Did Cypress Hill rip off Syl Johnson?

[Image Credit: Amazon]

Syl Johnson, a soul singer and musician, is suing Cypress Hill over the “theft” of his song, Is It Because I’m Black. He’s claiming that Cypress Hill used his song on their song Lock Down. The album that Lock Down was on was released in 1993. I have to wonder why he waited so long to sue. The similarities are obvious. Don’t you think?

Syl Johnson’s song, Is It Because I’m Black:

Cypress Hill’s song, Lock Down:

Same song?