The late disco legend Donna Summer’s family is suing Kanye West for copyright infringement over his use of her iconic 1977 hit “I Feel Love.” According to Summer’s husband Bruce Sudano, who filed the lawsuit on behalf of her estate, Kanye and Ty Dolla $ign “shamelessly” sampled the song on their recent track “Good (Don’t Die)” without permission.
In the complaint, Sudano claims the estate explicitly denied West’s request to utilize the famous hook from “I Feel Love.” Undaunted, West allegedly decided to “simply steal” the material anyway. “Defendants re-recorded almost verbatim the key, memorable portions of Summer’s iconic song, used it as the hook for their own song, and released it to the public knowing they had tried and failed to secure legal permission from its rightful owners and had no legal right to do so” the lawsuit states.
As executor of Summer’s inheritance, Sudano is seeking maximum financial damages for the “willful copyright infringement.” Representatives for West did not respond to requests for comment on the allegations. The suit argues the theft infringes on artists’ rights to control their creative works, aiming to “protect Donna Summer’s own musical legacy and one of popular music’s most influential and ground-breaking songs,”
The legal battle is the latest controversy surrounding West’s antisemitic rhetoric and behavior in recent months. Ozzy Osbourne publicly condemned Ye for sampling the legendary rocker’s “Iron Man” performance without approval at a listening party. “I want no association with this man!” Osbourne declared on social media. With a colorful history of provocation and multiple feuds, West now finds himself in heated legal dispute with one of disco’s iconic figures through his alleged pilfering of “I Feel Love.” Donna Summer’s family clearly aims to ensure her brilliant artistry is not disrespected as Ye faces growing backlash across the industry.
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