What was supposed to be Japan’s first major Afrobeats festival is now turning into a courtroom fight involving Saweetie, Jason Derulo, and millions in alleged damages.
According to Billboard, the two artists are facing separate lawsuits tied to Afro Jam Festival 2025, a multi-city music event that planned stops in Okinawa, Osaka, and Tokyo last summer. According to legal complaints filed by promoters Moon Dream Production Co. and SFL Group, both performers accepted large advance payments for scheduled appearances but allegedly failed to deliver on their agreements.
Court filings claim Derulo received a $200,000 advance to perform at Okinawa Arena and Osaka’s Ookini Arena Maishima. Promoters allege they later discovered Derulo was already booked for performances in Spain during the same time frame. The lawsuit states, “Despite demand, Derulo has refused and continues to refuse to refund plaintiff’s deposit in the sum of $200,000.”
Saweetie is also accused of backing out after allegedly receiving a $100,000 advance tied to planned performances across all three cities. According to the complaint, organizers helped secure her visa for travel to Tokyo, only for her to allegedly appear at unaffiliated nightclub events instead of the festival venues. The lawsuit claims, “Had plaintiffs known the defendants’ true intentions, plaintiffs would never have entered into any performance agreement with Saweetie and her team.”
The fallout adds another legal headline to Derulo’s recent run. In 2023, the singer denied sexual harassment allegations brought by former artist Emaza Gibson, calling the claims “completely false and hurtful.” He is also currently involved in a separate court battle over songwriting credits tied to his hit “Savage Love.”
Promoters are now seeking repayment of the advances, reimbursement for festival expenses, and punitive damages that could climb into the millions.
