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The Lox and P. Diddy Fight Over Publishing
Friday, November 18, 2005
By: Michael Ivey
 Thursday Bad Boy Records CEO and hip hop mogul P. Diddy appeared on New York’s Hot 97 responding to allegations that he’s stealing from his former artists, The Lox. Wednesday Jadakiss and Styles P reiterated that they won’t record with Interscope Records because Diddy allegedly owns fifty percent of their publishing. Jadakiss said “it’s worth dying over, it’s worth killing over.” He took responsibility for signing away on the deal ten years ago, but says it’s time to re-negotiate and Diddy refuses. “He’s so much of a gangsta with the paper work that he’ll tell you one thing, then tell his lawyer or somebody that represents him something else.” Diddy then called in live to refute their accusations and the three argued back and forth, the Lox calling him a coward and thief. Diddy said he’ll be at the office if the group wants to set up a meeting. Styles and Kiss dismissed that offer saying there’s no way it can be solved without “middle men” and Diddy knows it.
Thursday Diddy joined Angie Martinez to break down the details of his publishing deal with The Lox. They initially signed with Bad Boy for six albums, then demanded their release, which cost Interscope CEO Jimmy Iovine $3 million. Diddy claims their current grievance is a continuation of the prior situation saying it’s, “let the Lox go part two. Let’s not sugar coat it, they retired last week. This works for them. I can’t knock they hustle, but this works for them.” Converse to Styles’ claim that they’ve gone through ten years and seven lawyers trying to get a new publishing deal, Diddy says it’s a publicity stunt fueled by a recent 50 Cent jab. “There was a mixtape that was out. They got other beef. On the end of that mixtape it was said [by 50 Cent], “yo Diddy, let me buy the publishing.”” Jadakiss rebutted this Wednesday, saying the 50 Cent situation is a non violent business opportunity, but Diddy’s ownership affects their livelihood.
Diddy says the truth is he owns twenty percent of their publishing and has only received $400,000 to the Lox’s $1.5 million, from their post Bad Boy releases. Angie Martinez countered Diddy’s contracts and canceled checks with a summary supplied by Lox representatives, which reportedly says Diddy has a “worldwide” fifty percent interest in their recordings. Diddy was indignant over being labeled a thief and maintains it’s eighty/twenty. The Lox also claim it’s a lifetime deal and Diddy responded with “to be honest this is so embarrassing for them and for me to be saying it like this: they just don’t know the business. That’s not the truth.” He added, “we have them for five more options.” The Lox say those are Bad Boy options and since they’re no longer Bad Boy artists Diddy is holding on for pure greed.
Even though The Lox and Sean “Diddy” Combs seemingly made peace after performing at the Jay-Z and Nas performance truce last month, the former Bad Boy rappers’ long-running complaints against the mogul have re-surfaced.
On Angie Martinez’s Hot 97 radio show, The Lox members Jadakiss and Styles P made a passionate, aggressive plea for their publishing and autonomy from Combs, who they claim owns half of their collective publishing.
“Imagine working for years working for years, hard work and somebody that has nothing to do with that is getting the bulk of it. You’d be totally, utterly frustrated. And, you tryin’ to get around it for years and you call about it with lawyers, but people are too powerful,” said Style P, alluding to Combs’ influence.
The Lox released their debut, Money, Power, Respect, in 1998, but departed Combs’ Bad Boy Records after orchestrating the legendary “Free The Lox” campaign. Styles, Jadakis and Sheek Louch, who was absent at the New York radio station, then joined the Ruff Ryders under the Interscope banner. The group recently vowed that they would no longer record for their label, Interscope Records, due to issues with company brass and Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson’s apparent power with the company.
“This ain’t no varmint talk – this is real life,” said Jadakiss. Eventually, Sean “Diddy” Combs called from his Manhattan office to confront The Lox and counter their claims.
“If somebody is getting in the way of you expressing yourself, you can come get at me directly,” said Diddy from the phone. “We’re businessmen. We’re all mature adults here. Y’all sit on this interview and talk as long as you want to talk or you can take the invitation I extended before. Its not even getting there -You getting on the radio, whatever tactic – I’m not your enemy. Don’t sit here and portray that Puff took something from y’all.”
Immediately, Jadakiss retorted, “Well, what is it then? What do you call it? We can’t handle it any other way dealing with lawyers and you know that. So don’t get on the radio and act like a tough guy.”
The conversation degenerated to the point where none of the parties statements were nearly incomprehensible.
“I’m a grown a** man,” said Diddy.
“You a coward,” Jadakiss responded.
“You a thief,” followed Styles.
A seemingly frustrated Diddy eventually hung up the phone as The Lox continued to vent their grievances to Martinez and the listening “We want our publishing, dog, and we got a right to that. Its been years now,” Styles P shrieked. “We been through seven lawyers and all kinds of things.”
Eventually, Mase and Lil’ Cease also joined into the fray and Biggie’s publishing became topical as well as Shyne’s jail term. After the screaming and bickering died down, Jadakiss and Styles said they would be willing to speak to Combs if they could initially avoid middlemen and council.
“At the least we want to sit down and see what we can work out without running each other in circles and telling you to call somebody and they you telling them you don’t know nothing about it,” Kiss said.
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