NEW YORK (CN) - Rappers Lil Kim and Foxy Brown must return their publisher's advances after failing to deliver finished manuscripts of their books, Simon & Schuster claims in separate lawsuits filed in New York County Supreme Court.
Lil Kim, whose given name is Kimberly Jones, allegedly failed to finish her book, "Untitled Novel," within 30 days of the June 30, 2004, deadline, but refused to return the $40,000 advance.
Inga Marchand, who performs as Foxy Brown, missed her Feb. 1, 2006 deadline for "Broken Silence" and kept the $75,000 advance, a second lawsuit claims.
The publisher says the artists violated the terms of their publishing agreements, which stated: "Timely delivery of the Work, editorially satisfactory to the Publisher in length, content and form, is essential to the Publisher and is of the essence of this Agreement."
Mark Lawless is representing the plaintiff in both cases.
Subscribe to Closing Arguments
Sign up for new weekly newsletter Closing Arguments to get the latest about ongoing trials, major litigation and hot cases and rulings in courthouses around the U.S. and the world.