The long-brewing legal showdown between hip-hop legend Missy Elliott and producer Terry Williams ended in dramatic fashion Friday morning when the two sides struck a deal moments before a jury was set to be picked in a Pennsylvania federal court.
U.S. District Judge Nitza Quinones Alejandro informed the summoned jurors that the dispute was resolved following several tense sidebars with both parties and their attorneys.
“The attorneys and Mr. Williams have talked and they have resolved the case,” Judge Alejandro announced.
The precise terms of the agreement remain confidential. Both Elliott’s legal team and Williams declined to comment.
A Battle Over Old Recordings
The case had centered on unpublished tracks recorded more than 30 years ago. Williams alleged that Elliott used material created in his home studio that later resurfaced on the 1994 SISTA album “4 All the Sistas Around da World.”
Williams sought recognition as a co-author and co-owner of those works. Elliott countered with her own lawsuit, demanding exclusive ownership of the recordings and rejecting his authorship claims outright.
According to Elliott’s pretrial filings, Williams “did not write a single lyric or contribute in any way” to the SISTA album. She further argued that she had not even met him until after the album had already been completed and released.
