8 ContributorsCourt Ruling Rap of DeAngelo Bailey’s Lawsuit Against Eminem Lyrics

On August 21, 2002 DeAngelo Bailey filed a complaint against Eminem for defamation. The reason for this were (1) Eminem’s lyrics on his 1999 song “Brain Damage”, which contained the following lines:

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[Intro]

To convey the Court's opinion to fans of rap, the Court’s research staff has helped the Court put the decision into a universally understandable format:

[Verse]

Mr. Bailey complains that his rep is trash

So he's seeking compensation in the form of cash

Bailey thinks he's entitled to some monetary gain

Because Eminem used his name in vain

Eminem says Bailey used to throw him around

Beat him up in the john, shoved his face in the ground

Eminem contends that his rap is protected

By the rights guaranteed by the first amendment

Eminem maintains that the story is true

And that Bailey beat him black and blue

In the alternative he states that the story is phony

And a reasonable person would think it’s baloney

The Court must always balance the rights

Of a defendant and one placed in a false light

If the plaintiff presents no question of fact

To dismiss is the only acceptable act

If the language used is anything but pleasin'

It must be highly objectionable to a person of reason

Even if objectionable and causing offense

Self-help is the first line of defense

Yet when Bailey actually spoke to the press

What do you think he didn't address?

Those false light charges that so disturbed

Prompted from Bailey not a single word

So highly objectionable, it could not be

Bailey was happy to hear his name on a CD

Bailey also admitted he was a bully in youth

Which makes what Marshall said substantial truth

This doctrine is a defense well known

And renders Bailey's case substantially blown

The lyrics are stories no one would take as fact

They're an exaggeration of a childish act

Any reasonable person could clearly see

That the lyrics could only be hyperbole

It is therefore this Court's ultimate position

That Eminem is entitled to summary disposition