Gunna says a lucrative X Games performance deal fell apart, and now he's taking the promoters to court.
According to legal documents reviewed by Complex, the rapper’s company, Gunna Touring LLC, filed a lawsuit in California over claims that he was defrauded into performing at a January 2026 X Games concert in Aspen, Colorado for a guaranteed $500,000 that never materialized, plus an additional $250,000 contingency fee.
The complaint names the contracting entity "Mickle and Mickle Productions" and its purported CEO, Daphney Mickle Golden. However, Gunna’s team believes this company is “a trade name, fictitious business name, or nonexistent” after searching public registries in multiple states.
The suit seeks to hold Golden and her entertainment attorney, Ezekiel Bottorff, personally liable for the $750,000 debt for acting on behalf of a nonexistent company.
The complaint details a purported “coordinated scheme” involving additional defendants: Stars in Action, Inc. and its CEO, Raiza Rangl, who allegedly helped coordinate the event and allegedly assured Gunna's team that payment was secure.
After performing, Gunna's team was reportedly met with empty promises of funds tied to international gold commodities and “major alcohol brand.” His team was also allegedly told funds could be “pulled and borrowed from the NYC Iconic St. Paddy’s Day Parade.”
A credit card provided by the defendants was supposedly blocked post-performance, leaving Gunna’s team stranded with a $50,000 hotel bill. The suit also alleges that Rangl attempted to illegally deduct $7,800 in hotel fees from Gunna's guaranteed payment.
Notably, the X Games is not named as a defendant because Bottorff signed an Indemnity Agreement on behalf of the fictitious company, legally protecting the X Games from liability.
Gunna is seeking punitive damages for civil conspiracy, and aiding and abetting fraud.
