Summer Walker sues label LVRN for fraud and contract breach
R&B singer Summer Walker has filed lawsuits against her label and management company LVRN for alleged fraud and breach of contract.
Summer Walker has filed a lawsuit alleging fraud and breach of contract by her label and management company, Love Renaissance. The Grammy-nominated R&B artist is seeking to void her 2017 agreement with LVRN. In a separate legal battle, Interscope Records is suing Walker for over $50 million, claiming she failed to deliver five albums under a joint deal.
Walker filed a 10-page lawsuit in Atlanta on August 28. She alleges LVRN committed fraud and breached its fiduciary duty. The complaint states the company hid revenue from a YouTube page operated in her name and sold merchandise bearing her name and likeness on Amazon without her knowledge or payment. Walker claims LVRN then deleted the YouTube channel's historical data before transferring control to her.
The lawsuit describes the September 15, 2017, agreement as 'harsh and oppressive.' Walker was 19 at the time and says she was not advised by an independent lawyer. The deal gave LVRN exclusive ownership over her touring, merchandise, and name, image, and likeness rights. Walker alleges LVRN improperly diverted money from budgets allocated for recordings, tours, merchandise, and promotion, using funds for excessive company expenses. Her primary objective is to have the contract declared void and unenforceable. She is also seeking unspecified compensatory and punitive damages.
Keith Moten, Walker's lawyer, stated she no longer trusts the label to protect her interests. The complaint includes claims for fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, and breach of contract. Representatives for LVRN did not return a request for comment.
Interscope sues for $50 million over album deal
Interscope Records, a label under Universal Music Group, filed a lawsuit against Walker on October 9 in Los Angeles County Superior Court. The label claims Walker breached her 2017 contract by failing to deliver five studio albums. Walker had sent a notice on August 27 invoking California’s seven-year statute, which allows individuals to terminate personal services contracts after seven years. A 1987 amendment permits labels to sue for damages if an artist exits before fulfilling commitments.
Interscope's lawsuit states Walker's original deal and amendments obligated her to deliver five albums. The label classifies her earlier projects Last Day of Summer and CLEAR as pre-album projects. Interscope alleges she has delivered only three albums: 2019’s Over It, 2021’s Still Over It, and 2025’s Finally Over It. The latter peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 chart. Interscope is seeking damages in excess of $50 million, plus interest and legal costs.
A spokesperson for Interscope stated they have great respect for Walker and her music and would welcome continuing their partnership. They said the label is hopeful that ongoing discussions will lead to an amicable resolution.
Walker's response and legal stance
Walker disputes Interscope's claims. Her lawyer, Keith Moten, plans to countersue the record label. Moten said Walker remains open to a constructive resolution despite the legal action. The statutory deadline made it necessary for Interscope to file suit to preserve the terms of the contract, initiating the high-stakes legal conflict.
Walker's lawsuit against LVRN details specific allegations of financial mismanagement. She claims the company fraudulently pocketed money from various budgets and failed to give her any share of Amazon merchandise sales. The Atlanta-based label and management company has not publicly responded to the allegations. Walker's legal team aims to completely sever her ties with LVRN while contesting the massive damages sought by Interscope.
