A former Cash Money Records producer has filed a civil suit in New Orleans, seeking damages in excess of $2 million dollars for a breach of contract, stemming from a November 2005 production deal with the label.
In court documents filed by an attorney for Tristan “T Mix” Jones, the producer claims that while partial payments have been made, he has yet to be fully for the work he contributed to four Cash Money albums, which have sold a combined total of over three million copies.
According to the suit filed with the United States Eastern District Court in Louisiana on February 26, Jones entered into an exclusive agreement with Cash Money to provide production for the label’s roster of artists, including Lil’ Wayne and Baby.
In addition to production, Jones’ services to the label as stipulated by the contract, included programming, arranging, recording, mixing and editing.
The producer states that his work with the label between 2005 and 2007 yielded more than 40 master recordings included on at least four Cash Money records including Tha Carter 2, Birdman’s 2005 solo album Fast Money, and the Wayne/Birdman joint album Like Father Like Son.
Among T Mix’s production credits is “I Run This,” the Lil’ Wayne-assisted third single from the 2007 Birdman album 5 * Stunna.
Estimating that his work has earned Cash Money over $30 million in gross income, Jones and his attorneys claim he is owed at least $2.25 million in mechanical and producer royalties.
However, since Cash Money has failed to provide Jones with royalty statements and accounts of album sales and downloads in the U.S. and abroad, the final amount owed may be more than the original amount sought.
Jones states that he has received partial payments totaling $187, 850 to date.
In addition to the royalties owed, Jones is seeking court and attorney fees, including the costs associated with reviewing the royalty statements to determine additional monies due him.