Master Tee, one of the producers behind 2Pac’s iconic 1995 single “Dear Mama,” has filed a lawsuit over unpaid royalties related to the song. The legal action targets fellow producer Tony Pizarro as the primary defendant, and it also includes Disney and the Hughes Brothers, creators of the recent 2Pac docuseries “Dear Mama,” as defendants. Master Tee alleges that he was unaware of owed royalties until the FX docuseries premiered in April of this year.
The lawsuit claims that Master Tee was not properly credited for his publishing copyright in the creation of “Dear Mama.” According to Tee’s attorneys, a group led by producer Tony D. Pizarro, along with executives at Interscope Records and Universal Music Group, conspired to misappropriate Tee’s publishing copyright and assume the identity of the writer/publisher of “Dear Mama’s” music.
The FX docuseries “Dear Mama” gained widespread acclaim for its thorough and sensitive portrayal of 2Pac and his deep relationship with his mother, Afeni. The series achieved record-breaking viewership upon its release, with over 300,000 tuning in for the first episode and earning a perfect rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
As the documentary gains recognition during the musical awards season, 2Pac is posthumously nominated for the 2024 Grammy for “Best Music Film Category.” This nomination could potentially secure 2Pac’s first-ever Grammy, nearly three decades after his death. The competition includes David Bowie and Little Richard for the coveted award. 2Pac had been nominated six times for various Grammys during his career but has never won.
