Last August, Adams County Sheriff’s deputies raided the Ohio home of Joseph Foreman, who is known as rapper Afroman. The warrant claimed that there was probable cause for drugs, drug paraphernalia, and evidence of drug trafficking and kidnapping on his property. Afroman’s wife recorded the raid on her phone, which found nothing and resulted in the confiscation of over $5,000 of his money. Additionally, the front door was bashed in, the front gate was broken, and the home security camera system was destroyed. Despite the traumatic experience, no charges were filed, and the money was returned. Afroman sought comedic revenge by turning the security footage into music videos for his new songs “Will You Help Me Repair My Door” and “Lemon Pound Cake,” which have accumulated nearly 4 million views on YouTube. “Will You Help Me Repair My Door” uses security footage to tell the story of the raid.
Afroman faces a lawsuit from the deputies involved in the raid on his home, as they claim that he used their likenesses for commercial purposes without their consent. The deputies assert that they suffered negative consequences, including “humiliation, emotional distress, loss of reputation, and ridicule” due to Afroman’s actions. The lawsuit contends that Afroman used images and videos of the deputies on various social media platforms, and the deputies are seeking all profits associated with the use of their personas. This includes revenue generated from merchandise, music videos, concert ticket sales, and all products associated with the Afroman brand.
Afroman’s home was raided, his property was destroyed, and his money was taken, but now the officers involved in the raid want to sue him for using their personas in his video recorded on his property? The rapper believes that the officers’ actions were criminal.
In response, Afroman’s attorney has stated that they plan to countersue for the unlawful raid, stolen money, and the harm caused to his client’s family, career, and property. Afroman is well within his rights to feel like a victim in this situation. He was falsely accused of multiple crimes and retaliated by filming the raid conducted by public officials, which is legal in Ohio and helps hold law enforcement accountable.