Jermaine Dupri Sues Sony Music for $18 Million in Unpaid Royalties
In a shocking move, music mogul Jermaine Dupri has filed a lawsuit against Sony Music Entertainment, alleging that the company has deliberately underpaid royalties to artists over a 32-year period. The suit, which seeks more than $18 million in damages, names several high-profile acts, including Mariah Carey and Usher, as victims of Sony's alleged accounting practices.A Pattern of Underpayment
According to the lawsuit, Sony Music Entertainment has been engaging in a 'systemic pattern' of underpaying royalties to artists associated with Dupri's So So Def Recordings. The complaint alleges that the company has hidden certain royalties in separate accounting systems and amended old statements to conceal how much it had withheld. This practice is said to have harmed So So Def in its business, as stated by Dupri's lawyers.
Kris Kross: A Case of Hidden Royalties
One of the sharpest claims in the filing involves Kris Kross, a duo that rose to fame in the 1990s with hits like 'Jump' and 'Playas Gon' Play.' Dupri alleges that Sony never reported producer or override royalties from the duo's first two albums until 2023, resulting in over $2.2 million still owed from those records alone. Furthermore, a hidden Kris Kross royalty account generated over $1 million between 2020 and 2024 while So So Def received nothing.
Unrecouped Balances: A Concern for Xscape and Da Brat
The lawsuit also highlights the cases of Xscape and Da Brat, two acts that achieved platinum certification in the 1990s. Despite their success, both groups still carry unrecouped balances of $1.5 million and unknown amounts, respectively. Dupri's team argues it is 'unfathomable' that these debts have persisted for so long.
A Call for Accountability
The lawsuit seeks a jury trial and attorneys' fees, with the full $18 million figure including more than $10 million in interest. Dupri's team says the full scope only emerged after a 2025 audit by accounting firm Gelfand, Rennert and Feldman. This move is seen as a call for accountability from Sony Music Entertainment, which has yet to publicly respond to the allegations.
The lawsuit filed by Jermaine Dupri against Sony Music Entertainment raises important questions about the music industry's accounting practices and the treatment of artists. As the case unfolds, it will be interesting to see how Sony responds to these allegations and whether justice is served for those affected.
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