Aaliyah’s family legal battle has taken an expensive new turn, with her cousin Jomo Hankerson reportedly putting a $20 million price tag on ending his dispute with his father, Barry Hankerson. The staggering figure emerged as the two continue fighting over money tied to music assets involving the late singer and several other major artists.
Jomo reportedly informed his father’s legal team that he would settle his claims for $20 million. If Barry believes that amount is excessive, Jomo’s side wants him to hand over financial records related to the music at the center of their dispute.
The eight-figure demand comes after The Blast previously reported on the bitter father-son battle and Barry’s explosive allegations concerning the circumstances surrounding Aaliyah’s final trip.
3This amount is significantly higher than the damages that were discussed when the lawsuit first began.
Jomo sued his father and Blackground Records at the beginning of this year, by alleging that Barry owes him money from a previous settlement that involved valuable music rights. In response, Barry called out his son’s claims and proceeded to countersue.
However, reports confirm that the latest correspondence between both parties revealed the amount Jomo believes will help resolve their brawl once and for all.
The outlet reported that Jomo’s representatives communicated the $20 million settlement position to Barry’s side as the dispute over how much money is actually owed continues.
Presently, no agreement has taken place, and it is unclear if Barry will be willing to comply with his son’s demands.
Jomo Hankerson Demands Financial Records If His Father Rejects The Proposed Amount
Jomo is reportedly offering his father another option if he believes $20 million is too much. According to the legal correspondence obtained by TMZ, he wants Barry to turn over financial documents connected to the music assets involved in the lawsuit if he disputes the size of the settlement demand.
That request goes directly to one of the major issues behind Jomo’s case.
As The Blast previously reported, Jomo claims his father breached an earlier settlement concerning recording masters and music publishing rights. He also alleges that the agreement entitled him to 12 percent of proceeds generated from the relevant music assets.
Furthermore, he accused Barry of using Blackground Records to conceal money and create unrelated expenses that allegedly reduced the amount he received.
The disagreement over the finances means access to accounting records could become particularly important as Jomo attempts to establish how much money was generated and what portion, if any, he is entitled to receive.
For now, his $20 million settlement proposal suggests the divide between father and son remains substantial.
The Dispute Involves Music From Aaliyah And Several Major Artists
3In earlier reports, Jomo’s claims were not only concerning recording masters and publishing rights for Aliyah, but also other artists like DMX, Timbaland, and Toni Braxton. This collection could explain the increase in the financial stakes.
Additionally, Jomo claimed that he owned a percentage of the proceeds from these assets, which was never given to him.
In his suit, he initially asked for more than $1.2 million in damages. Now, his revised settlement amount only shows how much value he believes his stake in the music assets holds.
Although Barry has continued to dispute these allegations against him, Jomo is not relenting in his claims. The dispute between the family members has now added another complicated chapter to Aliyah’s music catalog. According to reports, the majority of her music was not available on major streaming services for many years.
Barry Hankerson Has Denied His Son’s Claims And Fired Back
Barry has challenged both his son’s allegations and the validity of the settlement agreement Jomo is relying on. As The Blast previously reported, Barry claims the settlement is invalid s. because it was allegedly executed under fraudulent circumstances. He has also accused his son of threatening to release previously unheard Aaliyah music if his financial demands were not met.
Still, Jomo denies wrongdoing. Things became even more personal with the family feud after Barry made a separate allegation concerning Aaliyah’s final trip back in 2001.
According to Barry, his son had been responsible for coordinating travel connected to the late singer’s music video shoot. He alleged that Jomo failed to perform that responsibility, a claim that Jomo has since denied.
Aaliyah’s Music Has Been At The Center Of Family Tension Before
3This current lawsuit comes after years of public discussion about the control and availability of Aaliyah’s music. For years, a large portion of the beloved singer’s catalog was unavailable on major streaming services. That changed back in 2021 when Blackground Records began digitally releasing several of her major projects.
At the time, Barry publicly acknowledged several individuals who were integral to Aaliyah’s career and legacy. Interestingly, among those saluted was Jomo, whom he thanked for his contribution to the project.
Years later, father and son are now sitting on opposite sides of a lawsuit involving music assets connected to Aaliyah and other major performers. As their dispute continues, Jomo’s $20 million proposal apparently represents the price he is willing to accept to settle his claims.
