Music producers Timbaland and Swizz Beatz slapped social media video platform Triller with an eye-watering $28 million lawsuit over alleged failed payments after selling their popular “Verzuz” series.
The hit streaming rap-battle show, which was created by the two hip-hop producers in 2020, pits music artists against each other in the form of freestyle rap.
Swizz Beatz, whose real name is Kasseem Dean, and Timbaland, real name Timothy Mosley, agreed to sell the series’ rights to Triller, a TikTok competitor, in January 2021, TMZ first reported.
But now, the pair allege the company, created in 2015 by financier Ryan Kavanaugh, defaulted on the deal after just two payments, according to documents obtained by the outlet.
It’s reported that a new payment plan was later agreed upon, however, Timbaland and Swizz Beatz claim they haven’t seen the money hit their accounts yet after it was due in January.
The pair are seeking compensatory damages of $28 million, as well as $95,000 as interest, as well as attorneys’ fees, and costs.
“Defendants have failed and refused to respond to plaintiffs’ written notice and demand for payment,” Swizz Beatz and Timbaland’s lawyers wrote in the complaint, according to Billboard. “To date, defendants have failed and refused to make any payment to Mosley and Dean of the past due sums due and owing, and defendants continue in default of their payment obligations.”
Triller did not immediately respond to The Post’s request for comment — but Swizz Beatz and Timbaland’s legal reps claim in the suit: “The aforesaid defaults constitute material breaches of the agreement by defendants. By reason of defendants’ continuing uncured defaults, the sum of $28,095,000.00 is immediately due to be paid under the agreement.”
Swizz Beatz — who is married to singer Alicia Keys — joined forces with Timbaland in the early stages of the pandemic to bring “Verzuz” to life.
The pair went head-to-head in a rap battle in March 2020, igniting major interest in the show which later saw some of the biggest names in rap take to the stage.
John Legend, Alicia Keys, 2 Chainz, Rick Ross, Too $hort, Patti LaBelle, and Gucci Mane, are just some of the huge names who have taken part in the series.
