Outkast really blew up the spot with the release of their hit song'Rosa Parks'. It was a song that in many respects pays tribute to the mother of the Civil Rights Movement. For those who don't know-and trust me folks I'm sad to say there are quite a few who don't, Rosa Parks was the African American woman who refused to relinquished her seat to a white man while riding a bus in Montgomery Alabama which was than required by law. This took place on December 1 1955 and at that time her actions were considered quite bold and even dangerous. Ms Parks was arrested which resulted in the launching of a year long bus boycott by Montgomery's Black population to get the 'Back of the Bus' laws overturned. It was this boycott that gave rise to a charismatic 26 year old Preacher named Martin Luther King.

Well in the case of Outkast, Ms Parks has lodged a formal complaint and is seeking to prevent further sales of the group's album 'Aquemini'. According to her lawyers, the 84 year old Civil Rights activist feels that her name and likeness were unduly exploited to promote album sales and her Rights to Publicity were violated..That means that one can not use another's persons name or likeness for commercial gain without their consent. Apparently Park's lawyers and representatives from BMG, Outkast's parent label have been in negotiations over the past three months. Those talks were recently broken off by BMG.

Now I don't know what to make of all this as there are so many sides to this issue. On one hand, you have these big record companies who would be the first in line to sue some one for sampling a snippet of a song, distributing an MP3 file or for using the likeness of one of their acts in an unauthorized manner. This is not to mention 90-10% lopsided record contracts that they get so many of these acts to sign.. These big record companies who have been clamping down on everyone else while reaping huge profits should've known better. They ideally should've called Ms Parks from jump street and broke her off a little something just on 'GP' [General Principle]. Perhaps Sista Parks realizes how these big record companies have historically ripped off Black folks and their music and hence did not want her good name profiting in what many see as a foul industry. Folks may wanna take a second look at that article I forwarded to everyone the other day about these big record companies suing Lycos search engine for letting people know where to locate MP3 files.

On the other hand, I would hope that such a lawsuit would not set a dangerous precedent as well as discourage folks from giving props to those who help paved the way.. I'm sure that Outkast did not come up with the song 'Rosa Parks' as a cheap gimmick. I really feel their song was heartfelt and sincere. Heck let's face it, the fellas put Rosa Parks back in the minds and faces of a younger generation. Right now there's a push to make her birthday a holiday. I think Outkast song would help bring more attention to the cause. It wasn't like Outkast dissed Ms Parks they gave her props. If her suit comes into fruition and she's successful, will rap artists have to comb their lyrics and make sure that they have no mention of any famous person's name for fear of being sued for violating the Rights To Publicity law? Do you know how many artist over the past year have used Bill Clinton's name in a rhyme? Could he make the argument that some rapper's line about him being a player or him doing Monica was the reason their product sold? That might be a way for him to pay off his legal bills.. Can you imagine what would happen to any rapper dissed in a song? He could go sue for violation of Rights To Publicity. I hope Ms Parks lawsuit is an attack against the parent company BMG and not at Outkast. And I hope this whole matter doesn't get out of hand, cause I was about to do a song entitled 'I Rap Better Than Puffy'.. Do you think I could get sued for profitting off that brotha's good name? :)