Wiz Khalifa is taking his former manager and record label to court.
The Taylor Gang rapper has filed a lawsuit against Benjy Grinberg and Rostrum Records, the imprint that signed him in 2005. Khalifa claims that, due to a 360 deal, the label profited from “virtually every aspect of plaintiff’s professional life” for about 10 years, according to Billboard. Wiz also claims that the company went into a “series of other transactions, all in further violation of the rule against self dealing.”
In his complaint, Wiz claims that the label’s founder Grinberg and his company Rostrum’s arrangement lasted from an oral agreement in 2004 through a signing in 2005, and ending in March 11, 2014, when Khalifa cut them out as his managers. During that time, the rapper claims that the label made deals with Warner Bros. Records and Atlantic Records for his material, while “intentionally conceal[ing] material information… in order to profit at his expense.”
He is seeking more than $1 million in damages.
Grinberg, who was also instrumental in Mac Miller’s career, told Billboard that he was “disappointed and surprised” by this lawsuit.
“To witness an artist turn on you after supporting them for a number of years is very disheartening,” he said. “This is an egregious lawsuit filled with inaccuracies, yet unfortunately people sometimes resort to these practices as a way of conducting business.”
In 2014, Miller also ended his relationship with Rostrum, though it appeared to end on amicable terms. “Rostrum is my family. That is forever,” the rapper told MTV News at the time. “No matter what, we will always work together. We moved mountains and I can only see them continuing that tradition. I am grateful for everything I learned and am always here for whatever.”
