LVRN Ownership Claims Puts R&B’s Hottest Collectives Fate In Question
LVRN Founders Carlon Ramong, Justice Baiden, Junia Abaidoo, Sean Famoso McNichol, and Tunde Balogun were students at Georgia State University when they established Love Renaissance in 2012. They began working with Atlanta singer and rapper Raury and by 2016, they added DRAM and 6LACK.
For those who aren’t familiar with LVRN, also known as Love Renaissance. It’s the label behind the success of Summer Walker’s Over It album, 6lack’s 3x Grammy nominations, and Shelley FKA DRAM’s earned “Broccoli” platinum plaque.
6Black was one of the first break-out stars picked up by the management group, LVRN. After signing with them, 6lack signed a record deal with Interscope. Upon the release of his first album “Free 6LACK,” his hit single ‘Prblms’ was 2x platinum awarded and ranked at #34 on the Billboard 200. When 6lack’s sophomore album debut at #1 on the Billboard R&B charts, he gave much credit to the LVRN collective.
Summer Walker was another break-out star from the management / creative collection, LNRV. The popularity of Summer’s first mixtape, “Last Day Of Summer” was released through Interscope Records, opening the door for the single "Girls Need Love", which placed her on the Billboard Hot 100 charts. It wasn’t until 2019 after the release of her “Over It” EP where Walker earned the biggest streaming in a debut week ever for a female R&B artist.
The success behind these artists have caused great turmoil with the LVRN management collective, as it was reported that the founders of LVRN are now entangled in litigation with their former consultants Amir Kashani. Dan Feldstein. Kashani and Feldstein have been consultants of the company since 2015 and had their own business Salt+ Vinegar. Kashani told the court that the early work done for LVRN was done for free as well as opened up his home, in return Baiden, Balogun, and McNichol promised Kashani part-owner of Salt + Vinegar %12 stakes within the company. Due to LVRN not having “a key document” ( the business’ financial and functional decisions including rules, regulations, and provisions) the litigation process has turned into a nasty hearsay match.
Kashani disclosed that the agreement for the %12.5 stakes was a signature on the back of a receipt signed by Kashani, which is insufficient for the court due to it not including a complete breakdown of each partner’s share in LVRN. Kashani provided proof of the %12.5 TV payouts that were made but LVRN claims this was payment for services and not a reflection of his status within the company.
In court, a judge found that their claims of a breach of contract and unjust claims, have enough merit, allowing both consultants to move forward with a scheduled trial date. The date for the trial will begin Oct.27 in Atlanta.
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