(AllHipHop News) A lawsuit has broken out over the unreleased memoirs of Death Row Records R&B singer J’ewell Caples, titled My Blood, My Sweat and My Tears.
The book was supposed to be released in October of 2010, but was originally delayed due to “legal precautions,” that were not explained when the announcement came that the book would be delayed.
In an interview with AllHipHop.com in October of 2011, J’ewell said the delay of the book was the result of controversial content about her peers at Death Row, which she called home from 1992-1996.
On June 25, Best Hand Entertainment filed a lawsuit in the Eastern District of Michigan, Southern Division.
The lawsuit claims that Best Hand Entertainment had artists like Picasso, Bobby Sealz, and J’ewell as artists on a label.
Best Hand Entertainment claims they entered into a distribution agreement with RBC Records to release and distribute the CD, as well as the book.
The lawsuit claims that John Payne and the new owners of WideAwake-Death Row Entertainment, did not want the tell-all autobiography to be released.
The lawsuit claims that the owners of WideAwake-Death Row encouraged Best Hand’s owners to form a new company, D-Sound Syndicate, that would be funded by WideAwake-Death Row with $300,000 in capital.
Without permission, despite the fact that none of the original Best Hand masters were transferred to the new company, an agreement was executed on behalf of D-Sound with WideAwake-Death Row.
The lawsuit also claims that WideAwake-Death Row attempted to sign J’ewell directly, but she never accepted the offer.
As a result, the legal entanglement between the company’s, J’ewell’s memoirs never saw the light of day.
“Payne and WideAwake-Death Row Entertainment own the old Death Row catalog and did not want Best Hand to profit from the J’ewell account of the history of Death Row Records,” the lawsuit reads.
Best Hand Entertainment is suing for federal copyright infringement, the car is an infringement, contribution rate infringement, false attribution, and false representation.
Best Hand Entertainment is suing John Payne, WideAwake-Death Row Entertainment and eOne for millions.
Check out the lawsuit below:
