Jermaine Dupri sues Sony for $18M unpaid Mariah Carey, Usher royalties

Music producer Jermaine Dupri is suing Sony for $18 million in alleged unpaid royalties.

The Grammy-winner, 53, and his label So So Def Recordings filed a breach of contract lawsuit in New York federal court July 6, accusing Sony Music Entertainment of underpaying and withholding earnings in connection with Dupri’s work for Bow Wow, Xscape, Mariah Carey, Usher, Kris Kross and more, according to documents obtained by USA TODAY.

Dupri and his label entered into a contract with Sony in 1992, but the filing says it wasn’t until 2023 that they “began to suspect” the company owed millions in royalties “for multiple releases over a substantial period of time.”

USA TODAY reached out to a representative for Sony for comment.

Jermaine Dupri alleges Sony ‘intentionally’ withheld royalty payments

Throughout their decades-long partnership with Sony, Dupri says he and So So Def Recordings have brought in more than $200 million in revenue.

However, the filing alleges a 2025 audit revealed Sony has shown a “systemic pattern of underreporting royalties,” “failure of reporting royalties” and “altering and/or updating statements to report previously earned royalties.”

This includes $960,000 for Xscape’s 1993 album “Hummin’ Comin’ at ‘Cha,” $2.2 million for two of Kris Kross’ albums and compensation for Dupri’s solo album.

The complaint – which refers to Dupri as “one of the biggest hitmakers in hip-hop music, ever,” and credits him with jumpstarting some of the most successful music careers in Hollywood – alleges Sony’s “willful deceitful actions” were intentional and “designed to harm” Dupri and his label in their business.

The filing further alleges it is “likely” Sony owes “additional royalties” that have yet to be determined.

Dupri and So So Def Recordings are seeking at least $18 million in damages, along with interest, attorneys’ fees and “any other relief this court deems just and equitable.”