According to an exclusive report from Rolling Stone, Native Tongue family favorites Black Sheep have filed a large class action lawsuit against Universal Music Group over unpaid royalties related to a side deal that the global music giant allegedly made with Spotify.
Black Sheep, which is Dres and Mista Lawnge, says that UMG owes them and their entire artist roster over $750 million for breach of contract after allegedly accepting cash and company stock from Spotify in exchange for music from their artists. Black Sheep claim that UMG only counted the cash given when distributing royalty payments.
Black Sheep also allege in the lawsuit that the “previously undisclosed” deal violated their deal with Polygram, a subsidiary of Universal, going all the way back to when they signed their original record deal. The lawsuit says that Universal owes 50 percent of all net receipts related to the duo’s music.
“In the mid-2000s, Universal struck an undisclosed, sweetheart deal with Spotify whereby Universal agreed to accept substantially lower royalty payments on artists’ behalf in exchange for equity stake in Spotify – then a fledgling streaming service,” the lawsuit states.
“Yet rather than distribute to artists their 50 percent of Spotify stock or pay artists their true and accurate royalty payments, for years Universal shortchanged artists and deprived plaintiffs and class members of the full royalty payments they were owed under Universal’s contract.”
The lawsuit continues, “For approximately a decade, Universal omitted from the royalty statements Universal issued to plaintiffs that it had received Spotify stock in connection with the ‘use or exploitation’ of Black Sheep recordings.”
A Universal spokesperson called the allegations “fake and absurd” in a statement to Rolling Stone.
“Universal Music Group’s innovative leadership has led to the renewed growth of the music ecosystem to the benefit of recording artists, songwriters and creators around the world,” the statement read. “UMG has a well-established track record of fighting for artist compensation and the claim that it would take equity at the expense of artist compensation is patently false and absurd. Given that this is pending litigation, we cannot comment on all aspects of the complaint.”
Spotify did not respond for comment.
Universal owns a $1.7 billion stake in Spotify according to a 2021 Universal report and Black Sheep’s suit claims that a “substantial portion” originates from the shares Universal and its subsidiaries acquired in or around 2008.
In 1991, Dres and Mr. Lawnge, collectively known as Black Sheep, released their only album as a duo on this date.
On October 22, 1991, Black Sheep dropped their debut LP A Wolf In Sheep’s Clothing on Mercury Records. As one the last acts to be inducted as members of the legendary Native Tongues collective, Dres and his partner in Rhyme/DJ Mr. Lawnge broke the stereotype that rappers had to be born and raised in NYC in order to make respectable Hip Hop. Hailing from Smalltown, North Carolina, the BX transplants turned their geographical diversity into a joke while making one of the most memorable albums and movements to come out of the Native Tongues’ camp.
The album features some very impressionable tracks including the video favorite “Strobelite Honey”, the incomparable “Flavor Of The Month” and the timeless club anthem “The Choice Is Yours”.
Shout out to Dres, Lawnge, Chi Ali, Q-Tip, the Native Tongues family, and everyone involved with this dope album! Salute!
In 1991, Dres and Mr. Lawnge, collectiveluy known as Black Sheep, released their only album as a duo on this date.
On October 22, 1991, Black Sheep dropped their debut LP A Wolf In Sheep’s Clothing on Mercury Records. As one the last acts to be inducted as members of the legendary Native Tongues collective, Dres and his partner in Rhyme/DJ Mr. Lawnge broke the stereotype that rappers had to be born and raised in NYC in order to make respectable Hip Hop. Hailing from Smalltown, North Carolina, the BX transplants turned their geographical diversity into a joke while making one of the most memorable albums and movements to come out of the Native Tongues’ camp.
The album features some very impressionable tracks including the video favorite “Strobelite Honey”, the incomparable “Flavor Of The Month” and the timeless club anthem “The Choice Is Yours”.
Shout out to Dres, Lawnge, Chi Ali, Q-Tip, the Native Tongues family, and everyone involved with this dope album! Salute!
27 years ago today, Chi Ali released his first and only album The Fabulous Chi-Ali. Chi-Ali first appeared on De La Soul’s single “Say No Go” and on Black Sheep’s debut album, A Wolf In Sheep’s Clothing, featured on “Pass the 40”. Chi Ali at the time was a core member of Native Tongues, a New York City-based hip-hop collective, and also had connections with the Legion family, along with Showbiz and A.G..
In 1992, Chi-Ali released his first solo single, “Age Ain’t Nothing But a #”, which was a moderate hit and reached #6 in the US Hot Rap Singles chart. The song was popular on urban radio stations, and the music video received good rotation on Yo! MTV Raps and Rap City. The album in which the song was featured was released shortly thereafter, which yielded two other singles; “Roadrunner” and “Funky Lemonade,” which were both remixed and re-recorded.
In the late 1990s, Chi-Ali appeared on Dres’s solo album, Sure Shot Redemption, and began featuring with other artists. His most recent collabo was with Jadakiss on a song entitled “G-Check”.
On January 14, 2000, Chi-Ali shot and killed a man during an argument in The Bronx. He was later arrested in 2001 for the death of his girlfriend’s brother, Sean Raymond, after spending a year evading police and even appeared on an episode of America’s Most Wanted. Chi-Ali hid in numerous East Coast cities until he was apprehended on March 5, 2001, in New York City, and was subsequently convicted of the killing and served a 12-year bid at Sing Sing Correctional Facility.
Black Sheep burst onto the scene in the early 1990s and quickly found success and acclaim. This momentum led the group’s label, Mercury Records, to entrust Dres with his own imprint called One Love. The talented MC was then tasked with signing talent. The first act he inked was a Bronx trio known as The Legion. The crew consisted of lyricists Cee-Low (aka Diceman), Molecules, and Chucky Smash, and in 1993 they released their first 12” titled “Jingle Jangle.” Plenty of Rap peers—reportedly including Biggie Smalls—were admitted fans of the production and hardcore Hip-Hop style.
These boogie-down Bronx bombers served up their debut, Theme + Echo = Krill in 1994. While it was a solid introduction to the world, it was not met with the commercial response that the group likely hoped for. Like many artists feeling discarded by the label system, The Legion went the independent route. Later in the decade, they gave fans a 12” that had “Street Thing” on the A-side, and “Caught Up” on the B.
Since then, a bunch of the group’s unreleased material from that era finally saw the light of day through indie efforts. In 2017, Showbiz partnered with Molecules for A Bronx Tale. That was before The Legion returned with two brand new songs (“1980 Something” b/w “Heard We Quit”), on by Ill Adrenaline Records.
Recently, Diceman dropped solo material. “Denzel,” from the limited-edition vinyl release The Power OfNow, pops as a straightforward video in the neighborhood. Those that have been Legion fans since “Jingle Jangle” will know that while Sean Jennings’ official Rap moniker was Cee-Low, Diceman was his alias even back then. He shows his O.G. stripes with a flow in the pocket, checking receipts on feeble MCs as he pulls up at the curb.
Dice’ spits a quick verse over solid drums and a smattering of strings and piano courtesy of producer, J Depina. Dice is blunt about his stance on the comp, “See, I murder competition during intermission / And now I’m 10 steps ahead of them sucka moves, that’s intuition / I’m in the cut, givin’ the beat an incision / I poetically pound punks out with precision / That wack sh*t f*cked your ears up, impaired yourvision,” he commands. Moments later the confident MC touts, “I’m constantly consistent with conviction / And you? You just a constant contradiction / Never no facts in your diction / You’re spittin’ fiction / Even the DJs say it don’t blend when they mixin’ / I see the videos, n*ggas looking like vixens.” The delivery is confident, with compound rhymes and a nice display of cadence.
The Power of Now is available now on limited edition vinyl from King Of The Beats Records and comes with a bonus 45. A t-shirt package is also available. Further, The Legion will drop their long-awaited sophomore Three The Bronx Way on February 1, 2019.
About Ready Or Not: “Ready Or Not” is Ambrosia For Heads’ platform for showcasing new videos and having you, the people, decide whether they are ready for primetime. Each week, AFH will showcase music from artists on the verge, looking for their seat at the table among Hip-Hop’s elite.
#BonusBeat: Catch Diceman and Molecules on a recent episode of The House List podcast:
Black Sheep burst onto the scene in the early 1990s and quickly found success and acclaim. This momentum led the group’s label, Mercury Records, to entrust Dres with his own imprint called One Love. The talented MC was then tasked with signing talent. The first act he inked was a Bronx trio known as The Legion. The crew consisted of lyricists Cee-Low (aka Diceman), Molecules, and Chucky Smash, and in 1993 they released their first 12” titled “Jingle Jangle.” Plenty of Rap peers—reportedly including Biggie Smalls—were admitted fans of the production and hardcore Hip-Hop style.
These boogie-down Bronx bombers served up their debut, Theme + Echo = Krill in 1994. While it was a solid introduction to the world, it was not met with the commercial response that the group likely hoped for. Like many artists feeling discarded by the label system, The Legion went the independent route. Later in the decade, they gave fans a 12” that had “Street Thing” on the A-side, and “Caught Up” on the B.
Since then, a bunch of the group’s unreleased material from that era finally saw the light of day through indie efforts. In 2017, Showbiz partnered with Molecules for A Bronx Tale. That was before The Legion returned with two brand new songs (“1980 Something” b/w “Heard We Quit”), on by Ill Adrenaline Records.
Recently, Diceman dropped solo material. “Denzel,” from the limited-edition vinyl release The Power OfNow, pops as a straightforward video in the neighborhood. Those that have been Legion fans since “Jingle Jangle” will know that while Sean Jennings’ official Rap moniker was Cee-Low, Diceman was his alias even back then. He shows his O.G. stripes with a flow in the pocket, checking receipts on feeble MCs as he pulls up at the curb.
Dice’ spits a quick verse over solid drums and a smattering of strings and piano courtesy of producer, J Depina. Dice is blunt about his stance on the comp, “See, I murder competition during intermission / And now I’m 10 steps ahead of them sucka moves, that’s intuition / I’m in the cut, givin’ the beat an incision / I poetically pound punks out with precision / That wack sh*t f*cked your ears up, impaired yourvision,” he commands. Moments later the confident MC touts, “I’m constantly consistent with conviction / And you? You just a constant contradiction / Never no facts in your diction / You’re spittin’ fiction / Even the DJs say it don’t blend when they mixin’ / I see the videos, n*ggas looking like vixens.” The delivery is confident, with compound rhymes and a nice display of cadence.
The Power of Now is available now on limited edition vinyl from King Of The Beats Records and comes with a bonus 45. A t-shirt package is also available. Further, The Legion will drop their long-awaited sophomore Three The Bronx Way on February 1, 2019.
About Ready Or Not: “Ready Or Not” is Ambrosia For Heads’ platform for showcasing new videos and having you, the people, decide whether they are ready for primetime. Each week, AFH will showcase music from artists on the verge, looking for their seat at the table among Hip-Hop’s elite.
#BonusBeat: Catch Diceman and Molecules on a recent episode of The House List podcast:
In 1991, Dres and Mr. Lawnge, collectiveluy known as Black Sheep, released their only album as a duo on this date.
On October 22, 1991, Black Sheep dropped their debut LP A Wolf In Sheep’s Clothing on Mercury Records. As one the last acts to be inducted as members of the legendary Native Tongues collective, Dres and his partner in Rhyme/DJ Mr. Lawnge broke the stereotype that rappers had to be born and raised in NYC in order to make respectable Hip Hop. Hailing from Smalltown, North Carolina, the BX transplants turned their geographical diversity into a joke while making one of the most memorable albums and movements to come out of the Native Tongues’ camp.
The album features some very impressionable tracks including the video favorite “Strobelite Honey”, the incomparable “Flavor Of The Month” and the timeless club anthem “The Choice Is Yours”.
Shout out to Dres, Lawnge, Chi Ali, Q-Tip, the Native Tongues family and everyone involved with this dope album! Salute!
Producer and DJ, J. Period has a track record that can’t be denied. He knows what joints are Party starters. He has the vernacular of musicology that in both inter generational, transcends race/ social class and sonically verbose. Alas he is the last of a dying breed of musician (yes, this writer believes djs are musicians) that can rock any crowd, but has chosen to be faithful to the cultural roots that wooed him into the soil of Hip-Hop. Without a doubt, he is unapologetically down with the classics and clearly effing with true spitkickers.
So when the announcement was made he was doing a mixtape with three of rap musical giants, Pharoahe Monch, Black Thought and Rakim, fans were certain that history was gonna be made.
And it was…
Black Moon’s dj, Evil Dee warmed the crowd up with classics during his super energized set. People from every walk of life danced and sang/rapped to the 80’s and 90’s hits as each breakbeat took you back to The Tunnel, Red Zone or the Limelight.
When the Voice of God assured the restlessly anxious audience that the show would start in 10 minutes, folk got giddy. Edging their way to the front, their faces anticipated the magic that these three emcees on one stage promised. And then it happened…. Right before our eyes the whole energy shifted (which is what concerts are supposed to do… shifted the energy of the fan).
Pharoahe Monch hopped on the stage spitting hits from his Organized Konfusion days, as well as his Rawkus tenure. Monch is one of the most underrated emcees around (people get caught in his lyricism to give him the props for being so explosive on stage). In his set, he introduced a talented goddess of a sister named Maimouna Youssef (aka MuMu Fresh) who remained on and off set all night lending her majestic vocals and rhyme styling to the magic of the evening.
As his set ended, Smif-N-Wessun took center stage. Scratch that, they took the stage and shot up the place with a furry of hits that made The Cocoa Brovaz the jewel of the Duck Down massive. Bombastic describes their performance. Bold and blatantly Brooklyn rude boy. Steele with his playful showmanship and. Tek with his rugged grasp of wordplay kept cheers intermixing w J. Period’s clever reconstruction of these classic jams.
But despite how mega Smif-N-Wessun’s set was, their moment was topped by Dres from Black Sheep who single handedly mesmerized The crowd with only two joints. Did you hear me… only two joints.
From the time that “For a second, I reckon, I got ya double checking… Then again when to your needs did I beckon?” the people lost their minds. It had been so long since anyone has seen Dres rock the mic and he did not disappoint. The sing songy verses in “Flavor Of The Month” of this 90s joint did not lose any of the razzle dazzle after 20 years. Dres also has not rusted (though noticeably grey). By the time he got to “The Choice is Yours,” the audience became orgasmic. But like a teasing lover…. he was not satisfied with how the crowd held back on their climax.
In disbelief the shouted out that the crowd was missing what was really happening… that this was history… and gave some an out for being too young to appreciate the mandatory choreography that goes with the chorus and pulled Chi Ali out to do a complete rewind. After rewinding, the start up was the blast that he was itching to get. “Engine. Engine. Number 9. On the New York transit line. If my train goes off the track… pick it up, pick it up, pick it up!” The place went crazy. The show could have ended there and we would have been happy… especially since he had a special guest hype man, an adult Chi Ali.
Sensory overload started to set in. Thank God for artist Peekaso, who right before our eyes, painted a portrait of Pharoahe Monch, Black Thought and Rakim. His gifts allowed us an organic alternative that help folk catch their breaths and collect their minds after being so caught up in the ecstatic cornucopia curated by J. Period.
Black Thought was next up on the live mixtape experience. Sans the Roots crew, he pushed out joints after joints. But what made him knock heavy was his tribute to old school forefathers that influenced. A true emcee knows when to pull those kinds of tricks out the bag to give his fans something new and innovative. There must be something in the Schuylkill Punch, because each word had the same intensity as his legendary freestyle on Flex. Plus… he was fly… them boots my “g.” Out of his performance his imitation of the late great Guru’s voice was breathtaking. As an engaged Yasiin Bey watch from behind J. Period who was getting busy on the tables and beat machines, Tariq gave a performance that displayed lyricism, showmanship and crowd control. It was so good, it should have solidified him in your top 5 greatest rappers ever.
By this time, the artist Peekaso’s masterpiece was almost complete.
This meant only one thing: Rakim is about to have church. Dressed in the most buttered blinged-out Pelle Pelle, he epitomized what we believe is 1980’s street hustle. Performing (what could be said is) the diamond dusted soundtrack of a certain segment of Hip-Hop, the venue quaked with headnodding, neck-wopping GenXers. The crowd erupted when he brought out his partner in crime, Eric B. Rakim really didn’t have to do that much work because the audience showed so much love, recited his rhymes for it. For many, just having him there was enough. People wanted to give back the love that he has give through lyric and rhyme for so many years. Rakim is said to be on everyone’s rap Mt. Rushmore. Nas has said that he influenced him. Few people will say that his rhyme pattern did not influence them. J. Period’s live mixtape showcased why. Rakim is simply the greatest rapper to ever touch the mic.
When the live mixtape drops fans who weren’t there, will experience much more than a good album. They will feel what it felt like to live through 1988 – 1999, during an era of rap when giants where born. J. Period, you did it again.
