The long-running legal battle between Azealia Banks and her former manager, Jeff Kwatinetz, has taken another tense turn. Kwatinetz is publicly slamming the rapper’s recent request for a restraining order against him, calling it a “desperate act” designed to divert attention from his recent victories in court.
The response comes after years of back-and-forth lawsuits, claims of unpaid royalties, harassment allegations, and default judgments between the two parties.
Kwatinetz, co-founder of Prospect Park and the BIG3 basketball league, initially filed suit against Banks alleging extortion, defamation, and stalking. After years of procedural delays including Banks missing depositions and court hearings a judge ruled in favor of Kwatinetz, finding Banks liable for civil extortion and harassment.
Following those rulings, Banks filed for a temporary restraining order against her former manager. Legal representatives for Kwatinetz pushed back immediately:
Dismissed as a PR Move: Kwatinetz’s legal team described the restraining order filing as a baseless retaliation attempt intended to manipulate headlines after losing in court.
No Merit: Representatives maintained that Kwatinetz has operated entirely within legal boundaries to enforce court judgments and hold Banks accountable.
Next Steps in Court: The court continues to evaluate outstanding damages while existing judgments remain firmly in place against the artist.
The fallout between the “212” artist and her former manager stems from a tumultuous partnership that dissolved shortly after the release of her 2014 debut album, Broke with Expensive Taste.
While Banks previously filed cross-complaints accusing Kwatinetz of breach of contract and financial improprieties, court rulings dismissed her counter-claims due to non-compliance with judicial orders. As legal proceedings wrap up, Kwatinetz’s team remains firm that their focus is finalizing financial recovery and bringing the dispute to a formal close.
