Has Travis Scott just stepped into a copyright storm?
Chicago indie band Pixel Grip is making waves after accusing the rap superstar of sampling their 2021 single âPursuitâ without permission on âKick Outâ, a standout track from his brand-new album JackBoys 2.
The group took to X (formerly Twitter) to vent their frustration, shining a light on what they call the music industryâs neglect of underground artists.
âTravis Scott sampled âPursuitâ (without permission) in his new song âKick Out,ââ the band tweeted. âItâs perplexing how many influential figures know us but choose not to back us.â
Pixel Grip: âWeâre Not Trying to Start a Warâ
Despite the potential legal undertones, the band made it clear they arenât out for blood.
âTravis, or anyone on your team, if youâre reading thisâIâm flattered by your interest. Iâm not looking to create conflict; Iâd love to have a conversation,â they added in a follow-up post.
Their comments reflect the tough balancing act for rising indie actsâprotecting their work while navigating relationships with mainstream giants.
Producer Confirms Contact Over Sample
In an interview with CBS News, drummer and producer Tyler Ommen described his shock after first hearing âKick Out.â
âThe moment I put on my headphones, I thought, âThis is definitely a sample,ââ Ommen said.
However, he noted that Sean Momberger, a contributor to JackBoys 2, reached out directly to Pixel Gripâs label to discuss clearanceâhinting that efforts might be underway to resolve the situation amicably.
âKick Outâ â A JackBoys 2 Highlight
Released this past Sunday, JackBoys 2 is the highly anticipated follow-up to Travis Scottâs 2019 collaborative project under Cactus Jack Records.
âKick Outâ has already become a fan favorite, fueled by a visually stunning music video featuring uncredited ad-libs from 21 Savage.
The album also showcases contributions from Don Toliver, Sheck Wes, SoFaygo, and Wallie the Sensei, further cementing Cactus Jackâs dominance in the hip-hop collective scene.
Fans React: âIs Travis Scott Really Jacking Indie Artists?â
The accusation has sparked heated conversations across social media.
- âTravis sampling indie bands without clearance? Not cool.â
- âIf true, Pixel Grip deserves their flowers AND their check.â
- âThis could be a misunderstanding. Letâs see how it plays out.â
Some fans defended Scott, pointing out how often samples are negotiated behind the scenes before public blowups.
Whatâs Next?
So far, Travis Scott and his team have not publicly addressed Pixel Gripâs claims. But with JackBoys 2 dominating charts and headlines, all eyes are on whether this situation escalates into a lawsuitâor resolves in a collaboration.
For Pixel Grip, even this moment of controversy might provide the visibility theyâve been working toward for years.
???? Do You Think Travis Owes Them Credit?
Is Travis Scott guilty of sampling without permission, or is this all one big mix-up? Drop your thoughts below and stay tuned to The Pop Radar for the latest updates on this developing story.