Kanye West Settles Lawsuit Over Unlicensed Boogie Down Productions Sample
- Kanye West, the iconic and often controversial rap artist, has settled a lawsuit involving an unlicensed sample from Boogie Down Productions, HipHopDX has learned. The settlement marks the end of a legal battle that started in 2022 over the track "Life of the Party," a collaboration with André 3000 from Kanye’s album Donda.
The dispute centered around the use of a sample from Boogie Down Productions' 1986 track "South Bronx." The lawsuit wasn’t filed by BDP leader KRS-One but by Phase One Network, the company owning the rights to the track. According to court documents reviewed by HipHopDX, Kanye and his team initially sought to clear the sample. However, negotiations fell through, and the sample was allegedly used without a finalized agreement.
"Life of the Party" first gained attention in September 2021 when it was leaked by fellow rapper Drake during their ongoing feud. While initially available exclusively via Kanye’s $200 Stem Player device, it later made its way to streaming services on the deluxe edition of Donda.
Phase One Network claimed that the usage of "South Bronx" on the track drove up the sales of the Stem Player, which sold around 11,000 units in the first 24 hours, generating an estimated $2.2 million. The company sought a cut of these profits and sought to stop further usage of the "South Bronx" sample.
The Settlement:
The terms of the settlement were kept confidential, except for the agreement that both parties would cover their legal expenses. Several defendants in the original lawsuit were not part of the settlement. As of the latest court records, a stipulation and order of voluntary dismissal of the suit was filed on August 19.
Other Legal Battles:
This settlement adds to the complexities in Kanye's recent legal entanglements. Recently, Adidas emerged victorious against investors following Kanye’s controversial antisemitic remarks and erratic behavior, which led to the end of the Yeezy partnership in October 2022. Judge Karin J. Immergut ruled against investors who accused Adidas of misleading them about the potential risks associated with Kanye's volatile partnership.
"Certainly, that [Kanye] allegedly engaged in such behavior while working with Adidas is troubling," Judge Immergut stated. "This Court does not condone what [West] allegedly did. But the question before this Court is not whether to admonish [him] or hold Adidas accountable for [his] conduct. On the current record before this Court, the answer is no.”
What’s Next:
As Kanye navigates through these legal waters, his influence on both the music industry and pop culture remains as potent as ever. Whether making headlines in courtrooms or music charts, Kanye continues to be a figure who demands attention—and often, controversy.
