American rapper Megan Thee Stallion is suing her record label after they barred her from releasing new music. After starting the #FREETHEESTALLION hashtag earlier this week, Megan has sued record label 1501 Entertainment.
She claimed that the label, which released her mixtape Fever, has withheld income from her, failed to provide financial transparency, misrepresented her contract during negotiations.
And, when she attempted to fix these issues, the record label blocked her from releasing new music. Court documents viewed by Pitchfork state that Megan is seeking release from her contract and $1 million in damages.
In the interim, she has been granted a temporary restraining order against 1501 which entitles her to release new music; much to the delight of fans and #FREETHEESTALLION tweeters.
Exploitation
According to Pitchfork, Megan’s lawsuit against 1501 and CEO Carl Crawford claims that the label has the rights to 50% of her publishing income, 30% of her touring income, 30% of her merchandise, and 30% of her passive income.
In addition, they claim 60% of the income from her recordings and require Megan herself to pay featured artists and other personnel out of her own money.
Furthermore, Megan alleges that 1501 failed to register trademarks in Megan’s name. This means that third parties have been able to profit off her name and intellectual property.
Elsewhere in the lawsuit, Megan stated the only reason she signed with 1501. It was due to the label staff’s “misrepresentations and omissions” regarding the terms of the contract; as well as 1501’s stature in the Houston scene.
Threats and sabotage
Furthermore, Megan claims that 1501 staff, including Crawford, have sent her “direct and veiled threats,” and alleges that a leaked mugshot from when she was 19 was leaked by 1501 in order to tank her career.
Due to the temporary restraining order, Megan is going forth with a release on March 6. In the interim, Megan and her lawyers will continue to pursue their lawsuit.
