Donna Summer’s Estate Sues Kanye West Over Alleged Unauthorized Use of ‘I Feel Love’ in ‘Vultures’ Album

Donna Summer’s estate has taken legal action against Kanye West, alleging that he sampled her hit song “I Feel Love” without permission. According to court documents obtained by TMZ, West reportedly requested to use part of the song for his album “Vultures 1” in January 2024 but was denied by the estate. Despite the rejection, Kanye West allegedly went ahead and included an interpolation of Summer’s song in his track “Good (Don’t Die),” leading the estate to file a lawsuit seeking damages and an injunction to block further distribution of the song.

The lawsuit claims that Kanye West’s unauthorized use of the song is nearly identical to Summer’s original hit, and despite attempts to work around copyright infringement, the estate argues that the infringement remains clear. The song was initially included in the “Vultures” album but has since been removed from several streaming services. The estate has also targeted West’s label and collaborator Ty Dolla $ign in the legal action.

Donna Summer’s estate has officially sued Kanye West, claiming he made an unauthorized soundalike of her song ‘I Feel Love’ after they denied his request to sample it on his ‘Vultures’ album, TMZ reports. pic.twitter.com/JQl8L8HN4q

— Pop Base (@PopBase) February 27, 2024

This is not the first time Kanye West has faced criticism for sampling without permission. Recently, he faced backlash for sampling one of Ozzy Osbourne’s songs despite Osbourne rejecting his request. Osbourne publicly criticized West, accusing him of being antisemitic and causing heartache to many. Despite Osbourne’s denial, West used the sample at his album listening party, leading Osbourne to disavow any association with him.

Kanye West was sued today for sampling Donna Summer's "I Feel Love" without permission in his track "Good (Don't Die)."

Ye's team asked for permission, and Summer's estate denied him. pic.twitter.com/jMlZpInU2q

— Rob Freund (@RobertFreundLaw) February 28, 2024

In response to the lawsuit, representatives for West have not issued a comment. However, the legal action adds to the controversy surrounding the release of West’s album. Despite the legal challenges, West has been actively promoting his album in Europe, with his daughter North joining him at a release party in Paris. The father-daughter duo performed together, showcasing their close bond amidst the legal and personal turmoil surrounding West.

Kanye West’s album release has also been marked by appearances with his wife, Bianca Censori, who recently turned heads at a release party in Milan with her revealing outfit. Despite the legal issues and controversies, West remains focused on promoting his music, with the ongoing legal battle with Donna Summer’s estate adding another layer of complexity to his already tumultuous career.

As the legal proceedings unfold, the outcome will determine the impact on West’s reputation and the resolution of the dispute between his team and Donna Summer’s estate.

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