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ODB estate sues Wu-Tang Productions over unpaid royalties

By | Published on Friday 11 February 2022

Ol Dirty Bastard

The widow of Ol Dirty Bastard – Icelene Jones – is suing Wu-Tang Productions, claiming that it has “wilfully refused” to pay the ODB estate at least $1 million in royalties stemming from the late rapper’s solo recordings and his work with Wu-Tang Clan.

The lawsuit, which was filed in New York earlier this week, claims that the label – owned by Wu-Tang leader RZA – has failed to pay out proper royalties or provide accounts for more than ten years, instead making occasional payments without any real information on what they relate to.

It says that ODB’s agreement with Wu-Tang Productions prior to his death in 2004 stated that he would receive 50% of any publishing income from his work, while 50% of net recordings income would be shared between the artists appearing on each track. Recordings income was meant to be paid within 45 days of receipt by the label, with publishing income paid twice yearly. The deal also gave ODB the right to audit the company’s accounts.

“Despite its repeated efforts and requests, the estate has been unable to obtain payments and accountings from defendant under the recording agreement for the sale of Wu-Tang Clan recordings and ODB recordings since at least 2011”, says the filing.

In a statement given to Rolling Stone, a spokesperson for the ODB estate adds: “This is not an attack on Wu-Tang Productions Inc, but a last legal resort we have had to pursue after being denied and ignored on this matter for over ten years”.

“The estate will randomly receive partial cheques such as the one sent for $130,000 in July of 2021 from Wu-Tang Productions”, they continue. “But without financial records, we have no indication of the exact amount the estate is still owed. It is crucial to understand that ODB’s widow and administrator of the estate, Icelene Jones, has been requesting these financial records for years and has a legal obligation to do so”.

The lawsuit seeks at least $1 million in damages, plus interest.



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