(AllHipHop News) News broke this week about a lawsuit filed by Atlanta rapper Gucci Mane against his former manager Deb Antney, her son Waka Flocka, and other past associates at his 1017 Brick Squad Records. In the suit, Gucci claims Antney purposely cheated him out of profits and used the money for her own personal gain.
[ALSO READ: Gucci Mane Files A Lawsuit Against Waka Flocka & Deb Antney]
While other comments have been attributed to Antney concerning the matter her rep released her full statement adding that this “the only statement that my client, Debra Antney has to say about this whole situation.”
Read Deb Antney’s full statement below:
I’ve done a lot for the artists that I’ve represented, both past and present. I’ve not only helped and encouraged them in their professional lives, but in their personal lives as well. What people only hear is the negative. People love and feed off of drama. That’s nothing new, and unfortunately, I’m used to it. What no one talks about is how I was there for them, often times when no one else was.
I refuse to use any platform to address negative issues. Let it be known, that I will never speak bad about any artist I’ve worked with. When I work with someone, I really throw myself into their success. They are never clients to me, they are family. Everyone who works for me only works for me on paper. In my office, it’s a family affair. And that goes deeper than rap…deeper than music…deeper than business. Employees and artists know that. So it confuses me how someone can attack me or come for me when I’ve done so much for them. But that’s the nature of this business. That’s why some people say don’t mix business with pleasure. Unfortunately for me, I never mastered that concept. I’m personable with everyone and my loyalty is to a fault. I won’t apologize for that; it’s who I am and it’s what allows me to be passionate about the projects I pursue.
This situation with Gucci is hard for me to accept. I have a history with him that only he and I can truly know the value of, and I have a love for him that money can’t buy. Gucci and I have been through it all together. Our struggle gave us a relationship that is unbreakable. Even through this, I stand by him. Our history is a strong one, so this is very tough. That’s all I think I’ll say on Gucci, specifically, because I still hold him close to my heart, I’m still rooting for him, and I still value our bond. If he called me today and he needed me, I’d be there. I’d cuss him out, but I’d be there. Because that’s family, and that’s what family does.
A lot of the people in my circle started from the bottom. We’ve all come a very long way. Some have left, and some are still here. We’ve fought, and we’ve celebrated. We’ve messed up, and we’ve learned. I’m still learning and I’m still building my empire. In whatever people want to do in their life, I wish everyone success, personal joy and fulfillment. I hope they wish the same for me. I won’t concern myself with those who don’t.