Estate of Michael Jackson Condemns Sexyy Red Over Alleged ‘Beat It’ Sample

Split image: close-up portrait on left; red-lit full-body stage pose on right.

The Estate of Michael Jackson says it is “deeply disappointed” by what it calls the unauthorized use of elements from the late pop icon’s 1982 hit “Beat It” in a newly released remix by rapper Sexyy Red. In a statement to Billboard, representatives said Jackson’s music “is protected by copyright and by a legacy that is carefully managed to honor his artistic vision,” adding that the sampling and alteration “undermines that legacy and violates the rights of the Estate.”


The estate emphasized it has “zero tolerance” for unlicensed uses of Jackson’s recordings and is reviewing “all available legal remedies.” Representatives said they will “take appropriate action to protect Michael’s intellectual property and preserve the integrity of his work,” though it remains unclear whether a formal lawsuit or takedown notices have been filed.


Clips of the remix, reportedly titled “Just Eat It,” began circulating online after Lil Yachty shared studio footage of Sexyy Red recording the track. The reworked version, featuring explicit lyrics, sparked backlash across social media, with some fans invoking Jackson’s own catalog (including “They Don’t Really Care About Us”) to criticize the remix. The estate reiterated that every decision it makes is guided by preserving Jackson’s artistry for future generations.

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