Kanye West is in the news again, this time for allegedly failing to pay multiple Vultures producers. Kanye collaborated with several producers on his and TY Dolla Sign’s album, which was produced by his YZY brand and first came out in February 2024. The second part, Vultures 2, was released on August 3. However, lawyers for some of the producers claim Kanye West still owes their clients for Vultures.
Kanye West Reportedly Owes Several Producers
Billboard broke the news on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024, that Kanye West still owes several producers who worked on Vultures 1 and 2. The report revealed that over ten producers failed to sign contracts before working on the Grammy-nominated album, so they were not paid for their work. The producers retained attorneys who banded together to demand payment for their clients from West. Bob Celestin, an attorney for some of the producers, told Billboard that Ye refused payment for both albums.
“We have clients who’ve produced music on the Vultures album(s) and have still not been paid for their services even though both albums have been released.”
He added, “Presently, we have no idea when payment will be made, which is so unfortunate and unfair. You would think Ye would be more sensitive to this issue because he is a producer.”
Kanye West Offers Buyout to “Vultures” Producers
Billboard’s report revealed that some months ago, Kanye West offered buyouts to the Vultures producers he still owed. However, several attorneys refused the offer on behalf of their clients because the deal was unfavorable. Accepting West’s buyout meant they would not receive any royalties if the record label recovered the costs of the albums. The flat fee payment was thus a bad deal for them.
The lawyers are considering filing a case to recover their clients’ money. However, the rapper has recently made many changes to his music business, making it difficult. Kanye West has changed his distributors and is currently working on sample clearances for the Vultures album.
“We have no recourse besides to try to sue [Ye], but that’s costly,” an attorney said. “Another lawyer revealed that filing a lawsuit against West usually doesn’t “really seem to go anywhere.”
Digital Nas Calls Out Kanye West’s Team
Meanwhile, another of Kanye West’s collaborators on Vultures tackled him on social media. Digital Nas ranted on his Instagram story about how the credits were listed for Carnival, Vultures‘ hit single. The Atlanta-born producer posted a screenshot of an email from music executive Matt Geffen, in which the latter questioned his involvement in Kanye West’s Vultures. Geffen informed Nas that fellow producers Traxster, 88-Keys, and Morning Estrada couldn’t verify his contributions to the first album track.
“I’m a give you context to how these vulture-ass n-ggas work,” Digital Nas began in his rant. “Fritz [Owens, engineer] text me, ‘Ye and Carti need you.’ I go there. ‘Nas, what do we need done to ‘Carnival’?’ I tell them n-ggas everything that needs to be done, told Ye to change his verse. ‘Carnival’ gets nominated for a fucking Grammy, it goes number one. They’re doing the paperwork, this fucking guy Matt Geffen comes out of nowhere, tries to regulate shit.”
Digital Nas Accuses Kanye West of Having No Talent
Nas also claimed Kanye and the others were old and untalented. He said they usually used younger people like him and took the credit for themselves.
“When it’s small records like ‘Paperwork,’ ‘Oh yeah, leave Nas on that.’ But when it’s big records that went number one, ‘Nah, he ain’t do shit on that.’ Fuck all y’all n-ggas!” he added.
Since its release, Vultures has been plagued by controversies about payment. Meanwhile, the serial entrepreneur has not responded to the comments and reports. Hopefully, he will do that soon so that everyone can get proper credit for their work.
#Clique, what do you think of the latest development relating to Kanye West? Let us know in the comments.
