Childish Gambino is being sued by a rapper named Emelike Nwosuocha who has claimed that Gambino's 2018 hit “This Is America” ripped off his 2017 song “Made In America.” According to TMZ, the rapper Emelike Nwosuocha, who goes by the name Kidd Wes, claimed that he uploaded his song to SoundCloud in September 2016 and released it on YouTube a couple months later where it was available to stream for free. He claimed that he also registered the song with the U.S Copyright Office in May 2017, and it was set to be the lead single on his upcoming album.
Gambino released his song “This Is America” was released in May 2018. Wes has claimed that is the chorus of “This Is America” is “unmistakably substantially similar, if not practically identical” to his song. He also says that Gambino’s “flow” is similar to his, citing lyrics in “Made in America” that are reminiscent of the hook’s refrain on “This Is America.”
Wes believes that Gambino intentionally copied his song and is seeking major damages. He is suing Gambino, the co-writers of “This Is America,” and Roc Nation Publishing, as well as Young Thug, who sings backup vocals.