Photo Credit: Maryland GovPics / CC by 2.0
A high-profile dispute has erupted between former Def Jam exec Kevin Liles and rapper Lady Luck. Liles has accused the rapper of attempting to extort him to the tune of $30 million through threats. He also alleges Lady Luck threatened to publish a book containing “false and damaging allegations of sexual misconduct.”
According to statements released by Liles, Lady Luck—real name Shanell Jones—and her legal team contacted him to demand a $30 million payment. They said without a payment, Liles would face a very public lawsuit and the release of a tell-all book accusing Liles of sexual assault and inappropriate conduct. Those allegations include claims that Liles ‘groomed’ Lady Luck when she signed to Def Jam in 1999 as a teenager. Other allegations include that Liles exposed himself to her and tried to force her to perform oral sex in his car.
Liles has categorically denied all of the accusations levied against him, calling them “utterly false” and “pure fabrication. “None of this ever happened,” Liles said in a public statement. “Her threatened allegations are totally false. Rather than pay her and her legal team, I am publicly addressing what I view to be an extortion attempt.”
“It seems Mrs. Jones hopes to leverage the current news environment to pressure me into writing an exorbitant check in order to avoid the negative publicity that will likely result from her false claims,” Liles continues. “I intend to vigorously fight any complaint she may file and will take whatever legal action is necessary against her and the attorneys who have participated in this attempted shakedown.”
The statement was released on the website ‘LadyLucksOwnWords.com,’ which Liles appears to have created as an archive of communication with the rapper. It details how Liles gave her a chance with a record deal after hearing her on Hot 97 and contains numerous print and web interviews of Lady Luck discussing her relationship with the rap mogul.
Liles argues that his relationship with her was always professional and supportive. He also notes her struggles, stating that her career did not reach the heights both she and Liles hoped she would achieve. Lady Luck later requested to be released from her Def Jam contract. Liles also pointed to a criminal background and referenced recent hardships, stating “I will not be extorted, nor will I pay a dollar to those that threaten to ruin my reputation.”
Lady Luck and her legal representatives thus far have not responded to the detailed denials or the website. The dispute also comes at a time when Liles is seeking the dismissal of a sexual assault lawsuit stemming from his time at Def Jam in the early 2000s—though it’s unclear if that lawsuit is related.
Recommended Comments
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.