It’s undeniable that Kanye West and Ty Dolla $ign are currently facing a wave of legal troubles related to their latest album, “VULTURES 1.” Even before its release, the album was already controversial, with repeated delays stemming from Kanye’s shocking statements and increasingly hostile public actions. However, when the album finally dropped, it was hit with a lawsuit from the estate of disco queen Donna Summer, accusing Kanye of using an unauthorized sample. Although this lawsuit was settled in June, it appears that Kanye and Ty Dolla $ign’s legal troubles are far from over.
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Currently, Kanye and Ty Dolla $ign are dealing with another copyright lawsuit. According to TMZ, three artists – Criminal Manne, DJ Squeeky, and Kilo G – have filed a suit against the pair, claiming that the track “Fuk Sumn” on the “VULTURES 1” album sampled DJ Squeeky’s song “Drank a Yak (Part 2)” without permission. In the sample used, Criminal Manne raps the line, “Smokin’ on a junt, with my n**gas drinkin’ O.E.,” and Kilo G’s voice is also sampled later in the song. The trio claims they attempted to negotiate with Alien Music, Kanye’s music management company, shortly after the song’s release. However, these negotiations stalled when Kanye fired a significant portion of his staff in May.
Significantly, the three artists claim that, since February 2024, they have yet to receive any royalties for the use of their recording in “Fuk Sumn,” even though Kanye and Ty Dolla $ign clearly used their material. They report receiving no response from Kanye’s team for several months, intensifying the conflict. The trio is now seeking damages for what they describe as unfair treatment and a legal deadlock.
This lawsuit is just one of many legal controversies Kanye West has faced recently. Beyond copyright issues, Kanye has been accused of sexual harassment by his former assistant, Lauren Pisciotta, who filed a lawsuit with numerous shocking claims against the famous rapper. Additionally, Kanye is dealing with lawsuits from other former employees, many of which revolve around issues with Donda Academy – the school he founded but soon closed due to poor management and financial problems.
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Making matters more difficult, Kanye is currently seeking new legal representation for his ongoing lawsuits. Attorney Ron Zambrano, who represents Lauren Pisciotta in her lawsuit against Kanye, even publicly criticized the rapper, calling him someone “with the attention span of a goldfish.” This criticism not only targets Kanye’s ability to focus but also highlights the unstable position he finds himself in with these lawsuits. If Kanye fails to secure new legal representation soon, he may face default judgments, meaning he would automatically lose his cases without a chance to defend himself.
With numerous lawsuits encircling him, Kanye West and Ty Dolla $ign’s careers are currently more precarious than ever. Though once celebrated stars in the music industry, their repeated controversies and ongoing legal issues are eroding public support. The lawsuit over “Fuk Sumn” not only tarnishes their reputations but also raises questions about Kanye’s professional conduct, from handling copyright issues to how he treats his employees and collaborators.
Kanye West is not the first artist to face legal troubles over copyright, but the controversies surrounding him appear far more complicated. His shocking statements, indifferent attitude, and erratic actions make the public question his true motivation behind his artistic creations. The series of lawsuits and instability in his team and legal representation not only damages Kanye’s reputation but also inflicts significant financial harm on his music projects.
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For Ty Dolla $ign, Kanye’s partner in creating “VULTURES 1,” these issues are equally concerning. As a talented and respected artist in his own right, Ty Dolla $ign likely does not want his career entangled in legal disputes and impulsive decisions from his collaborator. However, his partnership with Kanye has landed him in a difficult position, where he now faces the consequences of Kanye’s lack of professionalism in handling production and copyright management for the album.
This lawsuit may only be one of many legal battles Kanye West will face in the coming months. However, unless he finds a way to resolve these issues thoroughly, these cases may be the “last straw” that further destabilizes his reputation and career. Kanye’s fans are likely also growing weary of watching their idol continuously entangled in conflicts, rather than focusing on creating music and giving back to his audience.
