The estate of Michael Jackson is reportedly speaking out after Sexyy Red previewed a track sampling the King of Pop’s 1982 hit, Beat It — but with a bold and explicit twist.
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Clips began circulating online showing Sexyy Red in the studio flipping the iconic record into a raunchy remix filled with provocative lyrics. The snippet quickly went viral, drawing strong reactions across social media. While some fans found the flip entertaining and on-brand for the St. Louis rapper’s unfiltered style, others questioned whether such a legendary track should be reworked in that way.
Lil Yachty shares a video of Sexyy Red rapping over the beat of “Beat It” by Michael Jackson 😭
According to reports, a spokesperson for Michael Jackson’s estate said they were “unaware” of the remix and described the use of the song as unauthorized. The estate has reportedly made it clear that the sample was not cleared and is pushing for related videos to be removed.
I exclusively Spoke to a spokesperson for the Michael jackson estate on Sexyy Reds recent cover of “Beat It” .. and they were clear that the use of his music was unauthorized…
A spokesperson for MJs estate tells me; “We were totally unaware of this. The use of the music is… pic.twitter.com/hyk1JYVJ2V
The situation highlights the ongoing importance of sample clearance in the music industry — especially when it involves one of the most iconic catalogs in pop history. Jackson’s music remains tightly controlled, and any unofficial use can quickly trigger legal action.
Whoever cleared the “Beat It” sample for Sexyy Red, I hope they know they not seeing heaven. Playing with MJ name and discography like that is beyond disrespectful!
