The widow of the late rap legend Ol’ Dirty Bastard, Icelene Jones, has officially filed a lawsuit against Wu-Tang Productions, alleging that ODB is owed at least $1 million in unpaid royalties. As the administrator of the ODB’s estate, Jones’ suit points to a 1992 recording contract which states the late rapper would receive 50 percent of net royalties from the usage of his image or likeness. 

Although ODB’s estate recently received a royalty check for $130,000, from Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp., back in July 2021, as well as additional payments in 2019 and 2020, the new suit claims those figures only represent “a small percentage of amounts payable to the estate under the recording agreement.” 

In a recent statement to Page Six, Wu-Tang founder and ODB’s cousin, RZA responded to the suit, saying, “We have been very supportive in providing economically to the family through the estate and to his wife and children on record and off record.” RZA’s statement continues, “ODB’s potential share of those records are minimal, are dismal, but nevertheless after those products are recouped his prorated portion belongs to him.”

Jones’ suit also alleges that despite its repeated efforts and requests, the estate has not obtained payments and accountings since 2011.