Kanye West Reportedly Has a Big Problem With His New Song ‘Everybody’
Kanye West and Ty Dolla $ign’s highly anticipated album, Vultures, set to release on December 15, is raising eyebrows due to a potential clearance problem involving a sample from the Backstreet Boys.
The track in question, titled “Everybody,” heavily samples the Backstreet Boys’ anthem “Everybody (Backstreet’s Back),” a late ’90s hit. However, according to TMZ, Kanye and Ty Dolla $ign may not have obtained clearance from the Backstreet Boys to use the sample.
The situation came to light after a live performance of the song during their listening party in Miami on Monday night, where the duo played the track for the audience. The song is also listed as the opening track on the pre-release tracklist on Apple Music.
Sources close to the matter revealed that Kanye West did not secure permission from the Backstreet Boys to incorporate their track into “Everybody.” As of the time of writing, it remains unclear who owns the sound recording rights to the 1997 Denniz Pop and Max Martin-produced hit. Attempts to clarify the ownership with RCA Records are ongoing.
Kanye West has a history of obtaining sample clearances at the last minute. Notably, for his 2018 track “4th Dimension” with Kid Cudi, West’s team reached out to Louis Prima’s estate just hours before the release.
Vultures, boasting 18 tracks, features collaborations with an array of artists, including Lil Baby, Freddie Gibbs, Quavo, Future, Bad Bunny, Nicki Minaj, and Kanye’s daughter North West. Playboi Carti is also confirmed for a guest appearance.
The potential clearance issue with the Backstreet Boys’ sample adds an element of uncertainty to the album’s release, leaving fans eager to see how the situation unfolds.
