Kanye West ‘Refused to Compensate’ Producer for Work on ‘Vultures 2’ and ‘Bully,’ Lawsuit Claims
What's happening
An unidentified producer has sued Kanye West, claiming the rapper refused to pay him for creating AI-generated vocals on tracks from the albums 'Vultures 2' and 'Bully.' The producer is seeking at least $220,000 in compensation for the alleged unpaid work.
Who's involved
Kanye West, an American rapper, songwriter, and record producer who has been listed among the greatest rappers of all time and is known for his frequent stylistic shifts in music. The unnamed producer claims to have contributed vocal work to 'Vultures 2,' the second studio album by hip-hop supergroup ¥$ (composed of West and Ty Dolla $ign), which was released independently in August 2024.
Why it matters
The lawsuit raises questions about compensation practices in modern music production, particularly around emerging technologies like AI-generated vocals. The case could set precedent for how artists are expected to pay collaborators who contribute to contemporary album projects, especially as AI tools become more integrated into music creation workflows.
The story
An unidentified music producer has filed a lawsuit against Kanye West alleging that the rapper refused to compensate him for creating AI-generated vocals on multiple tracks, according to Rolling Stone. The producer claims to have generated vocal contributions for songs on both 'Vultures 2' and 'Bully' and is seeking a minimum of $220,000 for the work performed.
The lawsuit centers on what appears to be a straightforward dispute over unpaid creative services. The producer asserts that he undertook the work of generating artificial intelligence-based vocals—a relatively novel production technique—without receiving agreed-upon payment from West or his representatives. The specific terms of any agreement between the parties and the exact nature of the vocal contributions remain unclear from available details.
'Vultures 2' is the second studio album by the hip-hop supergroup ¥$, which comprises Kanye West and singer Ty Dolla $ign. Released independently through West's YZY record label on August 3, 2024, the project featured an extensive lineup of guest performers including Don Toliver, Playboi Carti, Kodak Black, Future, Lil Durk, and Lil Baby, among others. The album represents West's continued creative output despite his well-documented controversial public persona and polarizing cultural and political commentary in recent years.
The inclusion of AI-generated vocals on a major commercial release underscores how quickly artificial intelligence tools have been adopted in mainstream music production. These technologies have emerged as a viable option for artists and producers seeking to expedite creative workflows or explore new sonic possibilities. However, the legal dispute in this case suggests that the industry remains uncertain about standard practices and protections for producers working with AI-generation tools.
West's alleged refusal to pay follows a pattern of documented payment disputes involving various collaborators and vendors. The lawsuit appears to be among a growing number of financial conflicts emerging from his recent projects and business operations. The outcome could influence how other artists and producers structure agreements involving artificial intelligence-assisted creative work.