Iggy Azalea Blasts Universal Music Group Over Unpaid Royalties
Iggy Azalea is calling out Universal Music Group (UMG) for allegedly withholding millions of dollars in unpaid royalties. The Australian rapper took to social media on Saturday (March 15) to air her grievances, accusing the label of failing to compensate her for international earnings from some of her biggest hits, including Fancy and Black Widow.
Iggy Azalea Claims She’s Owed Millions
In a series of posts on X (formerly Twitter), Iggy revealed that she has never received a single royalty payment from UMG for her music outside the United States. She claims the amount owed is in the eight-figure range and is currently in talks to reclaim what she’s due. However, she described UMG’s response as laughable, stating that they offered her a settlement of just $18,000—an amount she finds insulting given her contractual rights.
“Crazy how in my entire career I was never paid a single royalty by Universal Music for anything outside of the USA,” Iggy wrote. “They owe me millions of dollars in back pay, that they technically stole from me, as per my contract I am due payment. The amount owed is in the 8 figure range. Last week they tried to respond to my lawyer and offer me a settlement of 18k.”
Iggy went on to call Universal Music Group “criminals” who routinely exploit artists. She expressed frustration at how many musicians lack the financial resources to fight back against these industry practices.
“I’m told this is a normal response from their lawyers and after appearing in court they end up paying millions as they’re supposed to. Thankfully I’m well off and can and will pursue this issue until they pay me what they owe,” she continued. “But I’d like to publicly say that I think Universal Music are criminals who actively take advantage of ALL of their artists in perpetuity for their own gain.”
She didn’t hold back, concluding her rant with an explicit message to UMG: “Universal music mark my words you ugly b***h – You will pay me what’s owed.”
Tory Lanez Tries to Win Iggy Azalea Back From Prison
While Iggy is focused on her battle with UMG, her name has been brought up in an entirely different context by Tory Lanez. The incarcerated rapper, who is currently serving a 10-year sentence for shooting Megan Thee Stallion, dedicated a track to Iggy on his new album Peterson.
The song 9$IDE x Amethyst—a reference to Iggy’s real name, Amethyst Kelly—sees Tory reminiscing about their rumored relationship. He laments that she blocked him and expresses regret over how things ended.
“It be nights I want to talk to Iggy, but she blocked me / Amethyst, if you ever hear this sh*t, shawty, call me,” he raps.
Tory later makes it clear that he’s open to rekindling their romance once he’s released. In a smooth, R&B-inspired outro, he sings:
“Amethyst, if you still free, shawty, let me know / Let me pick up where we left off, shawty, I’ll be yours.”
Iggy has yet to respond to Tory’s public plea, and given her current legal fight with Universal, it’s unclear if she has any interest in revisiting their past.
Between her feud with one of the biggest record labels in the world and her name being dropped in music from behind bars, Iggy Azalea’s 2025 is shaping up to be eventful—whether she wants it to be or not.
