Popular rap group, Migos are suing their longtime lawyer, Damien Granderson for charging them excessively and failure to disclose conflict of interest.
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Migos consisting of Hip Hop trio, Quavo, Offset and Takeoff are suing their longtime lawyer Damien Granderson over allegedly excessive fees and conflicts of interest.
The rap trio accuses Granderson of cheating and robbing them of millions of dollars. They are suing him for professional malpractice, breach of fiduciary duty, violation of California Business and profession codes, unfair competition, and unjust enrichment.
According to documents obtained by The Hollywood Reporter, Migos have accused Granderson of “glaring conflicts of interest” since he also represents their label Quality Control Music.
The group claims that their attorney has been more favorable to Quality Control, negotiating one-sided deals that weren’t in Migos’ best interests.
Migos’ new lawyer Bryan Freedman argues Granderson looked at the rappers as “easy targets” when he began working with them in the early stages of their careers, which included negotiations for 300 Entertainment to distribute their 2014 debut album Yung Rich Nation. Freedman contends the group was easy prey because they were in their late teens and early 20s with high school educations.
The suit claims Granderson later initiated a dispute with 300 to facilitate the group’s move to Capitol Records, yet the deal was skewed in favor of Quality Control. He allegedly negotiated a 2018 amendment with Capitol that extended the agreement between Migos and Quality Control, handcuffing the trio’s label options.
“Granderson effectively prevented his other client – Migos – from ever being free of paying excessive compensation to QCM, from ever being signed to any other record label, and from ever obtaining negotiating leverage to secure reasonable terms in connection with the distribution of its musical recordings,” Freedman writes.
Migos are seeking restitution and punitive damages beyond “millions of dollars.” They also want a five percent contingent fee agreement to be ruled invalid.
Granderson began working with Migos in 2013. The attorney’s current firm, Granderson Des Rochers, and his former employer, Davis Shapiro, are both named in the suit.
However, Quality Control Music CEO, Pierre “Pee” Thomas took Instagram to respond to the lawsuit and the allegation writing,
“It is unfortunate that the same people that we have worked hard for, provided opportunities for, and championed for are now alleging that we have participated in any kind of immoral or unfair business practices or took advantage of them and their careers, especially while we are dealing with the death of an artist on our label that was dear to us.
We have always practiced honest business and complete transparency from the beginning when we started Quality Control Music. We built this business on family values, which has been so hard to do when you are dealing with so much pride and ego.
The problem that I have been struggling with in this business as black man is jealousy, hate, division, and lack of communication. I was a millionaire before I got in the music business and for me to know the sacrifices I have made for the people that I have invested in and put every dollar, blood, sweat, and tears into is nonsense. I will not stand by and let Quality Control Music’s reputation and everything we have built and sacrificed be tarnished by allegations of unfair and unjust business practices.
I am a student of this game and I have watched several black record label owner’s get destroyed by the same things that I am facing right now. This is why the majority of the people in this business end up in financial turmoil and ultimately failing to reach their full potential. It is hard enough to be fighting and battling with corporations and the powers that be, I am not doing it with those who I consider family.
I love my artists and I love my team. Everyone has their own lawyers. I understand in this business that you are not always going to end with the people you started with. I say that to say, I am not forcing anybody to be in business with us that has a problem and cannot communicate and does not want to work as a unit. Everything is negotiable. I wish my whole team more money, more blessings, and continued success. #longlivemarlo”
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