There have been uncomfortable news about Kanye West in the recent past — whether it’s the rollout of his latest album The Life of Pablo, disrespecting Taylor Swift or abusing NBC staff in a SNL backstage rant.
But there is another development which is not entirety connected but still coming off as strange. Several bloggers and media people are reporting that their YouTube accounts are being shut down over hosting of live content of Kanye’s events, some dating back to as many as 8 years.
The IFPI (The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry) has been sending notices to users over the content, and while some accounts have got a video or two deleted, there are also instances where entire accounts are being taken down.
Some of the victims of this spurt are former Hot 97 personality and blogger Miss Info, celebrated Chicago blogger Andrew Barber, noted media personality Necole Bitchie and others.
The exact reason behind the sudden outburst about such old video clips is unknown and it’s not clear whether this has been done on Kanye’s behest, his record label G.O.O.D. Music/Def Jam/Universal Music Group or as a result of Tidal’s behind the scenes war with Google/YouTube but it clearly is not consistent with Kanye’s “create content freely” theory.
Thanks @kanyewest for getting my youtube shut down. No weapon will form against me
— Necole Kane (@hellonecole) February 17, 2016
RIP my @YouTube account of 7+ years, taken down due to 2 year old Kanye concert vids
— vicarious existence (@neotees) February 16, 2016
https://twitter.com/Nigel_D/status/700045794167156736
.@kanyewest can you please holler at IFPI / @YouTube who are deleting my youtube account for live performance videos from 8 years ago
— Andrew Barber (@fakeshoredrive) February 17, 2016
@N_C_B 4 year old videos filmed at Ye events are being used to shut down entire accounts.
— Missinfo (@Missinfo) February 17, 2016
in the words of RZA, its “fuckin’ ridickulus"
— Missinfo (@Missinfo) February 17, 2016
@Navjosh @N_C_B if u have a change of heart about videos that u profited publicity off of n now want removed then fine. but not whole accts
— Missinfo (@Missinfo) February 17, 2016
Copy of a takedown notice received by Kanye fan:
@fakeshoredrive Same pic.twitter.com/bqGBSmGa7N
— JEROME (@jeromeiscruzing) February 18, 2016
Discussion about this post