The verdict
Documented Sampling History
No dispute over this song’s own rights — its relevance is as context for the “Thrift Shop” controversy, where independent audio analysis confirmed NO actual sample of “Wut” was used (only stylistic similarity). Le1f’s separate cultural critique is a real, documented perspective, kept distinct from the resolved sampling question.
Quick Facts
Released2012
AlbumDark York
GenreHip-Hop, Experimental
LabelGreedhead Music / Camp & Street
Producer5kinAndBone5
More infoWikipedia → · Discogs →
Who you need to ask
The songwriters of record — Le1f (Khalif Diouf) & 5kinAndBone5
Wikipedia → · checked Jul 2026
The current administrator — Not confirmed — Greedhead Music / Camp & Street; needs a Songview/Discogs lookup
Unknown · checked Jul 2026
Has it been reused?
No dispute over this song’s own rights — its relevance is as context for the “Thrift Shop” controversy, now resolved as no actual sample (stylistic only).
Do they allow reuse?
No standalone policy found; no sampling dispute over this song’s own rights.
Related Songs
Same album, answer records, and songs worth knowing about
The controversy this connects to — resolved as stylistic similarity, not a sample of “Wut”
Who Owns It
Licenses explained →The two permissions you need, and who holds them
The song itself (the writing)Le1f (Khalif Diouf) & 5kinAndBone5
The “Thrift Shop” question — resolvedIndependent audio analysis confirmed NO direct audio sample of “Wut” was used in “Thrift Shop” — the similarity is stylistic (both bouncy, sax/horn-driven), not a literal sample. Macklemore publicly denied any sampling or prior knowledge of “Wut,” saying “Thrift Shop” drew from Beside’s “Change the Beat (Female Version)” (documented on that page). No production credit was extended to Le1f, consistent with this finding.
A separate, unresolved cultural critiqueDistinct from the (resolved) sampling question, Le1f’s broader critique — that a straight white artist benefited commercially from stylistic innovations rooted in queer and Black artistic traditions without acknowledgment — remains a real, documented perspective the “no actual sample” finding does not settle. Two distinct claims, not to be conflated.
The recording (current administrator)Not confirmed
Receipts
Every public mention of terms, policy, or past deals we've found
A first for late-night television
Le1f began producing for Das Racist before his solo career; in April 2013 he became the first openly gay rapper to perform on a major late-night show (Letterman).
WKNC · read it →
Can You Use It for Free?
How to check PD →Is it public domain?No
Sample History
—
Times sampled
The other side of the “Thrift Shop” controversy
Covers
—
First flip
Who to Contact
WU
Le1f (Khalif Diouf) & 5kinAndBone5
The confirmed songwriters of record
What they'll chargeNobody's shared numbers yet
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Page history · 2 updates
Jul 2026Page created — full research (Research Queue Batch 6)
Jul 2026BPM/Key pending the automated GetSongBPM/Deezer pass