While the event produced what has widely been considered one of the biggest matchups in modern battle rap history in Cassidy vs. Dizaster, FilmOn’s “Ether” event has more recently been marred by public issues and fallout including several participating battlers claiming they’ve yet to be paid for their performances. The event’s coordinator, Lush One, who is also the flamboyant face of King of the Dot’s Fresh Coast division, publicly beefed with participating battler Serius Jones over the rapper’s alleged nonpayment and was blamed by some as the source of the issues.
Speaking with BattleRap.com’s Editor-in-chief Chris Mitchell yesterday, Lush One cleared up the issues and accepted partial blame while also admitting that his drug use is a relevant part of the conversation.
Explaining that the issues of nonpayment were caused by a last-minute budget issue, Lush One detailed his struggles with FilmOn’s billionaire founder Alki David.
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“For the month leading up to the event, everything dealing with money with [Alki] was a bit of a struggle,” he said. “Even getting our agreed-upon monthly paychecks was a huge hassle. The initial deposits, everything was a huge hassle. He kept saying he was gonna pay for everything and it was understood that the undercard was one of the primary expenses as outlined in every agreement that we had. Like, why would I knowingly put myself in $100,000 debt? It doesn’t even make sense.”
“Basically I spent every dollar I’ve had,” he added. “As soon as this deal came through I started spending money at a rapid rate, on myself and I made the mistake … When I was buying nice things and posting pictures online and stuff — first of all I know how to shop on eBay hella good. Everything looked a lot more glamourous than it really was. Second of all, I wasn’t trying to stunt on other battle rappers or on battle rap culture. I was just excited, like ‘look we’re making it. We’re all coming up. This is what it’s like.’ That was my own money that I was spending. I wasn’t spending money that was allocated for the event. Every single dollar that was given to me, including what was supposed to be my personal salary, ended up being allocated to the event. And I wound up being severely in debt as a result.”
Claiming that 35% of the promised payments remain unpaid, Lush One also said that he feels personally like he let battle rap down.
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“I allowed outside entities to infiltrate our culture who didn’t have the proper understanding and respect of it,” he said. “And I tried through all of my means and I felt like I literally feel like I spent every single day of the last six months working 14-hour days; me, my wife, my entire staff, my entire family, everybody putting everything we have towards this and trying to create this understanding. It still despite that effort fell short. No matter what, they refused to understand this but still I allowed that to happen under my watch and that’s where I let battle rap down and that’s where I feel bad.”
To read the full story, visit BattleRap.com.
For additional “Ether” coverage, watch the following DX Daily:
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