Artist Daniel Arsham is suing the rapper Quavo and his record label Quality Control Music, along with parent company HYBE America, of copyright infringement and a violation of right of publicity.
Arsham alleges that Quavo used his sculpture Quartz Eroded 1961 Ferrari GT (2018) without permission in his “Back to the Basics 2025” promotional video and social media posts.
In the complaint Arsham filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York on March 31, he claims that the video unlawfully incorporates his sculpture, which is registered with the U.S. Copyright Office.
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The “infringing video features Quavo performing in front of the artwork,” Arsham claims. Adding, the monochromatic piece is displayed “prominently” in the 45-second video.
While the video was initially posted on the rapper’s Instagram and TikTok accounts in December 2024, Quavo also posted stills from the video showing the sculpture on Instagram and tagged Arsham’s account.
However, Arsham claims the defendants never sought or obtained a license to use his artwork. The content in question has not been removed and continues to be publicly distributed across platforms, even though cease-and-desist letters were sent to Quality Control and HYBE in December 2024 and January 2025.
“By failing to obtain Mr. Arsham’s authorization to use the Artwork or to compensate Mr. Arsham for the use,” the complaint states, the defendants “have avoided payment of license fees and other financial costs associated with obtaining permission to exploit the artwork, as well as the restrictions that Mr. Arsham is entitled to and would place on any such exploitation as conditions for Mr. Arsham’s permission, including the right to deny permission.”
As such, Arsham is suing with claims of direct copyright infringement, vicarious and contributory copyright infringement, and violation of his right of publicity. He is seeking a permanent injunction to prevent Quavo and the record label from using the allegedly infringing content, as well as monetary compensation for damages and disgorgement of profits.
Arsham is known for his signature monochromatic works that take up the concept of fictional archaeology, wherein contemporary objects are made to look like relics of the past. He done a number of high profile collaborations with fashion brands Tiffany & Co. and Rimowa, as well as musicians Pharrell and Jay-Z.