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CartEsperanza Spalding Sued Over Album Cover Artwork
Fri, 22 Feb 2013 11:25:51
Esperanza Spalding, who beat Justin Bieber for the Best New Artist Grammy at the 2011 edition of the Grammys and faced Belieber backlash as a result, has been hit with a $500,000 lawsuit from photographer Kevin Ryan, who claims he failed to receive any credit for images featured on the cover of Spalding's 2012 release Radio Music Society. Spalding earned the 2013 Best Jazz Vocal Album Grammy for that album.
The cover art features Spalding sitting atop an '80s-style boombox, which was makeshift and created by Ryan during a photo shoot. Spalding was introduced to the piece via a mutual friend.
Ryan says Spalding's reps ignored his request for proper credit for his work. The piece has been recreated and used as both a stage prop and on merch that Spalding sells, so he is seeking financial compensation.
Are you a fan of Esperanza Spalding?
—Maggie Pannacione
02.22.13
