Aaliyah: Family War Erupts With Singer’s Uncle Blaming Her Cousin For Fatal Plane Crash
TMZ • • entertainment
Key Points:
- Barry Hankerson, Aaliyah's uncle and manager, alleges that his son Jomo Hankerson failed in his responsibility to coordinate travel for Aaliyah's 2001 Bahamas music video shoot, suggesting this failure contributed to the fatal plane crash that killed the singer.
- Jomo Hankerson filed a lawsuit against Barry and Blackground Records, accusing his father of breaching a settlement regarding music rights for artists including Aaliyah, Toni Braxton, DMX, and Timbaland.
- Jomo claims he is owed 12% of earnings from these music assets but alleges Barry hid money and fabricated expenses to pressure him into accepting less than he is owed, seeking over $1.2 million in damages.
- Barry denies all allegations, asserting the settlement is invalid due to fraud and claims Jomo threatened to release unreleased Aaliyah music if his financial demands were not met.
- The legal dispute highlights ongoing family tensions and financial conflicts related to Aaliyah's estate and music legacy.
