George Michael’s estate orders Tory Lanez to remove ‘Careless Whisper’ sample

George Michael’s estate has ordered Tory Lanez to remove the sample of ‘Careless Whisper’ from ‘Enchanted Waterfall’.

Reportedly, Lanez requested to use the sample in the middle of last year, which Michael’s estate rejected. However, they ignored the refusal and decided to use ‘Careless Whisper’ anyway despite not being allowed permission.

The estate said in a statement: “It was brought to our attention that the song ‘Enchanted Waterfall’: by the artist Tory Lanez incorporated an unauthorised sample of ‘Careless Whisper’ written by George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley.”

The statement continued: “Requested permission for this use had been declined in June 2021 so we took immediate action on behalf of the writers, in collaboration with our publishers Warner Chappell Music, to prevent further exploitation as we will not tolerate any unauthorised use of any songs within the catalogues of George Michael and/or Andrew Ridgeley.”

Meanwhile, ‘Enchanted Waterfall’ has been taken off Spotify but is still available to stream on YouTube and Apple Music.

This isn’t the first time that an incident like this has happened involving Lanez, and last year Madonna was furious with the rapper over his “illegal usage” of her 1985 single, ‘Into The Groove,’ which appeared on his new track, ‘Pluto’s Last Comet’.

Lanez seemingly pocketed the synth melody, yet, he never credited Madonna. In response, she recently commented on one of his Instagram posts: “Read your messages tor [sic] illegal usage of my song get into the groove!”

Additionally, in a statement given to Rolling Stone, Madonna added: “I am tired of being taken advantage of and I mean business.”