Lil Wayne’s Producer Files Lawsuit Against UMG Over Unpaid Royalties
Written by djfrosty on May 27, 2025
Universal Music Group (UMG) is facing legal action from Lil Wayne’s producer, Darius “Deezle” Harrison.
The producer claims UMG owes him $3 million in unpaid royalties for his work on Wayne’s 2008 album Tha Carter III. Harrison alleges that his contract with Cash Money Records entitled him to a 4% royalty rate for each track he produced on the album, which includes the hit single “Lollipop”. He further contends that a separate agreement for his contributions to Birdman’s 2005 album “Fast Money” entitles him to an additional 3% royalty rate.
This lawsuit follows a previous legal dispute Harrison had in 2011 with Lil Wayne, Cash Money, and Young Money over similar royalty issues, which was settled confidentially. Harrison asserts that after the settlement, he began receiving royalty payments from UMG in 2012, but those payments ceased shortly thereafter, prompting the current legal action.
As the lawsuit unfolds, Lil Wayne is preparing for the release of his highly anticipated album, Tha Carter VI, scheduled for June 6, 2025. To celebrate the release, Wayne will headline his first-ever show at Madison Square Garden on the same day, marking a significant milestone in his career. The album features collaborations with artists such as Miley Cyrus, Andrea Bocelli, and his son Kameron, and is expected to showcase a diverse range of musical styles.
Despite the excitement surrounding the upcoming album, Harrison’s lawsuit casts a shadow over the celebration, highlighting ongoing disputes over royalty payments in the music industry.