After months of silence, Mary J. Blige is making her stance clear in court.
The Grammy-winning singer is asking a judge to throw out a $5 million lawsuit filed by Misa Hylton, her management company, and rapper Vado, calling the case unfounded and harmful to her reputation.
In legal documents filed on behalf of Blige and her company, Beautiful Life Productions, her attorneys argued the claims are “utterly meritless” and part of a broader effort to pressure her into a settlement.
Blige’s lawyer, Sarah M. Matz, accused the plaintiffs of creating false allegations to generate media coverage. “Plaintiffs and their counsel appear to enjoy fabricating accusations that will be discussed in the press and on social media for the purposes of harassing Defendants and trying to coerce a favorable settlement,” Matz stated.
The lawsuit, first accused Blige of interfering in a management agreement between Vado and Hylton’s company, M.I.S.A. Management. It claims that after Vado signed a recording deal with Beautiful Life Productions in October 2023, his completed album was withheld to pressure him into ending ties with Hylton, cutting her out of her 20% commission.
Blige’s legal team countered that M.I.S.A. Management “does not exist as a legal entity” and therefore has no right to sue in New York. “It is stunning that Plaintiffs and their counsel attempt to assert claims on behalf of this non-existent entity,” Matz said in the filing.
They also argued Hylton is not a party to Vado’s recording contract and cannot enforce it. In addition, Blige’s attorneys said Vado did not follow proper procedures before suing, including giving notice or pursuing mediation.
“Vado’s claims fare no better. Asserting a breach of contract claim against Blige individually is by itself sanctionable. Blige is not a party to Vado’s recording agreement nor has any other basis been pled against Blige, making it clear she was included solely for purposes of harassment,” Matz added.
Mary J. Blige is seeking a full dismissal of the case with prejudice and wants the court to impose financial sanctions, including attorney’s fees, on Hylton, Vado, and their legal team.
