Producers Sue Kanye West, Ty Dolla $ign Over Vultures
Two music producers allege the rappers sampled their instrumental track without permission for the 2023 song 'Vultures.'
Updated on Nov. 9, 2026 in Hip-Hop and Rap
Music producers Jaraed Deal and Marlon Barrow sued Kanye West and Ty Dolla $ign in federal court on November 6 over the 2023 song 'Vultures.' The lawsuit alleges the defendants sampled an instrumental track without permission to create three versions of the song.
Why it matters
The case puts the unlicensed use of instrumental tracks in commercial hip-hop releases under legal scrutiny, a recurring dispute in the genre. It also raises questions about how revenue tied to a major artist's brand is split with the producers who created underlying music.
The producers allege Yeezy merchandise tied to the project grossed over $100 million, a figure drawn from the lawsuit's claims rather than verified sales data. The complaint's allegations about the merchandise revenue have not been tested in court.
The players
Kanye West
Kanye West is a rapper and producer widely known for his influential albums and high-profile public career, and he is named as a defendant in the lawsuit.
Ty Dolla $ign
Ty Dolla $ign is a singer, rapper, and producer known for his work as a featured artist and collaborator, and he is named as a defendant in the lawsuit.
The details
The lawsuit alleges that West and Ty Dolla $ign used an instrumental track written by Deal and Barrow, who say they completed the composition in 2018, to create three versions of 'Vultures' without permission. The producers are seeking to hold the defendants accountable for the unlicensed use of their work.
Timeline
2018: Producers Jaraed Deal and Marlon Barrow allegedly complete the underlying composition.
2023: 'Vultures' is released.
November 6, 2026: The lawsuit is filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.
Industry Dynamics
Disputes over uncleared samples have repeatedly surfaced in commercial hip-hop, where producers often rely on contractual credit and payment rather than litigation. This case places that recurring tension between producers and high-profile artists into a federal courtroom.
Listeners who stream 'Vultures' on platforms may see the track's availability depend on how the dispute is resolved. The outcome could affect whether the song's versions remain licensed for distribution.
The takeaway
Producers who create the instrumental foundation of a song may have legal claims when that work is used without permission. Listeners and creators can watch how the court resolves the sampling allegations.
Further reading
For more on the genre's ongoing legal battles, explore Hip-Hop and Rap coverage.
