Friday, December 21, 2007

Universal Music Group in $10 Million Civil Suit for Encouraging Violence With Their Rap Artists

Remy Ma, Universal Sued Over NY Shooting


Remy Ma

Rapper Remy Ma "willfully, wantonly and maliciously" shot and critically wounded an acquaintance, a $10 million civil lawsuit filed against her claimed today (Dec. 21).

The suit is the latest legal problem for the Grammy-nominated rapper, who also faces criminal charges and up to 25 years in prison for shooting acquaintance Makeda Barnes-Joseph twice in the abdomen after leaving a New York nightclub in July.

Remy Ma, 26, whose real name is Remy Smith, has pleaded innocent to the criminal charges in New York state court.

Barnes-Joseph filed the suit in Manhattan federal court, naming as defendants several of the rapper's recording companies, including Universal Music Group, owned by French media group Vivendi, and Sure Shot Recordings.

The suit claims the music companies encouraged the rapper to engage in violent behavior as part of her image. Smith's lawyer Ivan Fisher said the lawsuit was "irresponsible" and "looking for the deepest pocket it could find."

Barnes-Joseph suffered severe physical harm and mental anguish following the shooting, which occurred after the rapper accused of her of stealing money that was never found, the suit said.

Source [Billboard]

Remy Smith (born in May 30, 1981 in The Bronx, New York) is an African American rapper and former member of Fat Joe's rap crew, Terror Squad. She is best known by her unmistakable flow and stage name, Remy Ma, although she originally went by the name Remy Martin (after the cognac). She was featured on the group's hit song "Lean Back" from their sophomore album True Story and in the remix of M.O.P.'s "Ante Up". Her debut solo album, 'There's Something about Remy: Based on a True Story', was released on February 7, 2006. She is one of three female rappers in history to have a number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, with Terror Squad's number one single "Lean Back."

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