From TMZ
Wayne claims because Cash Money is refusing to pay, he’s entitled to walk. But Lil Wayne wants more than just a declaration of freedom. He’s suing for $51 MILLION.
And Wayne wants the judge to declare he’s the joint copyright owner of all Young Money recordings … which includes Drake, Nicki Minaj and several others.
Sources connected to Wayne tell TMZ … if Birdman antes up then he can release “Tha Carter V,” but only if Wayne gets paid. Wayne says he was supposed to get an $8 million advance when he began recording in December, 2013 and another 2M when he completed the album a year later, but so far he’s gotten nothing.
Update: Lil Wayne to Birdman – I’m willing to stay if the price is right
Lil Wayne will stay with Cash Money and Birdman IF they ante up the money he’s owed … in fact, we’re told if Cash Money antes up, Wayne has no choice but to stay.
Sources involved in the case tell TMZ … Wayne feels Birdman’s decision to avoid paying him is nothing more than a power play. TMZ broke the story that Wayne is suing, and a central claim is that Birdman has consistently stiffed him over the last year.
There are 2 payments that have irked Wayne — he says he was owed $8 million when he went into the studio to record “Tha Carter V” in December 2013, and another $2 mil when he completed the album last month.
We’re told the hope is that Universal — which distributes Cash Money records — will step in and earmark the $10 mil for Wayne. And we’re told Universal is already putting pressure on Cash Money to settle.
If Cash Money pays Wayne the $10 mil, it would essentially eliminate any breach of contract. That means Wayne would have no legal basis to ask out of the contract. Even though Wayne’s suing for $51 million, most of that is predicated on future lost profits which would not be an issue if they settle.
As for the release of “Tha Carter V” … even if the case settles the power would be in Birdman’s claws.
