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The estate of the late King of Pop, Michael Jackson, has officially intervened to block the release of a new track by viral rap sensation Sexyy Red. The dispute centers on the rapper’s unauthorized use of an iconic sample from Jackson’s 1983 global hit “Beat It” in a song that estate attorneys have labeled as “wholly incompatible” with the legendary artist’s legacy.
Reports surfaced that Sexyy Red (born Janae Wherry) had teased a high-energy, sexually explicit track on social media that prominently featured the signature opening synth riff and guitar work of the Thriller classic. However, within hours of the snippet going viral, the Michael Jackson Estate issued a formal cease-and-desist order to the rapper’s label, Open Shift Distribution, effectively halting any commercial rollout of the song.
Attorneys representing the estate released a brief statement clarifying their stance on licensing Jackson’s intellectual property. While they acknowledged the influence Jackson continues to have on modern hip-hop, they emphasized a strict vetting process for samples. “The Michael Jackson Estate maintains the highest standards for how Michael’s music is utilized,” the statement read. “In this instance, the lyrical content and overall presentation of the work did not align with the artistic integrity or family-friendly brand established by Mr. Jackson over five decades.”
This is not the first time the estate has been protective of the “Beat It” masters. Known for being one of the most difficult catalogs to clear in the industry, the estate has historically rejected requests that involve hyper-explicit themes or “low-fidelity”
interpolations. Industry insiders suggest that while the estate often approves samples for high-profile rhythmic or pop collaborations, they remain particularly sensitive to the context of Jackson’s most foundational hits.
Sexyy Red, known for her unapologetic and raw lyricism, responded to the block with a characteristic post on X (formerly Twitter), expressing her disappointment while maintaining her trademark humor. “Man, the King of Pop really said ‘No Red,’” she wrote, accompanied by a series of laughing emojis. “We just wanted to turn the club up, but I respect the legends.”
The blocked track was rumored to be a lead single for her upcoming project, Hood Princess 2, scheduled for a spring release. Production sources indicate that the rapper’s team is currently in the process of replacing the Jackson sample with an original composition to avoid further legal complications and ensure the album stays on schedule for its 2026 debut.
