Production company Phantom Labs is suing legendary pop-culture icon Kanye West over allegedly unpaid bills. According to an article on The Fader, Phantom Labs is suing for six-million dollars in fees that West allegedly failed to pay. Additionally, they are also suing for point one million dollars for an alleged cancellation fee incurred by Phantom Labs following West’s canceled Coachella performance.
Phantom Labs discussed their thoughts on the ongoing lawsuit stating: “We are incredibly proud of the work that we did with Ye and are disappointed that such a fruitful relationship has come to this,” Phantom Labs continued: “A celebrity weaponizing fame and reputation to take advantage of eager collaborators is simply unacceptable.”
Phantom Labs’ lawsuit against West is not the only one of its kind in the headlines lately where West is involved or affiliated. In June, West was sued by Ultra International Music Publishing over a complaint that West allegedly sampled Marshall Jefferson’s song “Move Your Body” in his 2022 song “Flowers.”
In April of this year, Universal Music Group, the rights holder for West’s immensely popular 2010 song “Power” was sued by Declan Colgan Music Ltd. the rights holder for “21st Century Schizoid Man” by King Crimson which West sampled in “Power”. Declan Colgan Music Ltd. alleged that the royalties due to them were miscalculated. This case is still ongoing.
It is without a doubt that fans of Kanye West will be watching the proceedings of this lawsuit with Phantom Labs as well as the others as they unfold.
Photo Credit: Megan Clinard