‘My Own Worst Enemy’ Band Lit Sues Sony, Claiming RCA Promised 50% Streaming Cut…in 1998

Members of the iconic ’90s rock band Lit are making headlines by taking legal action against Sony Music, claiming they were promised a 50% streaming royalty rate back in 1998. This was a time when the world was still navigating the early days of digital music, and the thought of streaming was a distant concept. The lawsuit, filed by frontman A.

Jay Popoff, guitarist Jeremy Popoff, bassist Kevin Baldes, and the estate of the late drummer Allen Shellenberger, hinges on their original RCA Records deal. Fans of Lit will remember the band's major hit, “My Own Worst Enemy,” which dominated the airwaves and climbed to No. 1 on Billboard's Alternative Airplay chart for an impressive 11 weeks. As streaming continues to evolve the music industry, this case could set a precedent for how artists from that era are compensated for their work in today’s digital landscape.

Keep an eye on this evolving story as it could reshape the conversation around artists' rights and streaming royalties.