Kanye West sued for using uncleared sample

By Ben Rogerson
published

Common, Method Man and Redman also facing litigation

West's song Gone appears on his Late Registration album.
West's song Gone appears on his Late Registration album.

Kanye West, Method Man, Redman and Common are facing legal action from the estate of the late jazz saxophonist Joe Farrell after it was revealed that they have all sampled his track Upon This Rock without permission.

The case is being brought by Farrell´s daughter, Kathleen Firrantello, and relates to the following songs:

Kanye West - Gone
Common - Chi-City (produced by Kanye West)
Method Man and Redman - Run 4 Cover

Firrantello is reportedly seeking damages of up to $1m and demanding that no more copies of the songs be made, sold or performed.

By Ben Rogerson

Ben Rogerson
Ben Rogerson

I’m the Deputy Editor of MusicRadar, having worked on the site since its launch in 2007. I previously spent eight years working on our sister magazine, Computer Music. I’ve been playing the piano, gigging in bands and failing to finish tracks at home for more than 30 years, 24 of which I’ve also spent writing about music and the ever-changing technology used to make it.