Summer Walker’s Label Battle Reaches Point Of No Return Amid Fraud Accusations

Summer Walker sued Love Renaissance for fraud and sought to end her label and management deal over money she claimed the company kept.

The case became public this week through reporting by Rolling Stone and Billboard. Summer Walker filed the suit August 28, weeks before Interscope brought its separate $50 million claim against her.

Summer Walker accused LVRN of taking funds set aside for her tours, music, marketing and merchandise. She claimed the firm used those budgets to cover excessive company costs.

The disputed income included Amazon sales of goods carrying her name and image. Summer Walker alleged that LVRN sold those items through Amazon and other sites but failed to pay her a share of the sales.

She also accused LVRN of running a YouTube account she hadn’t known about. She claimed the firm erased the account’s past data before putting her in charge and never paid her any income from it.

Her lawyer, Keith Moten, said on Tuesday that her main goal was to end the deal.

“Most importantly, we also have very strong legal grounds for the court to order Summer’s release from her deal with LVRN as well,” Moten told Rolling Stone.

Billboard reported that Summer Walker described a deal that gave LVRN control beyond her music. She said it covered touring, merchandise and use of her name and image. Summer Walker alleged that no independent lawyer advised her before she signed.

Her fight with LVRN began before Interscope sued her on October 9. She had told Interscope she would stop working under its deal as of August 27, citing California’s seven-year rule. Interscope sought damages over recordings it said she still owed under a five-album commitment, while Summer Walker disputed its claims.

LVRN had moved toward a wider independent business, but it kept ties to Interscope involving Summer Walker.

In a June interview, LVRN CEO Tunde Balogun said the companies still worked together on Summer Walker and 6lack. For its broader business, LVRN chose Sony-owned The Orchard to distribute its music.

The new allegations followed a different public account of her deal in 2021. Summer Walker pushed back on reports about her original contract at the time, saying her terms had changed and she had her own representation and LVRN’s support.

LVRN did not respond to either outlet’s request for comment before their Tuesday reports. Summer Walker sought damages as well as an order voiding her September 15, 2017, agreement with the company.