Cordae sued for $25 million over album with Anderson .Paak
A Florida record label, MMMG Inc., has sued rapper Cordae for at least $25 million, Complex and Billboard reported. The label says his new album with Anderson .Paak breaks a 2018 deal that gives it the rights to his music. The album, Heavy Is the Crown, is still set to come out Oct. 23.
A Florida record label, MMMG Inc., has sued rapper Cordae in federal court, saying his upcoming album with Anderson .Paak breaks his 2018 exclusive recording deal, Complex and Billboard reported. The label is seeking at least $25 million and a court order to stop releases of recordings it says it owns, Complex reported.
The suit was filed Thursday in the Southern District of New York, Complex and Billboard reported. It also names EMPIRE Distribution, Mass Appeal Records and Apeshit, .Paak's label, Complex and Billboard reported. .Paak is not named as a defendant, Complex and Billboard reported.
MMMG says it signed Cordae in 2018 and released his first two albums with distribution from Atlantic Records, Complex and Billboard reported. It claims full ownership of his recordings and sole rights to his merchandise, touring and endorsement deals, Complex and Billboard reported.
The suit seeks at least $5 million over the lead single "A Good Day," at least $15 million from Cordae for breach of contract and at least $5 million from the labels, Complex and AllHipHop reported. "Rather than live up to his commitments, Cordae prefers to put his head in the sand and pretend that the agreement does not even exist," the complaint says, according to Billboard.
The dispute turns on MMMG's switch from Atlantic to the distributor Stem in 2025, Complex and Billboard reported. Cordae's lawyers argue the contract is no longer valid because Stem does not meet its terms, Billboard reported. MMMG says that argument is "utterly lacking in merit," Billboard reported.
The label says it sent cease-and-desist letters when the album was announced in August, Complex and Billboard reported. Representatives for Cordae and the three labels did not immediately respond to requests for comment, Billboard reported.
Heavy Is the Crown is still set to come out Oct. 23, Complex reported.
What we know: MMMG has sued Cordae and three labels for at least $25 million over the album.
What we don't: How Cordae will respond in court, and whether the album will come out as planned.
Where outlets agree Complex and Billboard both report that MMMG sued Cordae for $25 million, saying his album with Anderson .Paak breaches his 2018 recording deal.
Where they differ The outlets cited here report the same key facts so far.