Late Wu-Tang Clan rapper Ol’ Dirty Bastard’s widow, Icelene Jones, has filed a lawsuit against Wu-Tang Productions Inc., alleging they owe the artist’s estate $1 million in unpaid royalties.
Icelene, ODB’s estate administrator, filed the suit against the production company, run by the deceased artist’s cousin RZA, alleging that it breached a contract signed in 1992. She claimed that her husband signed the agreement with Raekwon, Ghostface Killa, and GZA, which promised no less than 50% of royalties from their music.
Her lawsuit also stated that ODB was supposed to receive royalties from using his image or likeness. As such, Icelene was allegedly entitled to payments from merchandising, including clothing, TV shows, and any other uses of his likeness and name. However, she reportedly hasn’t received any since 2011.
“Despite its repeated efforts and requests, the estate has been unable to obtain payments and accountings from the defendant under the recording agreement for the sale of Wu-Tang Clan Recordings and ODB recordings since at least 2011,” the suit indicated.
Ol’ Dirty Bastard’s estate, represented by Reitler Kailas & Rosenblatt LLC’s Brian D. Caplan, received a royalty check from Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp. for $130,000 in July 2021. Additional payments were made to the estate in 2019 and 2020, but, according to Jones’ suit, they only represent “a small percentage of amounts payable to the estate under the recording agreement.”
“This is not an attack on Wu-Tang Productions, Inc., but a last legal resort we have had to pursue after being denied and ignored on this matter for over ten years,” ODB’s estate said in a statement released on Wednesday, Feb. 9.
RZA responded to Icelene’s lawsuit, saying that Wu-Tang Production Inc. has been financially supportive to the “Brooklyn Zoo” musician’s family.
“We have been very supportive in providing economically to the family through the estate and to his wife and children on record and off record,” he reportedly said.
He added that they are just a phone call away and that his cousin’s potential share of his records and products belonged to him.
“ODB’s potential share of those records are minimal [and] dismal, but nevertheless, after those products are recouped, his prorated portion belongs to him.”
Born Russell Jones, the memorable hip-hop artist was widely known for being a member of Wu-Tang Clan and dropping solo hits that contributed to the golden era of rap music. His debut album, Return to the 36 Chambers: The Dirty Version, debuted on Mar. 28, 1995, and included his hit song, “Shimmy Shimmy Ya.” He also famously remixed Mariah Carey’s massively popular single, “Fantasy,” on Aug. 23, 1995.
Unfortunately, ODB passed away from a drug overdose on Nov. 13, 2004, just several days before his 36th birthday. He was survived by Icelene and his three children.
