As reported by Variety, YE is facing yet another legal challenge, this time in the form of a lawsuit filed by DJ Khalil and three other artists over two tracks from his 2021 album "Donda." The lawsuit, brought by Artist Revenue Advocates on behalf of Khalil, Sam Barsh, Dan Seef, and Josh Mease, alleges that the musicians are seeking to recoup revenue from their work on the songs "Moon" and "Hurricane."
According to Bloomberg Law, the lawsuit claims that the four musicians initially collaborated on ideas in 2018 and made them available for potential buyers. While YE allegedly requested approval to use the work for "Hurricane," the request was denied. However, the complaint accuses YE of using the work regardless and releasing the music, even crediting the musicians as songwriters and producers.
The lawsuit states, "This lawsuit is about the rights of artists, musicians, and songwriters to determine how their works are published and used." Artist Revenue Advocates is seeking a trial by jury and lists the revenue that YE made from the songs, claiming that "Hurricane" and "Moon" have earned at least $15 million in streaming revenue as of March 1, 2024. Additionally, the suit asserts that YE indirectly profited from partnerships with Gap and Balenciaga in connection with the album, further juicing profits from the tracks.
The lawsuit names YE as a defendant alongside Universal Music Group, G.O.O.D. Music, Yeezy LLC, and others. It seeks a determination of willful copyright violation, as well as damages, an award of costs, and any further relief.
This is not the first copyright suit YE has faced this year. He previously settled a lawsuit with Donna Summer's estate over interpolating "I Feel Love" on a song, and Ozzy Osbourne threatened legal action for using a sample of Black Sabbath's "Iron Man" on another track.
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