Hip-hop legend Missy Elliott is set to face a jury trial after a federal judge ruled against dismissing a lawsuit filed by producer Terry Williams, who claims he co-wrote several of her songs from the 1990s.
Williams alleges that he collaborated with Elliott on five tracks, four of which were released by Elliott’s R&B group Sista. However, Elliott's legal team disputes this, stating that she did not even meet Williams until after those songs were produced. Despite Elliott's defense, Judge Nitza I. Quiñones Alejandro determined that there is enough conflicting evidence to proceed with the case.
The judge dismissed Williams’ claim regarding the song ‘Heartbroken,’ which was released by Aaliyah, citing the statute of limitations. The judge argued that Williams should have been aware of the track’s success and its connection to his alleged work much earlier.
As the case heads to trial, Williams will need to convince the jury of his role in the creation of the Sista tracks. Meanwhile, Elliott continues her successful career, recently completing a headline tour across North America and celebrating her induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
