P. Diddy's Procrastination Problem
The world will have to wait awhile for P. Diddy's magnum opus--the rapper apparently has little time to sit down and write these days, even though that didn't stop him from taking a hefty advance for his memoirs.
Random House sued the rap mogul Monday, alleging the hip-hop kingpin otherwise known as Sean Combs kept a $300,000 advance for an autobiography he never got around to writing.
The New York-based publishing giant contends that Combs got the money in 1998 for completed manuscript by Dec. 15, 1999. Despite repeated reminders from Random House indicating he was in breach of contract over the last six years, Diddy failed to deliver the literary goods, says the publisher.
"Random House has seldom resorted to a legal course of action with its prospective authors who don't write the books we have contracted for, but Mr. Sean Combs has left us no choice," Random House said in a statement Tuesday.
"We now have waited for over five years and have received neither the manuscript nor the return of the money we advanced Mr. Combs."
Combs' publicist, Rob Shuter, told the Associated Press Tuesday that the lawsuit was the result of a communication breakdown. "We anticipate that this will be resolved quickly," he said.
The book in question was to have featured Combs' musings on a number of subjects, with the help of Rolling Stone contributing editor Mikal Gilmore.
However, in 2001, Combs had his own falling out with Gilmore--suing the scribe for allegedly bailing on the project after pocketing $325,000. The case was suspended later that year when Gilmore filed for bankruptcy and eventually dismissed in 2004.
While music types are fond of putting their life stories in print for the ages, it's not unheard of for a major star to develop writer's block. Rolling Stone Mick Jagger once received a seven-figure advance to write his memoirs before eventually returning the money, conceding he didn't remember enough of his exploits to fill a book. (The band wound up releasing a joint memoir in 2003.)
Combs is no stranger to lawsuits, keeping his lawyers well occupied with no fewer than six lawsuits in the last five years brought by everyone from his former limo driver to his on again/off again gal-pal Kim Porter.
The Grammy-winning rapper might be close to sealing a deal to pay for all the legal fees. The New York Daily News reported last week that Combs is close to selling his Bad Boy Entertainment label to Warner Music for $30 million. Neither Combs nor Warner Music have confirmed the report.
The Big Picture
All Growed Up Guess Zac has officially adopted the smoldering look, 'cause we haven't seen a smile in weeks
More PhotosMost Commented
- Bitch-Back! Breaking News—Johnny's a Hottie (916)
- Rob and Kristen "Relaxed" Together in NYC (673)
- Costars and Suits Give Robsten Their Blessings! (650)
- Rob Flies Back to L.A. With Kristen (565)
- Truth, Lies & Ted: Twilight Special (478)
- Why Won't Sarah Palin Go Away? (448)
- Adam Lambert: For Your Entertainment—or His? (439)
- Is New Moon Even Good? (425)
- Review: New Moon Is Either Just Fine or Way Mopey, Depending On Who You Are (364)
- Bitch-Back! Is There Drama on the Gossip Girl Set? (345)
Top 10 Stories
- Dancing With the Stars: A New Winner Raises the Disco Ball
- J.Lo's Ex: There's "Maybe One Spanking," but I'm Not Selling a Sex Tape
- Nicole Richie Back in Her Own Bed
- GMA Doesn't Want Adam Lambert's Sloppy Seconds...Cue The Early Show!
- Goodbye or Good Riddance to Jon & Kate Plus 8?
- Oprah's Mom Settles Clothes Call Lawsuit
- Rihanna Sings Threesome, Avoids Going Naked on GMA
- Michael Lohan Runs Out of Family Members to Alienate, Starts Leaking Jon Gosselin Tapes
- It's a Sexy Job, but Adam Lambert's Gotta Do It!
- Donny Discovers Parts He Never Had Before for Dancing With the Stars Finale
Fashion Police
Sloppy SuitingGwyneth dares to experiment with hard-to-wear satin, but the result is dull and unpolished
More Photos
Latest Movie Reviews
Get Your E! News Now
0 Comments
Now loading...