Chris Brown’s Former Agent Sues Sony

(CN) - Talent agency Boy Blue says R&B singer Chris Brown reneged on their 2002 management contract under the guise that he was "uncertain of his desire to continue" his career as a musician.

Boy Blue says that in March 2002 Brown and his mother, Joyce Hawkins, signed a 1-year exclusive management agreement granting it 25 percent of Brown's gross income.

The contract was to renew automatically for 4 years, unless Boy Blue declined renewal, according to its complaint in Richmond, Va., City Court.

In September 2002, Boy Blue says, it started to have trouble contacting Brown and Hawkins. Later that month, Brown said he was considering ending his career as a musician.

Boy Blue says it reminded Brown that he was still under contract.

Then, the agency says, Brown recorded a song with co-defendants Lamont Fleming and Hit Music Production, while still under contract with Boy Blue.

Zomba Recording, a division of Sony Music Entertainment, signed Brown to one of its labels in 2004, though it knew of Brown's agreement with Boy Blue, according to the complaint.

Boy Blue demands damages for $475,000 from Zomba, Sony, Hit Mission and Fleming. Chris Brown is not named as a defendant.

Boy Blue is represented by Anthony Tacconi of Glenn Allen, Va.

Brown released his third studio album, "Graffiti," under the Zombie imprint. The album garnered less than stellar reviews.

In August, Brown pleaded guilty to felony assault for beating his then-girlfriend, the pop singer Rhianna. Court documents showed that the beating was the couple's third "domestic incident." Brown was sentenced to 180 days of labor in his native Virginia and 5 years of probation.

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