Boosie Badazz is no stranger to controversy, but this round, he's getting flak from Baton Rouge Attorney General Liz Murrill and the family of Southern University student Caleb Wilson, who passed away in September. The dispute centers on allegations that Boosie used Wilson's name and likeness to market his annual Boosie Bash event without the family's approval, a charge the rapper strongly disputes.
The drama started Sunday (March 23) when WBRZ News Louisiana 2 reported on a statement from AG Liz Murrill, claiming Boosie used Wilson's untimely death to promote ticket sales for Boosie Bash. The college student was the victim of an alleged hazing incident connected to Omega Psi Phi Fraternity and died last month.
Murrill said Wilson's parents were unaware that their son's name was linked to Boosie Bash and were blindsided by the alleged scholarship in his name.
"The parents of Caleb Wilson have informed me that they have not provided consent and have no knowledge of their son's name and likeness being used for promotional purposes regarding this event," Murrill said. "They didn't even know that the event was going on. They have asked that his name, image and any reference to a scholarship in his name be removed from all promotional materials."
She also indicated that a lawsuit was possible, saying, "I am pursuing legal action for their improper use of his name and image to advertise a for-profit event they are doing." "This is not a charity event."
Boosie did not waste any time to respond. On March 24, he replied with a furious defense on Twitter, denying the claims outright and lamenting the situation as "sad."
"ITS SAD FOR THIS LAWYER n FAMILY TO SAY I PROMOTED MY EVENT OFF SOMEONES PASSING," Boosie tweeted. "MY EVENT WAS PROMOTED ON EVENTBRITE SINCE NOV 14. THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED A WEEK BEFORE MY EVENT WOULD BE HELD. HOW THE F### AM I SUPPOSE TO PROFIT OFF SOMEONE DEATH FOR A CONCERT."
Boosie explained that he was only trying to lend a hand and that his event was put into motion long before Wilson had passed. It was not an event that would help convince people to buy tickets, he insisted, but could instead hurt the occasion.
"A DEATH OF A STUDENT WON'T HELP A CONCERT IT WOULD HURT A CONCERT," he wrote. "I WAS ASKED TO HELP THE SITUATION AND THATS WHAT I WAS DOING ONCE I MADE IT HOME."
Boosie also fired back at the legal threats against him, deriding the effort as a "money grab" and "the ultimate betrayal."
"FOR YALL TO SAY THAT YALL ARE TAKING LEGAL ACTION AGAINST SOMEBODY WHO IS TRYING TO HELP YALL IS A SLAP N MY FACE N 'COMPLETELY WRONG," he went on. "WHEN KEEPING IT REAL GOES WRONG, SMH BR, IM DONE.
With tensions running high and legal threats being leveled, only time will tell if this dispute takes a turn for the worse. For now, Boosie insists he meant well, but Wilson's family and the Baton Rouge AG have a different opinion on his motivations. Whether this situation proceeds in court or behind the scenes, you can bet that Boosie Badazz isn't going down without swinging.
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