Record label MMMG sues Cordae, EMPIRE, Apeshit, and Mass Appeal over the single A Good Day

What was filed

The complaint is Document 1 in No. 1:26-cv-09079, U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, filed October 15, 2026 (20 pages). The plaintiff is MMMG, Inc., which the complaint describes as a record label, a Delaware corporation with its principal place of business in Florida. The defendants are Cordae Dunston, professionally known as Cordae, a recording artist and a citizen of California; EMPIRE Distribution, Inc., a Delaware corporation based in Florida that the complaint describes as a record label and distributor; Apeshit, Inc., a Delaware corporation based in California; and Mass Appeal Records, LLC, a New York limited liability company based in New York. The complaint describes Apeshit and Mass Appeal as record labels. Counsel for MMMG is Cohen and Gresser LLP of New York, New York. MMMG demands a jury trial. (Compl. paras. 1, 11 to 15; pp. 1, 3 to 4, 20.)

The recording agreement

The complaint alleges that MMMG and Cordae entered into an exclusive recording agreement effective April 2018, under which MMMG is entitled to Cordae's exclusive services as a recording artist during the term, the masters made during the term are works made for hire owned by MMMG, and, if they are found not to be works made for hire, their copyrights are deemed irrevocably assigned to MMMG (Section 11(a)). It quotes provisions giving MMMG exclusive merchandising rights with a 50-50 split of net income (Section 7) and exclusive rights in what the agreement calls Ancillary Endeavors, such as touring and endorsements, with MMMG receiving 30 percent of net receipts (Sections 11(g) and 11(h)). (Compl. paras. 23 to 29; pp. 5 to 7.)

It alleges the term is ongoing: MMMG exercised its options for additional contract periods, Cordae has delivered two albums, both released, and the parties are in the second optional contract period. It alleges Atlantic Recording Corporation distributed both albums under a September 25, 2018 distribution agreement that Atlantic said ended on September 2, 2025, and that two days later MMMG told Cordae's counsel it had a new distribution agreement with Stem Disintermedia Inc. The complaint alleges that Cordae did not object during the shopping period of up to six months that the agreement allows, and that his representatives first raised challenges to the Stem agreement after MMMG's August 2026 letters, including one of his attorneys' contention that he had not signed an inducement letter; it contends waiver and estoppel bar those challenges. (Compl. paras. 30 to 40, 48 to 49; pp. 7 to 11, 13 to 14.)

What the complaint alleges

The complaint alleges that on or about August 19, 2026, the defendants announced an album titled Heavy Is The Crown, featuring Cordae's recorded performances, for release on October 23, 2026, without a license from MMMG. It alleges MMMG sent a cease-and-desist letter to EMPIRE and Mass Appeal on August 20, 2026, with a copy to Cordae's attorneys, and a separate letter to Cordae's attorneys giving notice of breach. It alleges that on September 16, 2026, the defendants released an advance single, A Good Day, to digital service providers for streaming and download, along with a music video in which Cordae performs, and that MMMG owns the copyright in that sound recording, Registration No. SR 1-078-770. It also alleges Cordae has for years sold merchandise and furnished touring and other services without accounting to MMMG. (Compl. paras. 8, 41 to 46, 50 to 51; pp. 3, 11 to 14.)

Counts and relief

Count I, against all defendants, alleges willful copyright infringement of A Good Day under 17 U.S.C. 106 and 501, by reproduction, adaptation, distribution, and public performance, including the music video as a derivative work. It seeks actual damages and profits of no less than $5 million under 17 U.S.C. 504(b) or, at MMMG's election, statutory damages of up to $150,000 per work infringed under 17 U.S.C. 504(c), fees and costs under 17 U.S.C. 505, and a permanent injunction under 17 U.S.C. 502. It says MMMG will add claims if more tracks from the album are released. Count II, against Cordae, alleges breach of Sections 2, 7, and 11 of the recording agreement and seeks no less than $15 million. Count III, against EMPIRE, Apeshit, and Mass Appeal, alleges tortious interference with the recording agreement and seeks no less than $5 million plus punitive damages. (Compl. paras. 53 to 75 and prayer; pp. 15 to 19.)

The U.S. Copyright Office public catalog lists Registration No. SR0001078770 for the sound recording A Good Day, registered September 16, 2026, with MMMG Inc. as author and claimant and a first publication date of September 16, 2026.