I Bet'...

Mar 16, 2015

Jermaine Dupri is calling out R&B singer Ciara for a lack of artistic integrity.

During a recent interview with the Associated Press, Dupri was discussing the “Blurred Lines” copyright lawsuit between the family of deceased R&B singer Marvin Gaye and singer-songwriters Pharrell Williams, Robin Thicke and T.I.

“Ciara’s new single is a complete rip-off of Usher’s ‘U Got It Bad,'” Dupri said. “I’m clear on what I made and I’m clear on how music influences people and I’m clear on chord changes and how people move things…. It might not be as evident as the ‘Blurred Lines’ situation, but I believe the same thing happened to me.”

Dupri said he, Usher and producer Bryan-Michael Cox all noticed the similarities immediately. And he said “I Bet” also sounds like R&B singer Tamia’s “Still,” another song he produced.

He plans to contact Ciara and the producers of “I Bet,” which was released in January and has peaked at No. 27 on Billboard’s R&B/Hip-Hop songs chart, and ask that he, Cox and Usher be properly credited.

Dupri has produced chart-topping hits for Mariah Carey, Monica, Jay Z, Usher and more.

A personal representative for Ciara referred questions to a label spokeswoman. That spokeswoman did not return email and text messages seeking comment.

The Associated Press reached out to several performers, songwriters, publishers and record executives about the effect the “Blurred Lines” case would have on the industry; most declined to comment.