Rapper Flo Rida awarded $82.6 million in breach of contract lawsuit

MIAMI (AP) — Hip-hop artist Flo Rida on Wednesday after a South Florida jury found the makers of Celsius energy drink violated a contract with the rapper and singer and tried to hide money from him. awarded $82.6 million in prize money.

Flo Rida, whose real name is Tramar Dillard, and his production company, Strong Arm Productions, sued Boca Raton-based Celsius Holdings in May 2021 in Broward County Court, accusing the company of Alleged that it violated the terms of the warranty contract.

“Basically, I helped bring this company to life. All we were looking for was people we could trust who acted like family,” Dillard told The Associated Press. They forgot about me when it came to the success of

Attorneys for Celsius argued in court and in previous filings that the company achieved its greatest success after Flo Rida’s guarantee contract ended, and that other business decisions led to increased sales and share price. Celsius could appeal the ruling, but it was not immediately clear if they would.

Flo Rida served as a brand ambassador for Celsius from 2014 to 2018, according to the civil complaint. During that time, Dillard played a key role in ushering in a new era of brand development, growth and expansion for the company, introducing Celsius to millions of people around the world. The world, the complaint said. Dillard and his lawyers argued that the partnership paved the way for Celsius to expand its product portfolio. This includes adding a powdered product and a new product line called Celsius Heat in conjunction with a Flowrider partnership. I have raised

Attorney John Eustal said Flo Rida wanted the promised 1% ownership and would be happy to accept the shares in lieu of a jury’s monetary award.

“He (Dillard) loves the product and it’s been a very successful four-year relationship,” said Uustal. “There were some benchmarks, he was supposed to win his stock when certain things happened, and there was controversy about whether or not those benchmarks were reached. That’s what this was about.”

Dillard said he continues to take Celsius products and owns some stock in the company.

“I’m still the owner of the company,” said Dillard. “When you plant the seeds of success, you have to have unconditional love.”