Federal Judge Sides with Nelly Over $50M Copyright Lawsuit Filed by Former Bandmate

A federal judge has recommended that Nelly be reimbursed legal fees stemming from a “baseless” and “frivolous” lawsuit filed by one of his former St. Lunatics bandmates last year over a copyright dispute.

In September 2024, Ali Jones filed a federal lawsuit against Nelly, claiming he misled bandmates about credit and royalties for eight tracks on his breakthrough debut album “Country Grammar.”

That lawsuit initially sought $50 million and listed three other St. Lunatics members (Torhi Harper, Robert Kyjuan and Lavell Webb) who quickly withdrew and say they did not authorize the lawsuit. Jones continued alone but moved to voluntarily dismiss the case in April 2025, according to federal court records.

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