Bruno Mars Settles ‘Uptown Funk’ Lawsuit
Bruno Mars has put at least one "Uptown Funk" lawsuit to rest.
According to documents obtained by TMZ, the "Finesse" singer has settled a court case for the hit 2014 single involving '80s funk band Collage, who alleged Sony Music, Mars, and "Uptown Funk" producer Mark Ronson ripped off the rhythm, harmony, and melody of their 1983 song "Young Girls."
Both sides reportedly agreed to drop the matter permanently. It's unclear if any money was involved.
Unfortunately for Mars, this is only one in a string of legal battles stemming from the Uptown Special track. He and Ronson are also currently embroiled in lawsuits with '70s rap trio The Sequence — for their 1979 tune "Funk You Up" — as well as Roger Troutman and Zapp, for their 1980 classic "More Bounce to the Ounce." In 2015, The Gap Band were awarded songwriting credits on the song after citing similarities between it and their 1979 hit “Oops Up Side Your Head.”
The settlement also comes on the heels of a recently reignited debate over Mars' supposed cultural appropriation, spurred by YouTuber Sensei Aishitemasu's claims that he "takes pre-existing work" and "just completely, word-for-word recreates it" in a now-viral video for the Grapevine.
Mars hasn't commented on the allegations or the lawsuits. For now, though, one down, two to go.