Is Drake Being Sued Over A Tweet?
Tonight, for one night only, you can see Drake in theaters, thanks to the movie "Drake's Homecoming: The Lost Footage," which will be playing in 350 theaters across the U.S. on Thursday (Mar. 19).
Only one problem: Drake says he's not a part of the film.
OK, actually, there's another problem, too: After saying he's not part of the film, Drake is getting sued by the company that's releasing it, according to TMZ.
The project -- which centers around a concert Drizzy had in Toronto in 2009, before he signed to Young Money -- was announced last month with the release of a trailer.
On Monday, the rap star distanced himself from it.
The Drake Homecoming film is not something OVO or Drake have any part in. I feel it is my responsibility to inform and protect my fans.
— Drizzy (@Drake) March 16, 2015
The next day, he said that J. Prince, who was involved with Drake early in his career and is reportedly an executive producer on the film, was also on board with his stance.
James Prince and I stand together on not supporting the Drake Homecoming footage in theatres. #protectingthefans
— Drizzy (@Drake) March 17, 2015
But that stance may cost him. According to TMZ, SpectiCast, the company distributing the movie, has filed a suit against Drake for what he said, and are speculating he did it to draw attention to his Twitter page, since the next day he tweeted about his OVOFest.
Earlier in the week, Complex spoke with Mark Berry, co-executive producer of the movie and chairman of the Toronto-based entertainment company Attack Media Group, who had hinted that a suit may be on the way.
"I can't discuss what's going on legally but there is movement," he said. "You can't come online and say it's an unauthorized thing. It's authorized, dude. Because you signed a contract with my client and you gotta honor your contracts."
The contract he's referencing, signed on Feb. 28, 2009, was obtained by Complex, and reportedly states: "The performance during the engagement shall, at the option of the Employer, recorded, copied, reproduced, transmitted, and disseminated in or from the premise in any manner or by any means now or later developed, including audio and video, by the Employer. The recordings shall be owned by the Employer. The profit from the sale of such goods shall be split on the following basis: 15% of profit to the Artist and 85% of profit to the Employer."
Berry added that they plan to honor the agreement and give 15% of the royalty revenue to the rapper.
If you do decide that you want to check out "Drake's Homecoming: The Lost Footage," you can see if it's playing at a theater near you.
