Lil Peep‘s mother, Liza Womack, and the late rapper’s former label, First Access Entertainment, have reached a settlement regarding the multi-year legal battle surrounding his passing. Womack’s lawyer, Paul A. Matiasic, confirmed to Pitchfork that the terms of the settlement are confidential. Peep died at the age of 21 years old in 2017 as a result of an accidental overdose of fentanyl and Xanax. He also tested positive for cannabis, cocaine, and the painkiller Tramadol. He was found on a tour bus while wrapping up his Come Over When You’re Sober Tour.
“Today, Gus’s music came home. From this day forward, his music will be in the care of his mother and brother, and no one else. It is a solemn moment for us as we reflect on the struggles of the past five-plus years. We are grateful to all of the fans, friends, professionals, and family who stood by us,” Womack announced on Instagram, with a photo of Peep. She continued: “We were all permanently changed by Gus’s death. We know he should be here in the world with all of us, creating — making whatever he was inspired to make. But he is not.” Womack concluded: “We will protect his music with all of our strength.”
Womack’s Post
Womack filed the lawsuit in October 2019. She alleged wrongful death, negligence, and breach of contract against First Access Entertainment, manager Bryant Ortega, and tour manager Belinda Mercer. Womack’s lawyers argued that the state of the tour was “dysfunctional” and “ultimately lethal.” If the two parties didn’t reach a settlement, a trial would have begun on March 8.
Peep released just one studio album during his lifetime, Come Over When You’re Sober, Pt. 1. His estate released the sequel, Come Over When You’re Sober, Pt. 2, posthumously. Womack has also been re-releasing some of Peep’s independently released material, including his mixtapes Live Forever, Crybaby, and Hellboy. She says that she intends to release more of Peep’s music following the recent settlement. Peep’s music is often credited for helping popularize the mid to late 2010s emo rap scene, for which he blended rap and rock music.
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