A U.S. District Court in New York has scheduled July 24, 2025, as the date for the initial hearing in a high-profile copyright lawsuit brought by Haitian music icon Fabrice Rouzier against Nigerian Afrobeats superstar Burna Boy (Damini Ogulu).
The case centers on allegations that Burna Boy and French-Haitian singer Joe Gilles (Joe Dwet File) unlawfully used sound, video, and musical compositions from Rouzier’s 2002 song “Je Vais” in their hit collaboration “4 Kampe II,” released on March 28, 2025. Rouzier claims that the first infringement occurred in late 2024, when Gilles released “4 Kampe,” which Rouzier says was based on his original work. Despite receiving a cease and desist letter and allegedly admitting to the infringement, Gilles later released a remix featuring Burna Boy, which Rouzier argues continued the unauthorized use.
Rouzier is seeking compensatory and exemplary damages, reimbursement of attorney fees, and a court order to prevent further use of his persona, image, and likeness in connection with the disputed songs. He also requests the destruction of all copies of the infringing videos.
The hearing, to be presided over by Judge Cheryl Pollak of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York, will be held via CISCO conference call, with all parties required to attend.
