Nightclub group sues rapper for cancellations

DUBAI // The Crystal Group, owners of the Dubai nightclubs People by Crystal and C-Bar, are suing the US rapper Game for US$250,000 in a New York court.

The lawsuit filed in the federal court on August 9 claims Game, whose real name is Jayceon Taylor, was to perform at two of the Crystal Group's clubs in Lebanon and Dubai, but failed to turn up.

Court documents claim Mr Taylor was paid $30,000 (Dh110,196) in advance for the performances.

Crystal told the court it wired Mr Taylor $38,000 to perform on July 13 last year at Pier 7 in Beirut.

"$30,000 went directly into the defendant's bank account from the plaintiff," the club owners said in court records.

The balance was held by the booking agent until the night of the concert.

A "video drop" was recorded -footage of Game confirming his appearance, used to market the event - and sent to Crystal.

But a last-minute cancellation forced the club owner to refund entrance fees.

Mr Taylor was rebooked to perform at two of its nightclubs, Pier 7 in Beirut and Peoples in Dubai, on September 15 and 16 last year.

Again he did not show up.

Crystal is claiming at least $250,000 in damages, plus damages for breach of contract, saying it lost money on travel costs, hotel expenses and income from drink sales, and suffered bad publicity.

The court is awaiting a response from Mr Taylor's lawyers before deciding if the case will go ahead.

amustafa@thenational.ae