Musician Chase Taylor sued Kanye West, now known as Ye, in federal court on Wednesday, alleging he was locked inside a Cody High School band room in Wyoming to compose music for Ye’s biblical opera “Nebuchadnezzar.”
Mr. Taylor claims he was recruited for a starring role in what he thought was a finished opera, but learned upon arrival that it was incomplete and that he was expected to compose the rest of the music and make it “performance-ready in just four days.”
The complaint alleges that defendants promised lucrative pay, producer credit and future work to secure his compliance; that his requests to unlock the doors and provide sufficient food, water and rest for the more than 150 performers were ignored; and that he was told the operas, including a second one called “Mary,” were nonprofit religious productions even though attendees were charged for tickets.
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Mr. Taylor also alleges Ye incorporated his compositions and arrangements into commercially released songs, including Travis Scott’s “Telekinesis” and several tracks from “Vultures 2,” without permission or compensation.
Mr. Taylor is seeking copyright ownership, a share of the songs’ profits, and damages for alleged fraud, false imprisonment and unfair business practices.
The filing follows a similar suit from musician Willie Alexander, who is accusing Ye of the same treatment, including being taken to Wyoming to finish his incomplete opera. His case is pending in Los Angeles County Superior Court with a settlement conference set for Jan. 12.
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