Donda 2

== Lawsuits ==

== Lawsuits ==

On June 29, 2022, West was sued by [[Ultra International Music Publishing]] over unauthorized samples of the song "[[Move Your Body (Marshall Jefferson song)|Move Your Body]]" by [[Marshall Jefferson]] on the track "Flowers".{{Cite web |last=Minsker |first=Evan |date=June 30, 2022 |title=Kanye West Sued Over Sample on Donda 2's "Flowers" |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/kanye-west-sued-over-sample-on-donda-2s-flowers/ |access-date=May 13, 2025 |website=Pitchfork |language=en-US}} In a motion filed at the Southern District of New York, Ultra International Music Publishing claimed that, "During discussions with representatives for Mr. Jefferson and UIMP, West and his representatives acknowledged that 'Move Your Body' was sampled in 'Flowers,' and was done so without authorization or payment to UIMP or Marshall Jefferson. Despite this acknowledgement, West has not ceased distribution of 'Flowers.'"{{Cite web |date=June 30, 2022 |title=Kanye West sued for allegedly sampling Chicago House legend Marshall Jefferson's music without permission |url=https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/kanye-west-sued-for-allegedly-sampling-chicago-house-legend-marshall-jeffersons-music-without-permission/ |access-date=May 13, 2025 |website=Music Business Worldwide |language=en-US}}{{Cite journal |title=Ultra International Music Publishing, LLC v. West et al |url=https://dockets.justia.com/docket/new-york/nysdce/1:2022cv05560/582432 |journal=Justia Dockets & Filings}} In a comment provided to ''[[Music Business Worldwide]]'', Jefferson stated "I've been sampled thousands of times. For that reason I've never and will never sample another artist, because I know the feelings involved." Both the monetization of the Stem Player and the use of "Flowers" in promotional material for the product were cited as profit made through the sample. The lawsuit was settled on May 3, 2023.{{Cite news |title=Kanye West settles copyright lawsuit over 'Donda 2' sample |url=https://www.reuters.com/legal/litigation/kanye-west-settles-copyright-lawsuit-over-donda-2-sample-2023-05-04/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230921204446/https://www.reuters.com/legal/litigation/kanye-west-settles-copyright-lawsuit-over-donda-2-sample-2023-05-04/ |archive-date=September 21, 2023 |access-date=May 13, 2025 |work=Reuters |language=en-US |url-status=live }} Despite this, the 2025 re-release of ''Donda 2'' adds the sampled portions of "Move Your Body" back to the song.

On June 29, 2022, West was sued by [[Ultra International Music Publishing]] over unauthorized samples of the song "[[Move Your Body (Marshall Jefferson song)|Move Your Body]]" by [[Marshall Jefferson]] on the track "Flowers".{{Cite web |last=Minsker |first=Evan |date=June 30, 2022 |title=Kanye West Sued Over Sample on Donda 2's "Flowers" |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/kanye-west-sued-over-sample-on-donda-2s-flowers/ |access-date=May 13, 2025 |website=Pitchfork |language=en-US}} In a motion filed at the Southern District of New York, Ultra International Music Publishing claimed that, "During discussions with representatives for Mr. Jefferson and UIMP, West and his representatives acknowledged that 'Move Your Body' was sampled in 'Flowers,' and was done so without authorization or payment to UIMP or Marshall Jefferson. Despite this acknowledgement, West has not ceased distribution of 'Flowers.'"{{Cite web |date=June 30, 2022 |title=Kanye West sued for allegedly sampling Chicago House legend Marshall Jefferson's music without permission |url=https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/kanye-west-sued-for-allegedly-sampling-chicago-house-legend-marshall-jeffersons-music-without-permission/ |access-date=May 13, 2025 |website=Music Business Worldwide |language=en-US}}{{Cite journal |title=Ultra International Music Publishing, LLC v. West et al |url=https://dockets.justia.com/docket/new-york/nysdce/1:2022cv05560/582432 |journal=Justia Dockets & Filings}} In a comment provided to ''[[Music Business Worldwide]]'', Jefferson stated "I've been sampled thousands of times. For that reason I've never and will never sample another artist, because I know the feelings involved." Both the monetization of the Stem Player and the use of "Flowers" in promotional material for the product were cited as profit made through the sample. The lawsuit was settled on May 3, 2023.{{Cite news |title=Kanye West settles copyright lawsuit over 'Donda 2' sample |url=https://www.reuters.com/legal/litigation/kanye-west-settles-copyright-lawsuit-over-donda-2-sample-2023-05-04/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230921204446/https://www.reuters.com/legal/litigation/kanye-west-settles-copyright-lawsuit-over-donda-2-sample-2023-05-04/ |archive-date=September 21, 2023 |access-date=May 13, 2025 |work=Reuters |language=en-US |url-status=live }} Despite this, the 2025 re-release of ''Donda 2'' added the sampled portions of "Move Your Body" back to the song, which were later removed in 2026.

On April 30, 2025, West was threatened with legal action by former manager [[DeAndre "Free" Maiden]], who represented ''Donda 2'' producers BoogzDaBeast and Brian "AllDay" Miller, under accusations that West had failed to compensate them for both released and unreleased work. West responded by claiming that Maiden was trying to "extort" him with a $3 million settlement for "beats from people I showed how to make beats to," and was attempting to remove ''Donda 2'' from streaming.{{Cite web |title=Ye Claims $3 Million Dispute Could Lead to 'Donda 2' Remo... |url=https://www.complex.com/music/a/tracewilliamcowen/kanye-west-donda-2-producers-payment |access-date=May 13, 2025 |website=Complex |date=April 30, 2025 |language=en}} In a response, Maiden stated "I've purposely kept our dispute quiet, I believe in keeping family business family business." He ended his statement with "This man has been stealing for years, but I always protected him. I've saved Ye nine figures in attempted lawsuits alone in the past. Gloves off now."{{Cite web |last=Sadler |first=Armon |date=May 1, 2025 |title=Ye's Former Manager Free Maiden Shoots Down Extortion Accusations |url=https://www.vibe.com/news/entertainment/ye-manager-free-maiden-shoots-down-extortion-accusations-1235066160/ |access-date=May 13, 2025 |website=VIBE.com |language=en-US}} West has since attempted to reconcile with the producers, posting to Twitter, "Really wanna work with Brian and Boogz again. Really wanna work this out."{{Cite web |last=Fisher |first=Caroline |date=April 30, 2025 |title=Kanye West Admits He Wants To Reconcile With Producers Amid "Donda 2" Drama |url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/906859-kanye-west-producers-donda-2-drama-hip-hop-news |access-date=May 13, 2025 |website=HotNewHipHop |language=en}}

On April 30, 2025, West was threatened with legal action by former manager [[DeAndre "Free" Maiden]], who represented ''Donda 2'' producers BoogzDaBeast and Brian "AllDay" Miller, under accusations that West had failed to compensate them for both released and unreleased work. West responded by claiming that Maiden was trying to "extort" him with a $3 million settlement for "beats from people I showed how to make beats to," and was attempting to remove ''Donda 2'' from streaming.{{Cite web |title=Ye Claims $3 Million Dispute Could Lead to 'Donda 2' Remo... |url=https://www.complex.com/music/a/tracewilliamcowen/kanye-west-donda-2-producers-payment |access-date=May 13, 2025 |website=Complex |date=April 30, 2025 |language=en}} In a response, Maiden stated "I've purposely kept our dispute quiet, I believe in keeping family business family business." He ended his statement with "This man has been stealing for years, but I always protected him. I've saved Ye nine figures in attempted lawsuits alone in the past. Gloves off now."{{Cite web |last=Sadler |first=Armon |date=May 1, 2025 |title=Ye's Former Manager Free Maiden Shoots Down Extortion Accusations |url=https://www.vibe.com/news/entertainment/ye-manager-free-maiden-shoots-down-extortion-accusations-1235066160/ |access-date=May 13, 2025 |website=VIBE.com |language=en-US}} West has since attempted to reconcile with the producers, posting to Twitter, "Really wanna work with Brian and Boogz again. Really wanna work this out."{{Cite web |last=Fisher |first=Caroline |date=April 30, 2025 |title=Kanye West Admits He Wants To Reconcile With Producers Amid "Donda 2" Drama |url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/906859-kanye-west-producers-donda-2-drama-hip-hop-news |access-date=May 13, 2025 |website=HotNewHipHop |language=en}}