Missy Elliott’s money and fame will not be considered in her long-running legal battle with former SISTA bandmate Terry Williams.
The case, which has lasted for decades, focuses on who owns the songwriting rights to the group’s 1994 album. A recent federal court ruling limits what the jury can hear, which could have a major impact on the outcome.
In the early 1990s, Jodeci’s DeVante Swing discovered the R&B group SISTA, mentoring its members and housing them during their development.
The group included Missy Elliott, who later became one of music’s most influential songwriters and producers.
Now, Williams claims he co-wrote multiple songs for their 1994 album and alleges he created 34 songs in total. Elliott rejects these claims, stating she wrote all the material herself without Williams’s involvement.
The dispute recently advanced in federal court, where U.S. District Judge Nitza Quiñones Alejandro issued a ruling that could significantly impact the trial. The judge restricted the evidence Williams is allowed to present, explaining, “References to Elliott’s wealth, fame, and other works have little to no relevance to this case. The probative value is outweighed by a danger of unfair prejudice.”
Williams argued that Elliott’s public comments about her career warranted examining her overall success in court.
Judge Alejandro denied this request and also refused to allow the information to support increased damages. However, the ruling left a narrow opening. If a direct link between Elliott’s professional history and the contested songs can be shown, such evidence may be allowed, but only if it proves clearly relevant.
For Elliott, the case is about protecting her reputation and legacy as a songwriter and producer. Williams views it as a fight to secure recognition he believes has long been withheld.
Their disagreement is not new. In August 2024, Williams’s lawsuit over Aaliyah’s 1996 song “Heartbroken” was dismissed because he waited more than two decades to bring the claim.
As the case moves forward, DeVante Swing has not issued a public statement about the dispute.
With the court limiting the evidence that can be introduced, the trial’s outcome may hinge on whether Williams can provide proof that directly connects Elliott’s career history to the songs at the heart of the case.
