Muni Long Lawsuit: Managers Seek $600K in Commissions

Muni Long Sued by Former Managers for Over $600K in Unpaid Commissions

A legal dispute has emerged between grammy award-winning singer Muni Long and her former management team,alleging unpaid commissions totaling over $600,000. The lawsuit, filed by Chaka zulu and Jeff Dixon through their company, Ebony Son Entertainment, Inc., centers on claims of breach of contract, unjust enrichment, and questionable business practices.

veteran Music Executives Take Legal Action

Zulu and Dixon are well-established figures in the music industry. The pair founded Disturbing Tha Peace in 1998 and played a meaningful role in the career of artist Ludacris. Zulu also spearheaded the launch of AtlantaS 24-hour hip-hop radio station, Hot 107.9.Their extensive experience underscores the seriousness of the allegations against Long and her affiliated companies.

The Core of the dispute: A Verbal Agreement and Alleged Non-Payment

According to court documents, Long entered into a verbal management agreement with Ebony Son Entertainment at the 2023 Essence Festival. The agreement stipulated a commission of 20 percent of her gross revenue, alongside the reimbursement of expenses – an industry-standard arrangement. Following a year of commission payouts and the prosperous release of Long’s 2024 album, Revenge, payments allegedly ceased in October 2024. The agreement was then terminated by Long’s companies – Super Giant Records LLC,muni Long Inc., Muni World Inc., and White Rose Garden LLC – in January of this year.

“Muni Long shamelessly reneged on her promises to pay Plaintiff the agreed-upon, customary percentage of revenue she earned, and only earned as Plaintiff assisted in obtaining those engagements,” a statement within the complaint reads. “This stunning display of ungratefulness and lack of integrity compels Plaintiff’s pursuit of the claims in the Complaint to obtain that which rightfully belongs to Plaintiff.”

Did you know? – Verbal contracts are legally binding in many jurisdictions, but proving the terms can be challenging without written documentation. This case highlights the risk of relying solely on handshake deals.

Revenue Generation and Financial Claims

Ebony Son Entertainment asserts that it facilitated over $5 million in total revenue for Muni Long. This figure includes income from performances at venues such as the Aretha franklin Theater and SiriusXM Atlanta, and also revenue generated from publishing and songwriting collaborations with artists Shenseea and Tiwa Savage. The company claims $612,000 remains unpaid, broken down as $458,600 in commissions and $153,698 in expenses.

The outcome of this legal battle could set a precedent for artist-management agreements and the enforcement of verbal contracts within the music industry.

Pro tip: – Artists and managers should always formalize agreements in writing, detailing commission rates, expense reimbursement, and termination clauses to avoid disputes.

Why this lawsuit? Chaka Zulu and Jeff Dixon’s Ebony Son Entertainment filed suit against Muni Long and her companies alleging breach of contract and unpaid commissions. They claim Long verbally agreed to a 20% commission on her gross revenue and reimbursement of expenses.

Who is involved? The plaintiffs are Ebony Son Entertainment, inc., represented by chaka Zulu and Jeff Dixon. The defendant is Muni Long, along with her companies: Super Giant Records LLC, Muni Long Inc., Muni World Inc., and White Rose garden LLC.

What are the claims? Ebony Son entertainment claims Long owes them $612,000, comprised of $458,600 in unpaid commissions and $153,698 in unreimbursed expenses, generated from over $5 million in revenue they facilitated for Long.

How did it end? As of February 29, 2024, the case is ongoing.On March 11, 2024,