YouTube is currently facing a significant issue as some of Kendrick Lamar’s music, along with tracks from various other notable artists, has been blocked due to an ongoing legal dispute with the performing rights organization SESAC. This has resulted in the removal of content from high-profile artists, including Adele, Burna Boy, Mariah Carey, Bob Dylan, Green Day, Nirvana, and R.E.M. Notably, Adele’s iconic hits “Hello” and “Someone Like You,” as well as R.E.M.’s classic “Losing My Religion,” are currently unavailable for streaming.
In a statement provided to Billboard, a YouTube spokesperson said, “We have held good faith negotiations with SESAC to renew our existing deal. Unfortunately, despite our best efforts, we were unable to reach an equitable agreement before its expiration. We take copyright very seriously and as a result, content represented by SESAC is no longer available on YouTube in the US. We are in active conversations with SESAC and are hoping to reach a new deal as soon as possible.”
The SESAC situation is reminiscent of a recent dispute between Universal Music Group and TikTok, which similarly resulted in the exclusion of numerous popular songs from the platform. Fans seeking access to affected tracks have been informed via the TeamYouTube X (formerly Twitter) account that “our music license agreement with SESAC has expired without an agreement on renewal conditions despite our best efforts. For this reason, we have blocked content on YouTube in the US known to be associated with SESAC – in line with copyright law. We understand this is a difficult situation and our teams continue to work on reaching a renewal agreement.”
Interestingly, Kendrick Lamar’s latest single, “Not Like Us,” remains unaffected by the dispute, allowing fans to enjoy new music while the negotiations continue. As the situation develops, fans are encouraged to stay tuned for further updates on Kendrick Lamar and YouTube, with more information likely to emerge through platforms like HotNewHipHop.
