Mass Appeal, the hip-hop label founded by legendary rapper Nas, has reached a settlement in a racism lawsuit filed by former executive Melissa Cooper. The lawsuit, which had been ongoing since 2023, accused the label of racism and discrimination, claiming a hostile work environment stemming from alleged actions by the label’s CEO, Peter Bittenbender, and former content chief, Jenya Meggs.
The legal battle began in October 2023 when Cooper, who served as the head of development at Mass Appeal, alleged that Meggs displayed animosity towards her, citing her status as a “white woman working in hip-hop.” According to Cooper, Meggs refused to cease her negative behavior, which included derogatory comments and ultimately led to Cooper’s removal from significant projects, including the Hip Hop 50 Live Concert. This culminated in Cooper’s termination from the label in June 2023.
Cooper later claimed that a former partner of Meggs provided her with messages in which Meggs allegedly referred to her using a racial slur and made disparaging remarks about “white folk.” Despite presenting these messages to Bittenbender, Cooper stated he dismissed the allegations, asserting that her termination was due to performance issues rather than any discriminatory practices.
Bittenbender, in response to the lawsuit, denied all allegations of racism, describing the texts as “taken out of context” and referring to them as a “red herring.” He insisted that Cooper’s firing was justified based on her performance during her tenure at Mass Appeal.
On June 13, 2025, both parties filed a joint motion to dismiss the lawsuit, indicating they had reached a settlement agreement, although specific details of the settlement have not been disclosed at this time.
While the legal issues have been resolved, Mass Appeal continues to thrive in the music industry. Nas is currently involved in the release of seven projects from some of hip-hop’s most iconic artists and producers. Recently, Slick Rick made waves with the release of his album VICTORY, his first in 25 years, highlighting the label’s ongoing commitment to promoting legendary talent.
As Mass Appeal moves forward, the resolution of this lawsuit allows the label to refocus on its musical endeavors, reinforcing its position in the hip-hop landscape while navigating the complexities of the industry.
