A judge dismissed on February 10, 2026, allegations from Maverick City Music co-founder Tony Brown that he was coerced into signing an unfavorable buyout agreement. Judge Paige Reese Whitaker of the Atlanta court ruled that the claims must be heard in New York under the exclusive jurisdiction clause of the 2023 buyout agreement.
Brown alleged that Norman Gyamfi, CEO of Maverick City, hired Louis Burrell, a music industry veteran and brother of rapper MC Hammer, to threaten him with character assassination and massive debt if he refused to sign the proposed terms. Maverick City and its holding company, Insignia Assets, called these allegations baseless. Judge Whitaker supported this position, writing that the agreement was freely negotiated by competent counsel on both sides and that Brown received a substantial payment.
Erik Gaines, chief strategy officer of Insignia, expressed satisfaction with the decision that enforces the negotiated agreement. Brown’s attorney, Gary Freed, voiced disappointment over the 14-month delay to rule on a motion to dismiss, which significantly increased his client’s legal fees. Brown retains the option to file his claims in New York or appeal Judge Whitaker’s order.
Brown co-founded Maverick City in 2018 with Jonathan Jay. This Atlanta-based music collective has won five Grammy Awards and topped Billboard’s Christian and gospel charts through collaborations between artists like Chandler Moore, Naomi Raine and Brandon Lake. Gyamfi joined Maverick City as part-owner and executive around 2021 and helped grow the collective’s Christian music empire before buying out Brown’s stake for an undisclosed amount in 2023.
Brown sued Gyamfi and Insignia in 2024, claiming they never completed a series of promised installment payments from the buyout deal, then added racketeering claims alleging the agreement was illegally coerced. Maverick City countersued Brown in late 2025 for allegedly violating a non-compete clause after launching his new Christian music project called God Aura. These claims remain pending in New York.
This case unfolds as Maverick City navigates turbulence following the recent departure of Chandler Moore, a flagship member of the group. Moore sued Maverick City in October 2025, accusing Gyamfi of stealing his royalties, while the group countered that Moore failed to fulfill his contract before exiting. A judge authorized Moore on February 5, 2026, to release solo music while the dispute plays out.
Maverick City Music Grammy Awards
- 2022: Best Contemporary Christian Music Album for Old Church Basement with Elevation Worship
- 2023: Best Gospel Performance/Song for Kingdom with Kirk Franklin
- 2023: Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song for Fear Is Not My Future with Kirk Franklin
- 2023: Best Gospel Album for Kingdom Book One with Kirk Franklin
- 2023: Best Contemporary Christian Music Album for Breathe
Sources:
- Billboard – Maverick City Music Founder’s Lawsuit Dismissed by Judge
- Billboard – Maverick City Music Countersues Co-Founder for $10M Over Competing Worship Choir
- Wikipedia – Maverick City Music
- Shore Fire Media – Maverick City Music Win Four GRAMMY Awards
- KJWL – Chandler Moore Gets Judge’s Permission
