In a placing transfer, legendary hip-hop producer Madlib has filed a lawsuit towards his former supervisor Eothen “Egon” Alapatt, accusing him of “pervasive mismanagement” and monetary self-dealing. The lawsuit, reported by Billboard and filed on October 31 in Los Angeles, outlines critical allegations that Alapatt exploited his managerial function to siphon earnings from Madlib’s music and merchandise companies. This authorized motion comes on the heels of Alapatt’s prior authorized troubles, together with a lawsuit from the property of Madlib’s collaborator MF DOOM, who accused him of stealing private property.

The grievance particulars that Alapatt started managing Madlib’s enterprise affairs round 2010, throughout a important part when the producer sought independence from Stones Throw Data. It alleges that Alapatt was dismissed from his place on the label shortly thereafter. Madlib’s authorized workforce claims that Alapatt didn’t correctly handle the 2 entities established for Madlib—“Madicine Present” for music and “Rapp Cats” for merchandise—resulting in important monetary irregularities. Madlib reportedly solely uncovered the extent of those points in April 2023 by way of forensic accounting, which revealed a scarcity of documentation for numerous bills, in addition to unauthorized charges taken by Alapatt.

The lawsuit calls for a judicial dissolution of each corporations and an intensive accounting of their funds, highlighting a breakdown of belief between Madlib and Alapatt. It accuses Alapatt of locking Madlib out of essential accounts associated to his work, together with these related along with his iconic alter-ego, Quasimoto. As Madlib seeks to reclaim management over his enterprise, the case raises important questions on accountability and transparency in artist administration.