Snoop Dogg and Ice Cube are fighting back to a lawsuit accusing them of fraud, per UsWeekly.
Westside Merchandise, filed a suit against the rappers in late 2024. The company accused the rappers of breach of contract, fraud, conversion, and other criminal activity.
Snoop Dogg, 53, and Ice Cube, 56, filed court documents requesting to not appear for a deposition scheduled for October. In the courtroom, the veteran rappers would have been questioned about the facts of the suit.
Their legal teams stated in the request that both rappers appearing in court was “harassing, oppressive, and burdensome” to the “high-profile individuals who keep busy schedules with firm commitments.”
Snoop and Ice Cube said they told the company they could speak to their associate Tony Draper but the company has refused until they sit for depositions. Their lawyer said this is a “clear tactic” to “force” a settlement.
At the time, Snoop said he was shooting a movie and was not free until October 21. Ice Cube said he was in Florida handling his Big3 basketball league. Ice Cube said he was also getting ready for his tour.
The rappers said if the court did order them to appear, they requested permission to testify virtually and that the deposition be limited to two hours.
Mount Westmore and promised advances
E-40, Too Short, and Mount Westmore LLC were also listed as defendants in the cast. Mount Westmore is a group consisted of Snoop Dogg, Ice Cube, E-40, and Too Short. The group released their debut album in 2022.
Westside Merchandising claimed that it entered into a deal with the rappers in 2022. The company was to be the executive vendor for Mount Westmore merchandise.
The company said it provided the rappers with certain advances and royalties due to it being told that Mount Westmore planned to go on a 60-date tour in America and Europe, where the merchandise would be sold to fans.
“[Westside Merchandising] was also assured that Snoop Dogg and Ice Cube, both of whom were defined as key men under the [agreement], would publicize and promote the agreement by producing a promotional video to be posted on [Mount Westmore’s] social media accounts and by appearing at a retail location of Westside’s choice,” a lawyer for the company wrote. “None of this happened.”
“In fact, the only appearance Defendants made was a VIP meet and greet event at which Snoop Dogg appeared to sell his own merchandise, rather,” the lawyer added.
Westside Merchandising, who demanded the return of their money and punitive damages, claimed that despite repeated requests, Snoop and the other defendants have refused to return the “upfront payment of $1,375,000 that they received from Westside.”
In response, Snoop, Ice Cube and the other defendants argued the company failed to provide enough evidence to back up certain claims in their case. Too Short and E-40 said they weren’t even parties to the agreement.