With blessings come curses. Hip-hop mogul, Jay-Z, is certainly blessed beyond measure. He’s hailed as one of the greatest and most beloved rappers of all time, he has business savvy that has earned him millions and he has the hottest girl in the game, Beyoncé. But on the other side of all that glitz and glam, the filthy rich rapper has to deal with lawsuit after lawsuit, which couldn’t be fun.
The latest suit filed against Jay-Z involves the diamond logo associated with his Roc Nation venture. Streetwear brand, Volcom, is accusing Roc Nation of unlawfully using the logo that closely resembles its own. Volcom claims in the trademark infringement suit filed on March 31 that they’ve been using the diamond-shaped logo since 1991 and have been asking that Roc Nation cease and desist using the logo since it debuted in 2009. Their requests have been met with silence. The logo is used on Roc Nation-branded headphones, clothing and records.
And that’s just the latest in legal battles for Shawn Carter, aka Jigga. Here’s a list, which likely isn’t exhaustive, of suits he’s been involved in over the years:
– A battle with Red Sox star David “Big Papi” Ortiz over his nightclub chain, 40/40. Ortiz opened a club in the Dominican and named it Forty Forty Club.
– An investment in a proposed $66 million “J Hotel” in New York City that failed due to funding issues. The deal turned into a financial disaster to the tune of millions for the mogul.
– He was sued for $88 million by boxer-lawyer-rapper Mitchell Rose for allegedly stealing his “whisper rapping” technique without crediting him.
– He was sued for at least $200,000 by Mickael Cohen, owner of the luxury travel company Air Platinum Club, claiming that Jay-Z neglected to pay him for services rendered.
– He’s being investigated by the NBA for allegedly violating league rules by entering college team Kentucky Wildcats’ dressing room. The slip up could cost him $30,000 in fines. As part owner of the New Jersey Nets, he’s prohibited from communicating with any future draft picks.
– He, along with actor Will Smith, are being sued by Marilyn Nance regarding a picture that was being used in their joint venture, the Broadway play Fela. Nance claims a picture of Fela Kuti’s Nigerian nightclub, taken by her in 1977, was used in the production and promo materials without her permission and is seeking $150,000 in damages.
Looks like he can add several digits to the 99 problems he already claimed he had. –gerald radford
