Ishmael Montague has filed a lawsuit against Sony Music Entertainment in a New York federal court, alleging that the company underpaid his royalties on Chris Brown’s “Party” and delayed a payment transfer connected to a royalty sale.
Montague, who is representing himself, brings claims including fraudulent misrepresentation and negligent misrepresentation. He alleges that Sony applied half his agreed royalty rate and obstructed a change of payee for six weeks.
Dispute over payment instructions
According to the complaint, a 2016 agreement with Brown’s namesake company entitles Montague to a 1.5% producer royalty on “Party.” That represents his share of a 3% royalty split with fellow producer A1. The legal text does not appear to address the track’s third producer, Hitmaka.
The payment dispute arose after Montague’s company agreed over the summer to sell royalty interests in specified masters to Xposure Music. Montague then asked Sony to redirect the payments to Xposure.
He alleges that Sony delayed the change through false statements and a policy that did not exist. In July, the complaint says, Sony requested a letter of direction in addition to the assignment documents, citing company policy.
Montague’s manager subsequently wrote that the same account had previously been changed without objection using Sony’s own change-request process, which remained available throughout the dispute.
Sony representatives later said they could not proceed without direction from the artists concerning the royalties, according to the complaint. Montague also alleges that Sony subsequently claimed it was not already accounting to him as the producer.
He says the six-week dispute consumed time and resources, delayed his payment and impeded the closing of the Xposure deal.
Alleged royalty shortfall
Montague says a third-party review identified the alleged underpayment. The complaint sets out the following figures and dates:
- The agreed producer royalty for the “Party” master was 3%, with 1.5% due to Montague after the A1 split.
- Sony allegedly applied a 0.75% rate at the vendor level.
- A review of Montague’s statements and agreements took place in July 2026, and the findings were reported to Sony in writing on August 25, 2026.
Montague further alleges that Sony has never provided a complete and accurate accounting of the rate applied to his account. He is seeking an audit of Sony’s accounting for the account.
