Kanye West sued by Donna Summer’s estate over unauthorized sampling of ‘I Feel Love’

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The music industry has been stirred by a lawsuit filed against Kanye West, the renowned rapper and music producer. The lawsuit has been initiated by the estate of the late Donna Summer, the undisputed Queen of Disco. The bone of contention is the alleged unauthorized use of Summer’s iconic 1977 hit, ‘I Feel Love’, in Kanye’s track ‘GOOD (Don't Die)’.

 

The lawsuit alleges that Kanye West and his collaborator, Ty Dolla Sign, used the instantly recognizable hook from Summer’s disco classic after they asked for permission to use it and were "explicitly denied". The estate’s refusal was reportedly due to their desire to avoid any association with West’s controversial history. Despite the rejection, the lawsuit claims that West and Ty Dolla Sign decided to “simply steal” the song and use it without permission.

 

This legal battle underscores the importance of respecting artists’ rights and the potential consequences of copyright infringement. It also raises questions about the balance between artistic freedom and the protection of intellectual property. The lawsuit is not just about the failure to pay the appropriate licensing fee for using another’s musical property, but also about the rights of artists to decide how their works are used and presented to the public.

 

As the music industry watches this case unfold, it brings to the forefront the ongoing debate about the boundaries of creative expression and the respect for original work. What are your thoughts on this issue? Do you think artists should have the freedom to sample others’ work, or should original compositions be strictly protected? Share your views in the comments below.

 

 

Read more:

• https://apnews.com/article/donna-summer-ye-kanye-ty-dolla-sign-28712afecbbd09f74804e0c8940ba2f0
• https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/kanye-west-sued-donna-summer-estate-copyright-infringement-1234976853/
• https://www.theguardian.com/music/2024/feb/28/kanye-west-sued-estate-donna-summer-stealing-i-feel-love

 

 

Top image: Laurence Agron | Dreamstime.com