R&B singer Tank was sued Monday by a law firm that alleges he owes it more than $265,000 for representing him in a federal copyright infringement case.
McPherson LLP brought the Los Angeles Superior Court lawsuit against the 46-year-old performer, whose real name is Durrell Artaze Babbs. The firm alleges breach of contract and seeks at least $265,710, plus interest. The firm is headed by Edwin McPherson, a longtime representative of many celebrities, including Sandra Bullock.
A representative for the “Please Don’t Go” singer could not be immediately reached.
Tank called the firm, then known as McPherson Rane LLP, in June 2018 to represent him, his record label and his manager after musician Kerry Marshall Jr. sued in federal court, alleging Tank used portions of Marshall’s original copyrighted track from Marshall’s YouTube channel in Tank’s song, “Only One.” Marshall alleged Tank copied key structural elements, themes and motifs from Marshall’s song.
Babbs agreed to pay to McPherson LLP all costs and fees associated with his representation and the law firm provided a vigorous defense before the case ultimately settled, the McPherson suit states.
Tank made occasional payments for 10 months, but then stopped meeting his obligations even though the law firm continued to work “tirelessly” for him and the other defendants “without getting paid anything for months on end,” the McPherson suit states.
After initially responding to inquiries about payment by saying it would be forthcoming, Babbs stopped responding to the law firm’s communications and continued to fail to meet his obligations, the suit alleges.
