Rapper says Berlusconi stole lyrics

An Italian rapper has accused billionaire and former Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi of plagiarism.

Hip hop star Rapper J. Ax, whose real name is Alessandro Aleotti, said Berlusconi pilfered lyrics for his conservative People of Freedom party's anthem.

The musician said Berlusconi, 75, a cruise ship crooner in his youth, took liberties when he wrote "We are the People of Freedom", which is too similar to the rapper's "Gente che Spera", or "People Who Hope," song.

To defend the politician and media tycoon from accusations of musical misdeeds, former defence minister and close Berlusconi ally Ignazio La Russa said the rapper must have been smoking pot.

"Only under the influence of marijuana could you believe such idiocy," he said, according to the La Repubblica newspaper.

--IANS/AKI

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