Rapper Sexyy Red, whose real name is Janae Nierah Wherry, has been called out by Michael Jackson’s estate for using his music without permission. “We were totally unaware of this,” a spokesperson for the estate told Billboard on Thursday, adding that the 27-year-old rapper’s use of the music was “unauthorized.” The statement comes after a video surfaced of Sexyy Red performing her version of Jackson’s “Beat It,” retitled “Just Eat It,” a raunchy take on the original. The explicit version of the song—which rapper Lil Yachty shared online, joking that it will appear in an upcoming Michael Jackson biopic set to hit theaters in April—has received widespread criticism online. “Whoever cleared the ‘Beat It’ sample for Sexyy Red, I hope they know they not seeing heaven,” wrote English rapper Monie Love. Sexxy Red grabbed headlines for her performance at the January wedding of President Donald Trump’s adviser, Alex Bruesewitz, held at both Mar-a-Lago and Trump National Doral Miami. The event was also attended by Nicki Minaj, another rapper and outspoken Trump supporter. Though Sexyy Red proclaimed that she voted for Kamala Harris in 2024, she previously embraced a MAGA-adjacent image by posting the phrase “Make America Sexy Again” on her Instagram.
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