Kanye West is once again embroiled in controversy, this time facing allegations of copyright infringement from the estate of disco icon Donna Summer. In an Instagram Story post shared on Saturday (February 10), the estate claimed that West did not obtain proper clearance to interpolate the classic song “I Feel Love,” originally released in 1977 and co-written by Summer, producer Giorgio Moroder, and Peter Bellotte.
According to the post, West’s request to use the song was denied by the estate, yet he proceeded to alter the lyrics, have someone re-sing it, or use AI technology to replicate it, resulting in what the estate deems as copyright infringement.
HipHopDX reached out to the attorney representing Donna Summer’s publishing company for comment, but there has been no immediate response.
This recent claim against West comes on the heels of a similar complaint from Ozzy Osbourne’s wife, Sharon, regarding the unauthorized use of a live sample of Black Sabbath’s “Iron Man” during West’s Vultures 1 album event livestream. Osbourne accused West of disregarding permission after being denied and expressed disdain for his alleged antisemitic behavior.
In response to Osbourne’s allegations, West speculated on his Instagram Stories that a “celebrity handler” might have been responsible for the tweet, highlighting the irony of Osbourne’s past association with him, including dressing as West for Halloween.
Additionally, West and collaborator Ty Dolla $ign allegedly faced challenges in obtaining permission from the Backstreet Boys to sample their hit song “Everybody (Backstreet’s Back)” for their new track of a similar name.
