Usher is suing considered one of his longtime music producers–together with a number of different folks–over a mortgage for a restaurant that by no means truly opened.
The singer filed a lawsuit on Nov. 14, wherein he claims that producer Bryan-Michael Cox–who produced enormous Usher hits together with “U Obtained It Dangerous” and “Burn”–approached him in 2024 to put money into an Atlanta restaurant and lounge referred to as Homage ATL. Leisure lawyer Alcide Honoré and leisure trade officers Keith Thomas and Charles Hughes are additionally named within the grievance.
Within the submitting, per Complicated, Usher revealed that whereas he didn’t need to put money into the restaurant, he agreed to mortgage the group $1.7 million. He says he wired that cash over in January.
After months handed and the property for the situation nonetheless hadn’t been bought, Usher reportedly requested the group to repay the mortgage. He claims to have obtained $1 million in compensation in August, however he nonetheless hasn’t obtained the remaining $700,000.
Usher goes on to assert that Honoré defined returning the cash was “not that straightforward” because it had already been used for “different functions,” although he hasn’t obtained a proof about what these functions are. Because of these claims, the R&B star is looking for $4.9 million in damages, which is $700,000 for every of the lawsuit’s claims.
Following information of the lawsuit going public, Bryan-Michael Cox took to Instagram to make a press release. He posted two images of him and Usher collectively, insisting that their friendship continues to be going robust, regardless of the headlines.
“I’ve discovered so much just lately about being cautious with who you select to put money into a enterprise with regardless of how small the funding,” Cox started in his caption. “I’m at present in the midst of a failed deal that I didn’t orchestrate, and whereas the scenario has been disappointing, I do know my title will probably be cleared by each side. It’s simply unlucky that this readability didn’t come sooner.”
He continued, “My authorized crew has additionally suggested me of a lawsuit involving an organization the place I’m solely a passive minority shareholder. I used to be not a participant in that enterprise transaction and haven’t any involvement within the ongoing authorized course of. Whereas I’m unable to share extra particulars proper now, I need to make one factor completely clear: my 27-year friendship with @usher stays totally intact.”
Usher has not commented publicly on the lawsuit.