Bad Hair Day - Controversy

Controversy

Yankovic and the parody "Amish Paradise" caused a minor controversy after rapper Coolio said that Al had never asked for permission to record the parody. Yankovic traditionally secures permission from the artists he parodies (even though this is not legally required, as parodies are covered under fair use guidelines), and was told by his record label that Coolio had given permission. Coolio later claimed that he had not given such permission, making a statement at the Grammys saying that he didn't appreciate Yankovic "desecrating" his song.

Speculation surfaced that Coolio had actually given permission but later claimed he had not in the fear that allowing the parody would not be seen as "cool", or that Yankovic's record label had lied to Yankovic in the hopes that the song would become popular. Yankovic later stated on VH1's Behind the Music that he had written a sincere letter of apology to Coolio which was never returned, and that Coolio never complained when he received his royalty check from proceeds of the song. A series of photos taken at the XM Satellite Radio booth at the 2006 Consumer Electronics Show, and a post on the "Ask Al" feature on Yankovic's website suggested that Yankovic and Coolio made amends. According to Al, he was as surprised as anyone when Coolio came over to chat. "I doubt I'll be invited to Coolio's next birthday party," he joked, "but at least I can stop wearing that bulletproof vest to the mall."