Do y’all remember Pastor John P. Kee’s classic “You Don’t Know My Story”? Well it turns out that Youtubing R&B singer Queen Naija is being accused of stealing his melody. This is almost the same situation as Marvin Gaye and Robin Thicke’s dispute with “Blurred Lines.”
Queen Naija has been pretty vocal with her disappointment in the Pastor by accusing him of being fake JUST because he believes there is major similarity between “You Don’t Know My Story” and “Karma.” “Karma” is a song Naija says she wrote and composed while dealing with a hurtful separation from her former husband. She claims there is no way she was thinking about that particular Gospel song during that time.
Pastor Kee has spoken out on the matter too, but he doesn’t blame the former Youtube singer for this mishap.
“One of Capitol Records’ newest signees, Queen Naija, an urban singer and YouTube star, has been accused of stealing the melody and music of one of Gospel’s most respected artists.
When the 22-year-old released her newest single, “Karma,” some folks noted that it sounded just like Pastor John P. Kee’s 2012 mega hit “Life & Favor (You Don’t Know My Story).”
His song peaked at No. 2 on Billboard’s Hot Gospel Songs charts and went on to spend 52 weeks on the charts. The discovery of the songs’ similarities was first made by a YouTube pair that goes by the name “TnK SQUAD.”
EEW Magazine editors reached out to Capitol Records for a statement regarding the matter, but a representative did not immediately respond for comment.
When Kee, an eight-time GRAMMY® nominee and multiple Stellar Award-winner heard “Karma,” the 56-year-old noted that the key and tempo are, in fact, the same as “Life & Favor.” Some of Queen’s fans began attacking Kee for weighing in.
Those that do not know Kee is considered legendary among Gospel fans. were disrespectful, dismissing him as a “hater,” insulting him, and accusing him of going after the young breakout singer.
“Never would I try to shame a young artist! But be advised I’m not just an old Gospel artist! I’m a business man,” he replied. “I’ve been a publisher for over 35 years. This is bigger than her. Staff, producers, management, agents, etc. should have handled this properly out the gate!”
In a Twitter rebuttal, Queen denied stealing Kee’s song, but did not deny that the two sound similar.
“First of all, while I was writing ‘Karma’… that gospel song was nowhere in my mind. Y’all act like people can’t think of the same melodies, and trust me that melody ain’t nothing crazy. People will take anything and run with it,” she wrote.
Though Kee is clearly not thrilled about the situation, the longtime hit-maker, who said he had not heard of the Detroit native before this controversy, has been gracious. He publicly stated that he has “nothing but love for Queen,” who grew up singing in the church and shares her Christian faith openly.
Though there has been no official confirmation of plans to sue for infringement, Kee did tweet that his “amazing legal staff” met up and “came in the office on an off day.”
He added, “I’ve been in this business for close to 40 years. They’ve always had my back! We’re winning. Great things ahead…””
We’re gonna let you guys decide. Does Pastor have a case?
Check out both songs below.
One good thing has come out of this though. “You Don’t Know My Story” has a newer and younger fan base now thanks to Queen Naija’s “Karma.” Maybe someone will be as blessed from this song as we have been for so many years.
And now….you all are officially in the know.
Girl you know your butt copied John’s music!