Rap-A-Lot Records
CEO James “J. Prince” Prince is speaking out against a lawsuit which
claims he masterminded an attack against the owner of a Houston-based recording
studio.The
lawsuit, which was filed Thursday (April 12), stems from a business meeting and
assault that allegedly took place between the rap mogul and Ronnie Bookman, a
music executive, at Prince’s Fresh Recreation Center Gym in Houston, over
clearance for Rap-A-Lot artist Bun B to appear on an album by Javon “JV”
Daniels.Daniels
is one of the first artists on Bookman’s new record label, 7303 Records.“Through
my years in this music industry, I’ve been falsely accused and sued by many, which
none of them were successful," J Prince said. "I guess this is a new
season where drug dealing rats and parasite lawyers are out to extort me. If anyone
with good sense would pull this guy Ronnie Bookman’s record, they would see how
bad his credibility stinks. The true facts will be revealed in a court of law.”In
the suit, Prince allegedly agreed to sign over all the rights to the song “Wrong
for Dat,” a track he allegedly allowed Bun B to record with Daniels. In
return, Bun B would record his album Trill at Bookman’s Studio 7303
recording studio for a discounted cost. However,
Prince and Rap-A-Lot allegedly went back on their agreement to release the single
after Warner Brothers offered Bookman a label deal.Bookman
later stated in the suit that the meeting took a violent turn when he received
a broken nose and head injuries from a beating allegedly set up by Prince. He
is suing Prince for breach of contract, battery, unfair competition, duress, conspiracy
and unjust enrichment. Bookman
is also requesting a court order that would bar Prince and any business associate
from coming 500 feet within his home or business.The
suit is the newest legal chapter for Prince, who has been battling convicted drug
kingpin Michael “Harry-O” Harris over claims that Rap-A-Lot is co-owned
by Harris. In
his lawsuit, Harris claims that he owns half of the company and provided startup
capital to launch Rap-A-Lot. As
a result, Harris feels he is rightfully entitled to half of the label’s earnings,
dating back to its formation in 1986.
Harris is currently serving a 28-year sentence in San Quentin State Prison in
Calif. for attempted murder and drug dealing.
