Credit: Spotify

Madlib has confirmed he is suing his former manager, Eothen ‘Egon’ Alapatt, after accusing him of “rank self-dealing,” unduly profiting from his business affairs and “engaging in persistent and pervasive mismanagement.” The lawsuit was filed on October 31st in Los Angeles.

The date the lawsuit was filed coincidentally is also four years after the death of rapper and Madlib’s collaborator, MF Doom. Interestingly, MF Doom’s widow, Jasmine Dumile Thompson, also has an ongoing lawsuit against Egon.

Madlib provides some background on the lawsuit. He explains that in 2010, he left Stones Throw Records but kept Egon as his manager. The rapper says that he trusted Egon and put him in control of his business entities, Madicine Show and Rappcats. Only recently has Madlib found some accounting irregularities with the businesses. He has also named the Rappcats CEO, Jeffrey ‘Jeff Jank’ Carlson, in the ongoing lawsuit.

Upon inspecting some of the old accounting documentation for his business entities, Madlib discovered “Several accounting irregularities.” These occurred recently, between the years 2018 and 2022, and involve large amounts of money being sent to Egon and Jank for “fees,” “commission,” and “consulting.” However, when investigated, it doesn’t appear that there is any documentation that can account for these charges.

Madlib also claims that Egon inserted his own record label, Now-Again Records, a subsidiary of Stones Throw Records, into their business affairs regarding Madicine Shaw. This will also have been in the interest of making a profit.

Additionally, Egon took control of several key music and business platforms, locking Madlib out of these platforms in the process. These accounts were “Including but not limited to Ingrooves, Apple Music, Bandcamp, and YouTube as well as MADLIB’s own Facebook account and the Instagram account for his QUASIMOTO character,” according to the lawsuit.

In the lawsuit, Madlib specifies that he is seeking the judicially assisted wind-up and dissolution of Madicine Show and Rappcats. He is also asking for punitive and exemplary damages for Egon’s breach of fiduciary duty and to sever Egon’s right or interest in current music and future releases. This includes recorded music, his professional career, names, likenesses and registered trademarks. Madlib has asked that a jury see over the trial.

Jank and Egon, along with their legal representation, have yet to respond to any of the allegations that have been made. This remains an ongoing case, as a jury will likely be appointed and a trial date set in the coming months.