US R&B singer Summer Walker’s longtime label and management firm, LVRN, has countersued her over unpaid commissions and royalties, saying she breached their 2017 contract. The counterclaim comes as Walker pursues legal action to end her contracts with LVRN and Interscope Records.
LVRN alleges breach of contract#
Walker sued LVRN in August, accusing the Atlanta-based independent music company of skimming money from her music, touring and merchandise. LVRN denies those claims. In a new court filing, it says Walker breached the contract by refusing to share key percentages of her earnings.
LVRN’s lawyers wrote in a Monday (Nov. 9) countersuit: “Walker has acted in bad faith and been stubbornly litigious.”
Disputed commissions and royalties#
LVRN alleges Walker has not delivered several percentage cuts set out in the contract, including:
- a 7% commission from her Still Finally Over It arena tour this year
- a 20% share of her public performance royalties
- a 15% management commission on gross ancillary income
The legal documents do not specify which business deals the 15% commission relates to. They do list more than two dozen opportunities LVRN says it negotiated for Walker, describing them as “lucrative,” including:
- a partnership with Rihanna’s Savage x Fenty brand
- her opening act slot on Chris Brown’s Breezy Bowl stadium tour
- a performance at the FIFA (International Federation of Association Football) World Cup this year
LVRN is seeking unspecified financial damages from Walker for breach of contract.
Walker’s legal team responds#
Walker’s attorney, Keith Moten, said on Wednesday (Nov. 11) that the counterclaim “does nothing to change the fundamental issues at the heart of Summer’s lawsuit, nor does it diminish their obligation to account for their actions.”
“It is particularly disappointing that, rather than meaningfully addressing Summer’s serious allegations, LVRN is now seeking additional money from the very artist whose talent, hard work and success helped build its business,” Moten added. “We strongly dispute LVRN’s counterclaims and remain confident in the legal and factual grounds supporting Summer’s lawsuit. She remains steadfast in her pursuit of accountability, fairness and the freedom to move forward with her career on her terms. We intend to vigorously pursue those objectives through the courts.”
Interscope dispute and California statute#
Walker has pursued legal claims since the summer to sever her contracts with both LVRN and Interscope, which she jointly signed in 2017. Separately, in August she sent a notice to the Universal Music Group subsidiary invoking her rights under California’s seven-year statute. The state law allows individuals to cancel any personal contract that runs past that length of time.
The law has a catch: labels can sue for damages if an artist leaves a record deal after seven years but before all album commitments are fulfilled. Interscope did so last month, filing a $50 million lawsuit. It alleges Walker has delivered only three projects under the contract’s five-album commitment:
- her 2019 debut Over It, which reached No. 2 on the Billboard 200
- the 2021 chart-topper Still Over It
- another No. 2 set, Finally Over It, from 2025
Interscope has said it is “hopeful that our ongoing discussions will lead to an amicable resolution” with Walker. Moten, who also represents Walker in the Interscope case, previously said he was preparing to countersue the major label but “remains open to a constructive resolution.”
