Kanye West Sued Over Alleged Unauthorized Sample On ‘Donda 2’ Song ‘Flowers’

Kanye West

Kanye West Sued Over Alleged Unauthorized Sample On ‘Donda 2’ Song ‘Flowers’

The saying “more money more problems” might be true right now for Kanye “Ye” West.

Musical artist Ye, commonly known as Kanye West, is being accused of repeatedly using a sample for a track on his studio album “Donda 2″ that was unauthorized.

According to reports, Chicago native Kanye West has been hit with a lawsuit by publishing company Ultra International Music Publishing (UIMP). The billionaire businessman has sued for copyright infringement over the song “Flowers,” a track off Kanye West’s “Donda 2,” released only via the Stem Player.

UIMP is suing Kanye West and the creators of the Stem Player for allegedly sampling the 1986 house song “Move Your Body,” written by house artist Marshall Jefferson, who’s also from Chicago. West is accused of using an unauthorized sample of the song that’s repeated “at least” 22 times in the Donda 2 track.

The lawsuit, filed in a New York federal court, claims West and his representatives acknowledged to UIMP and representatives for Marshall Jefferson that he sampled “Move Your Body” without permission. The suit states:

“Despite this acknowledgement, West has not ceased distribution of ‘Flowers.’ Defendants’ conduct is willful and deliberate. Defendants know and have been informed that they do not possess a license to utilize the Composition in the Unauthorized Work, and yet continue to willfully infringe in blatant disregard of UIMP’s rights of ownership.”

UIMP is seeking damages, profits, a cease in distribution, and demanding a jury trial.

“Donda 2“, the follow-up to last year’s “Donda,” dropped in February as a Stem Player exclusive and has since remained exclusive to the $200 device. Shortly after the album’s release, the entrepreneur claimed to have made $2.2 million from Stem Player sales in one day.

Kanye West

What are your thoughts on this? Do you think Kanye West and Marshall Jefferson will be able to resolve their dispute outside of court? Tell us in the comments below! 

[Sources: 1, 2]