Law enforcement sue rap artist Afroman above loss of name immediately after songs video clip exhibits residence raid

Involved Press

WINCHESTER, Ohio — Seven regulation enforcement officers have sued rap artist Afroman, accusing him of improperly employing footage from a law enforcement raid on his Ohio dwelling last calendar year in his music video clips.

4 deputies, two sergeants and a detective with the Adams County Sheriff’s Office brought the go well with previously this month, proclaiming invasion of privateness. Other regulation enforcement officers who were concerned in the raid are not named as plaintiffs.

The plaintiffs say the rapper, whose genuine identify is Joseph Foreman, took footage of their faces received for the duration of the August 2022 raid and made use of it in new music films and social media posts with no their consent. They say that has brought about them “emotional distress, humiliation, ridicule, reduction of track record and humiliation.”

The plaintiffs are trying to get all of Foreman’s earnings from his use of their personas. That consists of proceeds from the music, audio video clips and are living party tickets, as nicely as the promotion of Foreman’s Afroman brand name, less than which he sells beer, cannabis, T-shirts and other products. They also look for a court injunction to acquire down all videos and posts that contains their personas.

The fit names Foreman, his recording organization and a Texas-centered media distribution company as defendants. In an Instagram write-up made Wednesday, Foreman vowed to countersue “for the undeniable problems this experienced on my customers, spouse and children, job and property.”

Legislation enforcement officers were acting on a warrant that mentioned probable result in existed that medications and drug paraphernalia would be discovered on Foreman’s home and that trafficking and kidnapping had taken spot there, authorities have claimed. Those suspicions turned out to be unfounded, while, and the raid unsuccessful to flip up probative criminal evidence. No rates were ever submitted.

When income seized for the duration of the raid was returned to Foreman, it appeared that hundreds of dollars were being missing. A subsequent assessment by the condition Bureau of Felony Investigation determined that deputies experienced miscounted the amount of money seized through the raid alone.

Foreman is very best recognized for his tracks “Because I Received High” and “Crazy Rap,” which were each showcased on his album “The Good Times.” He is also acknowledged for his political activism and announced previous December that he plans to run for president.