Dr. Khalid Muhammad’s estate sued labels over Tupac, Public Enemy, and D’Angelo songs, demanding $5M per track for unlicensed voice samples.
Dr. Khalid Muhammad is at the center of a trio of federal lawsuits filed in California, as his estate accuses top Hip-Hop artists and major record labels of exploiting his speeches without credit or compensation.
The legal complaints target music giants behind tracks by Tupac Shakur, Public Enemy and D’Angelo, alleging they used Muhammad’s voice and words without permission, licensing or payment.
The estate is seeking $5 million per infringement, plus legal fees and a permanent injunction to halt further use.
“These lawsuits are not an attack on Public Enemy, Tupac’s family or D’Angelo,” said attorney Malik Zulu Shabazz, who represents the estate. “They are about accountability. The record labels and music corporations exploited Khalid Muhammad’s voice for profit, just like they’ve done to the Black artists whose songs featured him. Most of these artists don’t even own the rights to their own music. They’ve been exploited too.”
The legal war has expanded to include D’Angelo and The Vanguard’s “1000 Deaths.”
Most notably, the Public Enemy classic “Night of the Living Baseheads” could be fundamentally altered if the legendary intro featuring Dr. Muhammad’s voice were removed.
The estate claims these songs, some of which are considered Hip-Hop milestones, sampled Muhammad’s speeches without clearance, despite generating millions in revenue and critical acclaim.
Muhammad, a former spokesman for the Nation of Islam and a prominent figure in the Black Panther movement, was known for his unfiltered speeches and advocacy for Black empowerment.
His estate argues that while his voice helped shape the tone and message of these records, his name was omitted and his family never received compensation.
“Khalid Muhammad should have received proper credit on these iconic records,” Shabazz said. “His legacy matters. These funds will be used to fulfill his mission through schools, books, training academies, and documentaries about his life and message.”
The estate also confirmed that legal notices have been sent to other artists under review, including Ice Cube, Common and Black Thought.
They are demanding documentation of any licensing or royalty agreements involving Muhammad’s voice.
“Trump cut funding for African American institutions,” Shabazz added. “So, the family is building their own. This is about mission, not just money. The industry has profited off his words for decades. That era of exploitation ends now.”
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