In a move that caught the attention of music fans worldwide, Dr Dre successfully blocked Republican congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene from using his iconic music for her political career. Greene had chosen to use Dre’s 1999 hit, “Still Dre,” as the soundtrack for a promotional video. However, Dre’s legal team swiftly took action to protect his music rights.
The promotional video, posted on January 9th, featured Greene walking out of her office in slow motion to the familiar opening notes of “Still Dre,” which also features Snoop Dogg. Not willing to tolerate the misuse of his music for a divisive political agenda, Dre’s lawyer, Howard E King, sent a cease-and-desist letter to Greene’s camp.
Despite acknowledging receipt of the letter, Greene’s lawyers did not admit any wrongdoing. However, they were directed to refrain from using Dre’s copyrighted music in any context related to Greene’s political committee or her social media outlets. Greene’s lawyers were wise to anticipate the possibility of a lawsuit from Dre, stating that their response should not be seen as an admission or waiver of rights and defenses.
In his letter, King accused Greene of wrongfully exploiting “Still Dre” to promote her divisive and hateful political agenda through her social media platforms. The United States Copyright Act clearly prohibits the use of someone else’s music for political campaign promotions without obtaining permission from the copyright owner, which Greene failed to do.
When asked about the situation, Dre made it clear that he does not grant permission to politicians to use his music, especially individuals as divisive and hateful as Greene. Dre’s stance reflects his commitment to his art and his refusal to let it be associated with those whose views do not align with his own.
Marjorie Taylor Greene, a staunch supporter of former President Trump, has faced controversy due to her promotion of numerous antisemitic, white supremacist, and far-right conspiracy theories. Her video, in line with her controversial views, begins with a sign stating, “There are two genders, male and female!”
Soon after the video’s release, Twitter promptly removed it upon receiving a report from the copyright owner. In response, Greene took to Twitter to express her disagreement with the decision, mentioning the “creative chord progression” while stating that she would never condone violence against women and police officers or the glorification of a criminal lifestyle.
Dr Dre’s actions underline the significance of respecting artists’ rights and ensuring that their creations are used in a responsible and appropriate manner. His decision to protect his music from being associated with divisive and hateful politics resonates strongly with his fans and admirers, who appreciate his commitment to his craft.
