Chicago Band Claims Travis Scott Sampled Their Song Without Permission

“Holy s***!” exclaimed Rita Lukea, vocalist of Chicago band Pixel Grip, upon discovering that their song "Pursuit" was sampled in a new track by Travis Scott. The revelation came as a shock after years of dedication to their music.

Pixel Grip, comprised of Lukea, drummer Tyler Ommen, and synth player Jon Jon Freund, had been performing "Pursuit" since 2018. The band was taken aback when they heard their work featured in Scott's album "JackBoys 2." “I can just tell immediately,” Freund noted, recognizing the distinct bass line and swirling sounds from their original piece.

Listening closely, Ommen confirmed, “As soon as I had headphones on, I was like yo, y'all, this is just a sample.” The band played both tracks side-by-side, leaving no doubt about the unauthorized use.

After posting their concerns online, Pixel Grip expressed frustration over the lack of acknowledgment from Scott. “I just can't stop thinking about who else extremely famous or powerful in music knows about us and even actively likes our music but refuses to throw us a bone,” they wrote on X.

In response to the situation, Sean Momberger, co-producer for Scott, reached out to the band. He acknowledged that the sample had not been cleared before the album's release and expressed admiration for "Pursuit," stating he recognized its uniqueness immediately.

Momberger, known for his work on Kendrick Lamar's hit "Not Like Us," emphasized the importance of proper credit. Lukea reflected on the missed opportunity for recognition: “It just would have meant the world if he even just tagged us or shouted us out in any way.”

As Pixel Grip prepares for their upcoming tour starting September 23, they remain open to collaborations but insist on being involved in the creative process. “We’re happy to collaborate, just let us know,” Ommen stated. Lukea added simply, “The song is good. We just want credit.”

The band is already considering how to incorporate this controversy into their performances, turning a challenging situation into an opportunity for engagement with their audience.

Attempts to reach out to Travis Scott's team for comment have gone unanswered.