Kanye West settles copyright dispute with Memphis artists over "F## Sumn" sample. Details on the last-minute settlement before his 'Bully' album release.
- March 22, 2026
AceShowbiz - Kanye West has resolved a copyright dispute with Memphis rappers Criminal Manne, DJ Squeeky, and the estate of the late Kilo G shortly before the release of his upcoming album Bully.
The settlement addresses claims related to an unauthorized sample used in West’s 2024 track “F## Sumn,” which features Ty Dolla $ign. The contested sample comes from the 1994 song “Drink a Yak (Part 2)” by the Memphis artists.
According to federal court documents filed in Tennessee, both parties have agreed in principle to settle all claims, with District Judge Thomas L. Parker giving them 30 days to finalize the written agreement. The original complaint was filed in November 2024, with the plaintiffs asserting that West’s team only sought clearance for the sample after “F## Sumn” was already released.
Negotiations became complicated when West dismissed his entire legal and business team months after the complaint was filed. While Ty Dolla $ign settled his share of the lawsuit in July 2025, West remained legally responsible until this recent agreement.
This settlement is timely, coming just days before West’s album Bully is set to drop on March 27. The rapper has been facing significant legal challenges from various parties, including multiple copyright infringement lawsuits.
Since 2019, West has been involved in twelve lawsuits related to unauthorized sampling. In May 2024, his estate reached a settlement with Donna Summer’s family over the sample of “I Feel Love” in the track “Good (Don’t Die),” which was subsequently removed from streaming platforms.
Reports indicate that Bully may contain other uncleared samples from artists like the Carpenters and the Supremes, potentially leading to further legal issues.
Compounding his legal troubles, West was ordered to pay $140,000 last week after a jury found him liable in a lawsuit concerning renovations on his Malibu mansion. A former project manager alleged injury on the job and wrongful termination. West has filed a motion to overturn that verdict.
The settlement with the Memphis rappers removes one obstacle as West prepares to finally release Bully after several delays, allowing him to focus on the album’s launch amid ongoing legal battles.
