Jury Finds Katy Perry’s “Dark Horse” Copies Christian Rap Song “Joyful Noise”

The pop singer’s 2013 song “Dark Horse” lifted “Joyful Noise” by Chrisitan rapper Flame.

A jury has found that Katy Perry’s 2013 hit “Dark Horse” ft. Juicy J copied a 2008 Christian rap song called “Joyful Noise,” by rapper Flame.

According to a report in Stereogum, the jury decided on Monday (July 29), five years after Flame, born Marcus Gray, and his co-writers first sued the pop singer. The jury is reportedly deliberating on how much Perry, producer Dr. Luke, their co-writers, and Capitol Records owe Gray and his team.

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Gray’s lawyers claimed the “Dark Horse” instrumental was lifted directly from “Joyful Noise.” Perry’s lawyers argue that the alleged copied sections were too simple to be considered specific to Gray’s song.

“They’re trying to own basic building blocks of music, the alphabet of music that should be available to everyone,” Perry’s attorney said was quoted as saying during closing arguments.

The verdict follows a landmark 2015 decision in the trial over Robin Thicke’s “Blurred Lines,” in which a jury ordered thesinger and his co-writer/producer Pharrell Williams to pay a $7.4 million to Marvin Gaye’s estate for infringing the copyright of Gaye’s 1977 song “Got to Give It Up.”