Kanye West, now officially going by Ye, is back in legal headlines, this time over his 2022 release Donda 2. A federal copyright infringement lawsuit has been filed concerning his track “LORD LIFT ME UP” featuring Vory, according to Billboard.
The suit, brought September 4 by The GRC Trust on behalf of Ginn Music Group, claims Ye sampled soul legend Sam Dees’ 1975 track “Just Out Of My Reach” without proper permission. GRC, based in Atlanta, alleges the song’s opening loop is used throughout Ye’s two-minute-plus track, sparking what could be a costly copyright battle.
Who’s Named in the Lawsuit?
Alongside Ye, the lawsuit targets Vory (Tavoris Javon Hollins) and Yeezy LLC, as well as Kano Computing and founder Alex Klein. Kano is the company behind the Stem Player, the exclusive device used to release Donda 2. The complaint states that none of the parties obtained authorization to use the original composition, yet they continue to profit from it.
GRC is now demanding a court order and financial compensation, seeking all profits earned by the defendants, plus losses suffered by GRC, and any other monetary gains made from the alleged infringement. This case underscores how carefully the music world is watching sampling, particularly when tied to unconventional distribution platforms like the Stem Player.
Timing With Ye’s Upcoming Documentary
This legal drama arrives as fans eagerly await Ye’s new documentary, In Whose Name?, hitting select theaters. The film promises a deep dive into Ye’s life between 2018 and 2024, covering his divorce from Kim Kardashian, controversial remarks on antisemitism, and the personal struggles that shaped his creative journey. With raw access to both his highs and lows, the documentary sets the stage for another chapter in Ye’s complicated legacy.
As the lawsuit unfolds, it’s a reminder that even hip-hop icons aren’t above the law when it comes to sampling, and independent platforms don’t guarantee a legal free pass.
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