Kanye West testifies in Donda album trial as…
Ye has taken his battle over samples used in his Donda album to a Los Angeles courtroom — and told jurors he’s being shaken down because of who he’s.
The rapper previously identified as Kanye West testified Wednesday in federal court that he adopted the “normal process” to clear a disputed pattern tied to early variations of the hit songs “Hurricane” and “Moon,” both featured on his blockbuster 2021 album.
“We went through the normal process to get it taken care of,” said Ye, who appeared in court carrying a grey swimsuit.
Kanye West seems at federal court in Los Angeles carrying an all-gray swimsuit with a leather-based shirt. BACKGRID
Ye insisted his staff made a professional effort to license the pattern. BACKGRID
The trial facilities on a lawsuit from 4 music producers — DJ Khalil, Sam Barsh, Dan Seeff and Josh Mease — who declare Ye used parts of their instrumental monitor “MSD PT2” in demos performed during a large Donda listening event at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium in July 2021.
That event grew to become a pop-culture spectacle, drawing followers from across the nation as Ye previewed unfinished tracks before the album’s release. Final variations of “Hurricane” and “Moon” later landed in the Billboard Hot 100’s top 20, with “Hurricane” — that includes The Weeknd and Lil Baby — successful a Grammy for best melodic rap efficiency.
Ye insisted his staff made a professional effort to license the pattern, but said the producers stalled negotiations and rejected customary royalty splits.
DJ Khalil, Sam Barsh, Dan Seeff and Josh Mease declare Ye used parts of their instrumental monitor. Getty Images for The Recording Academy
Ellen Schaefer in an orange gown and Sam Barsh in a black swimsuit and fedora on a purple carpet. Getty Images for The Recording Academy
“I feel like a lot of people try to take advantage of me,” Ye told the jury. BACKGRID
“I pride myself on giving people what they deserve” in phrases of credit and royalties, Ye testified, including that some people strive to squeeze additional money out of him because of his celeb standing.
“I feel like a lot of people try to take advantage of me,” Ye told the jury according to Billboard. “As I sit in this courtroom today, I just think people are trying to make more than they otherwise would because it’s me.”
The lawsuit is just one of more than a dozen copyright battles Ye has confronted over alleged uncleared samples during his profession. But not like past circumstances, which often ended in settlements, this one has gone all the way in which to trial.
A choose already trimmed most of the lawsuit earlier this 12 months, ruling the plaintiffs only own rights to the “MSD PT2” grasp recording — not the underlying composition. That narrowed the case to the early Donda demos performed at the Atlanta listening get together, not the ultimate album tracks that generated hundreds of thousands.
The producers are now in search of damages tied to the listening event itself, including ticket gross sales, merchandise income and a reported $750,000 livestream settlement with Apple Music.
Kanye West and Migos at the Donda 2 listening Party at LoanDepot Park in Miami, Florida on February 22, 2022. Walik Goshorn/MediaPunch
Kanye West performing at the Donda 2 listening get together. Walik Goshorn/MediaPunch
Ye pushed back on those claims from the witness stand.
“People came to hear whatever I was going to play that was new,” Ye testified. “Often people buy merch before they even hear the music.”
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