Music Label Sues Iggy Azalea

HOUSTON (CN) - Iggy Azalea ditched her 2012 recording contract when her career took off, a music publisher claims in court.

Make Millions Music sued Universal Music Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing, Araca Merchandise and Araca Productions on Thursday in Harris County Court.

Make Million claims that Azalea - Amethyst Amelia Kelly - stopped performing under their agreement and now denies ever signing it.

Azalea is not a party to the complaint.

The New York City-based music company claims the defendants have stopped communicating with it and encouraged the Austrian rapper to breach her recording contract by paying her advances.

The Texas contract dispute is the latest problem for Azalea. The chart-topper filed a 2014 federal lawsuit in Los Angeles claiming that her former boyfriend Maurice Williams - also known as the rapper Jefe Wine - stole unreleased songs from her.

Thursday's 12-page complaint claims Williams was the owner of a 2009 "valid and enforceable contract" with Azalea, which she "performed and operated under."

Make Millions claims that on March 14, 2012, Williams agreed to sell all interest and ownership rights of the contract to it for $25,000, after negotiating with attorneys, Azalea, and her manager, George Robertson.

"The assignment to plaintiff includes, but is not limited to, all the recordings, merchandising, copyrights, trademarks, video, likeness, performance and all other rights under the recording contract," Make Millions says in the lawsuit.

In continues: "Subsequent to the assignment, Kelly refused to honor and comply with the terms of the recording contract. Further, after the assignment, Kelly's musical career escalated and, unknown to plaintiff and in violation of the recording contract and assignment, Kelly began communication and negotiation with other parties, including defendants, and in direct breach of her recording contract sold rights and services owned by plaintiff by entering agreements with defendants."

Make Millions claims that the recording contract predates any agreement or contract held by defendants in law and equity.

It claims that the defendants knew of the 2012 agreement but interferes with it anyway by marketing Azalea merchandise, taking payments and providing services to the rapper.

Make Millions seeks damages for tortious interference with contract, conspiracy to interfere with contract, conversion and negligence.

It is represented by Joseph Dahr Jamail III and Robert Taylor II, both of Houston.

Azalea rose to fame with her 2014 debut album, "The New Classic," which includes the hits "Fancy," "Black Widow," and "Work." She received four nominations at this year's Grammy awards, including Record of the Year and Best New Artist.

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