Overview
- A Los Angeles jury on Tuesday found Ye infringed the demo “MSD PT2” by using it in a 2021 “Hurricane” preview at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium, ordering about $438,558 in total damages.
- Damages include $176,153 from Ye, the same from Yeezy LLC, and about $42,000 to $45,000 each from Yeezy Supply and Mascotte Holdings.
- The disputed clip was a one‑minute instrumental by Khalil Abdul Rahman, Sam Barsh, Dan Seeff and Josh Mease, whose rights were enforced in court by Artists Revenue Advocates.
- Ye testified he removed the sample because it was not cleared, while his team argued the event’s earnings came from his fame rather than a brief instrumental loop.
- Plaintiffs framed the ruling as a win for working artists and said they will pursue related claims on appeal, as a Yeezy spokesperson dismissed the case as a failed shakedown after an initial $30 million demand.