Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole, videos taken from YouTube in SESAC dispute

Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole, Mariah Carey and other artists' music videos were just removed from YouTube. But why? Well, it appears to have everything to do with the performing rights organization SESAC – not JAY-Z.

Accordingly diversityVarious music videos from past and current artists have been removed from the video-sharing platform as YouTube and SESAC have not yet renewed their expiring contracts. Other artists affected by the two parties' inability to reach a new contract include Adele, YG, Nirvana, Boyz II Men, Green Day, Burna Boy, Rush and more.

Artists such as Nicki Minaj and Beyoncé, who SESAC does not represent, have had videos withdrawn because the visuals were a collaboration with a SESAC musician or songwriter. When fans try to click on some videos from the mentioned artists, they get a “Video not available” message. This video contains content from SESAC. It is not available in your country.”

YouTube sent a statement to diversitydetailing the “good faith negotiations” with SESAC.

“We have been negotiating in good faith with SESAC to extend our existing contract. Unfortunately, despite our best efforts, we were unable to reach a fair agreement before the deadline. We take copyright very seriously and therefore the content represented by SESAC is no longer available on YouTube in the United States. We are in active discussions with SESAC and hope to reach a new agreement as soon as possible.”

So who or what is SESAC? According to the organization's website, the Society of European Stage Authors and Composers is a for-profit performance rights association founded in 1930 to protect, collect and distribute royalties for artists and to license public performances.

But despite all the facts, that hasn't stopped people from believing that the removal of some songs is part of a deeper, darker conspiracy involving Hov. When fans tried to play Cole's “She Knows,” they discovered that the video had been removed from YouTube.

One particular report mentioned Ibrahim Hamad, Jermaine's manager, telling him to tell JAY-Z to “stop tripping” and put the video back on YouTube, implying that Hov was in control of the upload behind the scenes of music videos. Ib responded and let them know that SESAC was responsible – not Hov.

“This has nothing to do with Hov,” he typed. “SESAC and YouTube have been unable to agree on a deal and all SESAC-related songs will be posted on YouTube in the US and the sample known to them is a SESAC author. There are a lot of songs that were removed. But let’s hope it’s available again soon.”

Hip-hop journalist Rob Markman also pleaded with fans that J. Cole's “She Knows” was removed due to the YouTube-SESAC deal and not Roc Nation. Markman uploaded a video to YouTube explaining the deal and the background.

However, that didn't stop optimistic fans from claiming that it was somehow related to Diddy's trial and “artists about to be exposed.” “Even if the song was removed for legal reasons, that doesn’t change the fact that the industry and many artists are being exposed,” the account wrote. “Especially if Diddy is still alive to stand trial. Who is Rob trying to deceive?”

Watch the video above.