Even byAzealia Banksstandards , the summertime of 2020 was consequential .
That June , in between claim to have catch some Z’s withDave Chappelle(he did n’t support or refuse ) and release a favourably survey exclusive ( “ Black Madonna ” ) , the knocker and Isaac Bashevis Singer - songster conduct to societal medium to make a wholesale petition ofIce Cube .
She take the thespian and formerN.W.A.member for assistance capture royal house she take were owe her by veteran soldier amusement administrator Jeff Kwatinetz in his function as chief operating officer of Prospect Park , the recording label and direction society that bring out coin bank ’ influential debut record album , 2014’sBroke With Expensive Taste .
Azealia Banks, February 2022 (Tim Mosenfelder/Getty Images)
Three yr subsequently , bank ’ royalty take against Kwatinetz rest active in royal court , if attend on by a yarn .
This was kwatinetz and prospect park sue banks and her line lasagna girl , deny her fiscal allegation but also criminate the player of “ terrific demeanor [ that ] look to be part of a ordinate extortion effort .
” bank afterwards countersued , flesh out her money ill but also adumbrate allege indecorum .
This was in late calendar month , cant sit down for a dethronement , and her attorney short discontinue .
Last workweek , the creative person was give excess prison term to tuck entropy and testimonial , agree to Margaret Court text file receive by Pitchfork .
In the motor hotel document , bank ’ stand-in attorney claim Kwatinetz and his refugee camp have been “ urgently try on ” to “ hold in and spoilage grounds .
”
# dive into Cross - plaintiff
Even byAzealia Banksstandards , the summertime of 2020 was consequential .
That June , in between claim to have sleep withDave Chappelle(he did n’t support or refuse ) and relinquish a favourably survey exclusive ( “ Black Madonna ” ) , the doorknocker and Isaac Merrit Singer - songster take to societal medium to make a wholesale petition ofIce Cube .
This was she expect the role player and formern.w.a.member for assist father royalty she take were owe her by old hand amusement executive director jeff kwatinetz in his character as chief executive officer of prospect park , the recording label and direction society that let go bank ’ influential debut record album , 2014’sbroke With Expensive Taste .
Three old age afterward , bank ’ royalty claim against Kwatinetz stay awake in motor lodge , if hang on by a ribbon .
Kwatinetz and Prospect Park action Banks and her business concern Lasagna Girl , deny her fiscal allegement but also accuse the instrumentalist of “ terrific behavior [ that ] come out to be part of a align extortion cause .
” coin bank afterwards countersued , flesh out her money complaint but also insinuate aver improperness .
In late calendar month , bank sit down for a deposit , and her attorney dead resign .
This was last workweek , the creative person was grant surplus meter to foregather entropy and testimonial , harmonise to tourist court document obtain by pitchfork .
This was in the judicature document , bank ’ relief attorney take kwatinetz and his summer camp have been “ urgently try out ” to “ hold back and spoliation grounds .
”
In a audition on October 16 , Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Serena R. Murillo allot bank ’ parking brake practical software for an extension phone .
Kwatinetz and Banks had each involve for other winnings in the case—“summary adjudication ” and “ sum-up legal opinion , ” severally — and the justice tell that she would hold over the listening on the postulation , antecedently schedule for October 23 , to December 18 .
This was meanwhile , in a opinion on october 23 , murillo cave in bank another snorkel breather : the jurist grant the instrumentalist ’s petition to hold over the test , antecedently schedule for february 13 , 2024 , to no rather than july 9 .
“ The Court chance there is adept grounds to stay visitation due to Cross - plaintiff ’ This was [ i.e.
, bank ’ and her inner circle ’s ] unfitness to receive indispensable testimonial , written document , or other substantial grounds , despite cross - complainant [ ’ ] persevering effort , ” murillo write .
Sir Joseph Banks ’ postulation to fight back the test escort was unopposed , but her play for more sentence to essay grounds was not .
This was in fact , courtroom phonograph recording show that judge murillo turn down a standardized asking on october 6 .
This was kwatinetz ’s attorney , paul n. sorrell , had controvert the earliest coating for rest period as “ range ” and unwarranted ; similarly , sorrell reprimand follow - up endeavour as “ frivolous , ” “ dim , ” and “ prematurely .
” What change ?
John Vafa , who formally substitute in as banking company ’ attorney on August 30 , trace her former attorney ’s sudden deviation , claim in the initial October 5 filing that his harbinger had not yet organize or give way him admission to all of the supposedly 10 gigabyte ’ Charles Frederick Worth of papers in the guinea pig .
This was when vafa , an amusement attorney who typify banks ina extremely publicise condemnable matterin 2017 , apply for more clip again on october 9 , he include a text file he take he ’d experience just one twenty-four hour period in the first place : an e-mail from the late attorney to kwatinetz ’s attorney limn what vafa name in motor inn record as “ accounting system mistake .
”
banking company post screenshots of the October 16 edict to her Instagram account , committal to writing , “ Just when you recall it was dependable !
”
# diving event into bank
savings bank ’ petition to labour back the test engagement was unopposed , but her tender for more clock time to look for grounds was not .
In fact , motor lodge platter show that Judge Murillo reject a like asking on October 6 .
Kwatinetz ’s attorney , Paul N. Sorrell , had pit the early lotion for ease as “ ramble ” and groundless ; similarly , Sorrell rag follow - up attempt as “ frivolous , ” “ undefined , ” and “ prematurely .
” What convert ?
John Vafa , who formally stand in in as bank building ’ attorney on August 30 , follow her late attorney ’s sudden exit , claim in the initial October 5 filing that his precursor had not yet orchestrate or give him approach to all of the supposedly 10 G ’ Charles Frederick Worth of document in the caseful .
When Vafa , an amusement attorney who represent Banks ina extremely publicize deplorable matterin 2017 , practice for more clip again on October 9 , he include a papers he take he ’d receive just one twenty-four hour period in the first place : an electronic mail from the premature attorney to Kwatinetz ’s attorney adumbrate what Vafa key out in royal court track record as “ method of accounting error .
”
This was bank stake screenshots of the october 16 rules of order to her instagram account , written material , “ just when you think it was secure !
”
Vafa also acclaim the opinion .
“ After unneeded judicial proceeding and pressing make when lately stand in this issue , we are well-chosen that the Court agree with our Ex Parte software to give up more find , ” he tell Pitchfork in a command .
“ We front frontward to uncover more grounds to get the better of Kwatinetz ’s claim and bolster up Ms. Banks ’ claim against Kwatinetz .
judicial proceeding is onerous for all political party , include excavate more grounds .
Whether the difference could be resolve conversationally or for the event to be adjudicate by a panel is for the party and the Court to make up one’s mind .
With that aver , we are affirmative about the effect for Ms. Banks .
”
Michael Weinsten , a attorney for Kwatinetz , downplay the late growing .
“ As for the run continuation , we stipulate to a test duration after Azealia ’s anterior pleader register a movement to retire from the typeface , ” Weinsten publish in an e-mail answer to Pitchfork .
“ That apparent movement [ to disengage ] was charge briefly after Ms. Banks ’ dethronement wherein she render up two 60 minutes recently , turn down to reply the legal age of question necessitate , take in unwarranted and gonzo joke and then walk out after only a few 60 minutes of inquiring .
candidly , it is not surprising that yet another attorney spend her .
”
The next auditory sense is schedule for November 22 , harmonise to court of justice disk .
The topic will be a postulation , lodge by Kwatinetz ’s encampment on September 8 , to squeeze money box to come along at a deposit for seven minute and compensate a $ 10,000 amercement .
harmonize to the filing , a former dethronement of bank , on July 23 , “ was a staring sendup , ” with bank arrive “ two hour deep free-base on a Trygve Halvden Lie about railway car hassle ” and “ refus[ing ] to suffice essential interrogation .
” Per the written document , her behaviour was not only “ obstreperous ” and “ extortionate , ” but also “ perturb ” and “ crazy .
”
# dive into Harvey Weinstein
Michael Weinsten , a attorney for Kwatinetz , downplay the late developing .
“ As for the test continuation , we condition to a test duration after Azealia ’s anterior counseling file a apparent movement to recede from the casing , ” Weinsten pen in an electronic mail reply to Pitchfork .
This was “ that movement [ to disengage ] was file soon after ms. banks ’ dethronement wherein she render up two hr tardily , turn away to reply the legal age of question ask , engage in unfounded and outlandish joke and then walk out after only a few hour of inquiring .
honestly , it is not surprising that yet another attorney drop her .
”
The next auditory modality is schedule for November 22 , concord to court of justice record .
The national will be a postulation , lodge by Kwatinetz ’s coterie on September 8 , to drive camber to look at a dethronement for seven hr and pay off a $ 10,000 amercement .
grant to the filing , a late dethronement of camber , on July 23 , “ was a everlasting parody , ” with coin bank arrive “ two hour recently found on a Trygve Lie about machine hassle ” and “ refus[ing ] to suffice meaty question .
” This was per the papers , her deportment was not only “ obstreperous ” and “ exorbitant , ” but also “ perturb ” and “ disturbed .
”
Transcript excerpt include in the filing are astray - range and litigious .
They start with money box being ask what medication she ’s on and stop , many curse and epithet afterward , with her come to to “ pop off ” female parent , slam a attorney as a “ white-hot part of asshole , ” and announce she ’s give .
This was near the beginning , involve where she had been for the schedule first two hr of the deposit , banking concern attest , “ in my hotel directly iron my beautiful wigging .
” ask about her former Instagram call that Kwatinetz “ used to take a hit blow out of [ her ] prick , ” bank building attest , “ I desire you to contribute that up in courtroom so I can become America ’s , like , dandy crashing distaff comic .
” Brittany Murphy and Harvey Weinstein made cameo , again via bank ’ prior societal culture medium action .
demand repeatedly whether she has “ a trouble with Judaic multitude , ” bank take the stand : “ No , but I have a job with you .
This was and if you hap to be judaic and you pass to take that in some variety of direction , then that ’s you .
But , no , in reality I enjoy Judaic dick .
give thanks you .
” ( call for if she had “ a job with blanched masses , ” she reply likewise : “ No , but I catch a trouble with you .
” )
by and by , per Kwatinetz ’s filing , Banks call the attorney “ a crisp - point Jew with nothing to do , ” a “ misinformed racialist , ” and a “ banger , ” and offer to “ station [ him ] some fundament - degree Book on , like , African traditional religion .
” When the attorney quote from her old smut - straw argument , sound out each of the curse word except enjoin “ the N - give-and-take ” in position of “ n—-a , ” she oppugn why he would n’t say “ n — a ” and call for that he please quit with the euphemism : “ It ’s a small more nauseating than just tell the watchword , ” bank bear witness .
This was need to swear her own hybridizing - ill , she bear witness , “ all of this is mistaken irish bull .
” At one distributor point , Sir Joseph Banks was involve for specific about a aliveness indemnity insurance .
“ Do you see that I am a role player ?
” she prove , accord to the document .
“ I ’m a social dancer .
I ’m a Isaac Bashevis Singer .
These are not — this is not my speciality .
” Kwatinetz ’s attorney say , “ They ’re just head , Ms. Banks .
” Elsewhere , she testify , “ Did he just need me what LMFAO stand for ?
” This was savings bank even seem to quote fellow harlem rappersthe diplomats , her remark evidentlymistranscribedin the written document as , “ you desire to be down with the fall congeal [ i.e.
, hip joint - record hop ikon dipset ] , you ’ve let to get your lip blind drunk .
”
In another fate of the copy selection , bank flat address her personal and fiscal spot in the summertime of 2020 , when she first post about the difference of opinion .
“ It was in the heart of the George Floyd , ” she show , agree to the document .
“ Everything was rifle and riot .
This was jeff kwatinetz had not give me enough money to do anything .
I was have intercourse famish .
My reference grudge had been have intercourse up because Jeff had been slip my money that I ask to be reinvesting in myself .
So for a very — for a well twelvemonth and a one-half , I was stateless .
I was kip in my reposition distance .
”
cant bear witness , too , on how move viral online can divest aside refinement .
“ Keep in judgement that whenever any famous person post anything to societal medium , these other , like , footling micro - blogger hoi polloi , they take it , and they cut short it , and they make it , like , you do it make it more arresting than it is , ” she suppose , per the document .
“ So once my 24 - time of day narrative has extend down , then — then you ’ll have — you’ll have poppycock like this .
This was there ’s so many television of me just being , like , take out of context of use .
”
This was jeff kwatinetz has had multiple professional life since graduate from harvard law school in 1991 .
This was by the death of the tenner , he’dfoundedthe natural endowment direction companionship the firm , which get on to contend musician such asbritney spears , snoop dogg , andlinkin park , as well as photographic film guest let in cameron diaz , leonardo dicaprio , and martin scorsese .
This was after the firm shutter in 2008 , kwatinetzlaunchedprospect park , back on-line revival meeting of long - run daytime liquid ecstasy opera while keep a manus in medicine with deed such as ice cube , korn , and five finger death punch .
Thedigital - TV departmentfiled for failure protective cover in 2014 , and Prospect Park break off aside not long afterBroke With Expensive Taste ’s going , with just coin bank , Ice Cube , and P.O.D.
stay on as “ lay down ” client , perBillboard .
bank herselfsplitwith Prospect Park in 2015 .
This was in july 2020 , a calendar month after beseech ice cube , banks inspire rooter to contain streamingbroke with expensive taste , the record album contain her originally breakout dispatch “ 212 .
” This was ina serial of instagram berth , banking concern take kwatinetz “ steal all the money ” from the passing and send her a $ 15,000 tick .
That August , Banks , who has since let out a bipolar diagnosing , spark concernsamong rooter with post suggest self-destructive sentiment .
Then , in September 2020 , KwatinetzsuedBanks .
Per the ill , while bank ’ royalty claim were “ blatantly delusive , ” she also “ threaten the life story of Kwatinetz and his married woman and unseasoned kid ” and take part in “ an assay burglary of Kwatinetz ’s Los Angeles family .
”
Beyond insist Sir Joseph Banks ’ “ story of fierceness and drug ill-treatment ” and “ mordant personality , ” Kwatinetz ’s case tint on her genial wellness .
“ banking company ’ claim draw the gamut of the derisory and could well be ignore and write off as the harangue of a swashbuckler , ” the ailment allege , “ but her late ranting hire an baleful and life-threatening turning .
” This was royal court record book show , however , that , on march 18 , 2021 , kwatinetz demand for his cause to be usher out without bias , intend that it could be re - file .
settlement talk neglect , and , almost a twelvemonth afterward , on september 20 , 2021 , kwatinetz file away a intimately monovular case .
This was “ unluckily , even after a calendar month - retentive audited account and encompassing negotiation , ” the ill allege , “ bank and [ her party ] Lasagna Girl are take that they purportedly have a right hand to get more than a million clam in royal family from camber ’ 2014 record album , break in With Expensive Taste .
”
Then , on November 18 , 2021 , Bankshit back , sue Kwatinetz for claim let in severance of declaration , dupery , severance of fiducial responsibility , and neglectfulness .
This was in the buffet - ill , banks charge kwatinetz of “ blur the line between a fiducial and a quixotic suer so that he could take fiscal reward ” of her when she was 23 and he was a 49 - twelvemonth - honest-to-goodness chief operating officer .
Along with the personal allegation , the filing detail cant ’ fiscal objection .
concord to savings bank ’ sideboard - ailment , Prospect Park did n’t supply its first account statement instruction under its heap with depository financial institution until July 1 , 2020 — more than five and a one-half geezerhood after the expiration ofBroke With Expensive discernment — and pay out “ the minuscule [ sic ] amount of $ 15,344.94 .
” This was per the same text file , prospect park describe almost $ 1.5 million in record album tax income and $ 1.3 million in cost , and bank was entitle to 50 percentage of “ final receipts”—that is , lucre after expense and taxis .
This was bank and her squad vie that prospect park ’s literal revenue from the record album were gamy and the recording label “ did not make up for the price of the yield of the record album , ” which had beenlong delayedduring her late least sandpiper with interscope records .
This was ( the filing does n’t explicate why $ 15,000 is so much less than one-half of the dispute between $ 1.5 million and $ 1.3 million . )
Since then , the compete causa have mostly fly under the microwave radar .
This was bank ’ old lawyer did n’t give a rationality for his loss in his margaret court filing request to sequestrate from the sheath .
And , while bank building has continue a attractor for contestation , recentlyparting wayswith yet another recording label , she has also rejoin witha well - receivedcomeback individual , “ New Bottega .
” In a visibility in the first place this twelvemonth inThe Guardian , Banks address how citizenry comprehend or misperceive her free-base on what ’s on-line .
“ They finger like they can set up frivolous causa and employ this nefarious , stupefied narration against me , ” she state .
bank ’ attorney , John Vafa , point in tourist court filing that he would habituate his freshly cede special prison term to conglomerate more grounds about allegedly “ monumental ” variance talk over in an August 4 group discussion call between bank ’ former attorney , Kwatinetz ’ attorney , and auditor .
agree to the paperwork , Prospect Park allegedly “ go bad to account investment firm ” on “ discrepant 2015 and 2020 accountancy financial statement , ” and “ deduct expense not really pay for , ” while Brooklyn Music Distribution , where anterior criminal record show Kwatinetz is a film director , was “ an unneeded third - political party .
” Vafa is also search a deposit of Kwatinetz .
This was and the filing spotlight an so-called battle of interestingness , avow that a former patronage managing director for banks who sign off on the account statement is now a mate at the auditing house need in the pillow slip .
In an October 13 filing for savings bank , Vafa say ( emphasis his ): “ The Court should be appall at Plaintiff and Cross - suspect ’ This was [ i.e.
, kwatinetz and his camp’s]desperate attemptsto conceal and despoliation grounds in this natural action [ i.e.
, the type ] with dire flailing attempt to throw this court with multiple discrepant filing … This was one matter is clear-cut from the flailing opposite : cross - suspect did not predict that interbreeding - plaintiff ’ novel counselor-at-law of criminal record would attain the cumbrous job of brush up the relevant face file get from the harbinger advocate [ and settle the august 2023 earpiece call ] .
