MC Lyte's Rep Responds To Unpaid Wages Lawsuit By Former Employee

BY Erika Marie 1.7K Views
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MC Lyte
The employee claims he's owed over $38K.

Rap legend MC Lyte has found herself on the receiving end of a lawsuit. A man named Christopher Smith says that he worked for MC Lyte's production and entertainment management company, Sunni Gyrl Inc. He was brought on as an animator, writer, and artist, but he claims that he's been stiffed for 1,228 working hours.

According to TMZ, Smith states that he worked tirelessly on a project but is still owed $38,375. He alleges that when he was laid off from the project he did receive a check for a little over $11K from Lyte and her business partner, Lynn Richardson, but when he tried to cash it, it bounced. Frustrated with the situation, Smith filed a lawsuit against the rapper and her company.

Lyte, however, says that Smith is only telling half-truths. She does admit that he was an employee of Sunni Gyrl, but states that he "demanded payment" before the project was completed. A representative for MC Lyte told TMZ that Smith and Sunni Gyrl did reach a settlement agreement regarding his wages, but it was under the condition that Smith would sign overl ownership of the some of his illustrations. The rep also says that the check didn't bounce due to lack of funds; there was a stop payment placed on the check because Smith didn't turn over the agreed-upon work. 

"Mr. Smith's frivolous lawsuit is smoke-and-mirrors and a misguided attempt to publicly harass and intimidate MC Lyte and Sunni Gyrl," the rep added.


About The Author
Since 2019, Erika Marie has worked as a journalist for HotNewHipHop, covering music, film, television, art, fashion, politics, and all things regarding entertainment. With 20 years in the industry under her belt, Erika Marie moved from a writer on the graveyard shift at HNHH to becoming a Features Editor, highlighting long-form content and interviews with some of Hip Hop’s biggest stars. She has had the pleasure of sitting down with artists and personalities like DJ Jazzy Jeff, Salt ’N Pepa, Nick Cannon, Rah Digga, Rakim, Rapsody, Ari Lennox, Jacquees, Roxanne Shante, Yo-Yo, Sean Paul, Raven Symoné, Queen Naija, Ryan Destiny, DreamDoll, DaniLeigh, Sean Kingston, Reginae Carter, Jason Lee, Kamaiyah, Rome Flynn, Zonnique, Fantasia, and Just Blaze—just to name a few. In addition to one-on-one chats with influential public figures, Erika Marie also covers content connected to the culture. She’s attended and covered the BET Awards as well as private listening parties, the Rolling Loud festival, and other events that emphasize established and rising talents. Detroit-born and Long Beach (CA)-raised, Erika Marie has eclectic music taste that often helps direct the interests she focuses on here at HNHH. She finds it necessary to report on cultural conversations with respect and honor those on the mic and the hardworking teams that help get them there. Moreover, as an advocate for women, Erika Marie pays particular attention to the impact of femcees. She sits down with rising rappers for HNHH—like Big Jade, Kali, Rubi Rose, Armani Caesar, Amy Luciani, and Omerettà—to gain their perspectives on a fast-paced industry.

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