Tupac Shakur's Mother Files $1.1 Million Lawsuit Against Entertainment One
Tupac's protective mother, Afeni Shakur, is fighting for her son. She is the co-administrator and executor of Tupac's estate, and she reportedly filed a $1.1 million lawsuit against the distributor Entertainment One for a breach of contract.
According to the lawsuit claims, E1 breached a contract to pay Tupac's estate royalties for the late rapper's album, "Beginnings: The Lost Tapes 1998-1991," which was released in June 2007. Also, Jampol Artist Management signed on to manage the estate of Tupac Shakur, in February.
"I believe it is our responsibility to make sure that Tupac's entire body of work is made available for his fans," Afeni speaks about the deal. "My son left many incomplete pieces and even more unfinished ideas. Using the blueprints he gave us, I am committed to fulfilling this duty... [We] will find innovative ways to continue to keep his music, his message, and his legacy alive."
In addition to suing for unpaid royalties accumulated from a posthumous release of her son's music, Tupac's mom is also claiming the exclusive ownership of the mastered recordings for all of Tupac's unreleased music.
In July 2013, Entertainment One purchased the rights to Tupac's music, which was previously owned by Death Row Records that went bankrupt in 2006.
"Although DRR retained physical possession of the unreleased Tupac material, it had no ownership rights in and no right to sell, license, or otherwise exploit any of the recordings or underlying compositions therein, and plaintiffs are the exclusive owners of all intellectual property rights with respect to the unreleased Tupac material" the lawsuit states.
Tupac's estate netted $9 million in 2007, and seven of his 11 platinum albums were posthumous releases. More than 15 years later since Tupac's eternal rest, he still remains as the acclaimed Hip Hop icon.