Gorillaz dropped into Time Warp, says Eddy Grant

Reggae artist Eddy Grant has accused Gorillaz of "a blatant rip-off", pointing to similarities between their new single, Stylo, and his 1981 song Time Warp. "My song sits almost note to note with their release," the songwriter complained. "I am outraged." "Time Warp is a very popular song," Grant wrote in a statement yesterday. "[It] has been a staple of the DJ scene for many years and I feel total disrespect from Gorillaz and their management company, especially as they are an established act." Grant was born in Guyana but grew up in London, achieving several 80s hits including Electric Avenue and I Don't Wanna Dance. Curious listeners can compare the songs for themselves (see below) – paying particular attention to Stylo's drowsy three-note synth riff , 40 seconds in. In comments to the NME, Grant suggested Gorillaz' publishers already visited a musicologist to evaluate this similarity. "[Normally] I would have gotten a call from EMI to say, 'Damon [Albarn] wants to use Time Warp. What arrangement can you guys come to? Would you claim 100%, would you claim 60%, or 70% of whatever it is?' That phone call never came. Instead what happened is somebody went straight to a musicologist, implying that there was some kind of pre-knowledge of some kind of infringement." Grant is particularly annoyed because Gorillaz are represented by EMI, the same company that publishes his songs. "It should have started with a phone call from Damon to my publisher. My publisher would have contacted me – the publisher being of course the same EMI that looks after his [music]." EMI Publishing have refused to comment, calling it a "private matter between Eddy Grant and Gorillaz". What Grant wants, he said, is an apology from Gorillaz and full credit for the tune. "Damon Albarn knows in his heart of hearts – it's unfortunate that we cant get into people's hearts – he knows that this is a song that he's loved," Grant said, "in his club days." Gorillaz's third album, Plastic Beach, is available now.