Entertainment · Music · 1 hr ago
Kanye West and Alice Merton Settle Sample Dispute
Kanye West and Alice Merton settled a copyright dispute over a song sample.
Merton, a German singer-songwriter and descendant of Holocaust survivors, said West used part of her song “Blindside” on “Gun to My Head” without permission.
She had refused to approve the sample, citing West’s antisemitic and racist remarks.
The song was teased at a listening event in 2023 but did not appear on the first “Vultures” album.
A federal judge agreed to dismiss the lawsuit after the settlement, whose terms were not disclosed.
The dispute highlights how sampling music without permission can lead to legal action.
The settlement terms must be fulfilled before the lawyers seek dismissal under their court filing.
A federal judge agreed to dismiss a copyright lawsuit after Kanye West and Alice Merton reached a settlement.
Merton had accused West, now known as Ye, of using a sample of her song “Blindside” without permission in “Gun to My Head.”
She said she refused permission because of West’s antisemitic remarks and her personal beliefs.
The settlement terms were not disclosed.
The song was not on the official track list for “Vultures 2,” though it briefly appeared on a digital deluxe version.
- Who
- Kanye West, now known as Ye, and German singer-songwriter Alice Merton.
- What
- They settled a copyright dispute over an alleged unauthorized sample of Merton’s song “Blindside” in West’s track “Gun to My Head.
- When
- A judge agreed to dismiss the lawsuit on Thursday. Lawyers said in a Nov. 6 filing that they had agreed to resolve the dispute.
- Where
- A federal court in the United States. The judge was U.S. District Court Judge Fernando L. Aenlle-Rocha.
- Why
- Merton alleged that West used the sample without permission. She said she refused to clear it because of his antisemitic remarks and because his values were contrary to hers.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
West first teased “Gun to My Head” at an early “Vultures” listening event.
The first “Vultures” album was released without “Gun to My Head.
West’s clearance company allegedly contacted Merton to seek permission for the sample.
Gun to My Head” was absent from the official “Vultures 2” track list but briefly appeared on a digital deluxe version.
Lawyers for both sides said in a court filing that they had agreed to resolve the dispute.
A federal judge agreed to dismiss the lawsuit after the settlement.
- Plaintiff
- Alice Merton
- Defendant
- Kanye West, now known as Ye
- Sampled song
- Blindside
- West track
- Gun to My Head
- Judge
- Fernando L. Aenlle-Rocha
What people are saying
unwilling to compromise her personal beliefs
understandably shocked and humiliated
values are contrary to our values