First, a $16 million publishing lawsuit, now Young Thug is being sued by a touring company over a contract breach.
The ongoing lawsuit, first filed in 2020, accuses the rapper of breaching a touring agreement and failing to repay over $5 million advanced under the deal. AEG now seeks to recoup the debt, with claims extending to Thug’s song copyrights as collateral.
The lawsuit had been stalled by Thug’s criminal case, which saw him imprisoned for over two years on charges of running a violent gang under the YSL name. After pleading guilty last month and avoiding a potential life sentence, the rapper, born Jeffery Williams, was sentenced to probation. With his legal troubles behind him, AEG is pushing forward, emphasizing that his release removes the primary obstacle delaying the civil case.
AEG alleges that Thug violated a 2017 agreement granting the company exclusive rights to promote his tours. The suit claims he ignored the contract, performing unsanctioned shows and keeping the earnings. According to AEG, the $5.3 million advance provided to Thug was secured by copyrights to his music, which the company now aims to seize to offset the unpaid debt.
Complicating matters, AEG accuses Thug of selling over 400 copyrighted songs for $16 million to an undisclosed buyer in 2021—after the lawsuit was filed. In court documents, the company argues this sale might be fraudulent and continues to investigate the new owners of the intellectual property. Subpoenas have been issued to 15 entities to trace the assets, and AEG is considering whether to amend its claims to include additional parties or take separate legal action regarding the copyrights.
In the latest filing, both sides agreed to delay case deadlines by six months. This extension allows Thug time to adjust to life outside prison and collaborate with his legal team. It also gives AEG room to evaluate its approach regarding the disputed copyrights. While the lawsuit has yet to escalate to trial or settlement after nearly four years, the renewed momentum suggests the case could soon take center stage.
Representatives for Young Thug and AEG did not immediately respond to requests for comment. As the legal battle unfolds, the stakes remain high for both the rapper and the entertainment giant, with millions of dollars and creative rights hanging in the balance.
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