Singer-songwriter Anthony Stokes has filed suit against John Legend, claiming that the Grammy-winning ivory tickler listened to his demo tape and modeled a song after one of his tracks.

The suit, filed in New Jersey, claims that Legend watched Stokes give a performance at UNC in 2004. Following the gig, Stokes gave Legend his demo tape with the promise that he would listen to it, but never heard back.

But in 2006, Stokes heard the song “Maxine’s Interlude” off of Legend’s Once Again and realized that it ripped off his track “Where Are You Now?”

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Stokes is suing Legend for unspecified damages and is attempting to block Legend from selling the track.

[July 8]

UPDATE: John Legend has denied claims that he stole Stokes’ song, claiming that stealing a track is something he would never do.

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“This gentleman made an accusation that’s not true and we know it’s not true,” he told E! News. “I never heard of his song until he sued me. […] I would never steal anyone’s song. I’ve never, ever done that before. Never even been accused of it before, and we will fight it in court and we will prevail. I’m not worried about it. I know the truth is on my side.”

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