Kanye West is facing legal action from the estate of late singer Donna Summer over claims of unauthorized use of her voice on his album “Vultures 1.”
According to reports from TMZ, Summer’s estate alleges that West utilized an “unauthorized interpolation” of Summer’s voice from her song “I Feel Love” on the track “Good (Don’t Die)” featured on the album.
The estate further claims that West proceeded with creating the song after being rejected by the estate for sampling Summer’s music.
In response to the alleged infringement, Summer’s estate has filed a lawsuit against West, collaborator Ty Dolla Sign, and West’s record label, among others.
The estate is seeking significant damages and an injunction to halt the distribution of “Good (Don’t Die).”
Court documents obtained by TMZ reveal that West and his associates reached out to Summer’s estate on January 31, 2024, seeking permission to sample “I Feel Love.”
However, the request was denied by the estate, which retains control over a portion of the copyright for Summer’s music.
Also Read: Kanye West Faces Backlash Over Alleged Unauthorized Sampling Of Donna Summer’s Song
Despite the rejection, West and his team purportedly proceeded to create an unauthorized interpolation of Summer’s song, using key elements of the melody and enlisting a singer to replicate Summer’s voice with slight alterations to the lyrics.
The complaint filed by the estate highlights concerns over West’s controversial reputation, referencing past instances of misconduct and divisive public statements.
The estate expressed apprehension about potential damage to Summer’s legacy by associating her music with West’s contentious image.
“Good (Don’t Die)” was initially included on West’s “Vultures 1” album across various digital streaming platforms on February 10. However, following the legal dispute, the song has been removed from platforms like Spotify and Apple Music, with the estate reportedly reaching out to streaming services to ensure its removal.
