Rapper Iggy Azalea Claims UMG Owes Her an Eight-Figure Sum

Iggy Azalea has taken to social media to publicly accuse Universal Music Group (UMG) of withholding millions of dollars in international royalties. The Australian rapper claims she has never received a single royalty payment from UMG for her music’s earnings outside the United States, despite being contractually owed the funds.

Azalea Alleges UMG Has Stolen Millions

In a series of fiery posts on X (formerly Twitter), Azalea alleged that UMG has failed to pay her rightful earnings for years. She expressed her frustration, stating:

“Crazy how in my entire career I was never paid a single royalty by Universal Music for anything outside of the USA. They owe me millions of dollars in back pay that they technically stole from me, as per my contract I am due payment.”

The rapper estimates her unpaid royalties are in the eight-figure range, making this one of the most significant financial disputes between an artist and a major record label in recent years.

UMG’s Alleged Lowball Settlement Offer

Azalea further revealed that UMG recently attempted to settle the matter by offering her just $18,000—a sum she found laughable given the millions she claims she is owed.

“Last week they tried to respond to my lawyer and offer me a settlement of 18K,” she wrote. “I’m told this is a normal response from their lawyers and after appearing in court they end up paying millions as they’re supposed to.”

Her remarks suggest that UMG regularly attempts to minimize payouts to artists until legal action forces them to pay larger amounts.

Azalea Calls Out Universal Music’s Business Practices

Beyond her personal financial dispute, Azalea criticized UMG’s overall treatment of artists, calling the company “criminals” who exploit musicians for profit. She emphasized that many artists lack the financial resources to fight for their rightful earnings and accused the label of taking advantage of this imbalance.

“Thankfully I’m well off and can and will pursue this issue until they pay me what they owe,” she stated. “But I’d like to publicly say that I think Universal Music are criminals who actively take advantage of ALL of their artists in perpetuity for their own gain.”

Azalea also claimed that UMG’s withholding of payments is a widespread issue affecting many musicians, particularly those who cannot afford legal battles.

A Two-Year Legal Battle for Her Royalties

Azalea disclosed that her dispute with UMG has been ongoing for more than two years. She shared a screenshot of a conversation with an unnamed source confirming that the label’s settlement tactics are common.

“Universal came back and said they owe you $18K,” the message read. “Auditor said this is par for the course. He’s had audits where they come back and say you owe them money and then end up paying artists hundreds of thousands. We’re going back to them this week. These labels are f***ing criminals.”

Azalea’s response? “Lmfao.”

Universal Music’s Troubled History with Artist Royalties

As of now, Universal Music Group has not publicly responded to Azalea’s accusations. However, this is not the first time the company has faced backlash over royalty disputes. Other artists, including members of Limp Bizkit, have previously taken legal action against UMG for withheld earnings, resulting in significant payouts.

The music industry has long been scrutinized for its complex record contracts and questionable royalty distribution practices. Many artists have spoken out about being shortchanged despite generating millions in revenue for their labels.

Will Azalea’s Fight Spark Industry-Wide Change?

Iggy Azalea’s case highlights the ongoing tensions between artists and record labels over fair compensation. Unlike many musicians who lack the financial means to challenge major corporations, Azalea has made it clear she is prepared to fight for every dollar she is owed.

“Universal Music, mark my words, you ugly b***h—you will pay me what’s owed,” she declared, showing no signs of backing down.

Her public battle could inspire other artists to demand transparency and fair compensation. The key question now is whether UMG will continue to resist or finally pay up.

As more musicians come forward with similar claims, the pressure on major labels to reform their royalty practices continues to grow.