It looks like Kanye West is going to be making music for a very, very long time. According to The Hollywood Reporter, West is contractually barred from retiring from the music scene, as his contract with song publisher EMI actually forces him to continue working.
“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,” the contract reportedly states.
“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 contract continues.
West is seeking to “obtain his freedom” from publishing and recording contracts, as well as a transfer of property. He reportedly filed two lawsuits back in January against EMI and Universal (Roc-a-Fella Records, UMG Recordings, Def Jam and Bravado International Group). At first, the cause of the lawsuits was not entirely known.