Kanye West has ignited a public clash with his ex-wife Kim Kardashian after releasing a new song featuring their 11-year-old daughter North West, despite Kardashian's reported legal efforts to prevent its release. The track, which also includes appearances from Sean "Diddy" Combs and his son Christian "King" Combs, has raised concerns within the Kardashian camp, further escalating tensions between the former couple.
West, who now goes by Ye, unveiled the track titled Lonely Roads Still Go to Sunshine on Saturday via his X account. The song opens with what appears to be Diddy's voice thanking West for his support while he faces ongoing legal troubles. In response, West can be heard saying that he has long viewed Diddy as a father figure, even before they met.
The song also features a brief but notable appearance from North West, who raps the line, "When you see me shining, then you see the light." Christian Combs contributes a verse, and Chicago-based artist Jasmine Williams is featured on the track as well.
Sources familiar with the situation told TMZ that Kardashian, 44, had attempted to stop the song from being released. According to these sources, North's appearance on the track was recorded during a recent studio visit with her father-the first time West had seen any of his children in weeks. West reportedly informed his daughter that the song would be included in his upcoming Sunday Service.
Upon learning of the track, Kardashian allegedly sent cease-and-desist letters and sought an emergency hearing with a mediator and judge. While the hearing reportedly took place without West's participation, sources say the rapper assured those involved he would not release the track.
However, West went ahead with the release, sharing a screenshot of an apparent text message exchange with Kardashian. In the since-deleted post, West expressed outrage over Kardashian's trademarking of their daughter's name. "I'm never speaking with you again," he wrote, as reported by TMZ.
Kardashian responded, "I asked you at the time if I can trademark her name. You said yes. When she's 18, it goes to her. So stop." She added, "I sent paperwork over so she wouldn't be in the Diddy song to protect her."
West countered, warning, "Amend it or I'm going to war. And neither of us will recover from the public fallout," concluding with, "You're going to have to kill me."
Sources close to Kardashian confirmed her attempts to block the song, citing her concerns about North being associated with West's increasingly controversial behavior and Diddy's legal issues. "Kim's priority is the well-being and safety of her children and to protect them from being around Kanye's controversial behavior," a source told Page Six.
West's public show of support for Diddy, who is facing federal sex trafficking charges, has been unrelenting. Last month, he posted on X, "FREE PUFF," followed by, "ALL THESE CELEBRITY N--S AND BITCHES IS P-Y YALL A WATCH OUR BROTHER ROT AND NEVER SAY S-T." He also shared a FaceTime call with Christian Combs and continued to follow both Christian and Diddy's other son, Justin Combs, on Instagram.
Neither representatives for West, Kardashian, nor Diddy have publicly commented on the dispute.
