A powerful legal battle is brewing over one of Tupac Shakur’s most politically charged songs. The estate of Dr. Khallid Abdul Muhammad has filed a $5 million federal lawsuit, accusing Shakur’s estate and several music industry giants of copyright infringement related to the track “White Man’z World.”

The complaint claims that Tupac’s 1996 song, featured on The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory, unlawfully samples a portion of a speech Muhammad delivered at the 1993 “Black Holocaust Nationhood Conference.” According to the lawsuit, a seven-line excerpt from that lecture—featuring a call to support political prisoners—was used in the song without permission, credit, or compensation according to HipHopDX.

The lawsuit names several high-profile defendants, including Suge Knight, Interscope Records, Death Row Records, Universal Music Publishing Group, and producer Darryl “Big D” Harper, in addition to Tupac’s estate.

“Not Just Background Noise”

The estate of Dr. Khallid Muhammad contends that the speech sample added profound emotional and political resonance to the song. “His presence on ‘White Man’z World’ reinforces Tupac Shakur’s role as not just an artist, but as a voice for Black empowerment and resistance against oppression,” said attorney Malik Z. Shabazz. “At a time when hip-hop was shaping political discourse, Dr. Khallid’s inclusion gave the song an undeniable authenticity.”

Released under Tupac’s Makaveli alias just weeks after his death in 1996, The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory remains one of his most celebrated and controversial works. “White Man’z World” continues to be streamed, broadcast, and licensed today—usage the estate argues is ongoing copyright infringement.

Demands and Legal Action

In addition to the $5 million in damages, the lawsuit seeks:

A permanent injunction to halt further use of Dr. Muhammad’s voice

Attorney fees

The impoundment of materials that contain the unauthorized sample

The estate argues that the defendants should have known the speech was protected, as public records confirming its copyright status were available at the time of release.

Dr. Khallid Muhammad, a fiery orator and former spokesperson for Minister Louis Farrakhan and the Nation of Islam, later led the New Black Panther Party before passing away in 2001 from a brain aneurysm. His legacy remains influential within Black nationalist circles.

If successful, the lawsuit could result in the removal of “White Man’z World” from streaming platforms and digital storefronts, striking a significant blow to one of Tupac’s most politically potent recordings.