Rapper Wiz Khalifa sued his record label, Rostrum Records, and founder Benjy Grinberg Tuesday, alleging the deal the Pittsburgh native signed in 2005 is exploitative.
Khalifa, whose legal name is Cameron Jibril Thomaz, claims Grinberg coerced him into signing the so-called “360 deal” while he “was but a minor in high school,” according to the complaint. The suit alleges the contract includes clauses allowing L.A.-based Rostrum and Grinberg, who signed Khalifa to a management contract before starting the label, to take significant portions of record sales, merchandise, songwriting, and tour profits.
Khalifa terminated the management contract with Grinberg in 2014. The suit seeks to end the five-album recording contract, which is still in place.
Khalifa’s attorney, Alex Weingarten of Venable’s Century City office, said in the complaint that the takings were tantamount to self-dealing and fraud. He declined to specify the exact numbers involved, but added in a statement that Grinberg and Rostrum’s actions were in direct opposition to Khalifa’s interests.
“An artist’s most trusted adviser is his or her personal manager,” Weingarten said. “Generally, nothing good comes out when the manager decides to go into business against his artist. Unfortunately, that is the case here.”
Grinberg called the lawsuit “egregious” in a statement.
“I was very disappointed and surprised by this news. To witness an artist turn on you after supporting them for a number of years is very disheartening,” he said. “This is an egregious lawsuit filled with inaccuracies, yet unfortunately people sometimes resort to these practices as a way of conducting business.”
The suit, filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, alleges the contract was the first in a series of actions taken by Grinberg and Rostrum that were detrimental to Khalifa.
“Grinberg and Rostrum acted as faithless fiduciaries in direct contravention of their obligations to the Plaintiff,” the complaint reads. “Accordingly, the Plaintiff also seeks damages against Grinberg and Rostrum and the imposition of a constructive trust over their ill-gotten gains.”
