Madlib Takes Legal Action Against Ex-Manager Over Claims of Self-Dealing and Mismanagement

In a plot twist that could very well be a scene from a quirky indie film, the renowned rapper and producer Madlib, known for his experimental style and fondness for alter egos like Quasimoto, has decided to take the legal plunge. Yes, folks, he’s suing his very own manager, Eothen Alapatt—also affectionately dubbed Egon—claiming that instead of managing, Egon has been indulging in a little self-serving mischief. It would appear that Egon’s stewardship of Madlib’s record and merchandise companies has turned into a lovely cocktail of mismanagement and, dare we say, betrayal.

According to the bustling gossip of court documents that landed on October 31 in Los Angeles, Madlib is requesting that the court wipe the slate clean by dissolving Madicine Show, the record label that’s predominantly owned by him, along with Rapp Cats, which handles Madlib’s merchandise. The allegations are juicy: Egon is accused of engaging in “rank self-dealing,” hiding crucial information from Madlib, and playing fast and loose with his duties. Honestly, it sounds like a reality show just waiting to happen. Where’s the popcorn?

But wait! It gets better—or worse, depending on who you ask—because the lawsuit also roasts Jeffrey Carlson, aka Jeff Jank, a co-owner of Rapp Cats, and Now-Again Records, a label crafted by the very hands of Egon. The complaint paints a rather colorful picture of Egon creating a middleman situation with Now-Again, with him at the helm, pocketing fees while Madlib’s artistry gets washed through this questionable funnel. It’s almost comedic if it weren’t so tragic for the parties involved.

In a turn reminiscent of a high-stakes game of poker gone wrong, Egon also allegedly played the “let’s not have an audit” card regarding Now-Again’s dealings. I mean, what could possibly go wrong when there’s no accounting of one’s finances? Clearly, Egon’s approach to financial transparency has been on par with that one friend who insists their cooking is “totally fine” even as smoke fills the kitchen.

The backstory here is like a romantic comedy, too, to an extent. Madlib, having begun his journey under the auspices of Stones Throw Records back in 1999, met Egon and Jank, two figures he believed would expertly navigate the murky waters of music management. They set up Madicine Show as a vehicle for Madlib to take the reins of his music, trusting that Egon would be the wind beneath his wings and not an unexpected gust that sends him crashing to the ground.

Now, amid all this chaos, Madlib is hoping to untangle this messy relationship, seeking the dissolution of both companies and declaring that Egon, Jank, and Now-Again have no claim over his music or business antics. That’s right, Madlib’s looking to reclaim his narrative—and perhaps snag a new plotline for his next album. Who knew the twists and turns of a music career could resemble such a chaotic rom-com? The only difference? This isn’t just about love and heartbreak; it’s about contracts and copyrights, and that’s a story worth telling!