A long-simmering family battle over Aaliyah’s music catalog has taken a darker turn — and fresh court papers have added an explosive allegation about the singer’s final trip.
The dispute centers on a lawsuit filed by Jomo Hankerson against his father, Barry Hankerson, and Blackground Records. Barry — Aaliyah’s uncle and the one-time manager behind the label that controls significant masters and publishing — pushed back in court papers, saying Jomo was paid to coordinate travel for the singer’s Bahamian video shoot in August 2001. According to Barry, Jomo failed to carry out those duties, and Aaliyah ultimately boarded a private plane that later crashed, killing her and several others.
Barry’s filing stops short of a direct murder claim but argues the tragedy “may have been avoided” if the travel arrangements Jomo had been tasked with were completed. Barry also says the relationship between him and his son never recovered after Aaliyah’s death.
Jomo’s lawsuit, however, is focused on money: he alleges Barry breached a settlement tied to ownership and income from recording masters and publishing rights for artists including Aaliyah, Toni Braxton, DMX and Timbaland. Jomo claims the agreement entitles him to 12% of proceeds Barry collected from those music assets. He accuses Barry of using Blackground Records to conceal income and create bogus expenses to pressure him into accepting less than he’s owed, and is asking for more than $1.2 million in damages.
Barry has denied wrongdoing in court and says the settlement Jomo relies on is invalid because it was procured by fraud. In a further twist, Barry alleges Jomo threatened to release unreleased Aaliyah material if his financial demands weren’t met. Jomo has rejected the accusations.
The filings lay bare both financial and emotional strain inside a family that has long been tied to the music industry. Blackground Records’ catalog has been the subject of controversy and attention for years, and the present case turns that business dispute into a personal fight, invoking one of pop culture’s most heartbreaking moments.
No criminal charges stem from the new filings — this is a civil fight over money, contracts and what each side says are breaches of trust. As the legal back-and-forth continues, both men are standing by their versions of events, and a judge will ultimately decide whether the settlement is enforceable and whether Jomo is owed the money he claims.
For fans of Aaliyah and observers of music-rights battles, the case is another reminder of how the business side of the industry can spiral into family warfare. Court proceedings are ongoing, and more details are expected to emerge as the matter moves forward.
