U-God Hits RZA With A Multi-Million Dollar Lawsuit For Unpaid Wu-Tang Clan Royalties

Discussions currently linger if Wu-Tang Clan will release another album. If the New York collective does, it is said to be in the hands of Ghostface Killah. Today, a new snag in the group appears to have presented itself. Wu-Tang’s U-God has sued band-mate RZA for a reported $2.5 in unpaid royalties.

According to TMZ, the Brooklyn-born, Staten Island-raised MC accuses RZA and brother, manager Mitchell “Divine” Diggs of not paying royalties in more than six years. In the lawsuit, the “Golden Arms” MC claims that he has contributed to more than 170 Wu-Tang Clan songs over the last 22 years. Further, U-God also claims that he received no monies for RZA’s sale of the Once Upon A Time In Shaolin album. That effort, which features Cher and Ol’ Dirty Bastard appearances, was limited to a single copy–and reportedly sold for $1 million at an auction. That album and its new ownership has sparked tremendous controversy since. The MC says, under contract, he is owed two royalty checks per year for Wu-Tang’s music and merchandising sales.

U-God – Skyscraper (Video)

In 2013, U-God released The Keynote Speaker, his most recent album, on RZA’s Soul Temple Records imprint. In addition to two beats, RZA executive produced that LP, which featured Styles P, Elzhi, and Kool Keith, in addition to Wu members. Besides his solo and Once Upon A Time…, Wu has released one album (2014’s A Better Tomorrow) and one compilation (Legendary Weapons) in the last six years.

RZA Explains Why Wu-Tang Clan’s Next Album Is Ghostface Killah’s Responsibility (Video)

U-God was the second-to-last Clan member (ahead of only Masta Killa) to release a solo project. His 1999 album Golden Arms Redemption, was executive produced by RZA, and released through Wu-Tang/Priority Records. It was the MC’s only effort to make the Top 200.