The artist formerly known as Kanye West, now legally recognized as Ye, has reportedly reached an agreement to settle a copyright infringement lawsuit. The suit was filed by recording artists who accused Ye of unlawfully sampling their song for his 2024 collaborative album, ‘Vultures 1,’ with Ty Dolla $ign.
The Sample Dispute
The specific track in question is ‘Fuk Sumn,’ which allegedly sampled ‘Drink a Yak (Part 2)’ by artists Criminal Manne (Vanda Watkins), DJ Squeeky (Hayward Ivy), and Kilo G (Robert L. Johnson Jr.). The plaintiffs accused Ye of using their song without obtaining the proper permission or clearing the sample. While a representative for Ye reportedly attempted to clear the sample, the process was not completed, leading to the song’s use without a formal agreement.
Attorneys for the producers stated that they had ‘no other method of recourse than to bring this cause of action’ after numerous unsuccessful attempts to resolve the matter directly. The settlement agreement was confirmed on March 18, with both parties announcing they have ‘reached a settlement agreement in principle resolving all claims between them.’ The specific terms and any financial payout involved in the settlement have not been disclosed.
Upcoming Album ‘BULLY’
This legal resolution comes as Ye prepares to release his latest project, ‘BULLY.’ Initially slated for a March 20 release, recent updates suggest the album’s release date has been pushed to March 27. This pattern of shifting release dates has been common for Ye’s recent albums. ‘BULLY’ is reportedly set to explore themes of ‘remorse, memory, ego, faith, and consequence,’ marking his 12th studio album.
What are your thoughts on Ye settling the sample lawsuit? Are you looking forward to his new album ‘BULLY’? Let us know in the comments below!