Mike Tyson is facing legal trouble over a song choice in his Jake Paul fight promotion. Producer Tyrone Fyffe, known as Sugarless, claims the boxing legend used “Murdergram,” the 1998 track featuring Jay-Z, DMX, and Ja Rule, without permission in an Instagram post ahead of their November 2024 matchup.
According to the lawsuit, the 33-second clip, now deleted, included the track along with Tyson’s caption, “You know what time it is #PaulTyson.” Fyffe, who co-wrote and produced the song, says neither he nor his representatives gave approval for its use.
“Neither plaintiff nor any of his representatives granted defendant Tyson permission to use the song title ‘Murdergram’ to promote his boxing match with Jake Paul,” the complaint states.
The filing also claims Tyson “misled viewers to believe that plaintiff endorsed, or was affiliated or associated with, him and/or his participation in the match.” Fyffe says Tyson reportedly earned more than $20 million from the fight, and the video contributed to the event’s record-breaking Netflix streams.
Fyffe is seeking royalties, a share of Tyson’s profits, and a court order blocking the boxer from using the track again.
“Defendant Tyson’s conduct was intentional, willful, and with full knowledge of plaintiff’s copyright in the song,” the lawsuit reads.
“Murdergram” originally appeared in the 1998 film “Streets Is Watching” and was recorded by Murder Inc., a short-lived hip-hop supergroup. While Jay-Z, DMX, and Ja Rule are not involved in Fyffe’s case, the lawsuit could become another high-profile clash for Tyson outside the ring.
