In the same week Atlanta rapper Young Jeezy was hit with a lawsuit over royalties and profit sharing, fellow rapper Lil Wayne finds himself in the same situation.
Lil Wayne's Young Money Entertainment label is accused in federal lawsuits of not paying royalties to two producers who were instrumental on several of the artist's hit album releases, including "Tha Carter III," "Priceless" and "Re-Birth," according to TMZ and Courthouse News Service.
Grammy-award winning producer Andrews "Drew" Correa said he worked with Wayne, whose real name is Dwayne Michael Carter Jr., between 2008 and 20011 on five production agreements but royalties haven't followed. The Brazilian-born DJ and producer, who won a Grammy for "Tha Carter III," said in a separate lawsuit that he and his company, Tykoo Entertainment, weren't paid mechanical royalties and production fees. Correa has also worked with Trina, Pitbull and Rick Ross.
In a separate suit, Marcos "Infamous" Rodriguez said he also worked with Young Money and hasn't received royalties even though he was promised mechanical royalties and a production fee. Earlier this month Infamous sued The Game, saying he produced a song on the group's most recent "California Republic" mixtape called "Skate On."
The federal suits were filed in Manhattan, according to Courthouse News Service. Young Money had not responded to the suits.
A business partner is suing Young Jeezy and Def Jam Recordings, claiming the artist and prominent record label have failed to share millions of dollars in profits from hits he helped Jeezy produce and promote.
In a federal lawsuit filed recently in Fulton County Superior Court, Demetrius Ellerbee said he and Jeezy, whose real name is Jay Wayne Jenkins, founded Atlanta-based CTE Music in 2001 as equal partners and later signed with Def Jam to distribute the rising rap artist's music. But despite the success of CTE, also known as Corporate Thugz Entertainment, Ellerbee has seen little of the millions of dollars in Def Jam advances and royalties paid to the company.
He is seeking at least $5 million in damages, not including royalties and interest, according to the suit.
About the Author
