UG Rap Community

ist denn die 2te auch so gut wie die 1ste?

ah ok, ich meinte face sagte sowas auch schon irgendwo...thx

http://www.allhiphop.com/hiphopnews/?ID=6246


Battle For Ownership Of Houston-Based Rap-A-Lot Records Begins
By Nolan Strong
Date: 10/10/2006 5:55 pm


A new battle is brewing in rap and this time it's between Rap-A-Lot/J. Prince Boxing CEO James Prince and incarcerated drug dealer Michael "Harry-O" Harris.

According to Harris' attorney Steve Goldberg, Harris has laid claim to a 50% stake in Rap-A-Lot Records, alleging that he provided seed money to launch the label in the mid-'80s, similar to claims Harris made against Marion "Suge" Knight's Death Row Records.

"He has a 50/50 oral agreement with James Prince and we are going to find out exactly how much money is owed," Goldberg told AllHipHop.com. "Of course we expect Prince to deny this, but there were witnesses to the oral agreement at the inception of Rap-A-Lot. Michael helped get Rap-A-Lot off the ground by booking acts and providing start-up capital. James Prince would be no place without Michael Harris. And just like he [Harris] won a judgment against Death Row, he will win against Rap-A-Lot."

Since it's founding in 1986, Rap-A-Lot has produced hit records for the Geto Boys, Scarface, Bun B and Pimp C, and the Luniz, among others.

Harris founded various entertainment-related ventures in the '80s, including the production of Denzel Washington's Broadway debut Checkmates in 1987.

Prince has been ordered by a Houston judge to produce documents relating to the assets of Michael or Lydia Harris, including but not limited to the assets of Rap-A-Lot Records.

Prince must appear in a Los Angeles court Thursday (Oct. 12) for continued deposition.

Goldberg said he seeks to start with finding links between Knight and Prince.

Of interest to Goldberg is a recent album by rapper 2Face, that consists of 2Pac and Scarface tracks released on Rap-A-Lot Records and co-produced by Knight.

"We found out that Prince was less than forthcoming in his first deposition," said Goldberg. "He denied Rap-A-Lot was doing business with Death Row, but we found out about the 2Face CD. Because of that, we showed the judge that Prince had not been totally candid in his first deposition. I'm going to keep questioning this guy until we get what we need."

In September, Prince celebrated a minor victory when questions regarding J. Prince and Suge Knight were initially thrown out.

"Harris is a pathological lying snitch," Prince said in September, adding that he was "pleased with the judge's decision on the court ruling" at the time.

Michael Harris is serving 28-years in San Quentin for attempted-murder and drug dealing.

He claimed he invested $1.5 million to help start Death Row Records in 1991 with Knight's attorney, David Kenner.

Knight filed for bankruptcy in an attempt to avoid paying Harris' estranged wife Lydia a $107 million default judgment and Death Row was placed into the hands of a Bankruptcy trustee to auction off the labels assets, which include multi-platinum recordings from Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Tha Dogg Pound and Tupac Shakur, the best-selling rapper in history.

"Nothing was dismissed," Goldberg clarified. "If Rap-A-Lot said anything was dismissed from court, that was a misstatement. Until Michael Harris gets what's owed to him, we are not letting go."

Attempts to reach J. Prince and Rap-A-Lot for comment were unsuccessful.

J. Prince Denies Michael 'Harry-O' Harris' Claims Of Owning Interest In Rap-A-Lot
By Nolan Strong
Date: 10/12/2006 9:50 pm

Rap-A-Lot CEO James "J. Prince" Prince has denied that the legendary Houston-based label is co-owned by convicted drug kingpin Michael "Harry-O" Harris.

Prince did not attend a hearing in Los Angeles today (Oct. 12) relating to the matter but he and his attorney offered up a challenge to settle Harris and his attorney Steve Golderg's claims that Harris is owed money.

The incarcerated Harris charges that he owns half of the company and provided startup capital to launch Rap-A-Lot. He also claims that he is rightfully entitled to half of the label's earnings, dating back to its formation in 1986.

Prince, however, fiercely denies Harris and Goldberg's claims that Harris was an early investor in the label that helped launch the careers of the Geto Boys, Scarface, Yukmouth, and the Luniz, among others.

"I've been dealing with Feds, snitches, and rats all my life, conspiring to destroy me and Rap-A-Lot," J. Prince told AllHipHop.com in a statement. "This is nothing new to me. It's interesting, you have this Harris guy, a L.A. rat, who's lonely and desperate because the best thing that ever happened to him has divorced him and moved back to Houston with all his money," Prince added, referring to Harris' estranged wife Lydia, who recently won a $107 million default judgment against Death Row Records after the label's CEO/co-founder Suge Knight missed multiple court dates to answer her claims of owning interest in the label.

"The only explanation that I have for him waking up in prison after 20 years saying that I made an oral agreement for 50 percent of Rap-A-Lot is he must think that his ex-wife [Lydia] still has a special place in her heart for me," Prince quipped.

Harris, who is serving a 28-year sentence in San Quentin State Prison in Calif. for attempted murder and drug dealing, claimed he invested $1.5 million to help start Death Row in 1991 with Marion "Suge" Knight and Knight's attorney, David Kenner.

According to reports, Harris filed for divorce in June 2005, after learning that his wife Lydia was allegedly in settlement negotiations with Knight and was planning to cut him out of her $107 million judgment.

Harris later filed another lawsuit, claiming he was entitled to half of the judgment. Knight and Death Row eventually filed for bankruptcy protection to avoid paying the sum.

The label is currently being managed by a bankruptcy trustee, which will auction off the label's assets to pay creditors.

In September, attorneys for Harris sought to question Prince about his business dealings with Knight in front of a Houston judge, claiming that he had also helped Prince launch the label.

Prince's attorney Warren Fitzgerald, Jr. explained that the mogul felt that the order to appear in front of the judge violated Prince's rights.

Through Fitzgerald, Jr., Prince filed an appeal and won a stay of deposition, which is still pending.

"For Goldberg to make the statements about what he's going to find out about Prince and Knight violates the courts order," said Fitzgerald, Jr.

"I'm not Suge and Rap-A-Lot ain't no Death Row, so they can find another ambulance to chase," Prince said. "So I look forward to dealing with his bootleg lawyer, this frivolous lawsuit, and Harris the rat if and when he gets out."

"If Goldberg and Harris really think they have a claim, after 20 years of doing nothing, they can file a lawsuit, where the facts count, rather than grandstanding and publicity seeking in the media, and misleading the public with half truths and out right lies," said Fitzgerald. "The truth is Harris' claim doesn't stand a snowball's chance in hell in a court of law."

source: AHH