California rapper and producer Ovrkast is pushing back against a trademark infringement lawsuit filed by influential hip-hop duo Outkast. The complaint accuses the rising artist of unlawfully using a “nearly identical” stage name after previously agreeing to change it.
In an exclusive statement to Rolling Stone, Ovrkast said he has built his name independently of Outkast and never intended to copy their moniker or confuse fans. “As 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 of the parties in question,” Ovrkast said. “I have never had any intention of trying to copy, misrepresent or confuse fans with the name of such a legendary act.”
Outkast filed a 31-page complaint in Georgia accusing Ovrkast—whose real name is Silas Wilson—of trademark infringement, unfair competition, and breach of contract. The lawsuit claims Wilson knowingly chose his stage name “to trade upon the tremendous fame and goodwill associated with plaintiff’s Outkast name and mark” and alleges his use of the name has caused consumer confusion.
The complaint also claims Wilson reneged on a binding agreement to change his stage name to Overkxst and cease using Ovrkast across his website, social media, streaming accounts, merchandise and marketing materials. Wilson disputed this on X, stating: “For the record, I NEVER signed any agreement. I tried my hardest to cooperate with different options every step of the way.”
Wilson told Rolling Stone in a 2025 interview that the “worst thing” about gaining visibility is being accused of imitating Outkast. “It’s like, ‘No, bro. I wasn’t even thinking about Outkast,'” he said. “They read Ovrkast [as] Outkast. They’re like, oh my God, I thought they said Outkast. And it’s like, it don’t.”
Source: Rolling Stone
