Donna Summer’s estate sues Kanye West over “unauthorised interpolation” of ‘I Feel Love’
West and Ty Dolla $ign reportedly used the track "without permission" for their ¥$ collaboration 'Good (Don’t Die)'
Donna Summer's second husband Bruce Sudano is reportedly suing Kanye West and Ty Dolla $ign over an “unauthorised interpolation” of Summer's classic 1977 disco hit ‘I Feel Love’.
Sudano, who is the executor of Summer's estate, brought his lawsuit to a California federal court yesterday (27th February), Pitchfork reports. He alleges the aforementioned artists used 'I Feel Love' "without permission" for their ¥$ song 'Good (Don’t Die)', featured on their collaborative album 'Vultures 1,' which came out on 10th February.
The lawsuit names West, Ty Dolla $ign along with Yeezy Record Label, LLC, the company Yzy Snd, and 10 Does as defendants.
According to Sudano, the sample request was refused, firstly by Summer's estate who referenced West's status as "a controversial public figure" among their reasons.
“In considering Defendants’ request, the Summer Estate not only considered the immense commercial value of the ‘I FEEL LOVE’ composition, but also the potential degradation to Summer’s legacy,” read the complaint. “West is known as a controversial public figure whose conduct has led numerous brands and business partners to disassociate from him.”
The defendants allegedly then approached Summer's label, Universal Music Enterprises, for permission to use the sample but the label also refused their request.
“In the face of these repeated denials, West and co-defendants attempted to get around this roadblock by instead making an unauthorised interpolation," continues the complaint. "West and his co-defendants used the song’s iconic melody as the hook for their infringing song and essentially re-recorded almost verbatim key, instantly recognisable portions of I Feel Love using a singer soundalike to Summer, with slight changes to the lyrics (also done without permission).”
Neither artist has yet to comment on the lawsuit and the ¥$ song 'Good (Don’t Die),' is currently unavailable to stream via Spotify or Apple Music.
Back in 2022, Marshall Jefferson sued West over the use of a sample of the former's 1986 Chicago house classic 'Move Your Body'.
Last year, a Donna Summer documentary, Love to Love You, was released on HBO and Sky.
