“Ice Spice Faces Legal Action for Copyright Infringement Regarding ‘In Ha Mood’”
By Website Content Manager
Two artists claim that Ice Spice’s song “In Ha Mood” from 2022 bears a “remarkable resemblance” to their own composition.
Ice Spice is currently entangled in a copyright infringement lawsuit concerning her 2023 chart-topping single “In Ha Mood.” Legal documents, filed in the Eastern District of New York on Wednesday, reveal that the 24-year-old drill star is accused of replicating elements from the 2022 song “In That Mood” by Brooklyn rapper Duval “D.Chamberz” Chamberlain and Bronx-based sound engineer and producer Kenley “Kass the Producer” Carmenate.
The plaintiffs argue that Ice Spice and her producer Riot allegedly “copied” various aspects of the song, including its drill style, title, hook, chorus lyrics, and tempo, without obtaining permission from the musicians or providing proper credit.
“The lawsuit asserts that the similarities outlined between ‘In That Mood’ and ‘In Ha Mood’ are so remarkably alike that they cannot be merely coincidental. Chamberlain and Carmenate contend that ‘In Ha Mood’ exhibits at least substantial similarity to their composition in ways that extend beyond mere incidental resemblances and strike at the core essence of each work.
The filing further claims, ‘The similarities between ‘In Ha Mood’ and [‘In That Mood’] — including the key phrase used in the chorus and repeated in a substantially similar manner numerous times throughout both songs — are such that it is simply not reasonable to believe that ‘In Ha Mood’ could have been created without having heard [‘In That Mood’] first.’
According to the lawsuit, Chamberlain and Carmenate assert that they originally penned and recorded the track on August 8, 2021, releasing it as a single on January 28, 2022, intended for use in an advertising campaign that never materialized. Chamberlain alleges having performed the track approximately three dozen times, primarily in venues around New York City, where Ice Spice, the ‘Barbie World’ singer, also resides.”
“The lawsuit contends, ‘Upon information and belief, Ice Spice, Riot, and/or members of their creative teams were present for certain public performances of ‘In That Mood’ during the relevant time period.’ Furthermore, it claims, ‘Plaintiffs are well-known in the rap and hip-hop community and share a substantial number of undeniable connections with Defendants.’
The plaintiffs are seeking damages to be determined at trial.
As of now, representatives for Ice Spice have not responded to PEOPLE’s requests for comment.
Ice Spice gained widespread recognition when her song, “Munch (Feelin’ U),” gained viral popularity on TikTok in 2022. Subsequently, she secured notable collaborations, including Nicki Minaj on “Barbie World,” PinkPantheress on “Boy’s a Liar Pt. 2,” and a remix of Taylor Swift’s “Karma.” Ice Spice even made a surprise appearance on Swift’s Eras tour.”