He’s suing for copyright infringement and claims he’s entitled to damages that he “expects to be in excess” of $20 million.

In a previous interview with TMZ in June DJ Paul claimed young artists were going to kill hip-hop … but it doesn’t appear like the lawsuit is in direct correlation to that statement.

DJ Paul’s convinced — today’s young rappers are going to drive the genre right into the ground — and he says it’s all because they lack any originality. 

Paul didn’t name any names but, as you know, there have been PLENTY of artists whose songs have piggybacked off Three 6 Mafia family beats — Rae Sremmurd’s “Powerglide,” J. Cole’s “No Role Modelz,” Cardi B’s “Bickenhead” and G-Eazy‘s “No Limit” … just to name a few.

The Memphis rapper doesn’t mince words … he says this is the worst state hip-hop’s been in since he can remember.

Paul’s now suing to get Travis’ track pulled and wants the profits from “No Bystanders” .