R&B Singer Jill Scott Sued by Record Label


LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) – R&B star Jill Scott was sued Wednesday by her longtime record label, which is accusing the multi-platinum songstress of skipping out halfway through a six-album contract and potentially owing millions of dollars in damages.

The lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles Superior Court by L.A.-based Hidden Beach Records, claims that the label and its founder, Steve McKeever, helped launch Scott's career and nurtured her into a Grammy-winning singer-songwriter but was unceremoniously dumped in October after a 10-plus year relationship.

"Hidden Beach is shocked by her decision not only because Scott has apparently chosen to leave the Hidden Beach family," the complaint reads, "but also because Scott is contractually required to deliver three more albums to Hidden Beach."

The complaint alleges causes of action for breach of contract and damages owed under a section of California's Labor Code sometimes known as the "De Havilland Law." Named after actress Olivia De Havilland's successful fight in the '40s against long-term studio deals, it provides that talent cannot be bound by personal services contracts for longer than seven years.

Hidden Beach isn't disputing that Scott's deal violated the seven-year rule but the law carves out a requirement that certain recording artists who wish to terminate their lengthy deals must reimburse their labels in the amount the labels would have received under the terms of the contracts.

Since breaking onto the scene with the double-platinum selling "Who Is Jill Scott?" album in 2000, Scott's studio albums (and live albums) have generated millions in revenue. So while Hidden Beach's alleged damages are unspecified in the complaint, under California law they could total several million dollars.

The lawsuit is unusually detailed in its description of the small label's close relationship with Scott. She clearly was the center of attention for McKeever. The complaint alleges he paid her million-dollar advances when he wasn't required to, allowed her to keep merchandising revenue, paid $450,000 to fund a concert DVD that Scott later asked not be released, bought her lavish gifts and indulged her desire to slow her recording schedule to pursue an acting career (Scott has appeared in the films "Houndog," "Tyler Perry's Why Did I Get Married?" and HBO's "No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency").

"Hidden Beach feels that Jill Scott is an incredibly talented artist," the company's lawyer Lawrence Hinkle told us. "No one regrets that this lawsuit had to be filed more than Hidden Beach, but its hands were tied and it had no other option."

A call to Scott's attorney Stephen Barnes was not immediately returned.

A few weeks ago,there was a report that she is working on a new album that will be released this summer.Did she abandon that project?

you may wanna have this thread moved to the Music:Non Prince forum

This news comes as a surprise.A few weeks ago,there was no mention of her having any problems with her record label.



Jill Scott Back With New Album, Two Films, Lilith Tour
by Gail Mitchell, L.A. | January 22, 2010 12:43 EST

In addition to recording her fifth album, "The Light of the Sun," Grammy Award-winning singer and actress Jill Scott is gearing up for the release of two new films, a cartoon series, a new addition to her Ashley Stewart intimate apparel line and a main stage stint on the upcoming Lilith Fair tour.

An NAACP Image Award outstanding actress nominee for her work in late director Anthony Minghella's HBO presentation "The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency," Scott will next be seen in the Lifetime film "Sins of the Mother." Premiering Feb. 7, the telepic is based on the novel "Orange, Mint & Honey" about an alcoholic and abusive mother (portrayed by Scott) and directed by Paul Kaufman.

Scott will return to the big screen on April 2 when Tyler Perry's "Why Did I Get Married Too" bows in theaters. Set in the Bahamas, it is the sequel to Perry's successful 2007 entry, "Why Did I Get Married." Scott is joined by fellow returning co-stars Janet Jackson, Michael Jai White and Perry. Scott is next set to provide the voice of X-Men heroine Storm for the animated mini-series "Black Panther." Due out in mid-2010, the series is a partnership between Marvel Animation and BET Networks and will also feature the voices of Djimon Hounsou, Kerry Washington and Alfre Woodard.

Also coming in second quarter 2010 is a new plunge-style bra developed by Scott's J Heather Inc. The bra is the latest product in the joint venture between Scott's company and Ashley Stewart, established in 2008 with the launch of the Scott-inspired "Butterfly Bra."

Slated for a spring/summer 2010 release, "The Light of the Sun" is the follow-up to Scott's gold-certified 2007 album, "The Real Thing," which has sold 644,000 according to Nielsen SoundScan. The new album is due to coincide with the singer's return to the stage as a featured performer on the 2010 Lililth Fair tour, with summer dates still being finalized (lilithfair.com). The performer lineup includes Sarah McLachlan, Mary J. Blige, Sheryl Crow, Erykah Badu and Colbie Caillat.

Billboard.com
[Edited 2/4/10 2:13am]

SoulAlive said:

Really - she has nothing to do with Prince other than being mentioned in a song - not to mention being highly overrated
[Edited 2/4/10 5:42am]

Already being covered here: http://prince.org/msg/8/329532

ernestsewell said:

And with that...