Kanye West Builds Up Strength, Defense Team Gets "Stronger" In Copyright Case

Grammy-winning rapper Kanye West's defense team appear unfazed by a 2010 lawsuit claiming he stole his "Stronger" Graduation anthem by citing a 19th century philosopher.

According to reports, Yeezy's legal squad is attempting to have the case fully dismissed.

Kanye West has cited 19th century German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche in an attempt to convince the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals to uphold the dismissal of a claim he stole his hit song "Stronger" from another songwriter. In a brief submitted Friday, West's lawyers make the case that it's ludicrous for the plaintiff, Vincent Peters, to make a copyright allegation on a rap lyric said to derive from one of Nietzsche's century-old maxims. Earlier this year, a federal judge dismissed the claim, finding not enough substantial similarity between the two songs. Peters was undeterred. As Nietzsche once said: "All things are subject to interpretation. Whichever interpretation prevails at a given time is a function of power and not truth." (Billboard)

The lawsuit emerged online in late June 2010.

Vincent Peters, a hip-hop artist known professionally as "Vince P.," claims in the suit that he gave a copy of his version of "Stronger" to West's business manager John Monopoly, hoping to convince Monopoly to become an executive producer on his prospective album project. Peters claims in the suit that seven months after his record deal fell through, West released his single, also named "Stronger" on his album "Graduation." West's song allegedly "copies significant and important parts of Peters' lyrics identically or almost identically," Peters claims in the suit. (My Fox Chicago)

Upon its release, West later won a Grammy for his 2007 hit.

The single was first released digitally on July 31, 2007 and soon became West's third number-one single. It won a Grammy Award for Best Rap Solo Performance at the 50th Grammy Awards. (Wikipedia)

The record is from Ye's third multi-platinum solo album, Graduation.

Those who have admired Kanye as a sharp producer while detesting him as an inept MC might find the gleaming synth sprites, as heard most prominently throughout "Flashing Lights" and "Stronger," to be one of the most glaring deal-breakers in hip-hop history. Though the synthesizer use marks a clear, conscious diversion from Kanye's past productions, highlights like "I Wonder," "The Glory," and "Everything I Am" are deeply rooted in the Kanye of old, using nostalgia-inducing samples, elegant pianos and strings, and gospel choirs. (All Music)

Nietzsche's revitalizing philosophy has inspired leading figures in all walks of cultural life, including dancers, poets, novelists, painters, psychologists, philosophers, sociologists and social revolutionaries.