AceShowbiz - Maverick City Music has successfully obtained a court order preventing its estranged co-founder from releasing new worship music as part of an ongoing legal dispute. On April 29, 2024, a New York judge granted a preliminary injunction against Tony Brown, who sold his shares in the Grammy-winning group to current CEO Norman Gyamfi in 2023 for $5 million.

The legal battle centers on allegations that Brown violated a non-compete clause by launching a rival Christian music collective called God Aura after his exit from Maverick City Music. Gyamfi claims Brown’s new project directly competes with the original collective, prompting the court to temporarily halt Brown’s ability to release new music during the lawsuit.

Brown disputes the enforceability of the non-compete clause and challenges the terms of his buyout agreement, asserting that he has been underpaid by approximately $2 million. Judge Nancy M. Bannon ruled that the validity of the contract remains unresolved and will depend on forthcoming evidence. Until a final decision is reached, Brown is barred from releasing music, including God Aura’s album Wonderful Child, which must be removed from streaming platforms as part of the injunction.

The dispute will now move into the discovery phase, where both parties exchange evidence to support their claims. Steven Cooper, a lawyer representing Maverick City Music, expressed satisfaction with the court’s decision, stating that his clients are "very pleased that the court shut down Anthony Brown’s improper competitive activities." Cooper further accused Brown of attempting to avoid the hearing and said that Norman Gyamfi and his companies will aggressively pursue any contract violations or wrongdoing.

Brown’s legal team declined to comment on the injunction.

Maverick City Music was co-founded by Brown and Jonathan Jay in 2018 in Atlanta. The collective has gained significant recognition, winning five Grammy Awards and topping Billboard’s Christian and gospel music charts. Notable members and collaborators include Chandler Moore, Naomi Raine, and Brandon Lake.

Gyamfi became a part-owner and executive of Maverick City Music around 2021, contributing to the group’s growth before buying out Brown’s shares. Brown alleges that Gyamfi failed to complete all payments due to him, citing unproven sexual harassment allegations against Brown as a factor.

Initially, Brown filed his lawsuit in Georgia, but it was transferred to New York in February 2024 due to a forum selection clause in the buyout agreement. An Atlanta judge previously rejected Brown’s claim that he signed the buyout under coercion from Louis Burrell, a music industry veteran and brother of MC Hammer.

Meanwhile, Maverick City Music faces separate litigation following Chandler Moore’s recent departure. Moore has accused Gyamfi of withholding royalties, which the group denies, stating Moore did not fulfill his contractual obligations before leaving. Similar to the Brown case, Maverick City Music sought to block Moore from releasing solo music during the dispute but was unsuccessful. Moore has since been cleared to pursue a solo career.

This series of legal challenges highlights ongoing tensions within Maverick City Music as the group navigates internal conflicts and contractual disputes while maintaining its status as a leading force in contemporary worship music.