What happens when a simple repost turns into a legal firestorm? For DJ Vlad and Joyner Lucas, that question just got real.
DJ Vlad, founder of VladTV, has officially filed a federal lawsuit against Joyner Lucas, accusing the rapper of posting one of his interview clips without permission and removing the watermark. What could have been a quiet disagreement has now turned into a courtroom showdown with a side of hip-hop drama.
According to legal filings, Vlad wants up to $150,000 in damages, plus his legal fees covered. His team is also asking the court to block Lucas from ever sharing VladTV content again and to reveal whether Joyner made any money from the post.
At the center of all this is a five-minute clip from VladTV featuring comedian Aries Spears cracking jokes about British rap. The video was uploaded to Joyner’s X (formerly Twitter) account in July, where it quickly blew up — over 4.4 million views, thousands of reposts, and a whole lot of engagement. The post was eventually taken down after a copyright complaint, but by then, the damage was done.
Vlad’s lawyers say Joyner intentionally shared the clip to get attention and promote his music and merch. They also claim Joyner hyped up fans to repost it, which only spread the content further.
Here’s where things took an unexpected turn. Before going to court, Vlad apparently tried to settle things privately. His offer? Drop the lawsuit in exchange for a Joyner Lucas interview on VladTV. But the rapper wasn’t having it.
According to the complaint, Joyner fired off a profanity-filled message that made his feelings toward Vlad very clear. The text, allegedly sent from Joyner’s phone, told Vlad to call his lawyer and “do whatever you have to do.” It ended with Joyner saying he would never, under any circumstance, appear on VladTV.
Now the situation is in the hands of the legal system. Vlad’s company, Hot In Here Inc., is demanding full accountability, financial compensation, and a court order to keep Joyner from sharing any more VladTV content.
The feud has already sparked a bigger conversation across hip-hop circles about ownership, digital rights, and where the line is between sharing and stealing in the age of social media.
VladTV has built its name by capturing unfiltered moments from some of hip-hop’s biggest voices, but it’s also become a lightning rod for controversy. Many artists, including Joyner, have refused interviews, arguing that Vlad profits off the culture without truly respecting it.
Whether you see this as a fair business move or another messy industry clash, one thing’s for sure — this isn’t just about a video clip. It’s about who controls the content that defines the culture.
