Tay-K Sued for Profiting From Record Deal After Murder Charge

In 2017, while on the run from police, then-16-year-old Tay-K, born Taymor McIntyre, dropped "The Race" along with its video. The visuals, which feature the rapper flashing handguns and posing in front of his wanted poster, propelled the artist into popularity. Now, the families of the murder victims of Tay-K's alleged shootings are suing the 18-year-old for profiting from a record deal during his alleged crime spree.

In the lawsuit, which was filed on Thursday (July 26) by the family of Ethan Walker, as well survivor Zachary Beloate, the parties are seeking more than $1 million in damages. The plaintiffs also named five of Tay-K's six alleged accomplices, as well as the 88 Classics record label owner Joshua White and Tay-K's manager Ezra Averill in the suit the Star-Telegram reports.

“The principle behind this case is that people and corporations shouldn’t profit from violent crimes against the innocent,” attorney Brian Butcher said. “Taymor McIntyre became a threat to society, possibly with the encouragement of others, in order to promote sales of his music. I want those sales to compensate his victims, not to enrich a record company that supports a child thug.”

While in jail for his alleged role in a 2016 home invasion that ended in the death of Walker, as well as the robbery and fatal shooting of a 23-year-old man in San Antonio, Tay-K signed a record deal with 88 Classic, giving the label the rights to his music. Tay-K's earnings, which are valued at more than $236,000, were placed in an irrevocable spendthrift trust, which White was made manger of.

“McIntyre was encouraged and/or manipulated by his manager and 88 Classic Records to commit crimes in order to promote sales of his music," the lawsuit reads.

The lawsuit also argues that the sale of Tay-K's music rights was a "fraudulent conveyance of assets" as a way to avoid giving money to creditors and the plaintiffs. “The transfers were made with the intention to defraud creditors and without McIntyre receiving reasonably equivalent value in exchange for the transfers,” the lawsuit states.

The lawsuit goes on to add, “Averill (McIntyre’s independent manager), 88 Classic Records and White have profited or stand to profit greatly from McIntyre’s music, while leaving McIntyre with insufficient funds to satisfy the claims of the plaintiffs.”

Thursday's move is just the latest lawsuit for Tay-K who was recently hit with a wrongful death suit in June. The rapper was sued by Lucia Saldivar, the mother of Mark Anthony Saldivar, who she says was shot by Tay-K and left to die.

Tay-K, who is currently being held at Tarrant County Jail in Fort Worth, Texas on a capital murder charge for his role in the 2016 home invasion, was denied bail in March. The rapper will be tried as an adult for his crimes.

XXL has reached out to a representative for 88 Classics for comment regarding the lawsuit.

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