Earlier this month, M.I.A. was removed from Kid Cudi’s Rebel Ragers tour after reportedly delivering a series of politically charged onstage comments. She’s now suing Cudi for ousting her from the tour. The 33-date tour was expected to pay her $2.8 million, and her contract allegedly granted her full creative control over her set. On Friday, May 29, M.I.A. filed a complaint in a California federal court claiming she was dismissed as part of a publicity stunt for a tour struggling with ticket sales.
“M.I.A. was terminated to generate publicity for the Tour, which has struggled with ticket sales,” the complaint states. “She was contractually allowed to say whatever she wanted on stage. M.I.A. now holds Kid Cudi accountable for his bad faith destruction of her contractual rights, business opportunities, and reputation.”
The filing also claims her removal led to additional financial losses, including a $290,000 private booking, a merch pop-up in Los Angeles, and a possible sync licensing deal. M.I.A. is seeking $2.8 million from Kid Cudi, along with punitive damages and legal fees.
