Mount Westmore, the hip-hop supergroup comprised of Snoop Dogg, Ice Cube, E-40 and Too Short, are currently embroiled in a messy two-way legal battle over a label deal that reportedly left them with a $1.3 million advance. The show centers on a 2022 deal with Westside Merchandising that was supposed to power a massive 60-show international tour.
Instead of a worldwide takeover, the band only played three shows before the whole thing calmed down.
Now, a Los Angeles judge has ordered the rap legend to testify, proving that even industry icons can’t easily dodge subpoenas when a million-dollar deal falls through.
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The friction dates back to 2022, when the newly formed collective signed an exclusive deal with Los Angeles-based Westside Merchandising. According to court documents, the partnership builds on 60 ambitious partnerships across the United States and Europe to ship large quantities of branded gear.
Westside claims it delivered on its promise, advancing more than $1.3 million to artists to launch the campaign. However, the company claimed that the band only performed three concerts in 2022 and none in the years since.
In addition to the missed tour dates, the company claimed artists had their performances ghosted during required promotional videos and retail appearances.
Superstars and testimonial deadlines
The legal heat increased significantly in October 2025 when a Los Angeles Superior Court judge rejected Snoop Dogg and Ice Cube’s attempts to recuse themselves from testifying. The rapper’s attorneys argued that the deposition request was “harassing” and “onerous,” essentially claiming they had nothing new to say beyond what was already in the documents.
The judge didn’t buy it, calling their “lack of knowledge” argument weak and noting that both Snoop and Cube were actual signatories of the contract.
This means idols can’t hide behind busy schedules or big brands to avoid being questioned about why tours are disappearing after taking the oath. Westside even sought $11,000 in sanctions, accusing the defense of using delaying tactics to stall the process.
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While the group’s “anchor” star is burned to death, the other half of the group is trying different escape routes. In their response, E-40 and Too Short argued that although their names were sprinkled throughout the lawsuit, they were never actually parties to the underlying agreement.
This has created a fascinating divide within Mount Westmore, as members take their own share of responsibility for the 60 trips left unfinished. Westside attorney John Fowler has been outspoken about the company’s stance, telling TMZ the case is simple because the other party allegedly defrauded his client. Fowler dismissed the group’s recent legal action as a “distraction” that “reeks of desperation.”
Accounting Auditing and Retail Traps
In February 2026, the rappers officially flipped the script and filed a fraud lawsuit against their former business partner, Westside Merchandising. The countersuit accuses Westside of misrepresenting its actual retail reach solely to lure the group away from a much larger merchandise company.
The artists claimed that while they did receive advances, they were still owed “hundreds of thousands” in unpaid proceeds from sales that actually occurred. Their documents include internal accounting data purportedly from Westside that lists approximately $808,000 in concert merchandise sales, more than $90,000 in retail store sales and $13,000 in e-commerce sales.
Despite the figures, the rappers claim they have yet to see a proper accounting of their full share of profits.
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The move is a classic strategic pivot: The defense is now using Westside’s own financial reports as a weapon. By highlighting the $808,000 earned from those 2022 shows, the artists are trying to prove that the brand is profitable and that suppliers are behind it.
Their legal team publicly accused Westside of refusing to cooperate or engage in good-faith discussions, while calling the initial accusations of fraud “completely baseless and without merit.” This has turned into a classic “he said, she said” scenario, with both parties claiming to be victims of a bait-and-switch.
The rappers are now seeking unspecified damages, claiming the alleged retail misrepresentations caused them significant financial harm.
Watch the supergroup’s legal legacy
The outcome of this fight may depend on whether the courts view the failed tour as a willful violation or simply the result of a flawed partnership. Many fans and industry insiders are watching closely to see if the reason for those missed 57 tour dates is a simple scheduling conflict or other more serious legal issues.
The original $1.3 million fraud lawsuit and new counterclaim are still making their way through the Los Angeles court system, with no final verdict yet.
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This saga is a huge flashing warning sign for the music industry. It highlights growing tensions between traditional artists seeking to monetize their brands and vendors chasing high-profile clients. The message is clear: ambitious “360-style” deals only work if everyone has the ability to actually participate.
As the rapper prepares to testify in person, the focus shifts from the music to the fine print. Whether it ends in a settlement or a full trial, the paper trail Westmore Hills left behind serves as a warning to any artist considering signing on the dotted line for a “mega tour” that may never happen.
