A Philadelphia songwriter has officially hit the jackpot in a lawsuit over a 2004 Usher song he said he never received credit for.
In the suit, according to Variety, songwriter Daniel Marino said he worked alongside William Guice and Dante Barton to create a song called “Club Girl,” for the Atlanta singer. According to Marino, he created majority of the song, including its hook, tempo, chord progression and more, while his co-writers helped with the beat and lyrics.
In 2004, the song was recorded and renamed “Bad Girl,” for Usher’s diamond-certified album, “Confessions.” However, Marino said he was never credited or paid for his work. In fact, in the lawsuit, Marino claimed Guice, Barton and Destro Music Productions signed “secret contracts” with Usher’s team to keep Marino out of the deal.
According to the publication, the lawsuit also said Barton “explicitly acknowledged that Marino was owed money” until 2009 when he “mysteriously disappeared” and Guice left the state to “parts unknown.”
Marino’s initial suit was filed in 2011 against about 20 people, including Usher. But, a judge dismissed the case against all other parties, except Guice and Barton. Five years later, Marino filed a new suit against his co-writers, which ultimately resulted in a win.
“For seven years, against all odds, we believed in our client and his claims,” Marino’s attorney said of the recent victory. “The $44.35 million verdict and judgment finally vindicates Mr. Marino.”
According to Variety, as part of the judgment, Guice will have to fork over $6.75 million in compensatory damages and $20.25 million in punitive damages, while Barton’s Destro Music Productions has agreed to turn over $17.35 million to fulfill the $44 million verdict.
