Kanye West sued over claim of illegal sample on ‘Donda 2’

Rapper Kanye West smiles throughout a gathering with U.S. President Donald Trump to debate legal justice reform on the White Home in Washington, U.S., October 11, 2018. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque/File Picture

June 29 (Reuters) – Rapper, producer and entrepreneur Kanye West, who legally modified his identify to Ye final 12 months, was sued on Wednesday for allegedly sampling a track by musician Marshall Jefferson with out permission.

Extremely Worldwide Music Publishing LLC said “Flowers” from West’s album “Donda 2” features a pattern from Jefferson’s 1986 dance track “Transfer Your Physique” that’s repeated a minimum of 22 occasions.

A consultant for West didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark, nor did West’s label Common Music Group (UMG.AS), which isn’t a celebration to the swimsuit.

An lawyer for Extremely Worldwide, which owns the rights to Jefferson’s track, stated the corporate had no remark and believes the lawsuit speaks for itself.

Jefferson is a pioneer of home music from West’s hometown of Chicago. In keeping with the lawsuit, West and his representatives acknowledged throughout talks with Jefferson that “Flowers” sampled “Transfer Your Physique” with out permission. However these talks didn’t finish with a license, in accordance with the lawsuit.

“West advocates for artists’ rights with one hand, but has no disgrace in taking away rights from one other artist with the opposite,” the lawsuit stated.

West launched “Donda 2” in February solely by way of his Stem Participant, a handheld system that enables customers to isolate and recombine track elements.

Kano Computing Ltd, a British firm that developed the Stem Participant with West and can also be named within the lawsuit, didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark.

The lawsuit stated “Flowers” is reportedly about West’s ex-wife Kim Kardashian, whose petition to finish their marriage was authorised in March.

Texas pastor David Paul Moten sued West in Could for allegedly sampling one in every of his sermons with out permission. learn extra

West has beforehand settled lawsuits over samples of a Hungarian singer on the 2013 track “New Slaves;” a toddler’s prayer on the 2016 track “Ultralight Beam;” and a theater work about activist Marcus Garvey on “Freeee (Ghost City Pt. 2),” a 2018 collaboration with rapper Child Cudi.

(This story has been refiled to make clear language on licensing)

Reporting by Blake Brittain in Washington, D.C.; Modifying by Alessandra Rafferty and Chris Reese

: .