Ty Dolla $ign Settles Sample Lawsuit with Memphis Rappers; Kanye West Case Continues

Ty Dolla $ign has reached a preliminary settlement with a group of Memphis rappers who accused him and Kanye West of using an uncleared sample on the track “Fuk Sumn” from Vultures 1. According to a recent report from Billboard, Ty Dolla $ign signed the agreement to resolve the dispute, but the plaintiffs continue to pursue their case against Kanye West.

The lawsuit, originally filed last year, centers on allegations that the song contains unauthorized samples from a 1994 Memphis classic, “Drink a Yak (Part 2),” performed by Criminal Manne (Vanda Watkins), DJ Squeeky (Hayward Ivy), and the late Kilo G (Robert L. Johnson Jr.). The plaintiffs argued the track was “riddled” with illegal sampling and accused West of “brazen” copyright infringement after failed attempts to settle the matter privately.

Legal representatives for the Memphis artists confirmed that the settlement will resolve claims against Ty Dolla $ign but explicitly excludes Kanye West and his label Yeezy Record Label LLC. “The parties have resolved their differences and are presently negotiating a confidential settlement agreement,” their lawyers stated. Details about the terms of the deal have not been made public.

The ongoing legal action shines a spotlight on the increasingly common issue of sample clearance in hip-hop, where iconic regional sounds are often used to pay homage but can lead to costly copyright disputes if proper permissions aren’t secured.

Meanwhile, Ty Dolla $ign continues to stay active in his career, having previously confirmed that Vultures 3 remains in the pipeline. Back in January, he shared on social media, “VULTURES 3 on the way, Bully on the way, and my new album Tycoon on the way. Let’s go.” Since then, his focus has shifted to his upcoming solo album Tycoon, while Kanye West has been embroiled in controversy and delays surrounding his own project, Bully.

As the legal proceedings against West continue, this settlement brings some resolution for Ty Dolla $ign but underscores the ongoing complexities artists face when blending classic sounds into contemporary music. Fans and industry watchers alike will be closely monitoring how this case evolves and what it could mean for future collaborations in hip-hop.