Chance the Rapper Wins Legal Battle with Former Manager

Chance the Rapper’s legal battle with former manager Pat Corcoran was resolved on Friday, with a jury ruling in favor of the rapper, born Chancelor Bennett. The artist was also awarded $35 – yes, $35 – in a countersuit he filed against Corcoran, alleging misconduct.

The issue:

• At the heart of the matter was Corcoran’s belief that he had a three-year post-termination sunset clause, allowing him to continue commissioning for three years after Bennett sacked him in April 2020.

• Such terms were never committed to writing.

• Bennett argued the agreement never existed.

• Corcoran’s lawyers claimed he was owed $3.8 million ($1.6 million in sunset clause commissions, and $2.2 million for unpaid work).

• Bennett countersued alleging misconduct, seeking $1 million in damages.

The verdicts:

• A jury rejected Corcoran’s $3.8 million claim.

• They also sided with Bennett on his 2021 countersuit, determining that Corcoran had interfered with the rapper’s business relationships and breached his contractual obligations, as per Music Business Worldwide.

• However, they found Bennett lacked sufficient evidence to quantify his breach of contract losses.

• He was awarded $35 in damages, and it was recommended that Corcoran hand over the ChanceRaps.com domain he still controls.

What they said:

• Jay Scharkey, one of Corcoran’s lawyers: “We respect the jury’s decision, but the message to music managers is clear: Get it in writing. The jury award of $35 speaks to how seriously the jury viewed Chance’s case.”