Jae Deal and Marlon Barrow sue Yeezy Record Label, Yeezy LLC, and Create Music Group over samples in Vultures

The complaint

Jaraed Deal, p/k/a "Jae Deal," and Marlon Barrow, p/k/a "Marlonwiththeglasses" v. Kanye Omari West, a/k/a "Ye"; Tyrone William Griffin, Jr., p/k/a "Ty Dolla $ign"; Yeezy Record Label, LLC; Yeezy LLC; Create Music Group, Inc.; and Does 1 through 10, No. 2:26-cv-13035 (C.D. Cal., Western Division), is a 24-page complaint filed November 6, 2026, ECF No. 1, with a jury demand. The plaintiffs describe themselves as producers and composers residing in Los Angeles County. The complaint describes Yeezy Record Label, LLC as a California company and, on information and belief, a publisher, administrator, and co-owner of the accused works; Yeezy LLC as a Delaware company that, on information and belief, marketed and sold VULTURES merchandise using the accused works; and Create Music Group, Inc. as a Delaware music distribution company that, on information and belief, distributes the accused works.

The work

The plaintiffs allege that in about November 2018 they created a master recording entitled "Joint 2," five separately mixed stems ("Rhodes," "Flutes," "Piano," "Brass," and "Strings"), and the underlying composition, which they say they own in equal shares and which are registered as SRu 1-566-180, effective January 11, 2024. The Copyright Office public record lists SRu 1-566-180 as a sound recording registration titled "Chordz Ty Jae MM1 Joint 2 orch ref 2 nodrums and 6 Other Unpublished Works," created in 2018, with a registration date of January 11, 2024, and Jaraed Jae Deal as author and claimant.

What it alleges

The complaint alleges that Barrow sent Griffin only an MP3 of the works, with the understanding that stems and higher-quality files would be provided only under a written agreement, and, on information and belief, that Griffin shared it with West. It alleges that two singles titled "Vultures" were released on or about November 18, 2023, re-released November 22, 2023, included on the "Vultures Pack" EP on or about February 6, 2024, and that a version was the title track of the album "Vultures 1" released on or about February 10, 2024, each incorporating audibly recognizable portions of the works without a license, credit to Deal, or compensation. It alleges the plaintiffs objected before the album release, that Deal sent infringement notices in February 2024, and that the releases were also used to promote listening events and VULTURES merchandise. It alleges the infringement was willful.

Counts and relief

The complaint pleads three claims, each against all defendants: copyright infringement, vicarious infringement, and contributory infringement. The prayer asks for actual damages and disgorgement of profits under 17 U.S.C. § 504(b) or, in the alternative, statutory damages of $150,000 for each act of willful infringement under 17 U.S.C. § 504(c); attorney's fees and costs under 17 U.S.C. § 505; pre-judgment and post-judgment interest; preliminary and permanent injunctive relief; seizure, impoundment, or disposition of infringing materials; and further relief.

On the docket

On November 6, 2026, the plaintiffs also filed a civil cover sheet, a request for summons, the copyright report form, and a notice of interested parties.