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\n\tCalifornia rapper and producer Ovrkast<\/a> is pushing back against a lawsuit<\/a> filed by influential hip-hop duo Outkast<\/a>. The complaint accuses the rising artist of unlawfully using a \u201cnearly identical\u201d stage name after previously agreeing to change it.<\/p>\n \n\tIn an exclusive statement to Rolling Stone<\/em>, Ovrkast said that throughout his career, he has built his name independently of Outkast and never had the intention to copy their moniker or cause confusion among fans. <\/p>\n \n\t\u201cAs a rising creative with recent career milestones and accolades attached to my professional name, I stand firmly on the fact that I have established this name and its meaning completely independently\u00a0of the parties in question,\u201d Ovrkast says. \u201cI have never had any intention of trying to copy, misrepresent\u00a0or confuse fans with the name of such a legendary act.\u201d<\/p>\n \n\tBefore ending his message, he emphasized his admiration for the duo, adding, \u201cI have a deep and personal respect for this iconic group and their storied legacy, and sincerely hope we can find a resolution that allows me to continue my lifelong pursuit of leaving my own mark on hip-hop history.\u201d<\/p>\n \n\tIn the 31-page complaint filed by Outkast in Georgia, the group accused Ovrkast of trademark infringement, unfair competition, and breach of contract. The lawsuit claims Ovrkast, whose real name is Silas Wilson, knowingly chose his stage name \u201cto trade upon the tremendous fame and goodwill associated with plaintiff\u2019s Outkast name and mark\u201d and alleges Wilson\u2019s use of the name has already caused confusion among consumers, pointing to a 2025 Rolling Stone<\/em> interview<\/a> as evidence.<\/p>\n \n\tIn that interview, Wilson said the \u201cworst thing\u201d about handing higher visibility as his fame grows is being accused of attempting to imitate Outkast. \u201cIt\u2019s like, \u2018No, bro. I wasn\u2019t even thinking about Outkast,\u2019\u201d he said at the time. \u201cThey read Ovrkast [as] Outkast. They\u2019re like, oh my God, I thought they said Outkast. And it\u2019s like, it don\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n \n\tThe complaint also claims that Wilson reneged on a binding, negotiated agreement where he would change his stage name to Overkxst and stop using Ovrkast on his website, social media and streaming accounts, domain name, newsletters, advertising and marketing materials, clothing, and merchandise.<\/p>\n