Interscope Sues Summer Walker for More Than $50 Million Over Undelivered Albums

Interscope Records has sued Summer Walker, claiming the Grammy-nominated R&B singer owes the label more than $50 million for recordings she has not delivered. The seven-page complaint, obtained by Rolling Stone, argues that two studio albums and an EP remain outstanding even after Walker moved to leave the agreement.

The dispute comes down to how the deal is counted. Walker signed with Interscope, a UMG label, in 2017. According to the complaint, the original agreement and later amendments obligated her to deliver five studio albums, with her earlier projects, Last Day of Summer and CLEAR, classified as pre-album releases that did not count toward that total. In August, the complaint states, Walker notified the label that she would stop rendering services as of Aug. 27, 2026, invoking California’s seven-year rule, which generally limits personal-services contracts, including recording deals, to seven years.

Interscope maintains the undelivered recordings “remain due and outstanding,” and that UMG has suffered damages including the profits it would have earned had Walker completed her obligations. The filing seeks damages in excess of $50,000,000.

The contract’s terms have drawn scrutiny before. Industry experts who reviewed a draft of the agreement for Rolling Stone described it as “brutal,” citing its uncertain duration and limited flexibility. The final contract carried an initial advance of $110,000 and a 16 percent royalty rate on her first two albums, payable only after recoupment of the advance and other costs.

Walker’s attorney, Keith Moten, said in a statement that the singer is aware of the lawsuit and confident in her legal position. “We intend to vigorously defend against Interscope’s claims and pursue appropriate legal relief,” he said.