BY DIMAS SANFIORENZO • MARCH 5 2019
New details about Kanye West’s deal with EMI has leaked. For the last couple of weeks, Kanye West has been battling with EMI, his publishing company, and Roc-A-Fella, his record label, over unpaid royalties and ownership of his catalog. The Hollywood Reporter was able to obtain West’s complaint against EMI, and it reveals some telling details.
READ: Kanye West in New Interview: “I Don’t Wish to Be Number One Anymore, I Wish to Be Water”
The most interesting thing found in the contract is a stipulation that West signed in 2003 saying that he isn’t allowed to retire from making music.
Here is what the document says:
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.)
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