Kanye West, now legally known as Ye, has lost a copyright lawsuit over an uncleared sample he played exactly once - at a 2021 listening party for his then-unreleased album Donda in Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The sample in question, MSD PT2, was an instrumental composed by Khalil Abdul-Rahman, Sam Barsh, Josh Mease and Dan Seeff back in 2018, which made its way to Ye via another producer. He played the sample-heavy version of Hurricane to 40,000 fans before removing it from the final release and instead interpolating elements, adding the four men to the songwriting credits.
The plaintiffs argued they deserved compensation for the live performance because Ye made money off the event through ticket sales and merchandising. Their lawyer Irene Lee put it bluntly in a Los Angeles court: “There was no deal, no agreement, no licence, and no clearance.” A jury agreed, awarding the plaintiffs a six-figure sum - though Ye’s lawyers claimed the amount was smaller than hoped, since Ye wasn’t on the hook for four separate sums. Ye testified in person, saying, “I pride myself on giving people what they deserve,” and added, “I feel like a lot of people try to take advantage of me.” The plaintiffs had also sought lost revenue from the finished recording of Hurricane, but a judge dismissed that part earlier this year.
A representative for Ye acknowledged the outcome but called it a “failed shakedown.” This is Ye’s second legal loss of 2025 - earlier, he was ordered to pay $140,000 to a handyman who claimed he wasn’t paid for Malibu mansion renovations. Ye also continues to make headlines for antisemitic remarks, songs, and clothing designs. In March, he was booked for a three-night run at London’s Wireless festival in July, but Jewish groups, politicians including Keir Starmer and London mayor Sadiq Khan opposed it, corporate sponsors pulled out, and the Home Office banned him from entering the UK. The festival was cancelled. So that’s two losses in court and one in the court of public opinion.