In a surprising twist that has left the hip-hop community reeling, rapper Plies has abruptly dropped his high-profile copyright lawsuit against Megan Thee Stallion, GloRilla, and Cardi B, along with Soulja Boy, just months after filing it in November 2024. The legal battle, which centered on alleged unauthorized sampling of Plies’ 2008 track “Me & My Goons,” had promised to be a contentious showdown between some of rap’s biggest names. However, on March 14, 2025, Plies filed a motion to dismiss the case “without prejudice,” a move that stunned the defendants and fans alike, leaving the door open for him to potentially refile in the future.

The lawsuit initially sent shockwaves through the industry when Plies accused Soulja Boy of lifting elements from “Me & My Goons” for his 2010 hit “Pretty Boy Swag.” He claimed that Megan Thee Stallion and GloRilla then sampled “Pretty Boy Swag” for their 2024 chart-topper “Wanna Be,” with Cardi B joining the remix, all without his permission. Plies argued that the “infrared countdown beat” from his song was a distinctive feature unlawfully woven into these tracks, and he sought damages from the artists and their labels, including Universal Music Group and Interscope. The filing painted a picture of a veteran rapper fighting to protect his legacy, but his sudden decision to abandon the case has flipped the narrative entirely.

Sources close to the situation suggest that Plies’ choice to drop the lawsuit may stem from a mix of legal strategy and behind-the-scenes negotiations. While no official settlement has been confirmed, the “without prejudice” dismissal hints at a possible resolution—or at least a pause—allowing Plies to reassess his approach. The move caught Megan, GloRilla, and Cardi off guard, especially after months of public sparring and speculation. Soulja Boy had been particularly vocal, dismissing Plies’ claims as baseless in a fiery November 2024 rant, insisting that “Pretty Boy Swag” was original and accusing Plies of chasing clout. “You know that ain’t your beat, bro,” Soulja had fumed, a sentiment echoed by some fans who pointed to earlier tracks like Lil Wil’s 2007 “My Dougie” as the true origin of the disputed beat.

For Megan Thee Stallion, GloRilla, and Cardi B, the lawsuit’s end comes as a relief amid their busy careers. “Wanna Be,” released in April 2024 as part of GloRilla’s mixtape Ehhthang Ehhthang, had become a summer anthem, with Cardi’s remix amplifying its success. The trio, all prominent Black women in rap, faced scrutiny when the suit emerged, prompting Plies’ attorney, Walter Mosley, to clarify that the action wasn’t an attack on them but rather a business dispute with the labels profiting from the song. “Plies has always supported Black women,” Mosley said in November, redirecting focus to Universal Music Group as the primary target. Still, the optics of a veteran suing rising stars had sparked heated debates online.

The hip-hop world now buzzes with questions: Why did Plies back down? Was it pressure from the industry, a lack of evidence, or a quiet payout? Neither Plies nor the defendants have commented publicly since the dismissal, leaving fans to speculate. Some see it as a rare moment of retreat for the Florida rapper, known for his tenacity, while others believe he’s playing a longer game. The case had highlighted the murky waters of sampling in rap, where beats often evolve across decades, blurring lines of ownership. For now, Megan, GloRilla, and Cardi can breathe easier, their hit unscathed by litigation. Yet, with Plies keeping his options open, this saga may not be over—just paused, leaving the music industry on edge for what might come next.