Chance The Rapper wins court battle against his former manager
Chance The Rapper has won a court battle against his ex-manager.
Pat The Manager (real name Pat Corcoran) sued Chance in 2020, claiming he was owed $3.8 million in unpaid commissions and royalties.
According to the Chicago Sun-Times, a Cook County jury decided that Pat failed to prove that he was owed money. In addition, the jury ruled that in Chance’s $1 million countersuit, he should be paid $35 and that ChanceRaps.com must be turned over.
Following the verdict on March 20th, Chance said, “I claim victory in the name of the Lord.”
Pat’s legal team alleged it was a split decision, with lawyer Jay Scharkey saying, “We respect the jury’s decision, but the message to music managers is clear: Get it in writing. The jury award of $35 speaks to how seriously the jury viewed Chance’s case.”
Chance and Pat worked together between 2012 and 2020; throughout this time, Chance released projects such as 10 Day, Acid Rap, and Coloring Book. Pat’s lead attorney, Robert Sweeney, claimed that Chance earned fame and success without crediting one of those who helped him.
“You’ll hear this is a case about greed and people trying to glom onto someone famous and take from them,” he said. “But that’s not what this story is. It’s about when someone becomes famous and forgets what it took to get him there. Chance wanted to be famous and Pat wanted to help. Pat believed in the mission and Pat was going to do whatever it took to make Chance famous.”
On the other hand, Chance’s lawyer, Jacobs-Perry, accused Pat of being greedy and betraying the rapper.
“Pat’s case is really about Pat’s greed trying to take something that he does not deserve, and that was never agreed to,” he said. “Pat has been fully compensated and is entitled to nothing more. Chance sued Pat on principle after learning about the things Pat was doing behind his back.”
He continued, “Chance decided to stand up for himself and artists everywhere. He made a choice early in his career to be independent, to own his own music and be free from labels and third parties, and it defined everything that followed.”