Kanye West, known for his genius as a rapper and producer, is under fire for failing to pay over 10 producers who worked on Vultures 1 and Vultures 2, his collaborative albums with Ty Dolla $ign. Despite the albums topping charts earlier this year, reports from Billboard reveal that many producers haven’t received a dime, nor have they signed official agreements—a glaring issue in an industry reliant on contracts.
Music attorney Bob Celestin expressed his frustration, stating: “We represent clients who contributed to the Vultures albums and haven’t been paid. It’s disappointing, especially coming from Ye, who is himself a producer and should understand the importance of fair compensation.”
The legal battle to get these producers paid is complicated by constant shifts in Kanye’s camp. He’s now on his third attorney for sample clearances, and a distributor shake-up hasn’t helped matters. Some lawyers hinted at possible lawsuits, but such actions are costly and often yield little success against Ye. One attorney remarked, “Legal claims against Kanye don’t really seem to go anywhere.”
Ye’s team recently offered flat-fee buyouts to some producers—deals that exclude royalties even if the albums recoup their costs. Most lawyers have rejected these offers, deeming them unfair to their clients, who should rightfully earn royalties from the projects.
Adding to the chaos, Vultures collaborator Digital Nas has publicly blasted the handling of credits on the Grammy-nominated track “Carnival.” In a fiery social media rant, he claimed his contributions were downplayed or erased altogether by others seeking recognition. “These vultures are fighting over crumbs,” Digital Nas said, pointing out the industry’s exploitative practices.
Despite the turmoil, neither Kanye West nor Ty Dolla $ign has commented on the allegations. For now, the unpaid producers and their attorneys remain in limbo, fighting for compensation while watching the albums rake in accolades and revenue.
Stay tuned as this story unfolds—one thing’s clear, the drama surrounding Vultures is far from over.
