NEW YORK – MARY 12: Flo Rida is at the Room to Read 2022 New York Gala at The Rainbow Room, May 12, 2022 in New York City.
Flo Rida could be seen bumping his hits in court last Wednesday. “Low,” “Right Round,” and “Good Feeling,” played and the rapper was seen bopping his head to the tracks. Flo Rida, Tramar Lacel Dillard, was sued by Strong Arm Productions and Celsius for alleged breach-of-contract and unpaid compensation in relation to an endorsement contract that was signed with the artist back in 2014. The deal was renewed in 2016. Law & Crime Network reports. The rapper received $82.6 million in damages. In 2021, the original complaint was filed.
The original complaint stated: “Flo Rida maintained a successful endorsement partnership with Celsius which was highly effective in opening new doors for Celsius and its products.”
It added: “As a music industry superstar and international icon with millions of digital followers, Flo Rida played an instrumental role as the worldwide brand ambassador and launched a new era for Celsius brand development, growth, and expansion.”
Flo Rida was a brand ambassador for Celsius. He used his music to promote Celsius products and featured Celsius projects in some of his music videos. Stereogum reports. According to a civil lawsuit, the rapper worked at the energy drink company from 2014 to 2018. The Associated Press.
“I would do my part in promoting this product worldwide and making sure I planted the correct seed for it to be successful. And I expected them to do their part, which didn’t happen,” the rapper testified per MiamiNewTimes.
“Flo Rida played an instrumental role in launching a new era for the company’s brand development, growth, and expansion, introducing Celsius to millions around the world,” the complaint said.
“Basically, I helped birth this company, and all we was looking for was some trustworthy people who acted as if they were family,” Dillard told AP. “And then when it comes down to the success of today, they just forgot about me.”
According to the lawsuit Celsius has agreed to per Music Business Worldwide: (1) To issue additional shares as bonus compensation once the Company achieved a specified dollar amount in ‘…gross cumulative Co-branded revenues in any twelve-month period during the Term…’ And (2) to issue another additional number of shares as incentive compensation once the Company sold a specified total of units of Co-branded Product through its channels of distribution following the execution of this Agreement …”
The lawsuit added: “Although both benchmarks were achieved, Celsius failed to notify Plaintiffs or issue the additional shares of company stock in breach of the 2014 Agreement.”
Additionally, Celsius “agreed to pay a royalty per case sold of Celsius domestic ready-to-drink Sparkling Orange and a royalty per box of domestically sold powdered sticks”, but that the company “failed to pay all royalties owed.”
Flo Rida spoke with reporters before Wednesday’s verdict was read. “It’s about my passion,” the rapper said of the case on Tuesday (Jan. 17) per Law & Crime Network. “It’s about my team. It’s about my dedication. It’s about something that I started years ago and just to see it come full-fledged like this–I hate for it to be this way.”
We feel that Flo Rida will keep blasting his music even after this huge win. Have a look below at the video:
