Will.i.am 'Let's Go': Admits To Stealing Backing Track From Producers Arty, Mat Zo, Claims It Was An Accident

Will.i.am is finally coming clean about the inspiration for his Chris Brown collaboration on #Willpower "Let's Go." In an interview with KIIS FM in Los Angeles, Will.i.am claimed that he jacked "Rebound" by Arty and Mat Zo accidentally (meaning he did it on purpose, but he totally thought he paid for it).

"Arty is a dope producer so I wrote this song to 'Rebound' this last year," he said, according to Billboard's transcription of the interview. "I got in touch with Arty and showed it to him, did a different version to it 'cause I asked him [to] make it newer 'cause I don't just wanna take your song and rap over it." 

However, after tinkering around with newer versions, the Black Eyed Peas member decided that "Rebound" sounded better in its unaltered state.

"We preferred writing over and using the [original] 'Rebound,'"he said.  "Something happened and the clearance... hopefully we resolved the issue."

I'm inclined to believe Will when he says it was all a mix-up. He certainly has the money to clear the music he uses, why would he risk controversy just to save a few dollars? The only question remaining is which is worse: Having your work stolen by Will.i.am? Or realizing that the music you make is what the man who made "Boom, Boom, Pow" thinks of as a good song?

The issue was brought to light on Twitter by Arty himself when he heard "Let's Go."

He wrote ""They never cleared rights through Anjunabeats, who's only one label, who ownes the rights for "Rebound"" (sic).

Chris Brown, who is also on the track, handled the accusations in his completely over-the-line way.

 "I don't even know who mat zo Or arty is? I ain't got shit to do wit if ur mad or not. Someone asked for a feature on a record and I did it," Brown replied.

"I don't listen to that shit half the time anyway. #X"

(That's right, a total blow-off of someone who accused him of stealing their track, coupled with a plug for his new album. This is a masterpiece).

Check out the two tracks side-by side below: