Trump Campaign Settles With Isaac Hayes Estate Over Unauthorized Use of Soul Classic 'Hold On, I’m Comin’'

Soul icon Isaac Hayes, pictured in his signature gold chains and sunglasses, co-wrote the 1966 hit "Hold On, I'm Comin'". His estate recently reached a private settlement with Donald Trump over the unauthorized use of the track at campaign rallies, successfully defending the late musician's intellectual property and cultural contributions. (Photo by Fred Valentine/Hot Buttered Soul Records)

The Estate of legendary singer Isaac Hayes has officially reached a private settlement with Donald Trump, ending a high-profile copyright lawsuit over the unauthorized use of the 1966 soul classic "Hold On, I'm Comin'" at campaign rallies.

A joint stipulation of dismissal with prejudice was filed in federal court over the weekend, confirming the case has been mutually resolved and cannot be refiled. While the financial terms of the deal were not publicly disclosed, the estate had previously sought $3 million in unpaid licensing fees after accusing the campaign of playing the track at least 133 times without permission.

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Isaac Hayes III, President and CEO of Isaac Hayes Enterprises, took to social media on Monday to announce the resolution, emphasizing that the outcome was about far more than just a legal conclusion.

"This resolution represents more than the conclusion of a legal matter," Hayes III wrote in his statement. "It reaffirms the importance of protecting intellectual property rights and copyrights, especially as they relate to legacy, ownership, and the responsible use of creative works."

He continued, adding that his father "dedicated his life to his craft, and his contributions to music and culture carry enduring value. As stewards of his legacy, we remain committed to ensuring that his work is respected and properly protected."

The legal battle began in 2024 after the estate repeatedly objected to the Trump campaign using the hit song — which was co-written by Hayes and David Porter and popularized by the R&B duo Sam & Dave. After the campaign allegedly ignored multiple copyright infringement notifications, the estate successfully had the track removed from the campaign's blanket BMI political license and secured a federal injunction blocking its future use.

\Hayes III expressed gratitude to his legal team, including James L. Walker Jr., Brittney R. Dobbins, and copyright administrator Liz Garner, for their strategic guidance in holding the campaign accountable.

"Protecting ownership is not only about the past, it is about preserving dignity, value, and accountability for future generations," Hayes III stated.

The Isaac Hayes Estate is one of several musical acts who have taken legal action or publicly objected to the unauthorized use of their music at Trump rallies, joining artists like Eddy Grant, The White Stripes, Beyoncé and Celine Dion.

'Bodypartz' Rapper Luci4 Found Dead in Los Angeles; LAPD Probes for Possible Foul Play

Rapper James Dear, known professionally as Luci4 or Axxturel, pioneered the internet microgenre "sigilkore" before achieving mainstream success with his viral hit "BodyPartz." Dear died on Sunday, Feb. 22, at a residence in Los Angeles at the age of 23. Following the artist's passing, his manager, Kayla G, praised the late musician as a "leader, a king, and a musician and a genius" while authorities launched an investigation into the suspicious circumstances surrounding his death. (Photo/Luci4 via Instagram)

The underground music community is in mourning following the death of James Dear, the 23-year-old
pioneer of the "sigilkore" genre better known by his stage names Luci4 and Axxturel. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner confirmed that Dear died on Sunday, Feb. 22, at a friend’s residence in Los Angeles, though an official cause of death remains pending.

His manager, Kayla G., broke the news in a series of emotional statements shared via TikTok and Instagram on Monday. Devastated by the loss, she described Dear as more than just a client, but a singular talent who fundamentally shifted the culture.

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"I am devastated to inform you that today, James, Luci4, Axxturel has passed away," Kayla G. wrote. "He was truly a leader, a king, and a musician and a genius. There's nobody like him and there will never be. We all loved him dearly". She concluded the note by asking for "privacy and patience" for his family and friends during the difficult period.

While first responders were originally called to the scene for a medical emergency at 11:40 a.m. on Sunday, the circumstances of his final hours have drawn deep scrutiny from his family. Dear’s grandparents spoke to TMZ, expressing suspicion after finding the rapper’s wallet completely empty at the scene. They noted recent "changes in the people around him" as his fame grew, prompting them to issue warnings about certain associates prior to the tragedy.

Born Aug. 2, 2002, in Los Angeles, Dear became a digital-era phenomenon by blending experimental trap production with an occult-inspired aesthetic. His career reached a mainstream tipping point in 2021 when his track "BodyPartz" became a massive viral sensation on TikTok, eventually leading to a recording contract with Atlantic Records and a gold certification from the RIAA.

As the Los Angeles Police Department probes the possibility of foul play, fans have flooded his final social media posts with tributes, citing his unique "sigilkore" sound as a blueprint for a new generation of underground artists. Toxicology and autopsy results are expected in the coming weeks.

T.I. Releases 'Right One,' Second 50 Cent Diss Track, Following Weekend of Social Media Warfare

T.I. wears a tactical mask for the cover of his diss record, "War," in an undated promotional image. While "War" hit social media late Sunday, Feb. 22, the Atlanta rapper followed up today with a second exclusive radio premiere titled "Right One" following a personal dispute with 50 Cent. (Photo/Grand Hustle Records).

The "Verzuz" dispute between T.I. and 50 Cent has officially escalated from social media trolling into a full-blown musical feud. Wasting no time after releasing his initial response over the weekend, T.I. delivered a second, full-length diss track titled "Right One" directly to Atlanta radio on Monday.

Bypassing streaming platforms for a traditional, mid-2000s radio drop, the new track premiered exclusively on Hot 107.9 during "Posted On The Corner" with Incognito and DJ Misses. The back-to-back release signals that the Grand Hustle general is treating this conflict like a genuine mixtape war. Following the debut, DJ Misses weighed in on the escalating tension, making it clear that this moment is for hip-hop purists.

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"If you don't know Hip-Hop, if you don't live Hip-Hop, rap music, trap music, stay out the conversation," she stated on-air.

The conflict stems from what T.I. describes as a broken "Verzuz" agreement. According to the Atlanta rapper, the two veterans previously agreed to a hit-for-hit battle while conducting business together on the West Coast, long before the internet memes began.

"Me and this n*gga talked about this bruh. This didn't just come out of the blue," T.I. explained regarding the origins of the feud. "We were moving around in LA man selling some TV shows, and I asked him what he thinks about that Verzuz battle. He said alright cool. I told him ima jump out there first, and then you jump, and we'll line it up. He said alright, and once I jumped out there, this n*gga wanna act like he don't know what the f*ck going on."

Historically preferring psychological warfare over traditional rap battles, 50 Cent opted to retaliate online. The Queens mogul bypassed the vocal booth and posted an unflattering photo of T.I.’s wife, Xscape legend Tameka "Tiny" Harris, to his social media.

The disrespect prompted T.I.'s 21-year-old son, King Harris, to fiercely defend his mother. King ultimately escalated the situation into highly sensitive territory, telling 50 Cent to "dig up yo mama" and posting a photo of a tombstone in a direct, controversial reference to 50's late mother, Sabrina Jackson.

Refusing to leave the conflict in the comment sections, T.I. hit the studio. Over the weekend, he released his first direct response, a menacing track titled "War," before following it up with Monday's radio-exclusive delivery.