Kanye West & Ty Dolla $ign's 'Vultures 1' Album Removed from Apple Music: What Happened?
Kanye West and Ty Dolla $ign's collaborative effort, the album "Vultures 1," has hit a snag as it faces potential removal from major streaming platforms. The project, which stirred buzz even before its release on February 10, encountered distribution issues that now threaten its accessibility to listeners.
Before the album's official drop, Kanye West and Ty Dolla $ign were actively seeking a distribution deal. Despite several delays, the LP eventually saw the light of day through FUGA, a technology platform in the music industry facilitating content delivery to digital service providers (DSPs).
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However, the situation took a turn when FUGA, in a statement to Billboard, revealed that Vultures 1 was released without proper authorization through their platform. According to FUGA, the album's delivery violated their service agreement, prompting immediate action to rectify the issue.
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. 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.”
- FUGA
Kanye West & Ty Dolla $ign's 'Vultures 1' Removed from Streaming: Apple Music Controversy Explained:
Kanye West and Ty Dolla $ign’s album ‘Vultures’ has been removed from Apple Music. pic.twitter.com/32tSjZnoz7
— WhatsOnRap (@WhatsOnRap_) February 15, 2024
As a result, FUGA is currently collaborating with DSP partners and the involved client to remove Vultures 1 from their systems. This development comes hot on the heels of Spotify's removal of the album cut "Good (Don’t Die)" due to a dispute over its sampling of Donna Summer’s "I Feel Love."
The contentious hook of "Good (Don’t Die)," featuring J. Rey Soul, heavily samples Summer’s iconic disco track from 1977. The estate of Donna Summer expressed dissatisfaction with the usage, alleging copyright infringement despite Kanye West's efforts to secure permission for its incorporation.
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Although "Good (Don’t Die)" remains accessible on certain streaming platforms like Apple Music, its removal from Spotify underscores the complexities surrounding sample clearances and copyright issues in the music industry.
Kanye West and Ty Dolla $ign's "Vultures 1" finds itself embroiled in a distribution debacle, highlighting the challenges faced by artists and platforms alike in navigating legalities and permissions within the realm of music streaming.