Snoop Dogg and Ice Dice had been dealt a authorized blow in Los Angeles after a decide denied their request to keep away from testifying in a $1.3 million fraud lawsuit tied to their Mount Westmore supergroup.
On October 22, a Superior Courtroom decide dominated the Hip-Hop icons couldn’t sidestep depositions within the civil case introduced by Westside Merchandising. The courtroom discovered their declare of getting no related information didn’t maintain up, particularly since each had been “precise signatories” on the contested settlement.
The lawsuit alleges Snoop and Ice Dice failed to meet their finish of a 2022 merchandising deal.
Westside claims they paid $1.3 million in advances, anticipating Mount Westmore to finish a 60-date tour throughout the U.S. and Europe. As a substitute, the group solely carried out three exhibits in 2022 and none in 2023 or 2024, in line with courtroom filings.
Westside additionally accused the rap veterans of skipping out on required promotional content material.
“[Westside Merchandising] was additionally assured that Snoop Dogg and Ice Dice, each of whom had been outlined as key males below the [agreement], would publicize and promote the settlement by producing a promotional video to be posted on [Mount Westmore’s] social media accounts and by showing at a retail location of Westside’s selection,” the corporate’s legal professional wrote. “None of this occurred.”
The defendants had requested for a protecting order to keep away from being questioned below oath, providing as an alternative to seem remotely for not more than two hours. The decide rejected that proposal, discovering that Westside’s deposition request wasn’t supposed to harass or embarrass the artists.
The lawsuit additionally names E-40 and Too Brief, although each rappers mentioned they weren’t events to the contract in query. Mount Westmore launched their debut album in 2022.
Westside’s legal professional John Fowler didn’t maintain again in his criticism. “Defendants on this case are attempting to cover from having their depositions taken as a result of they’re petrified of answering tough questions referring to their swindle,” he instructed Us Weekly. “The defendants took my shopper’s cash, promising to be an upstanding associate centered on touring and merchandising efforts, solely to run away with seven figures of funding, and failing to offer something in return.”
Fowler added, “My shoppers had been bought a invoice of products, and have misplaced thousands and thousands of {dollars} in merchandising alternatives, whereas the defendants have enriched themselves at my shopper’s expense.”
On the opposite facet, protection legal professional Frank Seddigh pushed again. “Snoop Dogg, Ice Dice, E-40, and Too Brief, collectively often known as Mount Westmore, have at all times carried out their enterprise in good religion and with integrity,” he mentioned. “Regardless of a number of makes an attempt to resolve this matter amicably, Westside Merchandising has refused to cooperate or interact in good-faith discussions.”
Seddigh additionally claimed Westside failed to fulfill its personal obligations. “Furthermore, the corporate has didn’t uphold its contractual obligations by withholding royalty funds and gross sales accounting which are rightfully owed to our shoppers,” he mentioned. “We intend to take all crucial steps to compel compliance. The details and the legislation will in the end present that Westside Merchandising’s claims in opposition to our shoppers are completely baseless and with out advantage.”
