Mark “Brother Marquis”
Ross, formerly of pioneering Miami, Florida rap group 2 Live Crew, hit Ice-T and
Jay-Z with a lawsuit over the lyrics to Jay-Z’s#### song “99 Problems.”
The original version of the song was featured on Ice-T’s classic 1993
album Home Invasion, with a cameo from Brother Marquis.
In his lawsuit, which was filed in Manhattan Federal Court, Brother Marquis
claims he’s been paid just $10,000 in royalties, despite being prominently
featured on the original version.
Furthermore, Brother Marquis claims that Jay-Z owes him royalties after recording
an updated version of “99 Problems,” which was produced by Rick
Rubin and featured on Jay-Z’s blockbuster, The Black Album.
Jay-Z also shot a critically acclaimed video for the song, which was shot by
veteran director Mark Romanek.
After leaving 2 Live Crew
around 1996, Brother Marquis had a spiritual awakening and entered the church,
but still tours with a reincarnation of the group.