Jermaine Dupri Sues Sony Over Unpaid Royalties for Mariah Carey, Usher

Producer and So So Def Recordings founder Jermaine Dupri has filed a multimillion-dollar lawsuit against Sony Music, accusing the label of systematically underpaying and concealing royalties. According to the complaint filed in Los Angeles, the dispute involves unpaid earnings from a string of hit albums, including projects by Mariah Carey, Usher, Kris Kross, Jagged Edge, and Bow Wow.

The issues reportedly came to light in 2023, when Sony began issuing revised royalty statements. A 2025 audit uncovered years of accounting errors, missing payments, and previously unreported income, prompting So So Def to demand approximately $18 million — a figure that plaintiffs say is only part of the total debt.

The lawsuit specifically mentions underpaid royalties for projects Dupri produced for Mariah Carey and Usher, with the exact amount still being calculated. Additionally, So So Def claims it was shortchanged on releases by Kris Kross, Xscape, Da Brat, and Jagged Edge.

Sony Music responded, stating the matter is a royalty accounting dispute the parties were trying to resolve out of court. “We are disappointed that So So Def elected to pursue litigation rather than continue that dialogue,” a spokesperson said.

Dupri, a pivotal producer of the 1990s and 2000s known for working with TLC, Destiny’s Child, and Monica, built So So Def into a powerhouse. This lawsuit could set a precedent for contract reviews across the industry. If the court rules in his favor, Sony may have to pay not only the claimed $18 million but also interest for years of delays.

Both sides are now preparing for court hearings, and the music community is watching closely. For many artists and producers, this case is a reminder to double-check their own royalty statements.