Johnny Depp and Jeff Beck have been accused of stealing lyrics from a poem written by an incarcerated man. The information came into the limelight after Rolling Stone pointed out that the song Sad Motherfuckin’ Parade‘s lyrics are very similar to a poem called Hobo Ben, written by a man named Slim Wilson. He served in prison for murder and armed robbery.

Johnny Depp and Jeff Beck are accused of plagiarism

Jeff Beck and Johnny Depp performing live at the Royal Albert Hall
Jeff Beck and Johnny Depp performing live at the Royal Albert Hall

Bruce Jackson, who met Slim Wilson in the Missouri State Penitentiary, documented his poetry. He illustrated “Black folk poetry” in his book called, Get Your Ass in the Water and Swim Like Me. People have recently pointed out that the lyrics of Johnny Depp and Jeff Beck’s song Sad Motherf**kin’ Parade are very similar to Hobo Ben, a poem which was narrated by Slim Wilson.

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The lyrics of the song are similar to the poem

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The artists were accused of plagarism

The lyrics of the song Sad Motherf**kin’ Parade are,

“I’m raggedy, I know, but I have no stink”,

God bless the lady that’ll buy me a drink.

What that funky motherf**ker really needs, child, is a bath”

While the poem by Slim Wilson reads,

“Ladies of culture and beauty so refined, is there one among you that would grant me wine?

I’m raggedy I know, but I have no stink

And God bless the lady that’ll buy me a drink.

Heavy-hipted Hattie turned to Nadine with a laugh

And said, ‘What that funky motherf**ker really need, child, is a bath.”

People have pointed out the similarity between the two and accused the artists of plagiarism.

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People on social media trolled Johnny Depp and Jeff Beck

Johnny Depp and Jeff Beck
The two recently dropped an album named 18

People on social media trolled Johnny Depp and Jeff Beck for stealing lyrics while fans of the actor defended him.

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Jackson and his son said they are exploring possible legal options

Johnny Depp and Jeff Beck
They might face legal troubles

Jackson, a professor at the University of Buffalo, told Rolling Stone,

“The only two lines I could find in the whole piece that [Depp and Beck] contributed are ‘Big time motherfucker’ and ‘Bust it down to my level.’ Everything else is from Slim’s performance in my book. I’ve never encountered anything like this. I’ve been publishing stuff for 50 years, and this is the first time anybody has just ripped something off and put his own name on it.”

Jackson’s son, Michael Lee Jackson, said they are exploring possible legal options, claiming, “They do not reflect the actual authorship of those lyrics.”

Source: Variety

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