Nicki Minaj is facing fresh legal pressure as her company has been placed in default in a breach-of-contract suit filed by a major law firm seeking more than $229,000 in unpaid fees.
According to court records, Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani, LLP (GRSM) filed the complaint on March 4, 2026, in Los Angeles Superior Court against both the rapper, whose legal name is Onika Tanya Maraj, and her Delaware LLC, Harajuku Barbie Music. The suit centers on an alleged unpaid balance of $229,541.75 stemming from legal services the firm provided to Minaj in a prior federal copyright infringement case.
The parties entered into a Legal Services Agreement in October 2024, under which GRSM says it fully performed its obligations defending Minaj. The firm claims the outstanding fees, along with interest and additional costs, remain unpaid.
A clerk’s default was entered against Harajuku Barbie Music, LLC on May 19, 2026, after the company failed to respond to the lawsuit in a timely manner. The default effectively admits the allegations against the company for judgment purposes. Minaj herself has not been defaulted, as the firm continues to face hurdles properly serving her individually under California rules. Court filings show previous service attempts were rejected, requiring corrections.
An Order to Show Cause hearing for potential default judgment is set for September 10, 2026. At the hearing, the court will consider entering judgment against the defaulted company and could expand that if service on Minaj is resolved.
The development marks the latest in a string of civil legal and financial disputes involving the “Queen of Rap.” Earlier this year, Minaj resolved a $503,000 default judgment related to an alleged assault on a security guard by making a last-minute payment to avoid enforcement actions against her property. She has also navigated other matters involving production fees and defamation claims in recent years.
High-profile artists frequently encounter such billing disputes with former counsel, often complicated by the use of corporate entities for business affairs. While defaults can signal non-response or administrative issues, they do not always indicate an inability to pay, and settlements remain common even at late stages.
As of now, Minaj has not publicly addressed the GRSM lawsuit, and the case remains ongoing. Billboard has reached out to representatives for comment.
This story is developing.
