Grammy-winning music legend George Clinton is taking a stand against what he calls decades of financial and artistic exploitation.
The Parliament-Funkadelic frontman has filed a $100 million lawsuit against Armen Boladian and multiple music companies, including Bridgeport Music, Inc. and Westbound Records, Inc. The suit, spearheaded by prominent civil rights attorney Ben Crump, was announced during a press conference at the historic Apollo Theater in New York on March 11th, 2025.
The lawsuit accuses Boladian and his affiliated companies of fraud, copyright infringement, and breach of fiduciary duty. According to Clinton, Boladian wrongfully acquired rights to his extensive music catalog, stripping him of rightful ownership and denying him decades of royalties. The funk pioneer is now seeking to reclaim control of his work, void allegedly fraudulent agreements, and recover financial damages.
“For too long, the architects of Black music have been robbed of their creations,” Crump stated at the press conference. “George Clinton’s case is about justice—not just for him, but for all artists who have been taken advantage of by the industry.”
This lawsuit marks another chapter in Clinton’s long battle over his music rights. In the past, he has been vocal about the industry’s exploitation of Black artists, particularly those from the funk and soul era, who often signed contracts that later stripped them of their masters and publishing rights.
Joining Clinton and Crump in the legal fight is Diandra “Fu” Debrosse of DiCello Levitt, a firm known for handling high-profile civil and human rights litigation.
