These days it seems like there's news about a lawsuit involving Lil Wayne and Young Money every day. Unfortunately for Wayne, this one didn't go his way. According to a report from TMZ, Wayne's Young Money imprint officially owes David Banner $164,303.19 in unpaid royalties. In the lawsuit, Banner claimed that he never received payment for his production work on Lil Wayne's "La La" and "Pussy Monster." Both songs appeared on the massively popular Tha Carter III, and surely netted Wayne quite a bit of money. Banner also contributed production on the We Are Young Money track "Streets Is Watching."
According to Banner, he was told way back in 2012 that the label owed him $138,787 for the two songs from Tha Carter III, as well as $15,000 for "Streets Is Watching." None of that money has apparently been paid at this time, causing the judge to rule in Banner's favor and demand that Young Money compensate him. The $164,303.19 includes all the royalty payments plus interest on the debt, considering the songs were released way back in 2008.
Banner later released a statement about the case, noting that he never wanted publicity. "As entertainers, our business is very complex and it should not be a matter public display. America has always attempted to pit Black men against each other like gladiators then laugh when we clash. I have never commented on this case, it is only a matter of public record. I value all my clients and dread when our business ever plays out in the public," he said in a statement.
Wayne already has an extensive set of legal issues going on. He's still deep into a $41 million lawsuit against Birdman and Cash Money, which remains unresolved. A judge recently ordered Birdman to open up his books to prove how the $100 million advance Birdman and Wayne received was spent. Wayne claims that Birdman spent most of the advance without Wayne's knowledge. We're still waiting to see what the receipts say, but in the meantime, Wayne has his own payment to make to David Banner.
