Kanye West album distributor to 'remove' Vultures 1 after 'violating' agreement

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Kanye West
Kanye West's album distributor claims they didn't agree to put it our

Kanye West and Ty Dolla $ign's collaborative album, Vultures 1, might be taken off streaming platforms as the music's distributor is unhappy.

They claim that they previously declined to distribute the music, but it was done so, nonetheless. The company — FUGA — is a tech and distribution platform that is utilised by labels. "With our client-centric attitude to business, we are the number one choice for some of the world’s top labels, management companies and distributors, including Epitaph Records, Ultra, Curb, Mom + Pop, mTheory and Domino," their website explains.

A spokesperson for the company told Billboard: "Late last year, FUGA was presented with the opportunity to release Vultures 1. Exercising our judgment in the ordinary course of business, we declined to do so."

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Kanye West album distributor to 'remove' Vultures 1 after 'violating' agreement qhiqqhiqxdihinvHe's been slammed by multiple artists for copyright issues (AFP via Getty Images)

The move actually violated the company policies, according to the spokesperson. They explained: "On Friday, February 9, 2024, a long-standing FUGA client delivered the album Vultures 1 through the platform’s automated processes, violating our service agreement. Therefore, FUGA is actively working with its DSP partners and the client to remove Vultures 1 from our systems.”

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Before the album's distribution by FUGA, the lead singles were spread through Label Engine. Now in FUGA's hands, they plan to yank the album off its platform, causing uncertainty in regards to how fans can access it moving forward. This isn't the only reason tracks could be disappearing, either. Some artists, including Donna Summer's estate, complained about music being sampled on tracks without their consent. As a result, the song Good (Don't Die) was removed from Spotify.

Kanye West album distributor to 'remove' Vultures 1 after 'violating' agreementHis music could be removed from streaming services (GC Images)

The estate wrote: "Kanye West… asked permission to use Donna Summer’s song I Feel Love, he was denied… he changed the words, had someone re sing it or used AI but it’s I Feel Love… copyright infringement!!!”

Similarly, after an album listening party in Chicago, Ozzy Osbourne admitted he had denied Kanye to use a song, but Kanye did so anyway. The Black Sabbath member wrote: "[Kanye West] asked permission to sample a section of a 1983 live performance of 'Iron Man' from the US festival without vocals & was refuse permission because he is an antisemite and has caused untold heartache to many. He went ahead and used the sample anyway at his album listening party last night. I want no association with this man!"

Alex West

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