Kanye West is reportedly in hot water as over 10 producers who contributed to the albums Vultures 1 and 2 claim they have not been paid for their work.
The producers, who helped create the tracks for both projects, are now considering legal action after their compensation remains unpaid.
Released earlier this year—Vultures 1 on February 10 and Vultures 2 on August 3—the albums have drawn attention for their star-studded collaborations, but the producers involved say they have yet to see any financial rewards.
Music attorney Bob Celestin, representing several producers, expressed frustration at the situation, pointing out that despite the albums being available for months, the individuals behind the music remain uncompensated.
What makes the matter more complicated is that these producers never signed formal agreements with West for their work on the albums. They cannot claim producer fees or royalties without written contracts, leaving them in a difficult position.
Related stories
Several producers’ legal representatives have pointed out that their only option may be to take legal action, but they note that pursuing such claims can be costly and time-consuming.
Further complicating matters, some of the producers’ lawyers believe West has changed the handling of royalties and clearances multiple times, using different attorneys.
This has led to confusion and delays in payments, with one group of attorneys even preparing to send legal letters to the album distributor earlier this year, only to find that West switched distributors before they could do so.
This ongoing issue adds to the growing list of legal battles Kanye West faces. The artist is already embroiled in lawsuits from former employees, including a former security guard accusing him of racial bias, an ex-project manager suing for discrimination and non-payment, and a former assistant who filed a lawsuit for sexual harassment and wrongful termination earlier this year.
