Renowned rapper Kanye West is slated to confront his former business manager in court. West will argue that the contract they signed is null and void, as the stress induced by his divorce from Kim Kardashian rendered him unable to fully comprehend its terms.
Court documents obtained by RadarOnline.com reveal that a hearing took place last week, setting the stage for West's legal clash with ex-business associate, Thomas St. John. An October 28, 2024, trial date has been set by the judge overseeing the case. Deposition dates are currently being determined, and West is expected to be among those deposed.
St. John initiated a lawsuit against West in 2022, alleging breach of contract and fraud. St. John claimed that West refused to remit $4.5 million outstanding from their 18-month agreement, Radar Online reported.
West hired St. John in March, agreeing to a $300,000 per month payout.
The lawsuit alleges that West's professional and artistic career took a nosedive in 2022 due to his unpredictable public behavior, necessitating guidance from a reputable, savvy business manager to reorient his career trajectory.
According to St. John, he brokered an 18-month agreement specifying that, upon termination, he would receive the remaining balance due on the contract. St. John alleges that he was dismissed only three months into the contract.
St. John asserts that when he confronted West about the outstanding amount, West dismissed the claim, allegedly saying the contractual terms were nonsense, and expressing disbelief that St. John thought he would abide by them.
West, in turn, filed a counterclaim against St. John, seeking reimbursement of $900,000 paid for his services. He argued that St. John neither merited nor deserved any further payment, alleging the manager either failed to deliver or did so poorly that any subsequent payment would be unjustifiable.
Moreover, West contends that St. John violated the contract first, accusing him of neglecting to advise West to consult a lawyer before signing the agreement.
West's legal counsel asserts that their client was embroiled in a highly publicized divorce during the contract signing, attracting an extraordinary amount of media attention and paparazzi scrutiny. According to the lawsuit, this led to chronic sleep deprivation, anxiety, and considerable duress for West, preventing him from thoroughly reviewing the $5.4 million contract before signing. It further claims that St. John was aware of West's stressful situation but proceeded regardless.
With neither party seemingly willing to reach a settlement, they are now preparing for trial.
A separate legal battle involving West, with The Gap suing him for $2 million over a business dispute, according to Radar Online.