Grammy-winning rapper Kanye West is getting some pressure thrown back his way. Music publisher EMI has responded to Yeezy’s claims of being forced to work and never retire based on their contract.

According to reports, EMI has taken legal action against Ye and stood behind its contact.

EMI is now suing Kanye in federal court over his publishing deal. According to the suit, Ye signed the contract in 2003, and received “tens of millions of dollars” from EMI as a result. The label says some of that money was paid to him after he signed 7 different modifications and/or extensions to the deal. The twist here is that EMI says the contracts are clear that NY laws govern the deal. That’s important because as we reported … West sued EMI in California, claiming the contract amounts to “servitude” because it’s a personal services contract lasting more than 7 years. (TMZ)

According to reports, EMI’s contract forbids him from not working.

“You (Mr. West) hereby represent and warrant that to [EMI] that You will, throughout the Term as extended by this Modification, remain actively involved in writing, recording and producing Compositions and Major Label Albums, as Your principle occupation. At no time during the Term will you seek to retire as a songwriter, recording artist or producer or take any extended hiatus during which you are not actively pursuing Your musical career in the same basic manner as You have pursued such career to date. (The preceding representation shall not be deemed to prevent You from taking a vacation of limited duration.)” (The Hollywood Reporter)

West has argued in court about having worked his contract off from EMI dating all the way back to 2003.

However, West’s contract with EMI (which is now owned by Sony/ATV Music Publishing) has been renewed several times, as noted in the lawsuit. His bid to be released from his publishing and recording deals revolves around a California law that limits personal-service contracts to no more than seven years. West claims that he’s been “laboring” for EMI since he first signed with the publisher in 2003. (Variety)

Reports claim multiple musicians have found themselves in similar situations but managed to settle contract disputes out of court.

West’s argument relies on a clause in California’s labor code that limits contracts for personal services to seven years at most. As Complex has pointed out, Courtney Love, 30 Seconds to Mars, and Rita Ora have all cited the law as grounds for terminating deals; all three acts ultimately settled their own lawsuits out of court. West, for his part, seeks ownership over any songs he wrote since 2010—a list that would include his albums from My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy onward. (SPIN)

The post EMI Fires Back At Kanye West’s Slavery Claims W/ Big Apple Twist appeared first on SOHH.com.

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