It’s laborious to think about what can occur to our favourite musicians’ music after they’re gone, however within the case of those 5 legendary artists, issues can get very dicey very shortly. In some circumstances, a musician’s property is swiftly settled, however everyone knows when cash and energy is concerned, some of us need their hand in all of it which is certain to trigger issues.
So now, The Root is taking a better have a look at what occurred to your fav’s property after they died.
Infamous B.I.G
The rap neighborhood continues to mourn the demise of Brooklyn rapper Biggie Smalls’ mom, Voletta Wallace, after her February demise. However earlier than she handed, she made positive her son’s legendary property was dealt with with care. Based on HipHipDX, Wallace authorized the sale of Biggie’s catalog to Major Wave, a personal music publishing and expertise administration firm.
Major Wave introduced the finalization of the deal on Thursday (March 20), in keeping with studies. Right now, it’s unclear how a lot Biggie’s property is presently price, however consultants speculate it’s valued wherever between $100 million and $200 million.
Whitney Houston
On the time of her 2012 demise, Whitney Houston’s property was valued at round $20 million, in keeping with Selection. The legendary singer left all of it to her solely daughter, Bobbi Kristina Brown, in a will written in 1993 and later revised. Nevertheless, Bobbi Kristina’s demise at age 22 in 2015— earlier than she may inherit most of her mom’s fortune— quickly resulted in a battle over the tens of millions.
Based on USA Right now, Houston’s property went to her mom, Cissy Houston, and her two brothers. Cissy was named the executor of Houston’s will— sharing the property with Houston’s two brothers— however she would later renounced the function and make Houston’s sister-in-law and supervisor, Marion “Pat” Houston, the only real administrator. Cissy died in 2024.
Nipsey Hussle
The 2019 homicide of California rapper Nipsey Hussle despatched shockwaves throughout the music neighborhood. In 2023, the battle over his $11 million property was settled after years of authorized points. His youngsters, Emani Asghedom and Kross Ermias Asghedom, have been named his sole beneficiaries, in keeping with Bleu Journal.
His long-time accomplice and actress, Lauren London, was awarded 50 p.c of money and non-cash property on behalf of their son, Kross, in keeping with PEOPLE. The Asghedom household was additionally awarded guardianship of Emani. Now, Hussle’s brother, Samiel “Blacc Sam” Asghedom, shares custody with Emani’s mom, Tanisha Foster.
Prince
Prince didn’t identify anybody in his will, so after his 2016 demise, his remaining property was divided between his six siblings, in keeping with CBS Information. In 2022, the IRS and the property’s administrator agreed to finish an ongoing courtroom battle and valued the property at about $156 million, in keeping with CNN.
However troubles arose as soon as extra after three of his siblings granted L. Londell McMillan and Charles Spicer Jr. every a ten p.c curiosity in Prince Legacy and administration authority, in keeping with CBS. One sibling, Sharon Nelson, later tried to amend the LLC settlement and take away McMillan and Spicer as managing members, and so the matter was taken to courtroom. In 2024, CBS reported a Delaware decide dominated in favor of McMillan and Spicer.
Aaliyah
The “Rock the Boat” singer’s property has been managed by Aaliyah LLC on behalf of her mom Diane Haughton and brother Rashad Haughton, in keeping with Selection. However for greater than 20 years, conflicts with Aaliyah’s former supervisor, Barry Hankerson, over the management and distribution of her music has divided followers and household.
In 2021, Hankerson teased the concept of releasing the singer’s catalog on streaming companies along with new posthumous music from the singer, which spurred blended evaluations from shoppers. “For 20 years now we have battled behind the scenes, enduring shadowy techniques of deception,” the property’s mentioned in a press release. “Now, this unscrupulous endeavor to launch Aaliyah’s music with out transparency or full accounting to the property compels our hearts to precise a phrase – forgiveness.”