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Drake Sued For Fraud, 'Unjust Enrichment' Over Cancelled Concerts

Would You Like A Lawsuit? Drake Sued For Fraud Over Nixed Gigs

Drake's "Would You Like A Tour" hit Chicago's United Center a few days ago, but another Chicago area promoter is suing the musician for over $200,000 over allegations Drake and his touring company took the money but didn't play the shows.

Spin reports Status Entertainment contacted Drake's management and representatives about a Chicago concert in March, 2012. OVO Touring, Drake's touring company, asked for a $250,000 fee with the promoter forking over $100,000.

However, Status claims that concert was then nixed with OVO Touring stating they'd return the $100,000 to the promoter. OVO allegedly told Status that amount went towards another event. TMZ reports the venue where Status entertainment were the promoters held approximately 8500 while XXLMag reports the original venue as the UIC Pavillion

In June, 2012, with Drake's profile continuing to grow internationally, the musician staged a Chicago gig at a larger venue (capacity 28,500) with a different promoter. The promoter made anywhere from $340,000 on the low end to $1 million on the high end based on ticket ranges. Status then tried a second time to land a show with Drake in October, 2012 at the Allstate Arena and sent another $100,000 to OVO.

However, OVO Touring later contacted Status. "We changed the price because the value went up," OVO Touring reportedly said. When Status asked for their money back over several months -- and with OVO Touring stating "they would indeed refund all of the money" -- through a series of phone calls, text messages and e-mails, OVO Touring allegedly never refunded Status.

The suit, filed on Dec. 10, accuses Drake and OVO Touring of breaching their contract, unjust enrichment fraud and violating the Illinois Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act.

"During these negotiations, Drake experienced a meteoric rise to the top of the music charts achieving worldwide fame and fortune," the suit says. "Instead of honoring their obligations, Defendants knowingly and intentionally breached the Agreements and refused to schedule the concert unless Plaintiffs gave them more money due to Drake's newfound fame." The statement also adds that the Drake and OVO Touring "then fraudulently contracted another company to put on a Drake concert in the Chicago area in June of 2012 and profited handsomely as a result and to the detriment of Plaintiffs."

Status is also asking for court costs and interest as well as whatever a judge may deem to be fair for "disgorgement of profits," that is whatever amount Status would've made from the gig.

Drake, whose North American tour concluded yesterday in Auburn Hills, Michigan, has made no comment on the suit. In better news for the Toronto rapper, the U.S.-based Associated Press named "Started From The Bottom" the best song of 2013.

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