An Atlanta-based event firm is taking legal action after allegedly being defrauded of a substantial sum by a booking agent who promised performances from Doechii and SiR for Baltimore’s AFRAM Festival. Blackout Management LLC claims they wired $187,500 in December 2024 to Christopher Young, a New Jersey agent, who purported to have direct connections with the artists through Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE).
The Alleged Scam Unfolds
The deal began to unravel by March 2025 when Young cited tour conflicts as the reason for the artists’ unavailability. After months of delays and excuses, Blackout Management contacted TDE directly, only to discover that Young had never actually booked Doechii and had only engaged in preliminary discussions about SiR. Crucially, no contracts, promotional materials, or official paperwork were ever provided, and none of the wired funds reached the artists or their label.
Instead, the money reportedly remained with Young and his company, Sacrifice Management LLC. Blackout Management alleges that Young agreed to issue refunds on two separate occasions, signing settlement agreements in May and July, but failed to make any payments. This has led Blackout Management to file a lawsuit against Young, citing fraud, unjust enrichment, and negligent misrepresentation, seeking the full deposit, legal fees, and punitive damages.
Broader Issues in Event Booking
The AFRAM Festival, Baltimore’s premier Juneteenth celebration, draws over 150,000 attendees daily, making this alleged scam particularly impactful on the local event scene. This incident also highlights a concerning trend in the entertainment industry, as it follows another recent lawsuit where Esmail Entertainment is suing Shaw Management for $2.5 million over a canceled GloRilla show. That case involves claims of forged agreements and unrefunded deposits for multiple artists.
GloRilla’s team has confirmed she never agreed to the performance, and only a fraction of the deposited funds have been returned. These cases underscore the importance of due diligence and verifying the legitimacy of booking agents and agreements in the fast-paced world of live entertainment.
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