Founding Wu-Tang Clan member U-God is bringing da ruckus against his fellow bandmates in a new Manhattan lawsuit, claiming they’ve stolen at least $250,000 of his royalties.
The allegedly pilfered proceeds include his cut from the $2 million sale of the album “Once Upon a Time in Shaolin” that embattled pharmaceutical executive Martin Shkreli bought at auction last year and has kept for himself.
U-God, whose real name is Lamont Hawkins, says in the suit that he wrote lyrics for 170 Wu-Tang Clan masters since the collective started recording in 1993.
“Despite all of the commercial success enjoyed by the Wu-Tan Clan to date,” U-God’s been stiffed on royalty payments for 12 albums over the past six years, according to court papers.
He also hasn’t been paid twice yearly shares in merchandising sales, the suit says.
U-God blames fellow clan member RZA and his brother Michael Diggs for the alleged appropriation of his money.
“Robert Diggs and Mitchell Diggs abused the privilege of doing business in the corporate form of the Wu-Entities to perpetrate a wrong against [U-God], specifically, to exploit [their] music for their own personal gain and benefit,” the suit says.
U-God acknowledges in court papers that the Diggs brothers for a time advanced him cash for future royalties, but says they’ve been repaid.
A rep for the Wu-Tang Clan did not immediately return a message seeking comment.