Ye Lost the Writing Rights to His Own Classic “Through the Wire” — Here’s What Went Wrong [Video]

The industry has always been a shark tank, and Ye found that out the hard way at the very start of his career. Despite “Through the Wire” being the track that solidified his legend, legendary producer David Foster recently revealed that the rapper doesn’t actually own any of the publishing for his 2003 debut.

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During a January 14 episode of the podcast “And The Writer Is…,” Foster broke down the lopsided business deal behind the hit. The song famously centers on a high-pitched sample of Chaka Khan’s 1985 classic “Through the Fire,” which Foster co-wrote with Tom Keane and Cynthia Weil. Because the sample runs through the entire record, Ye’s camp originally asked for a 50% share of the writing credit.

Foster admitted he was willing to make the deal, but his co-writer, Weil, wasn’t having it.

“Cynthia was like, ‘F**k that. No, he gets nothing,’” Foster recalled. “So he got nothing. We still remain the 100 percent writers. Ain’t that something?”

It is a staggering reality considering Ye wrote the verses, produced the track, and literally recorded it with his mouth wired shut after a near-fatal car accident.

While Foster acknowledged the move was “bold,” it means all the “mailbox money” from the composition of the platinum-certified hit has stayed with the original 1980s songwriters for over twenty years.

Even though Ye’s “chipmunk soul” sound changed the trajectory of hip-hop, the veteran songwriters held onto the keys to the kingdom. It’s a harsh reminder that in the music business, the pen is often mightier than the producer, especially when it comes to the legalities of a massive sample.