Quavo has been hit with a lawsuit by New York-based visible artist Daniel Arsham for utilizing considered one of his iconic sculptures in a promo video with out permission.
Well-known Artist Sues Quavo Over “Stolen” Sculpture in Video
Daniel Arsham has been linked to hip-hop for a few years. A lot of his work bridges the hole between artwork and structure, which is proven within the eroded approach utilized in his sculptures. He sculpted Jay-Z’s arms throwing up the Roc image for the rapper’s Ebook of Hov exhibit in 2023, and created a bust of Gunna’s likeness for the quilt of his DS4VER album in 2022. Pharrell and Nas have additionally joined forces with the up to date artist previously.
Whereas there was a collaborative strategy to Arsham’s work with these rappers, Quavo is going through authorized motion for placing Arsham’s Ferrari sculpture in a video with out acquiring a license for its use. Arsham claims he by no means consented to the art work getting used within the clip.
In response to the 14-page lawsuit, filed on March 31 and obtained by XXL on April 9, the previous Migos member is accused of putting Arsham’s 2018 art work Quartz Eroded 1961 Ferrari GT—a full-size automobile sculpture—in a 45-second promo video with the caption “Again To The Fundamentals 2025!!”
The video, revealed on Quavo’s numerous social media accounts on Dec. 16, 2024, exhibits the rapper performing his track “Trappa Rappa,” which was formally launched on Feb. 21, 2025, whereas standing and sitting in entrance of Arsham’s Ferrari piece. Quavo additionally posted images on his Instagram account sitting in entrance of Arsham’s automotive and tagged the artist’s IG deal with.
“The subsequent day, Quavo, by way of his Instagram profile, posted a sequence of 5 photos which are stills of the Infringing Video or seem to have been photographed contemporaneously therewith (the ‘Infringing Put up’),” the lawsuit reads. “The pictures within the Infringing Put up characteristic Quavo posing in entrance of the Work with the caption ‘No the engine shouldn’t be within the entrance n the again I jus carbon the finder!’ Within the Infringing Put up, Quavo tagged Mr. Arsham’s Instagram deal with, @danielarsham. Beneath are photos of the Infringing Put up.”
Along with Quavo, Arsham is suing High quality Management Music, the report label Quavo is signed to, and HYBE America, the corporate QCM partnered with in 2023, for $320 million.
“On data and perception, QCM had precise or constructive information of the infringing actions complained of herein, participated materially in stated actions, had the proper and skill to manage stated actions, and stood to comprehend, have realized and proceed to comprehend, a direct and oblique monetary profit therefrom,” in accordance with the lawsuit.
Arsham seeks damages and injunctive reduction for direct, contributory and vicarious copyright infringement. He additionally desires a trial by jury. Whereas there isn’t any particular financial quantity being sought within the lawsuit, Arsham’s lawyer does embrace that his art work sells “for a lot of tons of of hundreds of {dollars}.”
XXL has reached out to reps for Quavo and High quality Management Music in addition to Daniel Arsham’s lawyer for remark.
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Check out the automotive sculpture in Quavo’s video under.