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Ye and Ty Dolla $ign sued by producers who claim ‘Vultures’ used music sent to Ty as an MP3 – without a license or payment
Producers Jae Deal and Marlon Barrow are suing Ye, Ty Dolla $ign and others, alleging that the song “Vultures” used a recording they co-own without permission or payment. The case matters because the producers say the music was shared informally, then used across several releases and related commercial activity without a signed licence.
The lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles on 6 November, says the producers completed “Joint 2” in 2018 and each owns half of the recording and composition. Barrow allegedly sent Ty Dolla $ign an MP3 for possible use, but says no agreement was reached and he refused later requests for the stems; the complaint alleges the MP3 was passed to Ye. Barrow received a producer credit but neither producer was paid, and Deal was not credited, the filing says. The complaint also challenges a 2025 copyright registration and cites more than US$19.3 million in reported Yeezy merchandise sales during part of the release period.
In short
- Two producers allege “Vultures” used their 2018 recording without a licence.
- They say neither was paid and one was not credited.
- The lawsuit also cites merchandise revenue and a disputed copyright registration.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
The producers’ case is that sharing an MP3 for possible consideration does not itself grant permission to release or commercially exploit the recording. If they co-own the work and no licence was agreed, credit for one producer would not replace the need for consent, payment and accurate registration; the alleged use across releases and related merchandise could make the claimed harm substantial.
The case against
The artists and other defendants could argue that the recording was supplied to Ty Dolla $ign for potential use and that the parties’ communications or subsequent conduct amounted to permission, even without a signed licence. They may also dispute the producers’ account of ownership, the scope of any rights granted, who was responsible for credit and registration, or whether merchandise sales can be attributed to this track.
Explained simply
Jae Deal and Marlon Barrow are music producers who say they jointly own a recording and composition called “Joint 2”, made in 2018. They allege Marlon Barrow sent Ty Dolla $ign an MP3 to consider using, but that no licence was agreed.
Ye and Ty Dolla $ign are musicians who released music together as ¥$, including the song “Vultures”. Producers may receive payment, credit or both when their work is used, usually under an agreement that sets out the terms.
The dispute concerns who owns and can authorise use of the music, and whether it was used in releases or related commercial activity without permission or payment. Its outcome could affect the producers’ claims and the rights associated with the recording.