Search
Close this search box.

Rapper Accuses Childish Gambino of Plagiarizing ‘This Is America’

*Following an appearance by Donald Glover (who performs musically as Childish Gambino) on the BET Awards Sunday night, fans suggested that he “stole” his No. 1 single “This is America” from NYC rapper Jase Harley’s song “American Pharaoh.”

The controversy began on Reddit and spread through Twitter and Instagram.

Glover’s creative partner and “This Is America” music video producer Fam Rothstein denied the plagiarism claim on Twitter, writing that the “song is 3 years old, and we have Pro Tools files to prove it.”

Several hours later, Rothstein’s tweet was deleted.

So, do they have the ProTools files that pre-date Harley’s 2016 “American Pharoah,” or nah?

OTHER NEWS YOU MIGHT HAVE MISSED: Kenya Moore Booted from ‘RHOA,’ Full Cast Confirmed: Report

donald glover - childish gambino - this is america - screenshot

Someone wrote to Harley on Instagram, “People are saying Donald Glover bit your song ‘American Pharoah’ with ‘This Is America.’ What do you think?” Harley responded, “I always felt my song inspired it lol from the first time I heard it.”

Harley added, “It’s cool tho…. Glad they liked my song. It’s all love.” He also wrote that “a shout out would be cool,” that it’s “dope [he] could’ve had some influence on the record,” and that “all artist get inspired by others.”

Later, Harley addressed the issue on IG, writing: “I feel extremely humbled to be recognized and labeled as one or the original inspirations for one of the most important pieces of music and visual art of our time,” he wrote.

He then asked that “this controversy” not “dilute the message me and [Glover] are trying to convey.” He continued, “We are speaking about injustices we’ve encountered and he’s helped to provide a platform for all our voices to be heard. Let’s not discredit him for that!”

Read Harley’s full statement below.

We Publish News 24/7. Don’t Miss A Story. Click HERE to SUBSCRIBE to Our Newsletter Now!

50 Cent and Jay-Z (Getty)
Cillian Murphy stuns in first look at ‘28 Years Later.
Jamie Foxx (Parrish Lewis-Netflix via CNN Newsource)
Sean Diddy Combs
JAY-Z's secret love chi;d
Sugary drink (tongpatong-iStockphoto-Getty Images via CNN Newsource)
Beyoncé and Jay-Z
Dawn Staley
Kevin Hart
Usher speaks onstage during the ribbon cutting ceremony for the Usher Raymond IV Spark Lab at Joseph B. Whitehead Boys & Girls Club on December 9, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for Boys & Girls Club)
Robin Ayers (wearing hat) - via Canvas Rebel
Read More
Quincy Jones
Read More
Kamala Harris at CNN Town Hall - Getty
Read More
Kendrick Lamar - Lil Wayne (Getty)
Read More
Donald Trump with bruises on hands - via X
Read More
Gail Bean and Taye Diggs composite
Read More
Lizzo (after weight loss) - via Instagram
Read More
T.D. Jakes
Read More
Donald Trump - Kamala Harris (Getty composite)
Read More
Dave Blunts / Photo: Dave Blunts IG
Read More

POPULAR

50 Cent and Jay-Z (Getty)
50 Cent Takes Jab As Jay-Z Denies Child Rape Allegations: 'We Still Doing the Super Bowl?'
Cillian Murphy stuns in first look at ‘28 Years Later.
Sony Unveils Trailer for '28 Years Later,' Sequel to Iconic Horror Series | Watch
Jamie Foxx (Parrish Lewis-Netflix via CNN Newsource)
Jamie Foxx Reveals He Suffered Brain Bleed and Stroke: ‘I Don’t Remember 20 Days’ + He Says He's 'Been cured... No More White Girls!' | WATCH
Sean Diddy Combs
NYC Parents Call for Schools to Ban Diddy’s Name as Students Joke About Mogul in Class
JAY-Z's secret love chi;d
JAY-Z Urges Accuser to Reveal Identity or Drop Sexual Assault Lawsuit
Sugary drink (tongpatong-iStockphoto-Getty Images via CNN Newsource)
Some Added Sugar Sources Are Worse Than Others for Disease Risk: Study | VIDEOs
Beyoncé and Jay-Z
Amid Legal Troubles, Jay-Z and Beyoncé’s Love Story Faces New Scrutiny: Did Jigga Meet Bey at 16 or 18?
Dawn Staley
South Carolina's Ashlyn Watkins Delivers Third Career Dunk Against TCU | Watch
Kevin Hart
Exclusive Clip: Kevin Hart Talks Overcoming Setbacks on 'Black Comedy in America' | Watch
1 2 3 8,443