Daz Dillinger Sues Amaru Entertainment Over Unpaid 2Pac Royalties

Daz Dillinger has filed a lawsuit against Amaru Entertainment in a California federal court, alleging that the company failed to provide a full accounting of royalties and underpaid the producer for several recordings by the late Tupac Shakur.

The complaint was filed on May 8 in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. In the filing, Dillinger, whose legal name is Delmar Arnaud, asserts that he provided essential creative services for a number of Shakur’s recordings, including production, songwriting, and vocal performances.

The lawsuit identifies several specific tracks associated with these claims, including Ambitionz Az a Ridah, I Ain’t Mad at Cha, 2 of Amerikaz Most Wanted, Got My Mind Made Up, and Skandalouz.

According to the legal complaint, Amaru Entertainment licensed and exploited these works over a period of years while failing to issue complete royalty statements to Dillinger. The producer alleges that the company failed to properly account for the revenue generated by these recordings.

The suit states that Dillinger demanded payment records from the company by October 18, 2024. Following this demand, Amaru Entertainment issued a payment to the producer in the amount of $91,445.27.

Amaru’s payment confirms that monies were due

Complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California

While a payment was made, Dillinger contends that Amaru Entertainment did not identify the basis for the sum. Specifically, the producer alleges that the company did not specify which songs, accounting periods, or deductions were reflected in the $91,445.27 payment.

Dillinger argues that the absence of this detailed information prevents him from determining whether the payment was complete, accurate, timely, and inclusive of all exploitations of his creative work.

Legal Claims and Sought Damages

The lawsuit brings several legal claims against Amaru Entertainment, including breach of contract and breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing. The producer is seeking a formal accounting of the royalties owed.

As part of the litigation, Dillinger is seeking a variety of financial remedies. These include unpaid royalties, compensatory damages, and restitution. The producer is also requesting prejudgment interest and the recovery of attorneys’ fees, and has requested that the case be decided by a jury trial.

Amaru Entertainment was founded by Afeni Shakur following the death of her son. After the death of Afeni Shakur in 2016, the company transitioned to the management of Tom Whalley.

This legal action contributes to the ongoing scrutiny regarding the administration and management of the catalog and estate of Tupac Shakur.