UPDATE!
The headline was edited from ‘wack verse’ to unsatisfactory verse.
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Nigerian record label, Chocolate City Limited, has filed a suit against US rapper, Nasir “Nas” Jones, following a breach of agreement, Gothamist reports.
The lawsuit was filed in a New York State Supreme Court after Nas and his business partner, Ronnie Goodman, reneged on their agreement.
The label had in 2013, according to court papers, paid Nas and Ronnie Goodman up to $50,000 to contribute a verse to a track by their artist, M.I.
M.I. was believed to have wanted a contribution between him and the legendary American rapper because of his “exceptional talent as a lyric writer.”
However, the effort to get the desired verse from Nas did not yield any good result, in spite of Chocolate City paying Nas and Goodman upfront.
According to report, the label paid Nas and his agent, Goodman, around $45,000 and $5000 respectively.
Although, Nas had delivered a verse, as promised, but Chocolate City are suing as the verse did not meet the specifics the parties had agreed on.
Nas was expected to deliver a verse addressing problems facing African and African American communities, but the subject matter of his verse was completely off what was agreed.
Also, the Queens rapper was also supposed to abide by some name-drops, but he was said to have disregarded that.
“M.I, Chocolate City, Nigeria, Queens, New York—NAS’s hometown—, Mandela, Trayvon Martin, and the struggles of Africans and African Americans.”
Chocolate City Limited said that they have asked the rapper to redo his verse to meet the requirements they agreed on, but the rapper was yet to do that leaving them with no option but to sue.
The label said it was seeking refund and damages of one million dollars ($1,000,000) relating to lost profits from being unable to market and sell the M.I./Nas collaboration, and punitive damages and attorney’s fees.
Nas’ representative and his record label, Mass Appeal, have not been contacted for their reaction to the suit.