NEWARK (CN) - Gangsta rap group Mobb Deep claims its former manager, Norman "Purfekstorm" Bell, swiped master recordings and allowed others to release them without permission.
Plaintiffs Albert Johnson aka Prodigy and Kejuan Muchita aka Havoc say they hired Bell in May 2004, for a commission of 20% of their net income. They say they fired him November 2007. The rappers say the allegedly stolen material was taken from their studio, where it was stored, and that they did not want it released.
They claim the offending material they have discovered so far includes a double album, "Mobb Deep: The Infamous Archives," released in March 2007 by Streetcore Music and Traffic Entertainment Group and distributed by Revolver.
Also, "Mobb Deep: The Mix Tape Before 9.11," released on October 2004 by Big Brother Music and X-Ray Records. Bell is listed as an executive producer on this one, the complaint states.
Also, "Purfek Storm Mix Tape Vol. 1."
"Bell, amongst others, was directly involved in each of the referenced unauthorized releases," the complaint states. It claims that Bell and Bob Perry conspired to release the "Infamous Archives" CD by forging the plaintiffs' signature. They demand more than $1 million in damages and want all the bootleg items destroyed. They are represented in Federal Court by John Rannells of Raritan.
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