The family of Isaac Hayes claims he is suing Donald Trump and Sam & Dave for continued unauthorized use of the hit song “Hold On, I’m Coming,” which the late soul icon co-wrote.
On Sunday, the Grammy and Oscar winner’s son, Isaac Hayes III, posted on social media that the family is suing the Trump campaign over the use of the Sam & Dave hit at that year’s rallies starting in 2022.
The post added, “We demand a ban on use, removal of all related videos, a public disclaimer, and payment of $3 million in licensing fees by August 16, 2024. Failure to comply may result in further legal action.” Action will be taken.”
On his Instagram account Sunday, Isaac Hayes III explained more specific reasons for trying to distance his father’s work from the Trump campaign. “Donald Trump is the epitome of a lack of integrity and class, not only with his continued use of my father’s music without permission, but also with his history of sexual exploitation of women and his racist rhetoric. This behavior must not be tolerated any longer.” Ga, and we will take immediate action to end it,” Isaac Hayes III wrote.
He added, “We stand in solidarity with all musicians whose work has been co-opted without consent by divisive political campaigns. Music artists’ art is a reflection of their soul, hate or hate.” Not a tool to promote bigotry, it’s time for all artists to unite and demand respect for their creative legacies.
Hayes co-wrote “Hold On, I’m Coming” with his songwriting partner David Porter. The song, first released by Sam & Dave in 1996, reached No. 1 on the Billboard R&B chart and was certified gold.
The song has become a regular feature of Trump rallies, often played before and after the former president’s stump speech. It was also featured prominently at the 2024 Republican National Convention, with a band playing the song after Trump finished his 90-minute long speech.
The Hayes family lawsuit is just the latest in a legal battle between musicians and the Trump campaign. The likes of The Beatles, Adele, Aerosmith, Bruce Springsteen, Elton John and Earth, Wind and Fire have criticized Trump and his team for using their music at political events. In fact, the number of musicians who have publicly requested that the Trump campaign stop using their work. So long that it has its own Wikipedia entry.
On Saturday, Celine Dion’s management team released a statement on behalf of the artist and her record label Sony for using the Trump campaign’s hit “My Heart Will Go On” at a rally in Montana on Friday. “This use is not authorized in any way, and Celine Dion does not endorse this or any similar use… And really, that song?” The statement said.
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