Wu-Tang Producer 4th Disciple Is Suing RZA for Back Royalties
Famed Wu-Tang producer 4th Disciple has slapped RZA with a lawsuit claiming he hasn’t been paid royalties for his production services, reports Vibe.
According to his suit, 4th Disciple claims that he allegedly never received statements or royalties from his production and publishing contracts with Wu-Tang Productions and Diggs Family Music. The agreements were originally signed back in 1993 or 1994.
4th Disciple, whose real name is El-Divine Amir Bey, claims he’s owed “50 percent of mechanical royalties, “50 percent of synchronization income and 50 percent of other income” in exchange for RZA and Divine having the rights to his written and production works.
“We reached out several times to RZA and his brother Mitchell, through their longtime attorney, and they refused to address the situation,” said 4th Disciple’s lawyer Kevon Glickman about the lawsuit. “Its a shame that with all of the success of the Wu Franchise, it will take a lawsuit to force the Diggs brothers to face their contractual responsibilities.”
4th Disciple played an integral part in developing the Wu-Tang sound in the '90s and beyond. As a producer (and engineer), he has contributed tracks on several classic albums by Wu members including Wu-Tang Clan (Wu-Tang Forever), Raekwon (Only Built for Cuban Linx) and Genius (Liquid Swords) as well as affiliated groups like Sunz of Man and Killarmy, of which he is a member.
The veteran producer also directed several videos for the Wu-Tang Clan conglomerate. Among 4th Disciple's visual work are Wu-Tang's "Can It Be," Raekwon's "Criminology" and Sunz of Man's "Soliders of Darkness."
4th Disciple is seeking the full accounting of his contract and at least $500,000 in damages. Reps for the RZA had no comment on the matter.
Peep 4th Disciple's lawsuit below.
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