Migos have filed a lawsuit against their longtime attorney, Damien Granderson, alleging he charged excessive fees and failed to disclose conflicts of interest tied to the group’s label, Quality Control Music, according to Billboard.
Quavo, Offset and Takeoff are suing Granderson, his current firm Granderson Des Rochers and his former firm Davis Shapiro. The complaint reportedly lists professional malpractice, breach of fiduciary duty, violations of California Business and Professions Code sections 6147 and 6148, unfair competition and unjust enrichment. The group is seeking restitution and punitive damages, and asks the court to declare that a 5 percent fee arrangement was not valid.
The group’s attorney, Bryan Freedman, wrote in the filing that Granderson worked with Migos from their early days, including on the 2014 deal for 300 Entertainment to distribute their debut album, when the members were very young. The suit claims Granderson saw the group as easy targets and steered them toward a path that also benefited him by bringing Quality Control Music in as a client. It further alleges that he later negotiated a 2018 amendment to the label agreement that extended the group’s exclusive recording deal on terms the suit calls unconscionable, and that he handled agreements while not licensed in California. These are allegations in a legal filing and have not been proven in court.
Billboard reached out to Granderson for comment, and he had not responded at the time of its report.
Quality Control CEO Pierre “Pee” Thomas did respond, posting a statement saying it was unfortunate to see people the label had worked hard for now alleging unfair business practices. He said Quality Control has always practiced honest business and transparency, that he would not let the company’s reputation be tarnished by the allegations, and that he wished the group continued success. He also noted the label was grieving the loss of one of its artists.
Baller Alert will keep you posted as the case moves forward.
Sources: Billboard, court filing, Instagram statement from Pierre Thomas.
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