Breaking News: Kanye West Faces Copyright Infringement Lawsuit from German Singer-Songwriter Alice Merton March 27, 2025 – Kanye West, the polarizing rapper and producer now legally known as Ye, is once again embroiled in legal controversy….See More

Kanye West Faces Copyright Infringement Lawsuit from German Singer-Songwriter Alice Merton
March 27, 2025 – Kanye West, the polarizing rapper and producer now legally known as Ye, is once again embroiled in legal controversy.

German singer-songwriter Alice Merton has filed a lawsuit against West in California federal court, accusing him of copyright infringement for using an unauthorized sample of her 2022 song “Blindside” in his track “Gun to My Head,” a collaboration with Ty Dolla $ign and Kid Cudi.

The suit, lodged on March 25, 2025, not only highlights West’s alleged disregard for intellectual property rights but also underscores a deeper clash of values, with Merton citing his history of antisemitic and racist remarks as a key reason for denying his sample request.

The Allegations: Unauthorized Sampling and Ethical Conflict
Alice Merton, best known for her 2017 global hit “No Roots,” claims she was “shocked and humiliated” when she first heard “Gun to My Head” at a Vultures listening event in Miami in December 2023.

According to the lawsuit, the track prominently features her vocals from “Blindside”—specifically the opening line, “I sat down with a gun to my head”—as well as a looped melody that forms the backbone of West’s song.

Merton asserts that West used these elements without her permission, despite her later explicit refusal to grant clearance.

The timeline of events, as outlined in the suit, reveals that West did not seek approval for the sample until February 15, 2024, well after its public debut.

His team, via clearance company Alien Music Services, reached out to Merton’s publisher, BMG Rights Management, requesting permission to use “Blindside.”

On March 7, 2024, Merton denied the request, initially without explanation.

When pressed by BMG for a reason, she and her team responded, “The artist’s values are contrary to our values,” pointing explicitly to West’s “antisemitic, racist remarks which were made publicly and continue to be made publicly.”

Merton, a German resident with Jewish family members who survived the Holocaust, emphasized in the filing that she was unwilling to compromise her personal beliefs or be associated with West in any way.

Despite her refusal, “Gun to My Head” was briefly released as a bonus track on the digital deluxe edition of Vultures 2 in August 2024, though it has since been removed from most streaming platforms.

Bootlegged versions, however, remain widely available online, further fueling Merton’s grievances.

Fallout: Fan Threats and Cease-and-Desist Ignored
The lawsuit details additional fallout from the dispute.

When “Gun to My Head” was omitted from the initial Vultures 2 tracklist, West’s fans reportedly blamed Merton, subjecting her to a barrage of online harassment, including death threats and abuse. The filing alleges that West did nothing to curb this behavior, allowing his fanbase to “intimidate and harass” her.

Merton claims the threats left her fearful of returning to the United States for tour dates, significantly impacting her career and personal well-being.

In August 2024, BMG sent West a cease-and-desist letter demanding he refrain from further use of the sample.

According to the lawsuit, West failed to respond, prompting Merton, alongside co-plaintiffs MERTON & GRAUWINKEL GMBH and PAPER PLANE PUBLISHING GMBH (which own rights to “Blindside”), to escalate the matter to federal court.

The plaintiffs are seeking injunctive relief to prevent further use of the sample, unspecified damages, and a jury trial.

A Pattern of Legal Trouble for West
This lawsuit is the latest in a long string of copyright infringement claims against Kanye West.

Since 2008, he has faced at least 14 similar accusations, according to the complaint.

Notable recent cases include a 2023 suit from Donna Summer’s estate over the unauthorized use of “I Feel Love” in “Good (Don’t Die)” from Vultures 1, which led to the song’s removal from streaming services after a settlement.

Similarly, Ozzy Osbourne threatened legal action in 2024 for West’s use of a Black Sabbath sample, citing the rapper’s antisemitism as a reason for denying permission.

West’s history of sampling without clearance has become a recurring theme in his career, often complicated by his controversial public persona.

Merton’s lawsuit explicitly ties the copyright issue to his inflammatory rhetoric, noting his repeated antisemitic outbursts—such as a 2022 tweet threatening to go “death con 3 on Jewish people” and more recent X posts in February 2025 praising Hitler and declaring himself a Nazi.

These statements have cost West lucrative partnerships with brands like Adidas and GAP, and now appear to be a factor in his legal battles.

Merton’s Perspective: Artistic Integrity vs. Association with Controversy.

For Alice Merton, the stakes extend beyond financial compensation.

Best known for “No Roots,” which peaked at No. 2 in Germany and garnered nearly 400 million Spotify streams, Merton has built a career on her distinctive sound and personal storytelling.

The unauthorized use of “Blindside,” a track from her 2022 album S.I.D.E.S., not only infringes on her copyright but also ties her name to an artist whose views she finds repugnant.

“Although defendant’s use of plaintiff’s song could potentially bring in significant revenue,” the lawsuit states, “[Merton] was unwilling to compromise her personal beliefs.”

Her connection to the Holocaust through surviving family members adds a deeply personal dimension to her stance.

The suit paints a picture of an artist caught between protecting her work and navigating the unintended consequences of West’s actions, including fan backlash she describes as “relentless.”

West’s Current Standing: Music, Rants, and Legal Woes
As of March 27, 2025, Kanye West remains a figure of immense cultural influence and controversy.

His recent musical output, including the Vultures series with Ty Dolla $ign and the surprise drop of Bully earlier this month, continues to draw attention—often for its liberal use of samples, some of which may also be uncleared.

Concurrently, his X posts have grown increasingly erratic, with antisemitic tirades interspersed with personal attacks on figures like Jay-Z and Beyoncé, further alienating collaborators and industry allies.

The Merton lawsuit coincides with other personal and legal dramas, including a public feud with ex-wife Kim Kardashian over their daughter North’s involvement in his music.

Amid this chaos, West reportedly fled to Tokyo in late March 2025 to “decompress,” according to sources cited by TMZ, though his legal troubles show no signs of abating.

What’s Next?
The outcome of Merton’s lawsuit remains uncertain, but it adds to the mounting challenges facing Kanye West.

If successful, it could set a precedent for artists leveraging ethical objections in copyright disputes, while further tarnishing West’s reputation in the industry.

For now, Merton and her co-plaintiffs await a response from West’s legal team, as fans and observers alike watch to see how this latest chapter in his tumultuous career unfolds.