Monday
Mar072011
Monday, March 7, 2011 at 12:30PMMonday
Mar072011
American Talent Agency Replies To Akon's $750K Lawsuit
The owners of the American Talent Agency have hit back at a lawsuit filed by superstar R&B singer/producer Akon, who claims the company owes him over $750,000 in touring fees.
Akon and his touring company Kon Live Touring filed the lawsuit on Thursday (March 4th), claiming trademark infringement, breach of contract and unjust enrichment.
Akon claims he ended the relationship with the company in September of 2010 over unapproved bookings and earned performance fees.
According to ATA, the company was engaged in a four-year relationship with Akon's touring company Kon Live Touring Inc.
During the course of the agreement, ATA claims they exceeded all expectations, landing Akon contracts with cell companies in Uganda and Guinea, as well as booking him in high profile appearances at the MTV Africa Music Awards in Kenya and a performance in Dubai that was Akon's highest paid performance to date.
"Akon’s accusations of failure to pay earned performance fees and bookings of unapproved appearances and performances are untrue," ATA told AllHipHop.com in a statement. "Furthermore, the accusations that American Talent Agency continued to book Akon post termination in September 2010 are at odds with the fact that Akon willingly performed on the SummerBeatz Festival in Australia in November 2010, a booking secured through American Talent Agency.
According to the statement, ATA claims that Akon and Kon Live Touring actually owe money amounting to several thousand dollars in booking fees since Akon canceled or failed to appear at various events.
"American Talent Agency does not think it appropriate to discuss in the press the financial numbers submitted by Akon in his claims, but vehemently deny the allegations set forth by Akon," ATA said.
American Talent Agency's full statement is below:
American Talent Agency was instrumental in building Akon’s international brand over their four year long relationship with him, including lucrative cellular company launches in Uganda and Guinea, The MTV Africa Music Awards in Kenya and a performance in Dubai, which was Akon’s highest paid performance to date.
Akon’s accusations of failure to pay earned performance fees and bookings of unapproved appearances and performances are untrue. Furthermore, the accusations that American Talent Agency continued to book Akon post termination in September 2010 are at odds with the fact that Akon willingly performed on the SummerBeatz Festival in Australia in November 2010, a booking secured through American Talent Agency.
In actuality, there are many performances for which Akon and Kon Live Touring Inc. owe American Talent Agency several thousands dollars in fees for dates booked by American Talent Agency and also several thousands of dollars for costs in connection with performances booked by American Talent Agency for which Akon unilaterally canceled or failed to appear, which American Talent Agency has had to absorb on behalf of Akon and Kon Live Touring Inc.
American Talent Agency does not think it appropriate to discuss in the press the financial numbers submitted by Akon in his claims, but vehemently deny the allegations set forth by Akon. American Talent Agency will vigorously defend the allegations made against them and will be bringing claims against Kon Live Touring Inc. and Akon individually.
Monday
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Mar072011
Usher Joins Ranks of Celebs Donating Money Received For Ghadafi Performances
R&B superstar Usher announced Friday (March 4) that he was donating to various charities proceeds from appearing at a private event at St. Barts linked to Libyan dictator Moammar Gadhafi.
“I am sincerely troubled to learn about the circumstances surrounding the Nikki Beach St. Bart’s event that took place on New Year’s Eve 2009,” Usher said of the concert, at which he appeared alongside Beyoncé but did not perform. “I will be donating all of my personal proceeds from that event to various human rights organizations.”
Usher has already begun the process, having made a donation to Amnesty International, the AP reports. The exact size of the donation is not known.
The New Year’s Eve gig was reportedly for Moammar’s fourth son Muastassim, who an unnamed music industry source told MTV News has a history of throwing lavish parties “jammed” with supermodels.
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