‘You Will Pay Me What’s Owed’

Iggy Azalea has accused Universal Music Group (UMG) of withholding millions of dollars in unpaid royalties, taking to social media to demand what she claims is rightfully hers.

The Australian rapper, known for her 2014 smash hit “Fancy,” claimed in a series of posts on X (formerly Twitter) on Saturday, claiming that UMG has failed to pay her international royalties throughout her career. “Crazy how in my entire career I was never paid a single royalty by Universal Music for anything outside of the USA. 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,” the rapper wrote.

She further revealed that UMG attempted to settle the matter with a payout far below what she believes she is owed. “Last week they tried to respond to my lawyer and offer me a settlement of 18k. 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.”

Azalea, whose real name is Amethyst Amelia Kelly, signed with Island Def Jam under the UMG umbrella in 2013 before moving to Island Records and eventually parting ways with the company in 2018. Despite her departure, she claims that the label has continued to withhold her earnings, particularly from outside the United States.

Beyond her own case, Azalea expanded her criticism to UMG’s treatment of artists in general.“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 …  Universal music really needs to do better in their treatment of the artists who quite literally earn them millions via intellectual property they had zero part in creating. Yuck.”

The rapper didn’t hold back in her final statement, making a direct demand to the label: “Universal music mark my words you ugly b**** – You will pay me what’s owed.” She added that her dispute with UMG has been ongoing for “over two years and counting.”

UMG has not publicly responded to Azalea’s accusations. However, this is not the first time the label has faced allegations of withholding royalties.

Limp Bizkit previously sued UMG, claiming they had not been paid their due earnings due to a software system allegedly designed to “systematically prevent artists from being paid their royalties.”

Azalea has remained independent since leaving the major label system, releasing music on her own terms. While she has not announced any specific legal action, her posts suggest that the fight for her royalties is far from over.

Azalea has earned four career Billboard 200 entries, including her Grammy-nominated debut studio album, The New Classic (No. 3), her highest-charting entry on the ranking to date. On the Billboard Hot 100, she has notched three top ten hits from 13 total entries, including “Problem” (No. 2, with Ariana Grande), “Black Widow” (No. 3, with Rita Ora) and “Fancy” (No. 1, with Charli XCX). Her most recent musical release is last year’s “Money Come,” which received a remix featuring Ivorian Doll and Big Boss Vette.