MIA and Kid Cudi (Getty Images)
Less than a month after Kid Cudi dropped M.I.A. as an opening act on his North American Rebel Ragers tour for "offensive remarks" on stage, she has filed a lawsuit against the rapper. Insano for alleged breach of contract, according to court documents reviewed by Pitchfork. She filed the lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Western Division of California on May 29. Pitchfork has reached out to representatives for M.I.A. and Kid Cudi for comment.
In the civil suit, M.I.A., whose real name is Matangi Arulpragasam, accuses Cudi, whose full name is Scott Ramon Seguro Mescudi, of knowing about her beliefs and reputation as a politically active artist before hiring her as an opening act. She claims that her removal from the tour was a "willful interference with contractual relations" that "resulted in a breach of contract by Live Nation," including failing to pay her a guaranteed $2,805,000, despite a supposed provision granting M.I.A. and her company complete creative control over her performance. The suit also claims she lost revenue from merchandise sales and VIP packages for the remainder of the tour.
«"Here's the truth," the lawsuit states. "MIA was fired to draw attention to a tour struggling with ticket sales. Her contract allowed her to say whatever she wanted on stage. Now, MIA accuses Kid Cudi of unfairly destroying her contractual rights, business opportunities, and reputation.".
After being dropped from Cudi's tour, M.I.A. claims that offers to perform at a private party for nearly $300,000 and host a temporary merchandise sale in Los Angeles were rescinded, and negotiations with a music synchronization company about a potential licensing agreement were terminated. The lawsuit also states that the singer, known for MI7 hit , and her son received death threats.
In addition to demanding that Live Nation pay her the full amount guaranteed by her contract, M.I.A.'s "damages claim" includes $75,000 in compensatory, punitive, and special damages, as well as coverage of her legal costs and attorneys' fees. She also demands a "trial by jury on all matters at issue.".
Announcing M.I.A.'s cancellation on his tour on May 4, Kid Cudi wrote on Instagram: "After the last few shows, I've been inundated with messages from fans upset by her comments. This is incredibly disappointing to me, and I will not allow anyone on my tour to make offensive comments that upset my fans." In his civil lawsuit, M.I.A. claims Cudi's statement was "full of lies.".
M.I.A.'s onstage performances went viral after her May 2 performance in Dallas, during which she identified herself as a Republican and declared, "I can't do 'Illygal,' even though some of you might be in the audience." When the crowd booed, she added, "Okay, I'm an illegal immigrant. Half my crew isn't here because they didn't get their visas, okay? I want you to know that. Okay, so don't listen to what the bots on the internet say, okay? Once you do that, you're always… we need to be above politics.".
The Rebel Ragers tour continues, with the next stop on June 2nd in Camden, New Jersey. Big Boi and A-Trak, originally scheduled to open for the tour, are still scheduled to perform before Cudi takes the stage.
Original article published on Pitchfork.