Egon

Madlib Sues Former Manager Egon For Alleged Mismanagement And Financial Impropriety

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Legendary producer Madlib filed a lawsuit against former manager Egon on October 31, the four-year anniversary of MF DOOM’s death. He chose the date to honor DOOM, whose family is currently in a legal battle of their own with Egon. In a complaint, Madlib accused Egon of several inappropriate business practices. The practices include allegedly mismanaging his finances, abusing his power by “taking a fee off the top” from money generated by his recorded music and locking him out of several “key music business platforms” like Apple Music, YouTube, BandCamp, Instagram and Facebook.

Madlib signed to Stones Throw Records and released his first single with the label, “Microphone Mathematics,” in 1999. Egon was working there as an executive. He became the general manager of Stones Throw in 2000, remaining in that role for the next decade. After Madlib left and Egon was fired, Madlib brought him on as his manager. They started Madlib Invazion in 2010, which is where the majority of his work has been released since. Additionally, they started Madicine Show and Rappcats.

Read More: Madlib Teases New Collab Album With Freddie Gibbs: “Montana Next Up“

Madlib Sues Former Manager Egon Over Mishandled Funds

Because of Egon’s alleged mishandling of Madlib’s finances, the legendary Oxnard-based producer is seeking compensatory damages, including attorney fees. As the complaint explained, Madlib “desires a declaration from the Court determining that none of the Defendants owns or has any continuing right or interest in the above and that he has lawfully terminated any rights he may have granted therein to any of the Defendants. Such declaration is necessary and appropriate at this time to confirm and protect Madlib’s interest in his creative work and the goodwill associated with his professional career, as well as his name and likeness, and so that Madlib may ascertain the rights and duties of the parties relating thereto.”

In October 2023, MF DOOM’s widow, Jasmine Dumile Thompson, filed a lawsuit of her own against Egon. Thompson’s suit alleged that the former family friend stole 31 of the iconic rapper’s notebooks. Those bookers were used to write some of his most well-known songs, including music from Operation Doomsday, Madvillainy, MM…FOOD. The books also included unreleased song ideas and “other creative ideations.” Madlib’s suit is the latest piece of what has been a lengthy falling out between Egon and the families of his two closest collaborators in hip-hop.

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Why Is Madlib Suing His Former Manager Egon?

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Yesterday, Billboard reported that veteran underground rap producer Madlib had filed a lawsuit against his former manager, Eothen Alapatt — better known to rap fans as Egon of Stones Throw Records. According to Madlib’s lawsuit, Egon used his role as an executive at Stones Throw to self-deal, claiming profits for himself that were otherwise due to Madlib.

Madlib allegedly trusted Egon to set up two entities: Madicine Show, which would handle Madlib’s musical interests, and Rapp Cats, which would manage sales of Madlib’s merchandise. The producer says that he recently learned that Egon was abusing his privileged position by skimming profits for himself, either hiding accounts or providing false accounts of his work to Madlib about his compensation, and not giving written agreements to his business partner.

In another example of his alleged mismanagement, Egon supposedly secured a single lawyer and accountant to represent both partners in the two enterprises, then instructed them not to work with Madlib and only deal with him, even after Madlib secured new representation of his own. After reviewing accounts from 2018-2022, Madlib says his new team found irregularities and lack of hard copy that amounted to “several hundred thousand dollars” listed as “‘consulting,’ ‘commissions,’ ‘fees’ or ‘reimbursements’” for Egon.

‘Lib also accused Egon of locking him out of his digital accounts for services like Apple Music, Bandcamp, and Ingrooves, allowing Egon to take half of the producer’s royalties. Madlib’s complaint says he “demanded that Madicine Show and Rapp Cats be wound up and dissolved,” and that Egon instead told Madlib to buy him out.

Egon was also sued last year by the widow of the late MF DOOM, whose Madvillainy album with Madlib was put out through Stones Throw during Egon’s time there. Jasmine Dumile claimed Egon refused to return DOOM’s rhyme books, insisting on donating them to a digital archive rather than keep them secret as DOOM intended. Egon has derided that claim as “baseless and libelous” through his attorneys, but has yet to respond to Madlib’s newly filed suit.

MF DOOM Collaborator Egon Blasts Lawsuit Claiming He Stole Rapper’s Notebooks

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MF DOOM’s legacy and its proper preservation hangs in the balance in a legal battle between his widow, Jasmine Dumile Thompson, and his former collaborator and label executive, Eothen “Egon” Alapatt. Moreover, the latter claims that the former’s lawsuit against him for allegedly stealing DOOM’s notebooks from a Los Angeles studio is “baseless and libelous.” Egon’s attorney Kenneth Freundlich expressed in a court filing on Tuesday (November 14) that this year-long narrative falsely represents his client’s character and misunderstands the situation. For those unaware, Thompson claimed that Egon unrightfully bought 31 “rhyme books” of original material, ideas, “musings, and other creative ideations” from the aforementioned studio’s landlord.

This was when DOOM was out of the United States, as he left for his birthplace of London in 2010 for a show and was not allowed reentry into the U.S. based on immigration issues. Furthermore, Thompson and her legal team allege that Egon never consulted with MF DOOM about this purchase. When he asked for them back, she claims, the former Stones Throw manager “delayed, obfuscated and deflected” while refusing to return them. Not only that, but the New York MC’s widow claims that Egon actively went against his wishes that they remain “secret and confidential.” Instead, he wants them to go to into a public archive.

Read More: MF DOOM & Nas Once Freestyled: New Details Emerge From DOOM’s Former Assistant

MF DOOM Performing In London In 2013

MF DOOM Notebook Lawsuit Egon Response Hip Hop News
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM – NOVEMBER 16: DOOM performs on stage at The Forum on November 16, 2013 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by C Brandon/Redferns via Getty Images)

On the other hand, in Tuesday’s legal response, Egon and his team admitted to assuming ownership of MF DOOM’s notebooks, but denied that he was their legal owner when they came into Egon’s possession, which is why he bought them from the L.A. studio’s landlord, which also had a lot of unpaid rent. If not for this, they allege, then this entity would’ve put the pads up for purchase or destroyed them altogether. In addition, they claimed that Egon reached out to DOOM to get these back to him, but that he never followed up and “seemed to have completely forgotten his prior discussion” with the executive. One thing that this response confirmed is that Egon will only return the notebooks if a digital version of them goes to an archive, of which his attorneys suggested “the Cornell Hip-Hop Archive, the Smithsonian, or another accredited archive of their choosing.”

Meanwhile, Freundlich claims this initiative would preserve and champion “precious artifacts of hip-hop history.” “Scholars and researchers [can] study DOOM’s creativity and further entrench his creative genius– not just in hip-hop, but in [United States] history. Rather than accept [Egon]’s generous offer, plaintiffs chose to continue their hurtful, and defamatory attacks against [him] by filing this frivolous complaint.” For more news and the latest updates on MF DOOM, stay logged into HNHH.

Read More: Leeds Hospital Apologizes For Care Of MF Doom

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MF Doom’s Family Blasts Egon For Hoarding Late Rapper’s Rhyme Books

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MF DOOM’s family continues to seek the return of the late enigmatic rapper’s rhyme books. Since his passing in 2020, DOOM’s family released several statements, alleging that Eothen “Egon” Alapatt, Now-Again Records founder and DOOM’s former manager, has held onto the notebooks and ignored requests for their return. DOOM’s widow, Jasmine Dumile, opened up in 2022 about the several attempts to regain possession of the books following the rapper’s death. Apparently, this is an issue that DOOM dealt with in the years prior to his death. 

“We had hoped after DOOM transitioned Egon would do the right thing and return the books to the family but he has continued to ignore these requests,” Dumile said in a statement obtained by TMZ. “Unfortunately, Egon is not the only former associate abusing the likeness, art and life’s work of DOOM.” Shortly after, Talib Kweli echoed these sentiments when he referred to Egon as a “culture vulture” who “stole MF DOOM’s rhyme book,” despite officiating MF DOOM’s wedding. 

DOOM’s Family Exposes Egon’s Emails

Unfortunately, the issue surrounding the rhyme books has yet to be resolved. Jasmine Dumile shared a slew of photos on DOOM’s official Instagram account revealing exchanges with Egon over the notebooks. “Peace E. Hope you’re well,” reads an email sent to Egon on August 16, 2016 from the alias Karlo Metal-Franks. “Any word from [redacted] on my belongings. I really need those notebooks.” 

“I have no idea where [redacted] is,” Alapatt wrote in response. “As I told [redacted] when she contacted me… He disappeared when his family sold the building, which, from what I understand, has been gutted. I know from working with [redacted] that they carted away dumpsters full of stuff.” A week later, Jasmine provided an address where the notebooks should be sent to.

The post shows another email DOOM sent Alapatt in Jan. 2017. “I also come to find out my notebooks are in your possession. Let me know the cost of storage so we can promptly reclaim these items. I do appreciate the safe keeping and return of ALL the notebooks and any other property belonging to DOOM in your possession. We are interested in keeping good relations with you as the future unfolds.” Check the post above. We’ll keep you posted on any updates surrounding the missing notebooks. 

MF DOOM’s Widow Says His Former Business Partner Stole His Rhyme Book

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Since his passing late last year, MF DOOM’s legacy has been about his lyrical contributions to the hip-hop canon through his whimsical, one-of-a-kind rhymes, but recent events have made those rhymes the center of an ugly power struggle between some of those who were closest to him in his life. More specifically, his rhyme book is the focal point of a dispute between DOOM’s widow, Jasmine Dumile, and his former business partner Eothen “Egon” Alapatt, the founder and president of Now-Again Records. Egon was general manager of Stones Throw Records, which put out DOOM and Madlib’s collaborative album Madvillainy under the duo name Madvillain.

Now, though, Jasmine Dumile tells TMZ that Egon is holding onto DOOM’s rhyme book and refuses to relinquish it, even after numerous attempts to get it back. In a statement, she says, We had hoped after DOOM transitioned Egon would do the right thing and return the books to the family but he has continued to ignore these requests. Unfortunately, Egon is not the only former associate abusing the likeness, art, and life’s work of DOOM.”

While she didn’t want to elaborate on which other former associates might be taking advantage of their proximity to DOOM, she did say she will reveal more when it’s “appropriate.”

Meanwhile, in more upbeat DOOM news, he’s received some positive attention lately thanks to a posthumous collaboration with Black Thought and Danger Mouse (the latter of whom he released The Mouse And The Mask with as Danger Doom in 2005), while the rappers he’s inspired paid cute homage to his memory on Instagram. A biography about him is due in 2024, and his name lives on as a cheeky pun in Richmond, Virginia, where a street sweeper was dubbed MF BROOM.