Big Pun’s Widow Files Lawsuit Against Fat Joe for Unpaid Monies

Liza Rios, the widow of Christopher Lee Rios aka Big Pun, has filed a lawsuit against Fat Joe with claims of unpaid monies.

In the late 1990’s, Big Pun was one of hip-hop’s most lyrical emcees and the culture’s first platinum-selling rapper of Latino descent. He rose to fame shortly after appearing on “Watch Out,” which was featured on Fat Joe’s second album Jealous One’s Envy. But, it was the underground hit “I’m Not A Player” and the remix “Still Not A Player” – which featured R&B singer Joe – that spun Big Pun into stardom. The song was featured on Pun’s Capital Punishment album, which went on to sell over 2 million records.  In 2000, his second album Yeeeah Baby was released.

Tragically, Big Pun didn’t get an opportunity to truly see his musical career flourish. On February 7, 2000, the Bronx-native passed away due to a fatal heart attack and respiratory failure. He is survived by his wife, Liza Rios, and his three children, Amanda, Vanessa, and Christopher Jr.

In efforts to get what’s due to the family, Rios has filed a suit against Terror Squad founder Fat Joe and legendary musician Jellybean Benitez. Her attorney, Lita Rosario, recently sat down with AllHipHop to get an understanding of the lawsuit. Rosario explained that Rios’ case involves two main concerns:

There is evidence that there were songs – registered in overseas performing rights societies – where a larger percentage of the songs was claimed by [Fat] Joe than what the agreement was that he was supposed to receive for those songs (including “Still Not A Player”).

Then there’s just this general problem of…there’s a structure to the way many recording and music publishing agreements are set up that will say someone – like a Fat Joe, or even a Puffy, hypothetically, or a Jermaine Dupri or anybody – signs an agreement with an artist. The standard language in the agreement once they sign with a major label (or major publisher) is that, that major label (or major publisher) is not agreeing to make direct payments to the artists. They are saying that they are just doing it as a “favor” to the production company.

So, one of the issues in this case is a far reaching issue in the industry and for artists in general, is how to get around those provisions. And how to make the major labels and major publishing companies accountable for monies that they’re earning from the copyrights that are owned by artists and songwriters (who for some reason don’t have any money). Somebody is getting the money. In the instance of Big Pun, we all know that when somebody passes away, there’s a big spike in their sales and that spike hasn’t been realized.

To see the full interview, click HERE.

Liza Rios admits that it has taken some years to find the right legal representation. She’s had a strong disdain for Fat Joe for quite some time over how he’s treated the family since Pun’s death. Maybe now with the help of power attorney Lita Rosario, Pun’s family can finally receive some financial justice.

Photo spotted at HipHopSince1987.