M.O.P. Respond to Beat Theft Accusations

Brooklyn rap group M.O.P. have been accused of claiming credit for a song that they didn't produce on their long-awaited album 'Foundation,' which is in stores now.

The song, Rude Bastard, is credited to Fizzy Womack, M.O.P. rapper Lil Fame's production alias, however an up-and-coming producer from Philadelphia named Kil claims the work is his. He says the beat was used without his knowledge or permission or even giving him credit.

"Back in September 2008, M.O.P., Joe Budden, Termanology and Big Shugg came down to Sonar in B'more and me and my peeps go to the show," explained Kil. "I pass out beat cd's...Now, fast forward to September 2009 and I'm listening to MOP's Foundation album on my way home from work and when track #9 "Rude Bastard" comes on....it's MY F---ING BEAT! Not the same sample, the SAME BEAT! Drum programming, sample, chops...the whole damn beat!...And it says "produced by Fizzy Womack"! So...I don't get a check, I don't get credit...I don't even get co production credit!

M.O.P. responded to the accusation by admitting their mistake, claiming the credit was a "clerical error." The group's manager and sometime producer Laze E. Laze explained, "I understand the process of credits and turning in a record so I know that this is a clerical error [that] can easily be fixed. But Fame is hurt, being an up-and-coming producer (himself), he knows the struggle of making beats and having to almost give them away to be heard."

Fame, who has produced for Rakim, AZ and recently helmed a large part of the 'Wu-Tang Chamber Music' album, said "It's true I didn't do the beat "Rude Bastard" as Kil said. I heard it, it was hot and I rhymed on it. I'd never steal a beat, that's not me."

Laze went on to point out that the the group has always been known for giving relative unknowns their chance.

"In all of our years, we have strived for the underdog, the unheard of producer (DR Period, Mahogany, Jaz-O, Notts) the up and coming video director (Hype Williams, Chris Robinson, Brian Luvar, Jessie Terrero)," said Laze. "You see all these talented people were brand new, unproven prodigies when they began their respective works with works with the Mashout Posse...So it hurts us that any one would call the Mashout Posse thieves. Even in the robbery days it was point blank. And not from the poor."

We're glad to see that they've addressed the situation, though we have to note that the beat sounds nothing like Fame's style, so we're surprised the "error" got this far.

Look out for 'The Foundation,' in stores now.