The Legacy of Limp Bizkit: Fred Durst Sues Universal Music Group for Unpaid Royalties
Limp Bizkit stands as one of the most controversial bands in music history, yet they have sold over 45 million records, solidifying their place in the industry. Currently, frontman Fred Durst is taking legal action against Universal Music Group regarding unpaid royalties.
In the late 1990s, Limp Bizkit surged in popularity as Nu-Metal dominated the charts, captivating audiences with their unique fusion of rap, rock, and metal. Hits like Faith, Nookie, and Rollin’ propelled them to arena headliners and made them a mainstay on MTV. Despite changes in the music landscape, the band has seen a resurgence, recently completing a North American amphitheater tour and projecting 793 million streams by year’s end. Amidst this comeback, Fred Durst and his team have discovered discrepancies in royalty payments from Universal Music Group.
Durst is now suing UMG for a staggering $200 million, claiming years of unpaid royalties. In addition to his role as a performer, he runs Flawless Records, which operates under the UMG umbrella, and the lawsuit includes allegations of unpaid royalties for artists under his label as well. The filing reveals that UMG invested $43 million into Limp Bizkit’s music and promotion, claiming that royalties would not be paid until that amount was recouped. UMG argued that they were “not required to provide them since his account was still so far from recoupment.” However, Durst’s team found discrepancies in the accounts of Flip Records, the imprint that originally signed Limp Bizkit, uncovering millions in funds that suggested he should have received a statement balance of $1 million ready for disbursement.
In the lawsuit, Fred Durst and his legal team assert that Universal Music Group had no intention of paying the royalties owed to the artist. Filed on October 8, 2024, this story is expected to develop as the case progresses.
