MF DOOM’s widow Jasmine Thompson and former Stones Throw manager Eothen “Egon” Alapatt have resolved their long-running dispute over the late rapper’s notebooks.
On Friday (February 28), DOOM’s official Instagram account posted a message saying that Thompson and Alapatt had worked out their differences in a “confidential settlement.”
Both parties issued statements as well, clarifying that the notebooks have been returned to Thompson, who will “determine the next steps” for the writings.
Alapatt’s statement read: “DOOM was a dear friend to me and one of the most important artists I’ve ever known. I bought DOOM’s notebooks and kept them safe for years to ensure his powerful musical legacy could be preserved. The resolution Jasmine and I have reached…represents a significant triumph in protecting the genesis of a once-in-a-lifetime talent. I am proud to have played a role in saving some precious markers of DOOM’s life in music and trust Jasmine to determine the next steps for his notebooks.”
Thomas said, on behalf of herself and her family: “We are relieved to bring this chapter to a close. Over the years, there have been many public narratives concerning this matter, some of which have been misrepresented or unfairly magnified. While differences did arise along the way, we acknowledge that Egon preserved DOOM’s invaluable notebooks and are grateful to now have them returned as part of this resolution.”
The notebooks, which were the subject of a lawsuit in 2023, reportedly contained written lyrics for tracks from Operation Doomsday, Madvillainy, and MM…FOOD as well as other unreleased content.
“Alapatt never consulted with DOOM about his acquisition of the notebooks and took advantage of DOOM’s being out of the country to obtain them,” the lawsuit reads.
Alapatt allegedly denied that he had possession of the notebooks but then admitted to having them after being confronted by DOOM. He claims that DOOM owed him $12,500 in rent and since he paid it for the late rapper, he is the rightful owner of the works.
“Although Alapatt has professed that he ‘does not intend to publish’ the unauthorized digital copies he made, he does not have to ‘publish’ the copies of his infringing copies to be liable,” the complaint continues. “Regardless, DOOM’s estate alleges that Alapatt actually shared the copies of the notebook he made with others.”
