Playboi Carti Blasts Kanye West for Sampling “Crank” Without Permission on New NBA YoungBoy Collab “Alive”

Tensions between Playboi Carti and Kanye West have flared up again following the release of West’s new collaboration with NBA YoungBoy titled “Alive.” The track, which dropped yesterday, prominently features a sample from Carti’s song “Crank”—a move that appears to have been made without Carti’s knowledge or consent.

Carti made his frustration public by posting “Crank” on Instagram with the caption: “DIS MY SONG LIL BRA @ye.” The post sent shockwaves through social media, confirming that what many fans suspected was indeed true—Kanye used the sample without clearing it with Carti first.

This latest development adds another layer to what has become a messy and highly public feud between the once-close collaborators. At one point, Playboi Carti and Kanye West seemed inseparable in the studio. Their chemistry was evident on tracks like “Off the Grid” from Donda, the chart-topping “Carnival,” and “Go2DaMoon” from Carti’s cult-classic Whole Lotta Red.

However, their relationship took a sharp turn in recent months. According to sources close to both artists, including mutual collaborator Digital Nas, efforts had been underway to reconcile. Digital Nas recently shared, “Ye is in touch with [Carti affiliate] Fritz [Owens]. I think we’re going to see a reunion soon. Hopefully. I don’t like to see my brothers separate.”

But any hopes of reconciliation now seem unlikely. The conflict reportedly began when Carti removed Kanye from his upcoming album MUSIC amid growing backlash over West’s social media tirades involving antisemitic comments, KKK references, and inflammatory remarks about women. That decision sparked a harsh response from West, who lashed out in multiple public statements.

In one rant, Kanye reportedly said, “This n-gga is stupid, bro. You don’t know, when I’m dealing with my kids, this ain’t your niece, n-gga. This is my daughter, n-gga,” referencing an alleged situation where Carti attempted to collaborate with West’s daughter, North.

West went even further, accusing Carti of betrayal and aligning with people he believed were manipulating them both. “Don’t fuck with me, boy! Don’t fucking play with me, n-gga! You letting these white people use us against each other, you letting these Jews use us against each other, n-gga. I put you on, n-gga!” West shouted in a heated outburst captured online.

The feud escalated when West claimed during his Twitch debut that Carti had shown up at his Chateau Marmont hotel room armed. “This n-gga told me he was at the Chateau with a gun, n-gga. What that mean, n-gga? And the n-gga say he don’t be on the internet. It’s like, if you don’t be on the internet, what are we talking about, then?” West stated during the stream.

Earlier this year, West made headlines for removing both Playboi Carti and Ty Dolla $ign from his Bully album, signaling that professional ties between the artists were already fraying.

Now, with Carti calling Kanye out directly over the “Crank” sample on “Alive,” the beef seems to have reached a boiling point. What was once one of Hip Hop’s most creative partnerships is now dissolving in real-time, and fans are watching every post, release, and rant unfold as this war of words continues.