A Southern District judge has dismissed a songwriter's copyright infringement lawsuit against the estate of rapper Notorious B.I.G. and several publishing and record companies.

Plaintiff Lee Hutson claimed a song on Notorious B.I.G.'s 1992 debut album, “Ready to Die,” had an unauthorized sample of a 1973 song of Hutson's, but Judge Richard Sullivan said Hutson “has failed to allege he had an ownership interest.”

Hutson, also known as Leroy Hutson, released eight albums in the 1970s. His mentor, singer-songwriter, Curtis Mayfield, chose him to be his replacement as the lead singer of his group, the Impressions, according to court papers.