Jermaine Dupri Settles $18 Million Lawsuit with Sony Music
Jermaine Dupri and Sony Music have settled their $18 million lawsuit over alleged underpayments of royalties to So So Def, though the terms of the settlement have not been made public. The case was voluntarily dismissed before Sony filed a defense, leaving open the possibility of resuming litigation if the agreement is not honored. The original claim included, among other things, undisclosed royalties for Kris Kross and other artists, but details regarding any payment or adjustment to the royalty accounting system have not been disclosed.
Jermaine Dupri and Sony Music have settled their dispute. The $18 million lawsuit has been dropped, but the exact terms of the settlement remain confidential.
On Friday, the federal court in Manhattan received notice that So So Def, Dupri, and Sony had settled the case before Sony had even filed a defense. The legal term for this is “voluntary dismissal without prejudice,” pursuant to Rule 41(a)(1) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.
In practical terms, that means: Sony didn’t have to admit anything, deny anything, or publicly defend anything. The case was closed before the battle had even really begun. "Without prejudice" leaves the door open—if the deal falls through, Dupri can file a lawsuit again.
No settlement amount is specified in the documents. No payment schedule. No explanation of how the royalty records will be reconciled. Only a statement that the parties have resolved the matter.
**The original claim**
In July, AllHipHop broke the story: So So Def accused Sony of systematically underpaying royalties on a catalog full of classics. Xscape, Da Brat, Kris Kross, Jagged Edge, Usher, Mariah Carey, Bow Wow, J-Kwon, and Bone Crusher—all artists for whom, according to Dupri, the figures didn’t add up.
The accusation was clear: "Many of Sony's actions regarding So So Def were unlawful and harmed the label."
According to Dupri, the problem came to light when Sony sent new and revised royalty statements in 2023. An internal audit followed. The most serious allegations centered on Kris Kross. Dupri claimed that for more than twenty years, Sony had hidden royalties for the duo in a separate accounting system, unbeknownst to So So Def.
"Sony claimed it was unaware of this error, but deliberately refused to pay out in order to avoid paying millions," according to the complaint.
The numbers: more than $33 million in international Kris Kross sales in the 2023 and 2024 reports. Dupri demanded at least $2.2 million for *Totally Krossed Out* and *Da Bomb* alone.
Xscape and Da Brat were also named in the lawsuit, with nearly two million dollars in unreported earnings from early albums.
Dupri spoke of a "systematic pattern" of underreporting, unreported royalties, and statements that were adjusted retroactively. "Intentional fraudulent conduct intended to harm the plaintiffs."
The claim: at least eighteen million dollars, plus interest, legal costs, and additional damages.
**Calm After the Storm**
On August 28, attorney Christopher Brown signed the notice of withdrawal on behalf of Dupri and both So So Def entities. What was agreed upon behind the scenes remains unknown. Sony isn't saying anything, and Dupri isn't saying anything either.
The case is closed. The money isn't—it's gone somewhere, or it's on its way, or it's part of a deal that no one will ever see. That's usually how these things go.
