The co-founder of Tech N9ne's record label Strange Music has responded to a lawsuit that claims the record label stole a rapper and illegally recorded him.
Kansas City based label Klosed Kustody entertainment filed a $25,000 lawsuit against TechN9ne and Strange Music in the Circuit Court of Jackson County in the State of Missouri earlier this week.
The complaint claims that TechN9ne recorded Klosed Kustody's artist rapper Bizzy, without permission, after an introduction in the Winter of 2010 and released the recordings on two albums, Collabos: The Gates Mixed Plate and Sex to the Beat.
"First and foremost, please know that we intend to address these claims through all appropriate legal channels and are confident that we will prevail," Strange Music's CEO Travis O'Guin said. "Strange Music and Tech N9ne have always enjoyed giving local artists features, when possible, on projects that we produce."
According to O'Guin, they received all of the proper legal work giving them authorization to record artists in the studio for possible use.
"As with all our projects, Strange Music ensures that any featured artist, including Bizzy, reads and executes the necessary legal paperwork authorizing the artist to come to the studio to perform their featured vocal."
O'Guin also denied Klosed Kustody's claims that Strange Music used their "superior position" in the marketplace to interfere with the contract between Bizzy and Klosed Kustody.
"Strange Music does not interfere nor does it have any intention of interfering with any agreements between artists and record labels," O'Guin said. "Strange Music is currently under a signing freeze that will last for the next 18 months so that we can focus on the projects we currently have working, as well as the deals that are currently being negotiated."
O’Guin's full statement is below:
We provide the following statement in order to clarify the facts surrounding certain meritless claims levied by Klosed Kustody Records, LLC with regard to the artist Brandon Evans (Bizzy), as well as the rumors which have resulted.
First and foremost, please know that we intend to address these claims through all appropriate legal channels and are confident that we will prevail.
Strange Music and Tech N9ne have always enjoyed giving local artists features, when possible, on projects that we produce. It’s seen as a chance to shine the spotlight on these other artists – artists who might not see attention of this scale otherwise. It’s also a chance for those artists to get their names on projects that are seen and heard nationally and, often times, internationally. Tech N9ne first reached out to Bizzy regarding a potential opportunity to be featured on one of his songs, based upon seeing him perform in Kansas, opening for Krizz Kaliko (another Strange Music artist).
As with all our projects, Strange Music ensures that any featured artist, including Bizzy, reads and executes the necessary legal paperwork authorizing the artist to come to the studio to perform their featured vocal. Additionally, all of the featured performers from all of our projects who are due mechanical royalties from their songwriting contributions, are paid in a timely manner and will continue to be paid the monies owed to them according to the bi-annual schedule of processing we strictly abide by.
Finally, Strange Music does not interfere nor does it have any intention of interfering with any agreements between artists and record labels. Strange Music is currently under a signing freeze that will last for the next 18 months so that we can focus on the projects we currently have working, as well as the deals that are currently being negotiated.
Travis O’Guin
President / CEO
Strange Music, Inc.
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