A lawsuit alleges that AI was used on Kanye West's albums Vultures 2 and Bully, according to a Rolling Stone report cited by Pitchfork, NME and other outlets starting August 4. The anonymous producer, named John Doe in the filing with Los Angeles Superior Court, alleges he was brought in on "an emergency basis" just two days before Vultures 2's 2024 release.
The lawsuit claims the producer's work on five Vultures 2 tracks included creating at least 13 custom AI voice models and more than 400 individual vocal generations, along with source material using his own voice. He alleges he went on to do further AI vocal work on Bully, West's most recent solo album, beginning in October 2024, and that he helped write two songs from those sessions that were later released commercially.
The suit claims West and his label, YZY, never supplied him written contracts, never paid him, and never credited him on streaming platforms for either record, despite what the filing describes as nearly two years of demands. West allegedly offered the producer a "master buyout" at one point, though the suit says nothing came of it. He is seeking at least $110,000 in damages for breach of contract, unjust enrichment, and violations of California's Unfair Competition Law and the Los Angeles Freelance Worker Protections Ordinance; That Grape Juice reported the ordinance's double-damages provision could put the potential demand as high as $220,000.
The allegations reopen a debate that has followed West's hip-hop career since Bully's release in March, when he said the album used "no AI," despite having previously said on record that he uses the technology in his songwriting and recording process.
The claim adds to a run of legal matters for West. He recently settled a lawsuit filed by a former assistant who had accused him of sexual assault and harassment, with his legal team disputing the allegations before the case was resolved out of court, and was separately ordered to pay nearly $200,000 over an uncleared sample on his Donda track "Hurricane," Pitchfork reported. NME also reported that West faces a separate lawsuit from a former America's Next Top Model contestant who alleges he sexually assaulted her during a 2024 music video shoot, allegations West has not publicly addressed.
Pitchfork reported it had reached out to West's representatives for comment. Neither Pitchfork nor NME reported a response from West or YZY as of publication.
The facts
- The lawsuit alleges AI was used on Vultures 2 and Bully
- The person suing is an anonymous producer identified as John Doe
- He says he created 13 AI voice models and 400 vocal generations
- He was hired two days before the 2024 release of Vultures 2
- He also worked on Bully starting in October 2024
- He is seeking at least $110,000 in damages
- Double damages under a freelance ordinance could raise that to $220,000
- West said in March that Bully used no AI
How this checks out
Confirmed
Reported by 5 independent outlets
Independent outlets reported it separately, enough to treat it as confirmed.
Cited sources 5
Every outlet that reported this, linked to what it published. Equal credits, in alphabetical order.