Delazy has a dream - so does will.i.am

06 March 2015 - 03:15 By Andile Ndlovu
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Similarities between Toya Delazy's track 'Dreamer', on her latest album 'Ascension', and US pop star will.i.am's 'Dreamin' About the Future' have prompted the SA Music Awards winner to seek advice from copyright law specialist Graeme Gilfillan.

Delazy, real name Latoya Buthelezi, said she noticed the similarities when she heard will.i.am's jam on the radio. Dreamin' About the Future also features in an ad for the new Lexus NX car.

 

She posted on her Facebook yesterday: "So I recently heard the chorus of my song Dreamer sung by will.i.am on a Lexus advert. I wasn't sure whether to be flattered or flustered."

But speaking to The Times later in the day she was more circumspect, saying: "Our copyright lawyer is handling it right now. It's better to leave it with him. Maybe he will be able to figure it out."

She said she did not want people to think she had lifted the song from the US star because her album was released on October 27 whereas will.i.am's song came out on November 16.

She had promoted the album's material internationally prior to its release.

Parts of the repetitive chorus sound similar.

Two years ago, the Black Eyed Peas star admitted to ripping off Arty and Mat Zo's Rebound for his own Let's Go with Chris Brown.

Will.i.am was also reportedly involved in another copyright claim against fellow star Pharrell Williams over the phrase, "I AM" (which the former owns), after Williams launched his "i am OTHER" brand.

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