IN THE NEVER ending drama that is the life of Kanye West, he’s now gotten himself into a spot of legal bother. According to Pitchfork a judge in the US has ruled that a lawsuit against him and the streaming service Tidal (which is owned by Jay Z) can go ahead.
On February 15th 2016 Kanye tweeted that his album ‘The Life of Pablo’ would ‘never, never be on Apple. And it will never be for sale… You can only get it on Tidal.” However, the album was available on Apple and other major streaming sites on March 31st 2016, just 6 weeks later.
A disgruntled fan named Justin Baker-Rhett decided to take a lawsuit against the rapper for both himself and other fans who only signed up to Tidal because they thought the album would be available there exclusively.
Both Tidal and Kanye tried to have the case dismissed in 2017 with Kanye claiming that the album was “updated and remixed numerous times, with different vocals, lyrics, and arrangements.” He stood by the tweet claiming it was true because these updated versions had appeared on Apple and not the original.
Judge Gregory Woods wasn’t having any of that though.
Mr. West’s argument is tenuous, and certainly does not pass muster in the context of a motion to dismiss.”
The judge has dismissed some aspects of the lawsuit including the claim that the case violated New York state law. However, some parts of the lawsuit weren’t dismissed which means the case will continue on the basis that West and Tidal committed consumer fraud.
Jay Edelson who is the lawyer bringing the case was pretty happy with the result.
I just FaceTimed #kanye, told him I’m his biggest fan. Holey s@ I’m going to depose him.
— Jay Edelson (@jayedelson) June 22, 2018
Tidal #privacy suit motion to dismiss denied in relevant part!!!!! #classaction @edelsonpc
What have a learned today? 1: no one knows a good lil dicky reference. 2: I should have spelled “holy” right (too much time with the poleys). 3: some people have an odd sense of the world. Kanye is good; Jay is a shameless self promoter. Interesting juxtaposition. #taytay https://t.co/7eLuqvSyrV
— Jay Edelson (@jayedelson) June 24, 2018
It’s unclear when the case will go to court but it’s just another problem that Jay Z can add to that ever growing list…
