Coolio Sued for $1 Million

October 3, 2000 -- Looks like there's trouble in "Gangsta's Paradise" — on Friday, a disgruntled producer hit rapper Coolio and three record labels with a $1 million-plus lawsuit.

Producer Dominic Aldridge, a k a "Romeo," filed the breach-of-contract suit in Los Angeles Superior Court, claiming that he's been cheated out of more than $1 million by the rap star, who's real name is Artis Ivey Jr., and a trio of record labels: Atlantic, Priority, and Tommy Boy.

Aldridge claims that he is owed royalties and fees promised, in oral and written contracts made between 1995 and 1997, for three songs: "Money," "Wild Wild West," and a cut from the Space Jam soundtrack, "The Winner."

The producer, who worked on the Coolio albums Gangsta's Paradise and My Soul, is seeking accounting of all money received from sale of the three songs and an order instructing Coolio and the labels to cough up the royalties that he is allegedly owed. He is also asking for compensatory and exemplary damages, as well as the costs of the suit and legal fees.

This isn't the first time a disgruntled colleague has sued Coolio. In September 1999, after a June van accident that forced the cancellation of a tour by the rap star, two members of backing band the Wylde Bunch filed a suit seeking unpaid wages.