Copyright Infringement Lawsuit Against Kanye and Ty Dolla Sign
Legal Action Against Kanye West & Ty Dolla Sign
Controversy Surrounds ‘Vultures 1’ Project
Claims of Unpaid Credits from Memphis Rappers
Kanye West and Ty Dolla Sign may have faced disappointment by not receiving a Best Rap Album Grammy nomination for their collaborative effort “Vultures 1.” However, the situation has escalated as a group of Memphis-based rappers is asserting that they were unfairly left out regarding the credits for their contributions, which significantly influenced the final product of the album!
According to documents obtained by TMZ Hip Hop, a legal complaint was filed on Wednesday by Vanda Watkins, known as Criminal Manne, alongside Hayward Ivy, a producer better known as DJ Squeeky, and the estate of the late rapper Kilo G. They are pursuing legal action for copyright infringement related to the track “Fuk Sumn” from “Vultures 1.”
The contentious song was officially released in March, marking Kanye’s much-anticipated return to the top of the Billboard Charts. The track features a captivating country rap-inspired sample that hooks listeners right from the start. The plaintiffs are asserting that their voices were appropriated by Kanye and his team at Yeezy without permission, leading to this legal dispute.
The specific song at the center of this controversy is DJ Squeeky’s posse cut “Drank a Yak (Part 2).” According to Criminal Manne, his voice is featured prominently at the beginning of “Fuk Sumn,” where the lyrics go, “Smokin’ on a junt, with my n*s drinkin’ O.E.” Additionally, Kilo G’s vocals are sampled later in the track with lines like, “Stop off at the liquor store, get your yak, then we headed for the indo.” This sampling raises significant questions about copyright and credit in the music industry.
The plaintiffs claim they made sincere efforts to negotiate sample clearances through Alien Music services before the release of “Vultures 1” in March. Unfortunately, these negotiations stalled in June, coinciding with what they describe as Yeezy’s mass exodus of employees, leaving them without resolution or communication regarding their contributions.
Despite their attempts to resolve this issue amicably, the Memphis rap icons assert that they have yet to receive any payment for their contributions and have not heard back for months. They fear they are being deliberately misled and left in the dark regarding the status of their claims.
The plaintiffs are actively seeking damages for their claims, and meanwhile, Kanye is gearing up to release his next highly anticipated solo album. The unfolding events highlight the complexities of collaboration in the music industry and the importance of fair credit.
We have reached out to the respective teams for comments, but as of now, there has been no response. The situation continues to develop, and fans are eagerly watching how this legal matter will unfold in the coming weeks.
