Taking on Taylor Swift

Documentary • NR • Directed by: Unknown • 42 minutes

Produced by the CNN FlashDocs unit, the documentary explores creativity, credit, and the hazy line between cultural appreciation and appropriation. The 2017 lawsuit alleges the chorus of Swift's hit song, "Shake It Off" ("'cause the players gonna play, play, play…") is a direct lift from the 2000 song, "Playas Gon' Play" written by Hall and Butler, and made famous by the girl group, 3LW. For the first time since taking legal action, Hall spoke exclusively to CNN, along with his attorney Maria V. Bogorad, about their experience taking on an indisputable giant of the music industry. Taking On Taylor Swift scrutinizes the legal, ethical and cultural merits of this case and similar lawsuits lodged against some of the world's biggest popstars.