Outkast members Big Boi and André 3000 have taken legal action against Ovrkast, a rapper and music producer from Oakland, accusing him of trademark infringement, unfair competition, and breach of contract due to the similarity between their names.
The lawsuit, filed in Georgia on September 16 by High Schoolers LLC, the entity that manages Outkast’s trademarks, claims that Ovrkast, also known as Silas Wilson, deliberately used a name that was “nearly identical” to Outkast’s without permission, despite an agreement to cease doing so.
Citing Outkast’s significant influence and valuable brand in southern hip-hop, the 31-page complaint states that attempts to resolve the matter cordially were unsuccessful. The claims made in the lawsuit have yet to be proven in court.
Outkast referenced a 2025 Rolling Stone interview in which Wilson acknowledged confusion between Ovrkast and Outkast as evidence that fans were being misled by the similarity in names.
Wilson, who has collaborated with artists such as Earl Sweatshirt and Drake, responded to the lawsuit on Instagram, expressing surprise and tagging both Big Boi and André 3000 in a post. He shared Instagram Story updates related to the lawsuit, including a broken heart emoji and a reference to the song “Why Can’t We Be Friends” by War, along with a video expressing disbelief at the legal action.
According to the lawsuit, Outkast claims to have sent Ovrkast a cease and desist letter in June 2025. A settlement agreement was then reached, with Ovrkast agreeing to transition to the name “Overkxst” by July 15, 2026. However, Wilson allegedly delayed executing the agreement and later requested to use alternative names before ceasing communication altogether, breaching the terms of the settlement.
The lawsuit asserts that Wilson deliberately and maliciously continued to use the Ovrkast name, infringing on Outkast’s goodwill. Outkast is seeking a court order to prohibit Wilson from using the name Ovrkast, reimbursement for legal costs, and surrender of profits gained from the alleged misconduct. They also demand the destruction of all merchandise bearing the Ovrkast brand.
Despite attempts to contact Wilson for comment on the lawsuit, CBC News did not receive an immediate response.