A legal fight inside Aaliyah’s family is putting the late singer’s music legacy back in the headlines. TMZ reports that Jomo Hankerson has sued his father, Barry Hankerson, and Blackground Records over what he describes as an unpaid share of music rights and revenue.
Barry, Aaliyah’s uncle and longtime manager, founded Blackground Records. According to the report, Jomo alleges that a settlement entitled him to a 12 percent interest connected to masters and publishing involving Aaliyah, Toni Braxton, DMX and Timbaland. He is seeking more than $1.2 million.
Both sides are making serious claims
Barry denies wrongdoing and disputes the validity of the alleged settlement. His response also revives a painful family accusation tied to Aaliyah’s fatal 2001 plane crash in the Bahamas, claiming Jomo failed to coordinate travel and suggesting the tragedy might otherwise have been avoided.
Those statements, along with Jomo’s financial allegations, are claims made in litigation and have not been established as fact. The case now places private family grievances, control of a celebrated catalog and questions about past business arrangements into the same public courtroom battle.
Aaliyah’s music has remained culturally influential for decades, which makes any dispute over ownership and royalties especially consequential. For now, the filing opens a new chapter in the complicated history surrounding Blackground Records and the singer’s catalog.
Facts first. Side-eye included.
DJF separates what is confirmed from what is claimed—and tells you why this particular mess is worth your time.
Roxy Static
Celebrity Chaos & PR EmergenciesRaised on MTV, mall gossip, and celebrity apologies that answered absolutely nothing. Roxy covers fame, fallout, and the PR statement nobody believed.
“If the apology uses the phrase “my truth,” Roxy has already opened a new tab.”