Rapper Chow Lee Launches GoFundMe After $3M Sampling Dispute With Orlando Brown

Rapper Chow Lee, who recently performed at Inglewood’s Hollywood Park Grounds during the Rolling Loud Festival, has launched a GoFundMe campaign following a public sampling dispute with former child actor Orlando Brown.

The controversy emerged after Brown, during an appearance on the “No Jumper” podcast, accused Chow Lee of using his voice without permission in the track “Ms. Beautiful V.” Brown threatened legal action, demanding $1 for each view of the music video, which reportedly would amount to approximately $3 million.

In response, Chow Lee created a fundraising campaign titled “Orlando Brown’s $3M Lawsuit Crisis,” sharing it on social media alongside a clip of Brown discussing the sampling issue. “Anything helps. Thank you God Bless 🙏🏽,” he captioned the post.

The dispute has attracted attention from music industry observers in Inglewood and beyond, highlighting ongoing conversations about proper crediting and compensation for samples in hip-hop music. The situation also reflects the increasingly complex legal landscape surrounding digital music distribution and royalties.

Chow Lee’s March 15 performance at Rolling Loud in Inglewood came shortly before this controversy gained public attention. The festival, hosted at the Hollywood Park Grounds adjacent to SoFi Stadium, brought thousands of hip-hop fans to Inglewood, continuing the city’s emergence as a premier entertainment destination in Southern California.

Local music producers and artists from Inglewood have been following the dispute closely, as sampling clearance has become an increasingly important aspect of music production, particularly for independent artists working in the community.

During Brown’s podcast appearance, he emphasized the importance of proper compensation for his creative contributions, a sentiment that has resonated with many artists in Inglewood’s growing music scene who struggle with similar issues around recognition and payment.

The GoFundMe campaign has generated mixed responses on social media, with many commenters suggesting Chow Lee should handle the financial obligation himself rather than seeking public contributions. Others have praised Brown for standing up for what he believes he is owed as a content creator.

Local music industry experts note that sampling disputes like this one highlight the need for emerging artists to understand music licensing and clearance procedures, especially as Inglewood continues to develop as a hub for music production and performance.

This story draws on reporting by Caroline Fisher and information from the Rolling Loud Festival.