DJ Kool Herc

DJ Kool Herc suing HBO's Vinyl for using him as a character

Hip-hop pioneer DJ Kool Herc is suing HBO’s Vinyl. After the show cast Dominique Johnson as a young DJ Kool Herc in a recent episode of the show, Herc (whose real name is Clive Campbell) is suing for unauthorized use of his identity, name and voice as well as trademark infringement.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, who broke the story, the history of lawsuits like this is not so good for people in DJ Kool Herc’s position. The other interesting detail here is that HBO initially offered $10,000 for Herc to “waive all rights” and consult on the show, which he turned down. And Vinyl has otherwise seemed to have gone well out of its way to include members of the music community in its universe.