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Kanye West Claims that "a Lot of People Try to Take Advantage of Me" at Copyright Trial
Ye testified that his team tried to clear the samples, while the producers seek a share of listening-party revenues and a $750,000 Apple Music deal.
- Kanye West testified on Wednesday May 6 in Los Angeles regarding copyright claims over early Donda demos, defending his sample clearance process as "very generous" with credit to collaborators.
- Four producers sued West through Artist Revenue Advocates LLC in 2024, alleging he used unlicensed samples of their instrumental track MSD PT2 in a "blatant theft of musical property."
- Plaintiffs now seek $500,000 in damages, targeting revenue from an Atlanta listening party that included a $750,000 Apple Music livestreaming deal; West argued fans would have attended regardless of whether Hurricane or Moon were featured.
- The court previously narrowed the trial to early Donda demos after dismissing claims over final versions, marking West's first copyright lawsuit taken to trial after settling many others previously.
- West testified he is "constantly creating new ideas," though he faces ongoing copyright scrutiny and claimed "a lot of people try to take advantage of me" while on the stand.
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Kanye West takes stand in LA copyright trial: ‘People try to take advantage of me’
The lawsuit from four music producers — DJ Khalil, Sam Barsh, Dan Seeff and Josh Mease — claims Ye used portions of their instrumental track “MSD PT2” in demos played during a massive Donda listening event.
·New York, United States
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Ye Testifies at ‘Donda’ Copyright Trial: ‘A Lot of People Try to Take Advantage of Me’
Ye (formerly Kanye West) testified in federal court on Wednesday (May 5) that he followed the right steps to clear a sample for his chart-topping 2021 album Donda and is “very generous” with giving credit to collaborators. The rapper took the stand in an ongoing Los Angeles trial over early versions of his songs “Hurricane” and “Moon,” which both charted in the top 20 of the Billboard Hot 100 when they were released on Donda in 2021. “Hurrican…
·United States
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Total News Sources22
Leaning Left4Leaning Right1Center1Last UpdatedBias Distribution67% Left
Bias Distribution
- 67% of the sources lean Left
67% Left
L 67%
C 17%
R 16%
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