Music Rights Family Dispute
Family Music Rights Lawsuit Links Financial Dispute To Aaliyah's Fatal 2001 Crash
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Key Points
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Jomo Hankerson filed a lawsuit against his father, Barry Hankerson, and Blackground Records, alleging breach of a settlement governing recording masters and music publishing rights tied to Aaliyah and other artists.
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The travel arrangement at the center of the dispute was specifically for coordinating travel for the Bahamas portion of Aaliyah’s Rock the Boat video shoot; Barry says Jomo was paid to handle travel but did not fulfill his duties.
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Barry Hankerson contends the fatal crash might have been avoided if Jomo had completed his compensated travel duties, asserting a direct link between the travel arrangement and the tragedy.
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The case has included fraud-related assertions about the settlement itself, with Barry arguing the settlement is invalid due to fraud and Jomo accusing Barry of hiding funds and imposing unrelated expenses to pressure him.
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TMZ has been a key outlet for reporting on the filings and allegations, with documents related to the dispute described in coverage from TMZ.
Aaliyah's family is locked in a $1.2 million lawsuit over music rights, with accusations that reach back to the singer's fatal 2001 plane crash. AOL reports that Jomo Hankerson, Aaliyah's cousin, sued his father Barry Hankerson and Blackground Records, claiming he is owed 12% of proceeds from a settlement covering recording masters and publishing rights for Aaliyah and other artists including Toni Braxton, DMX, and Timbaland.
Barry counters that the tragedy could have been prevented if Jomo had properly handled travel logistics for Aaliyah's Bahamas video shoot. TheGrio reports that the family dispute has surfaced a new allegation about the circumstances surrounding Aaliyah's death, deepening a rift between father and son that began after the singer died more than two decades ago.
A Settlement Dispute Over Music Catalogs
The core of the fight centers on who gets what from valuable music rights. AOL states that Jomo claims a settlement agreement entitles him to 12% of proceeds from recording masters and publishing rights tied to Aaliyah, Toni Braxton, DMX, and Timbaland. Barry alleges the settlement itself is invalid due to fraud, while Jomo accuses his father of hiding funds and piling unrelated expenses on him to force him to accept less than his rightful share.
Travel Arrangements and the 2001 Crash
Barry Hankerson makes an explosive claim: that the tragedy could have been avoided if his son had done his job. He says Jomo was paid to coordinate travel for the Bahamas portion of Aaliyah's 'Rock the Boat' music video shoot but failed to fulfill those duties. Barry draws a direct line between Jomo's actions—or inaction—and the fatal plane crash that killed the singer.
TheGrio reports this allegation has surfaced as the family dispute plays out through court filings. The lawsuit reopens old wounds, forcing the family and music industry to revisit the circumstances surrounding Aaliyah's death. Both Jomo and Barry deny wrongdoing and level serious accusations at each other, including threats to release unreleased material as leverage in the fight.
Allegations of Fraud and Hidden Funds
The dispute goes beyond simple money disagreements. Jomo claims Barry is concealing funds and using unrelated expenses to pressure him into accepting a smaller settlement. Barry responds by arguing the entire settlement agreement is fraudulent and should be invalidated. Both sides accuse the other of threatening to weaponize unreleased recordings.
The case involves multiple high-profile artists' catalogs, making the financial stakes enormous. AOL notes that damages sought exceed $1.2 million, with the lawsuit naming Blackground Records as a defendant alongside Barry Hankerson. The ongoing legal battle keeps the family conflict in public view as new court documents surface.
A Family Feud Two Decades in the Making
The tension between Barry and Jomo deepened after Aaliyah's death in 2001. What began as a family tragedy has evolved into a bitter fight over money, control, and legacy. TheGrio reports that the lawsuit has raised fresh questions about the events surrounding the fatal plane crash, forcing both sides to relitigate painful history through the lens of financial disputes and legal accusations.
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