In a groundbreaking legal move, Haitian music icon Fabrice Rouzier has filed a lawsuit against French-Haitian singer Joé Dwèt Filé, known professionally as Joé Dwèt Filé, Nigerian megastar Burna Boy, and several major entities, including Atlantic Records Group and Universal Music Publishing France. The lawsuit, filed on April 22, 2025, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York, alleges that Joé Dwèt Filé’s songs 4 Kampe and 4 Kampe II have used parts of Rouzier’s 2002 hit Je Vais without permission.
According to court documents, Rouzier noticed significant similarities between 4 Kampe, released in October 2024, and his earlier track Je Vais. After discovering the alleged infringement, Rouzier sent a cease-and-desist letter to Dwèt Filé. Reports indicate that Dwèt Filé admitted to using material from Rouzier’s song without consent. Despite this, he continued to collaborate with Burna Boy on the remix, 4 Kampe II, released on March 28, 2025, which Rouzier claims further copies his original work, specifically the lyric “Chérie, ou sou sa kampe” (“Darling, let’s do this in the standing position”).
The lawsuit further accuses Burna Boy of being aware of the situation but going ahead with the release of the remix, which Rouzier argues has caused him both financial and reputational harm. In his legal complaint, Rouzier, alongside his legal team at B.E. Relations LLC, is seeking damages, legal fees, and an injunction to prevent the continued use of his music in both tracks. Additionally, Rouzier’s legal team is requesting the destruction of infringing materials and a jury trial to resolve the matter.
Just hours after the lawsuit was filed, Joé Dwèt Filé responded on his social media stories. At around 6:10 PM EDT, he posted, “You know music, I know it too, let’s meet in court,” followed by a laughing emoji. This response has fueled public debates and discussions, with many fans weighing in on the issue. As of now, Burna Boy has not made any public comment regarding the lawsuit.
The lawsuit comes at a time when 4 Kampe has become a massive hit, amassing over 80 million streams worldwide. This level of success has brought the case into the spotlight, as the outcome could potentially set a significant legal precedent in the music industry, especially concerning copyright infringement and intellectual property rights.
The allegations remain unproven, and the court proceedings are ongoing. As the case continues, it has sparked conversations across social media platforms, particularly on X (formerly Twitter), where fans have voiced their opinions on the matter.
With high-profile artists and major record labels involved, this lawsuit is poised to have a lasting impact on the music industry, particularly regarding copyright protections and the use of original works. The outcome of this case could shape how similar cases are handled in the future, making it a pivotal moment for both Fabrice Rouzier and the broader global music community.
