Kanye West and Ty Dolla $ign are facing legal trouble after a group of Memphis rappers sued them for copyright infringement.
The Memphis rap veteran claims the pair used their work without proper authorization, TMZ reports. Vanda Watkins (aka Criminal Manne), Hayward Ivy, producer DJ Squeeky, and the estate of late rapper Kilo G filed a lawsuit against Kanye West and Ty Dolla $ign on Wednesday (November).
The lawsuit alleges that Vultures 1’s song “F## Sumn” used a sample from their song “Drank a Yak (Part 2)” without crediting or compensating them.
The plaintiffs allege that they initially attempted to negotiate a sample license through Alien Music Services ahead of Vultures 1’s planned release in March. However, discussions reportedly stalled in June due to mass Yeezy employee departures.
According to the Memphis rapper, their vocal sample from “Drank a Yak (Part 2)” appears on Ye and Ty Dolla’s “F## Sumn.”
Criminal Mann claimed it was his voice at the beginning of “F## Sumn”, saying: “Smoking in the barracks and drinking OE with my n#####”
Additionally, they claim the song also features Kilo G’s vocals, with the lyrics: “Stop at the liquor store, grab your yak, then we head to India.”
The band is seeking compensation for their alleged contributions to songs by Kanye West and Ty Dolla $ign.
Meanwhile, Kanye West is gearing up to release Bully , his first solo album in three years. He is reportedly working on the project in Japan. He recently shared cover art for the project, but has yet to confirm a release date.
