Jason Berger Speaks With Billboard About Producers' Payment Dispute With Kanye West

Jason Berger Speaks With Billboard About Producers’ Payment Dispute With Kanye West

Philadelphia, Pa. (December 5, 2024) - Philadelphia Partner Jason Berger recently spoke with Billboard for an article concerning music producers' allegations that they have yet to be paid for their work on Kanye West's first two collaborative albums with Ty Dolla $ign.

The article, titled "More Than 10 Producers on Ye’s ‘Vultures’ Albums Can’t Get Paid," reports that attorneys for a slew of producers who worked on the rappers' Vultures 1 and Vultures 2 albums have joined forces to obtain payment for their clients. According to Billboard, the producers were unable to secure signed agreements for their work on the albums and, as a result, are not receiving collecting fees or potential producer royalties and publishing income. Vultures 1 and Vultures 2 were released in February and August, respectively, and a third installment in the series is in the works.

Jason told Billboard that the dispute is indicative of a music industry-wide problem in which "nine out of 10 deals, the producer has not been paid the day the music comes out."

The article further elaborates on potential reasons for artists’ delayed payment of producers, including the high volume of new album releases each year, the long rosters of collaborators on many albums, and artists' changes in legal counsel and distributors.

Jason is a member of Lewis Brisbois' Entertainment, Media & Sports Practice. His practice focuses on securing and negotiating agreements in the music, television/film, digital media, technology, art and fashion industries. Jason’s client base covers the entertainment, media and technology industries and includes established and developing artists, songwriters, producers, bands, independent record labels, digital distribution companies, content creation and management companies, music publishing companies, apparel companies, management companies, executives, influencers, actors, models, and multimedia fashion and lifestyle companies.

Read the full Billboard article here (subscription may be required).