Kanye West sued over jazz samples

Rappers Kanye West, Method Man, Redman, Common and their record companies have been sued by late US jazz musician Joe Farrell's daughter, who accused them of using her father's music without approval.

The lawsuit, filed by Kathleen Firrantello in the US District Court in New York, names the rappers and Island Def Jam Music Group and its label Roc-A-Fella Records, Universal Music Group, its labels Interscope Records, Geffen Records and A&M Records and its parent company Vivendi.

None of the record companies or representatives for the rappers were immediately available for comment.

The lawsuit said all the rappers used portions of Farrell's 1974 musical composition Upon This Rock in three separate songs – West in Gone, Common in Chi-City and Method Man and Redman in their song Run 4 Cover.

Firrantello is seeking punitive damages of at least $1 million (505,000 pounds) and asked that no further copies of the songs be made, sold or performed, according to the lawsuit.

- Reuters