In a significant move that could reshape the landscape of artist rights, JR Writer has filed a lawsuit against Universal Music Group (UMG) in federal court, seeking compensation for unpaid master royalties linked to his contributions to classic tracks by Cam’ron and Juelz Santana. The Harlem rapper, whose real name is Rusty Brito, aims to reclaim what he believes is rightfully owed to him for his work on two iconic Roc-A-Fella Records songs: “Shake” from Cam’ron’s 2004 album Purple Haze and “Squalie” from Juelz Santana’s 2003 debut, From Me 2 U.
Filed in the Southern District of New York on June 5, the lawsuit alleges that UMG has engaged in accounting practices that amount to unjust enrichment by collecting streaming royalties from these tracks while failing to compensate JR Writer adequately. Importantly, the lawsuit does not involve Cam’ron or Juelz Santana; rather, the dispute is strictly with the corporate entity that has been profiting from the music.
JR Writer’s complaint is backed by a robust paper trail, as he is officially recognized as a copyright claimant and co-author in the U.S. Copyright Office for both songs. He is credited as a co-writer of the lyrics on “Shake,” alongside Cam’ron, and appears on “Squalie” under his legal middle name, Marcos Brito. Spotify and other major digital streaming platforms have also acknowledged him as a featured artist and co-writer on both tracks, which has allowed him to collect ASCAP publishing royalties and SoundExchange performance royalties.
In April 2025, JR Writer initiated a lengthy process to resolve the issue, spending nine months engaging with UMG’s royalty helpdesk. He submitted various forms of identification and documentation as requested, yet UMG continued to stonewall his attempts to access master royalties, citing an internal policy that demands an “artist agreement, Letter of Direction, or label waivers” for any disbursement of funds. JR Writer’s lawsuit contends that such an agreement does not exist, as he never signed any work-for-hire contract or waiver regarding his royalties.
The suit argues that UMG’s position is fundamentally flawed. According to federal copyright law, a transfer of rights must be documented in a signed written instrument, which JR Writer asserts never occurred. The burden of proving any rights transfer lies with UMG, not the artist whose rights are allegedly being transferred. This legal battle echoes a similar dispute involving Cam’ron and UMG concerning credit and royalty accounting for J. Cole’s “Ready ’24.”
JR Writer’s legal team is pursuing a comprehensive accounting of all revenue generated from both tracks since their initial release, in addition to his rightful share of master and publishing royalties. They are also seeking damages for unjust enrichment and a court order to ensure that UMG accurately identifies him in its records.
As the lawsuit unfolds, it highlights ongoing issues within the music industry regarding artist compensation and rights management, raising critical questions about transparency and fairness in the distribution of royalties. For more updates on this developing story and other legal battles in the entertainment world, be sure to visit hiphopraisedmetheblog.com.
