Ronald Gavin owner of 49 Productions, a St. Louis-based record label has sued Chingy, alleging that the rapper backed out on a 2002 contract so he could join Ludscris' label, Disturbing Tha Peace.
Gavin is asking for $250,000 in damages and $25,000 in legal fees.
The lawsuit asserts that Howard Bailey (Chingy) signed with Gavin's 49 Productions Inc. in 1999 while he was not too well known and going by the name H. Thugzy.
Gavin also says that he invested over $100,000 on Chingy over a three year period to build up his image and career, getting him gigs and radio play. The lawsuit contends that there was one album produced for the rapper and another in the works when he bolted to Ludacris.
Ludacris (Christopher Bridges) is often mentioned as Chingy's mentor, and produced his first album Jackpot on the Disturbing Tha Peace label. With the popular hits "Right Thurr" and Holidae In," the album sold over 2.8 million copies.
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