NEWS
Megan Thee Stallion is asking a court to appoint a third-party manager to oversee the funds of her label, 1501 Certified Entertainment, after accusing its management of siphoning her money and not paying her, according to documents obtained by TMZ.
In a Wednesday, April 13 brief, Megan’s legal team directly called out the label’s CEO, retired MLB player Carl Crawford, for mismanaging funds, claiming its primary bank account contains less than $10,000, despite all five albums she’s released with the label debuting in the top 10 on the Billboard 200 charts, with 2020’s Good News going on to sell over a million copies. They’re alleging that Crawford and his fellow 1501 execs J. Prince and Gee Roberson are keeping the rest of the profits for themselves.
Billboard later confirmed the news, quoting Megan’s lawyers’ brief, which accuses Crawford and Co. of “dissipat[ing] millions of dollars held in 1501’s primary bank account,” including money Megan may be owed. “Instead of following its financial manager’s advice and holding the contested funds in reserve, 1501 has chosen to enrich itself and its consultants, leaving less than ten thousand dollars in the account,” her lawyers continued. “Based on 1501’s undercapitalization, it is highly probable that 1501 will be judgment-proof by the time [Megan] is able to obtain a final judgment on the merits of her claims.”
Last month, TMZ reported that Megan had been granted a restraining order against 1501 that prevented the label from blocking the release of a single she was planning to drop the following day. That track has yet to arrive.
The FADER has reached out to representatives of Megan Thee Stallion and 1501 Certified Entertainment for independent confirmation and further comment.
Busta Rhymes is honoring his late friend D’Angelo in a truly moving way. The rapper released a heartfelt tribute track titled “Magic,” marking one of his most emotional releases in years. The song celebrates the neo-soul legend D’Angelo, who sadly passed away earlier this month after a private battle with cancer. Over the smooth, soulful backdrop of D’Angelo’s “One Mo’ Gin” from his 2000 classic Voodoo, Busta reflects deeply, sharing raw and powerful emotions through his storytelling.
Throughout the seven-minute piece, Busta takes listeners on a journey through his 34-year friendship with D’Angelo. He recalls their early sessions with A Tribe Called Quest and describes the lasting connection they built over the decades. Instead of simply celebrating the music, Busta pays homage to the person behind it. He describes D’Angelo as a rare, once-in-a-generation artist who “never needed a co-sign” and “touched the souls of the people and everything between.”
During an interview with Okayplayer, Busta called D’Angelo “a godsend,” reflecting on his influence across R&B and hip-hop. “The Earth shifted when D came to do music,” he said, a statement that perfectly sums up D’Angelo’s impact. Anyone familiar with Brown Sugar, Voodoo, or Black Messiah knows his legacy speaks volumes.
“Magic” feels like a conversation between two lifelong friends. Busta Rhymes gives fans an intimate look at a bond that helped shape decades of soul-infused hip-hop. The tributes pouring in since D’Angelo’s passing highlight not only his extraordinary artistry but also the love and respect he inspired among peers. Lauryn Hill expressed it beautifully, writing, “Thank you for being a beacon of light to a generation and beyond who had no remembrance of the legacy that preceded us.”
