“Shy Can’t Look,” “NASDAQ,” and “We Did It Kid” were among the songs that were allegedly released without West’s authorization
Kanye West is suing the person or people behind an account that leaked several of his songs earlier this year, claiming the unauthorized releases caused “substantial harm” to his reputation.
In the complaint filed on behalf of West (now known as “Ye”) Wednesday, the rapper accuses a group of people who acquired and posted his music without permission of breaching a contract agreement and committing trade secret misappropriation, according to Billboard.
The lawsuit, filed by attorney Gregory K. Nelson of Weeks Nelson, specifically cites that account @daunreleasedgod_ on both Twitter and Instagram as the sources for the leaks of tracks such as “Shy Can’t Look,” “NASDAQ,” “We Did It Kid,” “Mr. Miyagi,” along a collab with DJ Khaled.
“Ye has suffered significant financial losses and damages as a direct result of the defendants’ actions,” the suit reads.
However, the suit does not name the accounts’ owner since West “does not know the true names or capacities” of those who leaked the music, but promised to amend the complaint once the “true names and capacities of these defendants… have been ascertained.”
By leaking the music, the suit alleges that the defendants breached their contract with West and owe him damages and profits made from its dissemination. The trade secret element of the lawsuit, the suit claims, refers to the “distinctive arrangement and unique elements” in West’s music, which they “knowingly and unlawfully acquired, disclosed, and distributed.”
West’s attorney did not immediately respond to Rolling Stone‘s request for comment.