Accomplishments

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Necole Key has dramatically transformed the landscape of Rodney O's music catalog through her expert management and strategic insight. Since taking over the catalog, she has not only reclaimed rights and renegotiated deals but has also significantly increased its market value. Initially valued in the tens of thousands, Necole's adept negotiations and proactive rights management have led to offers exceeding $2.2 million for the publishing rights alone.

Her innovative approach included securing a lucrative licensing deal for the song "Like That," which samples Rodney O & Joe Cooley’s iconic 1988 track "Everlasting Bass." This particular deal not only brought a substantial direct financial benefit but also reinvigorated Rodney O's influence in the music industry, introducing his classic sounds to a new generation of listeners.

Necole's management of Rodney O's catalog is a testament to her dedication to preserving and enhancing the legacy of the artists she represents. Through her efforts, she ensures that Rodney O's contributions to hip-hop are not only recognized but also celebrated and monetized appropriately, securing his rightful place in the history of the genre.

 Necole Key, Founder of Lady Key Management, is a leading expert in music publishing, copyright termination, and royalty recovery. Her work has been instrumental in ensuring artists, estates, and rights holders regain control over their intellectual property and receive rightful compensation. This case study explores two significant legal cases where Necole played a critical role—a copyright termination battle for 2 Live Crew’s catalog and the Lil Joe Litigation over music catalog ownership. 

Legal Focus: Copyright Reversion Under U.S. Copyright Law (17 U.S.C. § 203)
Client: Brother Marquis (Mark Ross) of 2 Live Crew
Opposing Entity: Pac-Jam Publishing, Luke Records, Lil Joe Records

• 2 Live Crew’s music catalog was contractually transferred to various publishers and record labels throughout their career, limiting the artists' financial control over their work.
• Under Section 203 of the U.S. Copyright Act, artists can terminate copyright transfers 35 years after signing, reclaiming ownership of their works.
• Brother Marquis sought to reclaim his rights, but the case involved complications due to bankruptcy settlements and prior publishing transfers.

NECOLE'S CONTRIBUTIONS

✔ Initiated and led the copyright termination process, ensuring the legal team had the necessary records to proceed.
✔ Confirmed that songs were eligible for termination, strengthening the artist's legal claim.
✔ Obtained essential publishing contracts from PROs (BMI, ASCAP) and industry databases to verify copyright transfers.
✔ Addressed legal concerns regarding past bankruptcy filings, ensuring copyrights couldn’t be reclaimed by creditors.
✔ Facilitated artist participation, uniting former 2 Live Crew members and estate representatives to file termination claims.

 Outcome & Impact

✅ Legal proceedings progressed with stronger evidence, increasing the artist’s chances of successfully reclaiming ownership.
✅ Set a precedent for legacy hip-hop artists, proving that even complex cases involving bankruptcies and multiple ownership transfers could be fought.
✅ Demonstrated the power of independent rights advocacy, with Necole directly influencing legal strategy and artist engagement.

Legal Focus: Catalog Ownership & Royalty Discrepancies
Clients: Former 2 Live Crew Members
Opposing Entity: Lil Joe Records

• Lil Joe Records acquired partial ownership of 2 Live Crew’s catalog, leading to disputes over who controlled the rights and royalties.
• The artists challenged the validity of these ownership claims, arguing that contracts had expired or were manipulated.
• Legal action was needed to recover lost royalties, clarify ownership disputes, and determine rightful earnings.

Necole Key’s Contributions

✔ Led research into records, retrieving documentation proving discrepancies in Lil Joe’s ownership claims.
✔ Recovered royalty data from BMI and SoundExchange, confirming that artists were missing significant payments.
✔ Engaged attorneys in discussions on legal recourse, ensuring that a formal request for financial transparency was made before litigation.
✔ Worked with estate representatives and heirs, ensuring the legal team had consent and documented support for claims.
✔ Raised concerns about potential hidden contracts, pressing for full disclosure from the opposing party.

Outcome & Impact

✅ Strengthened the legal challenge against Lil Joe Records, ensuring that the case was built on verifiable documentation.
✅ Positioned artists and estates for better settlement terms, ensuring they had leverage in negotiations.
✅ Reinforced the necessity for proper financial audits, exposing questionable royalty distributions.

 For over four decades, Brenton Wood, the legendary R&B, Soul, and Funk artist, unknowingly fought an uphill battle for his own music. Known for classics like “Oogum Boogum” and “Gimme Little Sign,” his influence on music is undeniable, yet his rights and royalties were unjustly withheld. Thanks to the unwavering efforts of Nécole Key, Brenton Wood has finally reclaimed what is rightfully his.

Brenton Wood’s journey in the music industry has been filled with highs and lows. While his music continued to generate revenue through digital streaming, commercials, and TV shows, he saw little to no financial benefit due to corporate control over his publishing and masters.

For 44 years, Bicycle Music Group (later acquired by Concord Music Group) falsely claimed ownership of Brenton’s catalog. Despite his continued relevance in pop culture, Brenton’s royalties were being misdirected, and his financial stability was compromised.

When Nécole Key took on Brenton Wood’s case, his rights were on the verge of being lost forever. Knowing the music industry’s history of exploiting artists, she took swift action to uncover the truth and demand justice. Her strategy included:

✅ Investigating fraudulent claims – Nécole uncovered that Bicycle Music/Concord never actually owned Brenton’s publishing and had been making money off his catalog without his consent.

✅ Working with ASCAP and legal teams – She successfully secured ownership recognition for Brenton, ensuring his name was restored in publishing records.

✅ Exposing unauthorized reissues – Concord had re-released Brenton’s music under their Craft Recordings label, illegally profiting from his work.

✅ Retrieving unpaid royalties – After years of neglect, Brenton finally began receiving the payments he was owed.

Brenton Wood now owns and controls his catalog under “I’m Hip Productions.”
ASCAP removed fraudulent claims and restored his publishing rights.
He is receiving rightful payments from his music’s continued success.
Corporate misuse of his work was publicly exposed.

Brenton Wood’s story is one of resilience, justice, and the power of advocacy. Without Nécole Key’s intervention, his music—and his financial well-being—would have remained in the hands of corporations that had no right to control his work. This case sets a precedent for artists everywhere: you have the right to own and profit from your art.

If you or someone you know is facing music industry exploitation, contact Nécole Key. The fight for artist rights continues, and every artist deserves the chance to reclaim their legacy.

Necole Key’s expertise in music clearance and placement was on full display as a Music Coordinator on HBO Max’s hit production The Hype, working under legendary Music Supervisor Paul Stewart. While many supervisors shy away from working with independent artists due to the legal complexities and risks involved, Necole took a different approach—leveraging her deep understanding of music rights and clearance to navigate these challenges seamlessly.

Her strategic foresight and industry knowledge played a pivotal role in granting independent artists a rare opportunity for mainstream placement, ensuring their music was properly cleared and positioned for maximum exposure. Necole’s confidence in handling legal intricacies not only safeguarded the production from potential clearance issues but also elevated fresh, independent talent onto a major television platform—a groundbreaking achievement that sets her apart as a leader in music supervision.

This accomplishment further underscores Necole Key’s exceptional qualifications and her commitment to breaking industry barriers, amplifying independent voices, and ensuring artists get the opportunities they deserve.

The legal battle centered around the rightful claim to performance royalties owed to the estate of Johnny “J,” a renowned producer who collaborated with Tupac Shakur. The plaintiff, Capucine Jackson, acting on behalf of her late husband’s estate, argued that Amaru Entertainment, which manages Tupac’s estate, failed to comply with legal obligations, particularly regarding signing a Letter of Direction (LOD) to distribute royalties. The case was further complicated by prior settlements and agreements that had already set certain legal precedents.

At a crucial moment when the case was about to be dismissed due to procedural and statute of limitations barriers, Nécole Key stepped in to redirect the legal strategy and ensure the case remained in court.

Nécole Key’s entry into the case was timely and strategic. Understanding that prior claims would not hold due to statute of limitations and lack of legal merit, she shifted the argument’s focus. Instead of contesting past agreements, she concentrated on demonstrating how the Estate failed to meet its present-day obligations under existing legal frameworks.

1. Preventing Case Dismissal:
   
   • At a moment when the case was close to dismissal, Nécole helped shape legal arguments that kept it active.
   • She ensured that the claim was reframed in a way that made it difficult for the defense to argue complete dismissal based on past settlements.

1. Shifting the Legal Narrative:
   
   • Rather than revisiting outdated claims, she refocused the case on the Estate’s ongoing non-compliance with legal duties.
   • This strategic redirection emphasized that the case was not about reopening past agreements but enforcing existing legal rights.

1. Highlighting Non-Compliance of the Estate:
   
   • She provided key insights into how Amaru Entertainment failed to sign the Letter of Direction (LOD), a necessary document to release royalties.
   • By documenting and presenting evidence of these failures, she strengthened the argument that the defendants were actively violating legal protocols.

1. Impact on the Plaintiff’s Case:
   
   • Through her involvement, the case shifted from a potentially dismissed lawsuit to an active legal battle over compliance.
   • The emphasis on current obligations rather than historical grievances made it more difficult for the defense to use statute of limitations as a defense.
   • The court was compelled to examine the Estate’s present conduct rather than dismissing the case as a matter of settled law.

Although the case is ongoing, Nécole’s intervention has had a significant impact on its trajectory. By keeping the case alive, she has ensured that:

• The court examines the Estate’s present-day obligations rather than dismissing the case based on past agreements.
• The plaintiff’s claim remains valid under current laws and contractual breaches.
• The defendants must now respond to allegations of continued non-compliance rather than relying solely on procedural defenses.

This case highlights the importance of strategic legal positioning in estate and entertainment law disputes. By understanding how to frame arguments effectively, Nécole Key played a critical role in preventing the premature dismissal of the case and ensuring that the core legal issues were properly addressed.

The Battle for Posthumous Royalties  

Lil Snupe was more than just an artist—he was a voice for a generation. At just 18 years old, the Louisiana-born rapper was on the verge of stardom after catching the attention of Meek Mill and signing to Dream Chasers Records. His raw, unfiltered lyricism and freestyle ability set him apart in an industry where authenticity is rare.  

But his promising career was tragically cut short in 2013. As fans mourned his loss, his music continued to generate royalties, airplay, and streaming revenue. However, behind the scenes, his estate faced a legal and financial battle—one that would require relentless advocacy to ensure his rightful heirs received what was theirs.

The Financial Struggles of a Posthumous Estate  

The music industry is notorious for its complicated royalty structures, and when an artist passes away, the process of accessing their earnings becomes even more complex. Without proper estate management, royalties can be withheld, misallocated, or even claimed by the wrong entities.  

This is exactly what happened with Lil Snupe’s estate. His music was still being streamed, purchased, and played, yet his family was locked out of receiving the financial benefits of his success.  

Some of the biggest challenges his estate faced included:  

🔹 Unclaimed Royalties – Lil Snupe’s songs continued to generate revenue, yet his family wasn’t receiving payments from BMI, SoundExchange, or other rights organizations.  

🔹 Incorrect PRO Registration – BMI, which collects public performance royalties, did not have his estate properly registered, preventing his family from accessing funds.  

🔹 Lack of Transparency – Without proper legal representation, his mother had no way to track earnings or dispute missing payments.  

Without someone to step in, his legacy—and the financial support owed to his family—was at risk.  

How Necole Key Stepped In to Fight for Justice  

Understanding the urgency of the situation, Necole Key took immediate action to ensure Lil Snupe’s estate received the royalties they were entitled to.  

✔ Conducted a Full Royalty Audit – Necole and her team tracked Lil Snupe’s earnings across multiple platforms, including BMI, SoundExchange, and publishing companies, identifying missing and unpaid royalties.  

✔ Filed Official Claims with BMI – She worked directly with BMI representatives to ensure the estate was properly registered, allowing his mother to receive payments as the legal heir.  

✔ Challenged Delayed Payments – By applying pressure on royalty collection agencies and legal representatives, she forced an expedited review of Lil Snupe’s posthumous earnings.  

✔ Protected His Estate from Industry Exploitation – Necole ensured that no third-party entities could wrongfully claim his catalog and that all financial rights were securely transferred to his family.  

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The Impact: Ensuring Lil Snupe’s Family Received What They Deserved  

✅ His estate now has full access to his BMI royalties, ensuring that his mother and rightful heirs receive his earnings.  

✅ Ongoing payments are now legally protected, preventing future financial disputes.  

✅ A precedent was set for other posthumous estates, proving that families can fight for their rights in an industry that often withholds financial transparency.  

For Necole Key, this was more than just a case—it was about honoring Lil Snupe’s legacy and ensuring that his mother, who had already lost her son, didn’t lose the financial benefits of his music too.