KIESZA SUED BY GRAFFITI ARTIST

KIESZA SUED BY GRAFFITI ARTIST

Canadian singer and multi-instrumentalist Kiesza, and her label Universal Music Group have been sued by American graffiti artist Jamie Mitchel Kosse, popularly known as Jamie Hef over the unauthorized depiction of his works in the music video for her award-winning single, 2014 smash hit “Hideaway”.

Since its release in April 2014, the unique video filmed on a single shot, as Kiesza walked and danced through the streets of Williamsburg, Brooklyn, has been viewed more than 300 million times on YouTube, received a MTV Video Music Award nomination for Best Choreography, and helped propel the singer to international stardom.

In the suit, Kosse claims the singer intentionally appropriated his work in the video to acquire some street credibility. In the video, the singer dances her way around a city block featuring walls covered with his murals.

According to Courthouse News, in a suit filed in New York earlier this month, Kosse alleges that the inclusion of his work was done without his permission. The suit further states that the video “creates the false impression that plaintiff endorses Kiesza, which he does not, and that he authorized the usage of his highly distinctive works to promote the launch of Kiesza’s career.”

Kosse is now seeking damages for copyright infringement and false endorsement.

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