Super producer and Blackstreet singer Teddy Riley breaks his silence about his ongoing feud with former bandmate Chauncey Hannibal. Riley is accusing Hannibal of fraud and blames him for not booking concerts. This has driven Riley straight down to the courthouse to take the legal action of demanding a restraining order against former Blackstreet member Hannibal.
Riley sued Hannibal earlier this year accusing him of deceptively stealing the trademark to the brand name “Blackstreet” that Riley created in 1992 to be able to keep all the profits without paying Riley.
The lawsuit claims that Hannibal allowed the trademark renewal application to expire so he then could file for it on his own. Originally, Hannibal was hired by Riley to assist with administrative duties. Hannibal allegedly never informed Riley that the trademark was expiring and that Hannibal took the liberty to renew the trademark in his name only, excluding Riley’s name from the documents. Once confronted about the trademark, Hannibal solicited Riley for 90,000 to add back him to the registration. Hannibal told Riley he would add him to the registration if this was paid, Riley obliged, but was never added as promised.
Riley also accused Hannibal of using the band’s profits to pay child support and pay off tax debt without telling him. Riley’s lawsuit demands that he be added to the trademark and receive damages for what Hannibal did.
Also, according to recently filed court docs in the case, Riley says Hannibal is blocking his concert deals by not adding him to the trademark. Recently, Riley was in negotiations to perform on the Tom Joyner cruise but they told him they cannot finalize the deal due to Hannibal owning the band’s name. Furthermore, he tells TheJasmineBrand.com, and this writer verified with him, Hannibal sent a cease and desist order to the cruise ship warning them not to allow Riley to perform under the name “Blackstreet.”
What do you think? Has this Blackstreet feud gone on long enough? It’s a sad day in the music business when longtime band members play these types of games on the ones they once called brother and friend.
