Dr Dre, Ice Cube sued for defamation

Heller and reps for Dr. Dre and Straight Outta Compton director F. Gary Gray did not immediately return requests for comment. In addition to becoming the highest-grossing biopic, several of the group’s 1980s singles have charted at new highs on Billboard charts. In addition to allegedly being defamed time and time again in the movie, Heller says that much of the material used in the movie was stolen from a book he wrote about Ruthless Records and N.W.A., and from prior screenplays that he owns. Heller says he didn’t take advantage of the artists, didn’t withhold a $75,000 check from Ice Cube, wasn’t enjoying lobster brunches while contracts were being finalized, wasn’t fired by Eazy E and more.

Straight Outta Compton has generated a little under $200 million in revenue, which is wonderful for a movie that had a $28 million budget. The former manger is suing just about everyone involved with the project for $110 million. He claims producers didn’t bother to give his character a fake name.

He’s suing for $35 million (£21.9 million) in compensatory damages and at least $75 million (£46.9 million) in punitive damages and all profits from the film. In it, he wrote his side of financial and personal disputes between Eazy, Dre, Cube, The D.O.C., and others.

“The movie is a huge global success and ironically, as the movie becomes more successful, the damages Jerry become greater”.

John Salangsang/John Salangsang/Invision/AP Dr. Dre is also listed as a defendant. In the film, is Suge Knight-not Dr. Dre-who shows up to release the Compton, California rapper/producer from his Ruthless Records contract.

Former N.W.A. manager Jerry Heller wants the world to know he’s not really a “bad guy”.

What do you think of Jerry Heller’s lawsuit?