Key Takeaways
- Producers Marlonwiththeglasses and Jae Deal sued Kanye West and Ty Dolla Sign, alleging two versions of “Vultures” use their sample “Joint 2” without compensation or proper credit.
- Marlonwiththeglasses says he texted Ty Dolla Sign an MP3 with the understanding that he would provide a high-quality version and stems once they reached a written agreement.
- The producers rejected an October 2024 buyout offer from Yeezy’s lawyer and now seek a jury trial and damages after previously pushing platforms to remove the tracks.
The artist formerly known as Kanye West and Ty Dolla Sign have been sued for copyright infringement by two producers, one of whom allegedly sent the sample that ended up being used on the 2023 song “Vultures” via text.
The complaint, obtained by Complex, alleges Marlon Barrow, who goes by Marlonwiththeglasses, was on a phone call with Ty Dolla Sign when he heard the sample, titled “Joint 2,” playing in the background. Ty Dolla then allegedly expressed interest in the sample, which was created by Barrow and Jae Deal around Nov. 2018, and asked to visit his studio to hear the track.
Ty Dolla later asked Barrow for the sample, which was sent as an MP3 file via text. The complaint alleges Barrow chose to do so with the understanding that a high-quality version, along with stems, would be provided when they reach a written agreement.
Deal and Barrow claim that multiple versions of the song “Vultures,” which feature “audibly recognizable and substantial portions” of the provided sample, were released without compensation or appropriate credits.
The complaint claims the two producers tried to have “Vultures” removed on platforms, like YouTube and Spotify, in Dec. 2023.
The following month, Deal and Barrow spoke with 88-Keys, who is identified as the head of music at Yeezy, and laid out their complaints about their sample being used on “Vultures.”
In Oct. 2024, Deal’s attorney at the time allegedly received a buyout settlement offer from Yeezy’s lawyer, which was rejected “due to the known value of Plaintiffs Sampled Works and the offer’s failure to redress the issues of willful infringement and lack of credit.”
Instead, Deal demanded that the “Vultures” tracks be removed “until a fair and equitable agreement could be reached.”
Deal and Barrow are seeking a jury trial, along with actual damages and statutory damages.
