Isaac Hayes and Trump. External source.-
EL NUEVO DIARIO, LOS ANGELES.- The heirs of Isaac Hayes, the late soul icon, have sued the Republican candidate for the US Presidency in the next elections, Donald Trump, for using the artist’s music and are asking for compensation of 3 million dollars.
In a message posted on the X network, the family of the composer who died in 2008 is suing Trump and his campaign team for the use of the song “Hold On, I’m Coming” at events held in the last two years.
“We, the family of @isaachayes Isaac Hayes Enterprises, represented by Walker & Associates, are suing @realDonaldTrump and his campaign for 134 counts of copyright infringement for the unauthorized use of the song ‘Hold On I’m Coming’ at campaign rallies from 2022 to 2024,” the family explained.
“We demand a cessation of use, removal of all related videos, a public liability waiver, and payment of $3 million in licensing fees,” reads the message, which includes a copy of the legal documents filed in court on August 11.
The complaint specifies that if they have no other option and this situation is not rectified, the heirs are prepared to initiate “federal litigation.”
According to the specialist magazine «Rolling Stone», artists such as Adele, Rihanna, the heirs of Sinead O’Connor, Steven Tyler of Aerosmith or The Rolling Stones have openly opposed the use of their songs in political rallies since Trump first ran for president in 2015.
The latest to criticise the use of her music in the Republican campaign was Canadian Celine Dion, who this weekend criticised the former US president for using “My Heart Will Go On” at a recent rally.
Hayes died on August 10, 2008, at the age of 65. For “Theme from Shaft,” he received the Oscar for best original song in 1972, making him only the third black person, after Hattie McDaniel and Sidney Poitier, to win an Academy Award in any competitive field, Rolling Stone recalls.
Hayes and David Porter wrote “Hold On, I’m Coming,” which was recorded by soul duo Sam & Dave and released on the Stax label in 1966, peaking at No. 21 on the Billboard Hot 100, the publication added.
