Kanye West Leaves CAA

According to a report by The Wrap, Kanye West has left CAA--and with it, longtime agent Cara Lewis. The rapper, producer and fashion designer will now be repped by United Talent Agency. According to sources close to the West camp, CAA was not generating enough non-touring revenue to satisfy West. (CAA reportedly did not take commission on the Yeezus rapper's live dates, as per his arrangement with Live Nation.) West had been at CAA since 2012, when Lewis made the move over from William Morris. She is undoubtedly one of the most powerful women in the hip-hop world, having represented artists like 2Pac, Eminem, Kurtis Blow and countless others. You can hear her name shouted out in the ad-libs at the beginning of Eric B. and Rakim's "Paid in Full."

West is currently putting the finishing touches on his seventh solo album, So Help Me God. Though no release date has been confirmed, the record is expected out in the coming months. On January 1, he released "Only One," a ballad dedicated to his daughter, North. The song was the first to be released from Kanye's sessions with former Beatle Paul McCartney; the two joined Rihanna on her "FourFiveSeconds," which the trio performed at the Grammy Awards in February. Since then, West has released "All Day," which features collaborator Theophilus London and St. Paul upstart Allan Kingdom, and has previewed the Sia- and Vic Mensa-featuring "Wolves." He has also unveiled his fashion line with Adidas, which includes his newest Yeezy sneakers.

'Ye's reps sent in the following statement to XXL:

"Kanye West has the utmost respect for Cara Lewis, and has had a close working relationship with her for many years. The decision to change agencies is based on Kanye's continuing desire to diversify and search for new opportunities."

CAA has not responded.

Filed Under: caa, Cara Lewis, Kanye West, uta

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