ODB’s Widow Sues Wu-Tang Clan Over Unpaid Royalties
The widow of Ol’ Dirty Bastard (ODB) is taking Wu-Tang Clan to court for unpaid royalties.
According to Variety, Icelene Jones stated that her late husband is owed at least $1 million. Jones, who is also the executor of ODB’s estate, said Wu-Tang Clan Productions was to pay the rapper no less than 50% of the net royalties that comes from his image or likeness.
The estate issued a statement in response to some media accounts of the suit, in which the estate seeks to clarify that the $1 million figure is a placeholder, and does not represent a precise accounting of the amount owed.
Although she acknowledges that some payments have been issued over time, including a payment of $130K back in July 2021, it’s nowhere near how much the company owes him.
Jones also said that she hasn’t received proper accounting from the company since 2011.
Wu-Tang Clan is a legendary hip-hop group formed out of Staten Island, New York. Its original members include RZA, GZA, Ol’ Dirty Bastard, Method Man, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, Inspectah Deck, U-God, and Masta Killa. Close affiliate Cappadonna later became an official member.
ODB passes away back in 2004 from a drug overdose at the age of 35, but Jones says that the old contract should still be valid and any profits should be paid to the estate.
