Kanye West’s “Power” Faces Legal Scrutiny Over Sample: Lawsuit Settlement Reached

The legal battle between Kanye West and Declan Colgan Music Ltd over the hit record “Power” has finally come to an end with a settlement reached between the two parties. The lawsuit, which was filed in London’s High Court, centered around the unauthorized sample of King Crimson’s “21st Century Schizoid Man” in West’s song.

The case was set to go to trial this week but was settled out of court, with the terms of the agreement remaining undisclosed. However, reports suggest that Declan Colgan Music Ltd received a payment as part of the settlement. Representatives for both parties have declined to comment on the matter.

For music enthusiasts, King Crimson’s “21st Century Schizoid Man” was originally released in 1969 and was sampled by West without a license for “Power.” The song, which was featured on West’s album “My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy,” has garnered over 140 million views on YouTube since its release in 2010.

Following the release of the song and album, UMG and West’s production company Rock the World signed a deal with Declan Colgan Music Ltd, entitling the company to royalties on the same terms as West. However, Declan Colgan Music Ltd claimed that the streaming royalties they received were not comparable to those for CD sales, leading to the legal dispute.

The settlement brings an end to the legal battle between the two parties, with Declan Colgan Music Ltd represented by the Clintons and UMG represented by Russells. The case serves as a reminder of the complexities and legalities involved in the music industry when it comes to sampling and royalties.