Kanye West’s case with EMI reopens after settlement talks stall

While West is finding peace with his God, he still has not stopped warring with publishing company EMI

Kanye West’s legal battle with EMI is revving up once again after the settlement talks between both sides have fallen apart.

Shawn Grant

Dec 28, 2019

Kanye West theGrio.com — In a new interview with James Corden, Kanye West admits that he received a $68 million tax return. (Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images)

Kanye West’s legal battle with EMI is revving up once again after the settlement talks between both sides have fallen apart.

The judge presiding over the case has signed off on the request by EMI to reopen the case. The case between the JESUS IS KING rapper and the company is over his publishing deal has reached federal courtrooms. EMI detailed to the court in September they reached “an agreement in principle” to settle the case but the talks stalled.

According to TMZ, after the agreement was reached the courts tossed the suit with prejudice but did allow room for it to be reopened if either EMI or West found a good reason. With the deadline set for December 27, EMI wrote the judge a letter to reopen the case.

“Unfortunately, as of today’s date, the parties have been unable to finalize the terms of a settlement agreement, or to finally resolve related issues on which a settlement agreement would be conditioned,” states the letter from EMI. “As a result, good cause exists, and EMI hereby applies, to reopen the Action.”

Back in January, Kanye started the suit with EMI stating the terms of the contract were aligned with “servitude.” In response, EMI referenced the “servitude” laws of California do not apply to that of New York where the contract was initiated. Kanye’s “servitude” claim states that a deal should not last past seven years, unfortunately for him, there is not the same tenure limit to his contract.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, a provision in Kanye West’s contract forbids retirement.

West signed the contract with EMI in 2003 and received “tens of millions of dollars.” The money was collected by the rapper after seven different versions of the deal were worked through.

On Christmas Day, Kanye West’s Sunday Service Choir released their JESUS IS BORN album, the second Kanye-guided effort since he announced he will only make music dedicated to Christianity. West also currently is in a legal battle over his recording contract.