Madlib has filed a lawsuit against his former manager and ex-Stones Throw Records executive Eothen “Egon” Alapatt, accusing him of misconduct.
According to the lawsuit, which was filed on the fourth anniversary of his close collaborator MF DOOM‘s death on Thursday (October 31), Alapatt used his label Now-Again Records (a subsidiary of Stones Throw) as an intermediary entity in existing management deals that covered the producer’s entire catalog plus merchandising.
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Madlib (real name Otis Jackson) claims Alapatt used the structure to exploit him and bolster the revenues of both himself and Now-Again Records.
The suit alleges: “Not only was Egon not performing these duties, but he was also engaged in rank self-dealing, concealing information from and repeatedly breaching his duties to Madlib, and otherwise engaging in persistent and pervasive mismanagement.”
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The prolific producer also claims that Alapatt exercised complete control over his finances and refused to provide accounting records for his various endeavors.
The suit reads: “A forensic accounting commissioned by Madlib … revealed several accounting irregularities as well as a lack of any backup documentation for, among other things, payments to [Alappat], [codefendant Jeffrey Carlson] and others as ‘consulting,’ ‘commissions,’ ‘fees’ or ‘reimbursements’ (totaling in the several hundred thousands of dollars), the majority of inbound deposits to the two entities’ bank accounts (totaling in the several millions of dollars).”
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Through the lawsuit, Madlib wants a full accounting of financial assets and liabilities, as well as unspecified compensation for damage to his business and reputation.
Alapatt has not yet responded to the claims contained within the lawsuit.
It is not the first time that the former Stones Throw executive has been sued. In a lawsuit filed last year, MF DOOM’s widow accused Egon of exploiting the late rap legend.
Jasmine Dumile Thompson alleged in her complaint that Alapatt acquired over 30 of DOOM’s rhymebooks after he moved to the UK in 2010.
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She claimed that Alapatt did not return the books but acquired them from the rapper’s former landlord in exchange for unpaid rent.
Alapatt has said he intends to donate the rhymebooks to a museum but DOOM’s widow is trying to stop that from happening, citing her late husband’s infamous privacy.
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The legal disputes come as Madlib and MF DOOM are celebrating the 20th anniversary of their iconic album Madvillainy, with demos from the project being released on vinyl for the first time later this month.
