James Blake requests his name be removed from Kanye’s altered version
James Blake has recently made a request for his name to be taken off the production credits for the final track of Kanye West’s latest album release, Bully. Blake, in a message to his fans shared on the streaming platform Vault, expressed that the track titled This One Here, which did not align with his original production, was the reason behind his decision. Despite the common perception that Blake’s decision might have been influenced by West’s questionable conduct, specifically his history with anti-Semitic references, Blake clarified that his choice was not driven by personal issues.
Expressing his dissatisfaction with the final version of This One Here, Blake claimed that his original production had a significantly different spirit compared to the track that made it onto Bully. Alongside Blake, Don Toliver, Quentin Miller, and Kanye West were also credited as co-writers for the song. Blake noted that although elements of his work were integrated into the track, the essence of his envisioned production was notably absent. Subsequently, he expressed discomfort in accepting credit for work that did not truly reflect his creative input.
While stating that his decision was not personal, Blake emphasized his stance against being credited for work that he did not substantially influence the end result of. He believes that an artist’s involvement in a project should be accurately represented in the final product, a principle that led him to ask for his name to be removed from the producer credits of This One Here.
Kanye West’s twelfth solo album, Bully, initially announced in September 2024, saw delays in its release, finally making its debut on March 28, 2026. The album featured collaborations with artists such as Travis Scott, Don Toliver, and CeeLo Green, with a diverse team of producers contributing to its creation, including James Blake, Andre Troutman, 88-Keys, and Jahaan Sweet.
In summary, James Blake’s decision to distance himself from the production credits of Kanye West’s track This One Here highlights the significance of creative integrity in the music industry. While collaborations are a common practice in music production, artists like Blake value their contributions being faithfully represented in the final product. This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of acknowledging and respecting the creative input of all individuals involved in the music-making process.