The latest lawsuit filed against Kanye West and Ty Dolla $ign stems from the release of their collaborative album, Vultures 1, in February. It alleges “blatant” copyright infringement of a 1994 Memphis rap song after months of failed negotiations.
Introduction
Kanye West has faced legal challenges due to samples used in Vultures 1, his album with Ty Dolla $ign, released earlier this year. Despite attempts to clear the samples, a new lawsuit has been filed against West for the track “Fuk Sumn.”
Lawsuit Details
Representatives of Memphis rappers who released “Drink a Yak (Part 2)” in 1994 claim that Vultures 1 contains recognizable samples from their song. The lawsuit names Criminal Manne, DJ Squeeky, and the estate of Kilo G as plaintiffs against West.
Negotiations
West’s attempts to clear the samples through legal channels hit a roadblock when negotiations ceased after a few months. Changes in West’s legal representation complicated the process, leading to the filing of the current lawsuit by the Memphis rap trio.
Streaming Impact
Despite the legal battle, the song “Fuk Sumn” remains available on streaming services and has garnered over 150 million streams on Spotify. The lawsuit highlights the unauthorized use of the sampled song by West and others involved in the production.
Previous Lawsuits
West and Ty Dolla $ign faced accusations of copyright infringement earlier this year when Donna Summer’s estate sued over the song “Good (Don’t Die)” from Vultures 1. The legal dispute was resolved in June, resulting in the removal of the song from streaming platforms.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the legal challenges surrounding Vultures 1 highlight the complexities of copyright infringement in the music industry. The ongoing lawsuits underscore the importance of obtaining proper clearance for samples used in music production to avoid legal disputes.
FAQs
Q: What is the main issue in the lawsuit against Kanye West and Ty Dolla $ign?
A: The lawsuit alleges copyright infringement of a 1994 Memphis rap song due to unauthorized samples used in the album Vultures 1.
Q: How has the streaming impact been affected by the legal disputes?
A: Despite the legal challenges, the song “Fuk Sumn” remains available on streaming services and has gained significant traction with over 150 million streams on Spotify.
Q: What was the outcome of the previous lawsuit involving Donna Summer’s estate?
A: The legal dispute over the song “Good (Don’t Die)” from Vultures 1 was settled in June, leading to the removal of the track from streaming platforms.
Credit: www.rollingstone.com