Queen of Hip-Hop Soul Mary J. Blige is caught in a $5 million legal battle with her longtime friend and stylist, Misa Hylton. The stylist has accused Blige of sabotaging a business deal involving rapper Vado by allegedly withholding his album. Hylton also claims that Blige is pressuring Vado to sever ties with her. The lawsuit, filed by Hylton and her talent agency M.I.S.A Management, alleges that Blige’s company, Beautiful Life Productions, directly interfered with Hylton’s management agreement with Vado—an agreement that would entitle her to 20 percent of the rapper’s earnings. According to court documents obtained by AllHipHop, the fashion icon is seeking damages for what she calls intentional disruption of her business.
Allegations of Being Sidelined
Hylton believes that Blige and her company were adamant about icing her out of Vado’s deal by meeting with him in places such as private yacht gatherings, hotels, and events where neither the stylist nor her management team were in attendance.
A Halted Career and Shelved Project
Vado signed his deal with Hylton in 2023 and completed his project by July 2024 but was reportedly blocked from releasing it or going on tour until he severed ties with Misa. The alleged reason for his album being shelved was that Blige’s security chief—who was also named as her boyfriend in the suit—wanted to manage the rapper himself.
Due to Vado’s album not being released and his inability to go on tour, he’s unable to repay the advances tied to his deal or support himself financially. As a result, Hylton is seeking $5 million in damages for breach of contract, emotional distress, and interference with business relationships.
Misa Hylton’s Legacy in Hip-Hop and Fashion
Misa Hylton is known as one of the top fashion stylists who rose to prominence in the early ’90s. She primarily styled and designed for Mary J. Blige and Lil Kim, whom she often referred to as her muses. By the time she was 21, she had created a successful business, Chyna Doll Enterprises, where she provided stylists for magazine shoots, music videos, and more. Chyna Doll Enterprises styled some of the biggest artists in the game, including Aaliyah, Foxy Brown, Faith Evans, Q-Tip, Jodeci, Dru Hill, and others.
Once Creative Collaborators, Now in Conflict
In 2023, Blige and Vado collaborated on their single “Still Believe in Love.” It is unclear what the future holds for Hylton and Blige, as they were longtime friends as well as each other’s muses. Mary’s team has yet to comment, but hopefully, a resolution can be reached between the two. We hate to see two pioneers in hip-hop and fashion lose their friendship.
MEFeaters, what do you think of this situation? Do you hope that the two ladies can resolve their issues? Comment and let us know!
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