Kanye West 's latest album has just been released

In a 20-page civil lawsuit filed this week, West accuses Eric "E-Smoove" Miller of trying to distribute some of the recordings earlier this year.

The suit also claims Miller offered the songs to distributors using a fake contract with West's fake signature.

The 28-year-old Grammy-winning star is seeking $1.3m (�728,000) from Miller.

Famous

West also wants Miller to stop using his name or voice in connection with the master recordings.

Miller, who helped West record the songs before he became famous, falsely claimed he had a contract to distribute the music, the suit also claims.

The disputed songs include Ho!!! and Stop Frontin.

Miller, who owns Focus Music Group, did not immediately return messages left seeking comment.

Producer

West began rapping as a teenager at his Chicago school, inspired by the beats and rhymes of 1980s pioneers Run DMC.

He rose to prominence by producing songs for artists such as Jay-Z and Alicia Keys.

But he emerged from behind-the-scenes role to become an artist and his album, The College Dropout, won best rap album at this year's Grammy Awards.