Music News for Your Weekend

Jun 29, 2018 | 6:15 AM

ED SHEERAN SUED FOR $100 MILLION: Ever since Ed Sheeran released his Grammy-winning hit “Thinking Out Loud,” people have remarked upon its similarity to Marvin Gaye’s classic tune “Let’s Get It On.” Now, Sheeran and his co-writer, Amy Wadge, have been hit with a $100 million lawsuit alleging copyright infringement. The suit wasn’t filed by the estate of the late Motown legend, but rather, by the company that owns one-third of the copyright rights of the late Edward Townsend, who co-wrote “Let’s Get It On” with Gaye. The suit alleges that “Thinking Out Loud” copies “various elements” of “Let’s Get It On,” including “melody, rhythms, harmonies, drums, bass line, backing chorus, tempo, syncopation and looping.” The suit asks for $100 million in damages, as well as costs and attorney’s fees. Townsend’s heirs originally filed suit in 2016 over the same song, but that case was dismissed.

HAILEY BALDWIN DELETES HER INSTAGRAM PICS WITH SHAWN MENDES: Hailey Baldwin has seemingly deleted evidence of her relationship with Shawn Mendes from her Instagram account. Fans have noticed that photos the 21-year-old model has previously shared with Shawn in them have been removed from her page. He still has pics with her on his page. While everyone thought Hailey and Shawn were confirming their long-rumored relationship last month when they walked the red carpet at the Met Gala, they later revealed they were just friends and simply walked together as they were dressed by the same designer. Hailey is now back in a romantic relationship with former flame Justin Bieber and they have been spotted flaunting plenty of PDA throughout the past few weeks.

ZAYN MALIK SHOWS OFF NEW SILVER HAIR: Zayn Malik has changed up his ‘do once again. The 25-year-old singer was spotted rocking a new silver hairstyle while he hung out with a couple of friends on late Thursday afternoon in New York City. Earlier this month, Zayn was spotted rocking lavender hair on on-again girlfriend Gigi Hadid’s Instagram.

‘GAME OF THRONES’ STAR DIDN’T LIKE ED SHEERAN’S CAMEO: Kristian Nairn, who plays Hodor on Game of Thrones, wasn’t a fan of Ed Sheeran’s famous cameo on the show. “I’m not a fan of the cameos in Game of Thrones. I don’t like them. I think it’s stupid. I don’t mind going on the record on that. I just think it takes you right out of the world,” he says. Especially Ed Sheeran. I was like, ‘Why is Ed Sheeran here?’ I mean, Ed Sheeran’s great. He’s a great guy, great musician, but why is he in Game of Thrones?” “I’m not saying I’m not a fan of Ed Sheeran. I’m being tactful here, but just not a fan of the cameo. I think most people would agree with me there. It was a big snap to reality. It’s like, ‘What? What?’” he continued. “It’s a fantasy show. We’re all caught in this amazing world and spend so much time and money and talent to create, and all of a sudden there’s a pop star? What?” he added.

ONEREPUBLIC MAKES A ‘CONNECTION’ WITH JEEP FOR NEW AD CAMPAIGN: OneRepublic’s new single “Connection” is about to get a whole lot of exposure, in a series of new commercials for Jeep. Last month, the band did a special show at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles, during which they performed “Connection.” Footage from that performance is being featured in the ads, which also promote Apple’s CarPlay technology. The first one, which premieres on TV July 2nd, is called “Sold Out,” and it shows a group of fans who can’t get into the OneRepublic concert settling for playing “Connection” in their Jeep via CarPlay as they watch the show from high in the hills overlooking the show. The song will also feature in two other Jeep ads. According to Ad Age, frontman Ryan Tedder helped announce the news at an event in Hollywood on Wednesday, where he said that Jeep first approached him last year to write a song.

CHECK IT OUT

Ed Sheeran’s “Thinking Out Loud” Vs. Marvin Gaye’s “Let’s Get It On”: