Published: Wednesday - January 2, 2008
Words by Miles Bennett
Ne-Yo (Photo: Def Jam)
After R. Kelly kicked him off his North American tour, R&B singer/song writer Ne-Yo has answered back... by suing the Chicago singer's promoter, Rowe Entertainment, for breach of contract and violation of the right of publicity.
According to reports, Ne-Yo (real name: Shaffer Smith) claims he was fired from the tour because the reaction he received from both the crowds and the press were "more favorable" than Kelly was receiving.
In the lawsuit papers, filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court, the singer claims that on November 12, 2007, "without warning and without and valid basis to do so," he was removed from the tour.
Ne-Yo is seeking a six-figure settlement, claiming he would have earned $785,000 for opening for Kelly at a minimum of 25 concerts, but was fired after only his second performance.
R. Kelly had gone through a similar situation in 2004 when he and Jay-Z were on the road for their joint Best of Both Worlds Tour. Jay-Z reportedly booted the singer from the tour and continued on, which resulted in a legal battle between the two artists.
In related news, 40-year-old Kelly is due in court on January 14 where he is scheduled to stand trial on 14 counts of child pornography after a five-year delay.
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