Full Breakdown
Cardi B Prevails in Copyright Lawsuit Over "Enough (Miami)"
3/31/2026, 10:16:07 PM
Legal Background of the Case
Cardi B, born Belcalis Almánzar, recently achieved a significant legal victory when a federal judge dismissed a lawsuit alleging that her 2024 single "Enough (Miami)" copied elements from the 2021 track "Greasy Frybread," created by producers Joshua Fraustro and Miguel Aguilar, known as Kemikal 956. The lawsuit, filed in July 2024, claimed that Cardi B unlawfully reproduced, distributed, and publicly performed "Greasy Frybread" without permission. The plaintiffs initially pursued a federal copyright infringement claim but later shifted to Texas state law after realizing they lacked a copyright registration for their song.
Court Ruling and Jurisdiction Issues
U.S. District Judge Fernando Rodriguez Jr. ruled on March 30, 2024, that the Texas court lacked personal jurisdiction over Cardi B and her co-defendants, Atlantic Records and Warner Music Group. The judge noted that the plaintiffs failed to demonstrate that Cardi B specifically targeted Texas for her concert performances, stating, “Plaintiffs do not demonstrate that Almanzar targeted Texas for concert performances, rather than simply including Texas venues within a broader concert tour in numerous states.” Consequently, the court found that the plaintiffs' claims were insufficient to warrant jurisdiction.
Claims and Legal Deficiencies
The judge further indicated that even if jurisdiction had been established, the plaintiffs' claims would still have failed on their merits. The court highlighted that the plaintiffs did not hold a registered copyright for "Greasy Frybread" at the time of filing, which is a critical requirement for pursuing copyright claims in federal court. The judge stated, “Plaintiffs do not allege that they obtained a copyright for Greasy Frybread before Defendants’ alleged wrongful conduct.” This omission rendered their claims for vicarious and contributory infringement defective.
Official Statements and Responses
Cardi B's attorney, Lisa F. Moore, expressed satisfaction with the court's decision, emphasizing the careful consideration of the issues at hand. In contrast, the plaintiffs' attorney did not respond to requests for comment following the ruling.
Implications of the Ruling
The dismissal of the lawsuit allows Cardi B to continue distributing "Enough (Miami)" without legal restrictions. The ruling serves as a reminder of the importance of proper copyright registration for artists and producers, as failure to do so can undermine their legal claims. While Fraustro and Aguilar may consider refiling the lawsuit in another jurisdiction, legal experts suggest that success would be unlikely given the court's findings.
What's Next for Cardi B
Following this legal victory, Cardi B remains active in the music industry, with "Enough (Miami)" recently re-released on a deluxe version of her album "Am I the Drama?" and included in her ongoing Little Miss Drama arena tour. The outcome of this case adds to her record of successful legal defenses, reinforcing her reputation in the industry.
Verbatim Quotes
- “But Plaintiffs do not demonstrate that Almanzar targeted Texas for concert performances, rather than simply including Texas venues within a broader concert tour in numerous states.” — U.S. District Judge Fernando Rodriguez Jr.
- “Plaintiffs do not allege that they obtained a copyright for Greasy Frybread before Defendants’ alleged wrongful conduct.” — U.S. District Judge Fernando Rodriguez Jr.
