Rapper Kanye West is making headlines again, this time for his unauthorized use of the Backstreet Boys’ 1997 hit Everybody in his upcoming album, Vultures. The controversial artist reportedly failed to seek permission from the iconic boy band, comprising Nick Carter, AJ McLean, Brian Littrell, Kevin Richardson, and Howie Dorough, to sample their almost three-decade-old classic.
Image Source: Getty Images | Photo by Gilbert Carrasquillo
Sources close to the Backstreet Boys revealed to TMZ that neither the members nor their team approved of West’s use of Everybody. The rapper’s decision not to clear the song poses a significant problem as he gears up to release his highly anticipated album this week. The track, already played at West’s Vultures album listening party in Miami, has created a buzz on the internet. It remains uncertain whether West attempted to secure permission and faced rejection or if he simply neglected to ask for the band’s consent. There could potentially be legal ramifications for the rapper, raising questions about copyright infringement and intellectual property rights.
Radar Online reached out to both the Backstreet Boys’ team and West’s lawyers for comments on the matter, further adding to the intrigue surrounding the unauthorized use of Everybody in Vultures. The controversy surrounding West’s upcoming album doesn’t end with the unauthorized sampling. Weeks ago, he stirred up a storm by previewing a snippet of a song with controversial lyrics, including, “How I’m antisemitic, I just f—– a Jewish b—-.” Notably, the rapper donned a KKK-inspired hood during part of the event, a move that triggered an immediate backlash, as per News Break.
Photos obtained captured West wearing a black hood with a pointed top and eye holes, leading to criticism and condemnation. The artist faced repercussions for his actions, including being dropped by major partners such as Adidas, Balenciaga, and Gap, over antisemitic comments made the previous year. Critics expressed their disdain, with one describing West’s attire as resembling a Klan member, emphasizing the inappropriateness of his actions. The controversy escalated further as fans, including his daughter North, observed the unsettling events at the album launch party.
Despite the controversies, North stole the spotlight by debuting her verse on one of West’s songs during the event. The rapper’s oldest child with Kim Kardashian confidently rapped, “I love it here, we gonna take over the year for another year, it’s your bestie, Miss Westie, don’t try to test me, it’s gonna get messy, it’s gonna get messy, just bless me.” Amidst the drama, fans eagerly anticipate West’s new album, boasting a star-studded collaboration lineup, including Chris Brown, Offset, Kodak Black, Playboi Carti, Lil Durk, and Freddie Gibbs. The unauthorized use of the Backstreet Boys’ Everybody adds an extra layer of intrigue to the album’s release, as legal implications loom over the rapper’s latest project.
