Judge Allows Sam Smith and Normani ‘Dancing with a Stranger’ Copyright Case to Proceed
A federal judge has refused to dismiss a copyright lawsuit alleging that Sam Smith and Normani’s 2019 hit “Dancing with a Stranger” infringes an earlier song with the same title. U.S. District Judge Wesley L. Hsu denied the defendants’ motion for summary judgment in an order filed September 22, allowing the case, brought by Sound and Color LLC, to move toward a jury trial. The company is owned by songwriter Jordan Vincent and production duo SKX, consisting of Christopher Miranda and Rosco Banlaoi, who wrote their “Dancing with a Stranger” in 2015.
Smith, James Napier, Tor Erik Hermansen and Mikkel Eriksen wrote the later song on August 7, 2018, and it was released in January 2019 with Normani providing vocals. The defendants argued that no reasonable jury could find the two songs’ hooks strikingly similar and contended that the earlier song was not entitled to copyright protection because it incorporated unlicensed samples. Hsu rejected both arguments, criticizing the defendants’ approach of examining the songs’ musical elements separately rather than considering their combined effect. The judge said plaintiff expert Dr. Alexander Stewart provided sufficient analysis for a jury to consider whether the similarities support a finding of copying.
The judge also declined to remove the earlier song’s copyright protection because of its use of samples from Masters At Work’s “The Ha Dance” and Lyn Collins’ “Think (About It),” finding that the defendants had not demonstrated that the material taken was substantial. Hsu previously granted summary judgment to the defendants in September 2023, but the Ninth Circuit reversed that decision in April 2025, sending the case back to the district court. Hsu’s latest ruling leaves the question of whether the songs were independently created or unlawfully copied for a jury to decide, putting the long-running dispute on course for trial.
Ibeyi, the French-Cuban twin sisters Lisa-Kaindé and Naomi Diaz, unleash their powerful energy in the official video for “Moshpit,” from their album Offering. Directed and produced by Corry Van Rhijn and Roman Pichon Herrera, the visual mirrors the song’s heavy, industrial electronic sound. Pounding 808s, synth-driven production, layered harmonies and choral refrains create an intense backdrop as the sisters deliver fierce vocals celebrating transformation, confidence and elemental strength.
Alabama-bred rapper/singer CHIKA unveils the official music video for “Who Shines For The Sun,” released earlier this month, the visual brings her introspective storytelling to life. Originally released as a single in July, the Grammy-nominated artist delivers an emotionally charged track that serves as a “warm hug” for those who constantly pour their energy into caring for others. The song’s reflective production creates space for personal interpretation, while the visual storytelling deepens its comforting and heartfelt message.
Brooklyn, NY-based artist Jourden delivers her new seven-track EP A Tree Grows In Brooklyn, blending hip-hop, neo-soul, alternative hip-hop and Caribbean rhythms influenced by her Bajan and Trinidadian heritage. With a title inspired by Betty Smith’s classic novel, the project explores growth and self-discovery in challenging environments while reflecting Brooklyn’s diverse identity through its sounds and collaborations. One of its most personal tracks, “Cross Colors,” explores grief, identity and shared experiences, underscoring Jourden’s desire to embrace her complexities and evolution.
Rising R&B soul singer BLKPRL returns with “PLEASE,” featuring rapper Really Jaewon (the son of rapper Jadakiss). Produced by BLKPRL and ClickNPress, the smooth mid-tempo track blends soulful R&B with Hip-Hop as BLKPRL explores the vulnerability of opening his heart again after experiencing heartbreak. Centered on the plea, “Please don’t break my heart,” the song captures the excitement and uncertainty of new love while confronting the risks of trust, commitment, and emotional connection.
Atlanta artist Landstrip Chip returns with “Sin For Me,” a temptation-filled collaboration with Grammy-winning rapper Pusha T. Produced by OG Parker, Aye YB and T-WiLL, the track blends a dark, restrained beat, deep bass and crisp percussion with Chip’s smooth, melodic delivery, questioning the depth of devotion. Pusha T brings a colder, calculating presence, using sharp flows and vivid luxury imagery to explore wealth, status and the risks that accompany them.
Macklemore has announced a new “Free Palestine” tour featuring live performances with musicians and friends, with proceeds supporting humanitarian organizations working with Palestinian communities. The announcement comes after the rapper, whose real name is Benjamin Haggerty, was removed from Ed Sheeran’s U.S. stadium tour following a September 4 onstage statement supporting a “free Palestine” and expressing solidarity with people in Gaza and the occupied West Bank. The controversy reportedly led some venue owners to refuse concerts featuring Macklemore. In an Instagram statement announcing the tour, Macklemore said recent events demonstrated a shift in how artists and audiences view political expression onstage. He argued that artists should use their platforms to address issues beyond entertainment and criticized what he described as efforts to silence calls for Palestinian liberation. Sheeran, meanwhile, addressed his own involvement in the controversy during his solo return to the stage in Philadelphia on September 19, telling the audience that he had been placed in the middle of a broader debate over freedom of speech and the conflict. The “Free Palestine” tour is scheduled to begin in Dublin on October 26, followed by performances in Paris on October 29 and London on October 30, with North American dates expected to be announced later. Beneficiary organizations include Anera, Gaza Soup Kitchen, Heal Palestine, Medical Aid for Palestinians, Palestinian Children’s Relief Fund, UNRWA USA and others involved in medical care, humanitarian assistance, education and community support. Macklemore said additional details and the tour lineup are still being finalized, while fans can sign up for presale access through his website.
Nigerian singer Sarah Aderibigbe, better known as Ayra Starr, has given fans their first glimpse of her Hollywood acting debut in Children of Blood and Bone . Director Gina Prince-Bythewood shared a behind-the-scenes teaser for the highly anticipated fantasy film on Instagram Monday, offering a look at the production while announcing that the official trailer would be released Tuesday. Prince-Bythewood also revealed that the film is scheduled to arrive in theaters January 15. Although Ayra Starr appears only briefly in the teaser, the footage marks the first visual look at the Grammy-nominated singer portraying a fictional character on screen. The teaser is soundtracked by Tems’ hit single “Me & U,” adding another Nigerian connection to the Paramount Pictures production. The film is based on Tomi Adeyemi’s bestselling fantasy novel and represents Ayra Starr’s first time playing a fictional character in a major film.
For this week’s Throwback Thursday, we revisit Melanie Fiona’s “Give It to Me Right,” the breakthrough single that introduced the Canadian R&B singer to a wider audience. Released in 2009 as the lead single from her debut album, The Bridge, the track was written and produced by Andrea Martin and Rod Argent. Fiona’s smooth vocals and the song’s soulful production helped establish her as a fresh voice in contemporary R&B. “Give It to Me Right” also stood out for its clever connection to classic rock, sampling The Zombies’ 1968 hit “Time of the Season.” The familiar sample is woven into the track’s modern R&B framework, giving the song a distinctive sound that bridges generations. Sent to radio on February 28, 2009, the single became an early career milestone for Fiona and helped set the stage for the release of The Bridge later that year. The song performed well internationally, peaking at No. 20 on the Canadian Hot 100 and No. 41 on the UK Singles Chart. Its accompanying music video also earned recognition, ranking No. 74 on BET’s Notarized: Top 100 Videos of 2009. For Fiona, “Give It to Me Right” marked the beginning of a new chapter after earlier work with the Canadian R&B trio X-Quisite and the duo Renaissance, establishing her as a solo artist to watch.
New Jersey-bred R&B singer/songwriter TheARTI$t gets vulnerable on “Rain,” a reflective R&B slow-burn about wanting back what she may have helped lose. Over layered harmonies and expressive vocal arrangements, she confronts her role in a fractured relationship without disguising the fact that the feelings remain. Released following her DND EP and while supporting Kehlani’s THE KEHLANI WORLD TOUR, “Rain” turns regret into an intimate plea for another chance, capturing the uneasy space between accountability, heartbreak, and hope.
LA R&B newcomer Autumn Paige (now working with Eric Benét’s JBR Creative Group) trades overthinking for open skies on “Sun Drunk,” a breezy, slow-burning single that finds beauty in simply being present. Wrapped in warm production, infectious melodies, and Paige’s rich, intimate vocals, the track feels like a musical exhale—carefree, grateful, and unapologetically content. Following her 2025 debut EP Down the Rabbit Hole, Paige steps into a warmer, more melodic era, revealing a softer confidence and a renewed appreciation for life’s uncomplicated pleasures.