Hamilton Clarke, LLP is proud to announce a significant victory on behalf of the Estate of Roy C. Hammond—legendary soul musician and songwriter best known for his timeless anthem Impeach the President—as well as the third-party defendants affiliated with him.
Few records have had the cultural impact of Impeach the President. Released in 1973, its unmistakable drum pattern has become one of the most sampled beats in music history, anchoring countless hip-hop, R&B, and pop records across generations. From Run-DMC and LL Cool J, to Mary J. Blige, Nas, and The Notorious B.I.G., Hammond’s work has been a backbone of modern music.
On September 19, 2025, Judge Ronnie Abrams of the Southern District of New York issued a sweeping decision granting the Estate’s motion for partial summary judgment. The Court held that defendants Aaron Fuchs and TufAmerica Inc. breached a 2001 settlement agreement by suspending royalty payments in 2019 while continuing to exploit Hammond’s compositions.
The Court also rejected defendants’ counterclaims, including breach of good faith, unfair competition, and tortious interference, as well as their request for injunctive relief. Damages will now proceed to trial, with the Court reserving open issues related to pre-2019 royalties.
This decision is more than a contractual win: it affirms the rights of artists like Roy C. Hammond, whose creativity shaped the foundation of modern music, and whose estates deserve to be paid fairly. Hamilton Clarke is proud to stand for musicians in holding larger entities accountable and ensuring that cultural pioneers are given their due.