Kanye West’s new album “Vultures” has stirred controversy once again, this time for allegedly using a throwback song without consent from the estate of Donna Summer.
The late singer’s official Instagram account called out West for using an interpolation of Summer’s 1977 hit “I Feel Love” on his track “Good (Don’t Die).”
According to the post, West’s request to sample the track was denied, but he proceeded to use it anyway, leading to accusations of copyright infringement.
In a statement shared on Instagram Stories, the account stated: “Kanye West…asked permission to use Donna Summer’s song I Feel Love. He was denied…he changed the words, had someone resing [sic] it or used AI but it’s I Feel Love…copyright infringement!!!” The post tagged West, his collaborator Ty Dolla Sign, Warner Chappell Music, and Universal Music Group.
This incident comes on the heels of similar accusations from Sharon Osbourne, who claimed that West sampled a live version of Black Sabbath’s “War Pigs” on “Vultures” after the Osbourne family had previously denied permission.
Ozzy Osbourne’s refusal was reportedly influenced by West’s past antisemitic statements, which Sharon Osbourne described as causing “untold heartache to many.”
Sharon Osbourne, in a statement to TMZ, referred to West as a “disrespectful antisemite” and stated that he “fucked with the wrong Jew this time,” echoing sentiments expressed by her husband.
West has a history of using unauthorized samples, as evidenced by a copyright dispute last year with musician Marshall Jefferson over the use of the 1986 song “Move Your Body” on the track “Flowers” from his album “Donda 2.”
Both the Osbournes and Summer’s estate have issued cease and desist orders regarding the alleged unauthorized sampling. As of now, neither West nor Ty Dolla Sign has responded to the accusations.
