Francis and the Lights, who co-produced Kanye's 'I Thought About Killing You', says it was all his fault that the song features unauthorized sample of Kareem Lotfy's 'Fr3sh'.
- June 4, 2018
AceShowbiz - Kanye West collaborator Francis and the Lights has taken the blame for illegally sampling a track on the rapper's new album "Ye".
The 40-year-old released his highly-anticipated latest project on Friday, June 01, and is already facing controversy over the first track on the album, "I Thought About Killing You".
Berlin-based record label PAN has accused Kanye of using an unauthorised sample of a track called "Fr3sh" by Kareem Lotfy from "mono no aware", a compilation album released by the label last year.
"It's sadly another case of an artist who capitalises on culture without any original ideas and because culture trickles up, this means we are all basically working for him," label head Bill Kouligas told Pitchfork. "Everything leads to him, he's the ultimate narcissist."
Kouligas also stated that PAN is looking into pursuing legal action against the rapper.
While a rep for Kanye did not comment on the news, his frequent collaborator Francis and the Lights, who co-produced the song alongside Benny Blanco, has already taken the blame.
"Yo I'm sorry I added that beat at the last minute and we're reaching out now. Do you want to know anything else about it? Its (sic) not Kanye or anyone elses doing, but mine, so please direct any aggression or criticism at me," Francis posted on Twitter.
Yo I’m sorry I added that beat at the last minute and we’re reaching out now. Do you want to know anything else about it? Its not kanye or anyone elses doing, but mine, so please direct any aggression or criticism at me.
— Francis (@andthelights) June 1, 2018
Hinting at the threat of legal action by Kouligas, he also added: "And please don't make it a crazy fight, It's all love, and I would feel terrible."
And please don’t make it a crazy fight, It’s all love, and I would feel terrible
— Francis (@andthelights) June 1, 2018
Francis later told a follower it was "so incredible" to be back working with Kanye in the studio.
Ye is so good too. It reminds me of Astral Weeks and Dirty Mind. Out to @KimKardashian, a true inspiration. You have the most balanced perspective. Seeing you and @kanyewest work together was deep. Out to @070shake, @malikyusef and all the beautiful artists in the room.
— Francis (@andthelights) June 3, 2018
The seven-track album, which was created and produced at the rapper's bolthole in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, also features Kid Cudi, Ty Dolla $ign, John Legend and Nicki Minaj.
