Wu Tang Clan’s Ghostface Killah Sues Universal Music For Royalties

Ghostface Killah, aka Dennis Coles, has filed a lawsuit to collect  royalties for his work with hip hop legends Wu Tang Clan. The suit, filed August 10 against Universal Music Group, alleges that the label violated a contract by claiming a 50% stake in Wu Tang's songs, instead of a the 25% that Coles asserts they are entitled to.

According to the Hollywood Reporter, the lawsuit stems from an 2005 calim that Coles brought against Wu Tang Productions and its leader, RZA, which was also over royalties. In the previous case, the court supported Coles in his assertion that WTP was not entitled to a 50% share of the copyright for providing the beats.

UMG initially acquired a stake in Wu Tang Clan's catalog when they purchased BMG Music in 2007, though the judge ruled that WTP did not transfer their full interest in Wu Tang's catalog to BMG.  (CelebrityAccess)