Lil Uzi Vert Hit With $110 Million Lawsuit Over “Just Wanna Rock” Copyright Claim
Written by b87fm on 11/10/2025
Lil Uzi Vert is back in the headlines — and this time, it’s not for new music. The Philly rapper is facing two major lawsuits in quick succession, including a $110 million copyright case from Rochester artist Rief Rawyal, who claims Uzi’s viral 2022 anthem “Just Wanna Rock” ripped off his earlier track “Pain and Pleasure.”
According to court filings, Rawyal accuses Uzi of copying the hook, melody, and theme, along with the distinct chant “When I rock ah ah.” A forensic musicologist, Brian McBrearty, analyzed both records and reportedly found a 93–97% similarity, citing nearly identical tempo, rhythm, and lyrical phrasing — especially around the repeated use of the word “rock.”
The lawsuit also points to shared drum patterns, syncopation styles (specifically the “tresillo” rhythm), and first-person lyrical structure, which Rawyal argues proves that “Just Wanna Rock” wasn’t entirely original.
Rawyal further alleges that his social media posts promoting “Pain and Pleasure” were mysteriously muted or removed around the same time Uzi’s track began to blow up online. He believes that Uzi and Atlantic Records had direct access to his song through a prior collaboration with Lanre Gaba, an executive at the label.
The lawsuit names Lil Uzi Vert, Atlantic Records, Generation Now, Roc Nation, and Warner Music Group as defendants. Rawyal is demanding publishing credit, shared ownership, and compensation for lost revenue and damage to his reputation.
This marks yet another legal hurdle for Lil Uzi Vert, who has kept a low profile through most of 2025 but may now be facing one of the most expensive copyright battles in modern rap history.
