Why Ye Keeps Getting Hit With Copyright Lawsuits

Drake’s K. Dot diss “Family Matters” is now a video game (similar to “Not Like Us) where you shoot Grammys into Lamar’s mouth in order to win. 🎮 In other news:

• Billboard Hot 100 📈

• Why Ye keeps getting hit with the same type of lawsuit 👀

• Drake might be entering his comeback era 🎤

• Industry Insights 🔎

Billboard Hot 100

The above chart shows Billboard’s Hot 100 ranking for this week. The Hot 100 ranks songs based on streaming activity, radio airplay audience impressions, and sales data—all measured by Luminate.

Not only has Eminem’s “Houdini” risen to the tenth spot this week, but he officially has the #1 album on the Billboard 200, ending Taylor Swift’s three-month reign. Songs on his new project, “Habits” and “Renaissance,” also debuted at #19 and #20 this week.

In other news, K. Dot’s “Not Like Us” took a slight dip to the third spot on the Hot 100 while Tommy Richman’s “Million Dollar Baby” kept its fourth position. Future and Metro’s “Like That” also had a slight demotion from #17 to now #18 on the chart this week.

This Isn’t Ye’s First Copyright Infringement Lawsuit

Since the beginning of his career with producer credits galore, Ye has been known to turn a great sample into the perfect song. His 2004 hit song “Slow Jamz” wouldn’t have been the same without the Luther Vandross song “A House Is Not a Home.”

However, not all of Ye’s songs have gotten the legal A-OK. He has been hit with more copyright infringement lawsuits than special effects in the Stronger music video—and a new one was just filed.

Wait…what is the new lawsuit? 

The lawsuit was filed on July 17 by the group Artist Revenue Advocates on behalf of DJ Khalil, Sam Barsh, Dan Seeff, and Josh Mease. It states that the songs “Moon” and “Hurricane,” created by the artists on Ye’s 2021 album DONDA, had sampled their song “MSD PT2.” The track was used without paying them and without their permission. Yet, they are credited as producers and writers of the songs. 

According to Bloomberg Law, the defendants collaborated on a composer pack made available for potential buyers. Ye expressed interest in the pack and requested to use their work for his song “Hurricane.” Ye’s request was denied, but he proceeded to use it anyway and credited them as if they’d reached an agreement. The lawsuit called the act “an act of blatant brazenness.” 

The ARA is asking for a jury trial and highlighted the money that Ye has made from releasing the songs, claiming that the two songs have “earned at least $15 million USD in streaming revenue as of March 1, 2024.” 

This is sadly just another addition to Ye’s lengthy record of using music without getting permission. 

What’s the common theme in Ye’s lawsuits?

In 2019, he was sued and settled over the audio of the little girl praying in the song “Ultralight Beam.” The same year, he was sued along with Pusha T for sampling the song “I Can’t Do Without You” by George Jackson on the song “Come Back Baby.” These are just two examples of the many that exist.

However, his most recent lawsuit from Donna Summer’s estate for using the late singer’s song “I Feel Love” on the VULTURES 1 album with Ty Dolla Sign has similarities to the DONDA suit. Her husband claimed that representatives of Ye’s asked for permission to sample Donna’s song on “Good (Don’t Die)” but were denied. The song was used anyway, causing the estate to take legal action soon after the album’s release.

This seems to suggest that Ye doesn’t take no for an answer and willingly takes the risk of litigation if he thinks a song can’t do without the sample he has in mind. He hasn’t responded to the recent lawsuit filed last week, but if VULTURES 2 ever gets released, it’s a safe bet there will be samples—used with or without permission.

Is Drake About to Attempt a Comeback? 

It has been a minute since Drake has dropped anything new. After watching K. Dot continue to dominate the year with “Not Like Us,” it’s understandable that the Canadian cosplayer would want to chill by his Texas-sized fireplace and regroup. 

Despite his thoughts about “rap being a joke,” streamer and forever OVO groupie DJ Akademiks has said that Champagne Papi is getting ready to do his big one in the supposedly settled war between him and Kendrick Lamar. 

DJ Akademiks spills the tea

While recently streaming, the rap commentator said that he was looking forward to what’s to come from Drake. 

“I can't wait to hear the first sneak diss... matter of fact, I won't even tell y'all what I heard. The first sneak diss Drake got that's dissing Kendrick, how he positions it, that's gon' be interesting,” he said. 

This is not the first time that Drizzy’s #1 fan has started promoting alleged new music. On July 8, he released a series of tweets letting the haters know that they will soon have more to be mad about.

“All u n***** who been acting like Drake finished... bookmark this tweet for 6 months from now. We dont want u n***** no where near us......Remember that,” he said in the post on X. 

He followed up with, “Enjoy all the other noise and bs.. Drake new music otw. and its fye.... Trust.”

Nevertheless, the majority of hip-hop heads online think that the sneak attack approach is gone due to Akademiks, and it's too little too late.

Despite Drake popping out with 50 Cent and trying to play it cool online, “The North Remembers.” K. Dot is breaking records and getting support from young, old, and even the creator of The Sixth Sense’s “I See Dead People” line, M. Night Shyamalan. It might take a lot more than a shady verse and a fresh braid down to get Drizzy back in rap’s good graces again. 

• It’s time for Metro Boomin to pop out. He’s hosting the Metro Boomin and Friends concert in his hometown of St. Louis on July 29th. 

• Eminem hit a major milestone. The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce) earned the biggest sales week for a rap album so far this year. 

• Druski is going big this year. He announced the music and comedy special Coulda Fest, which will feature performances by Lil Baby, Waka Flocka Flame, and other surprise guests. 

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