Nicki Minaj Faces $295,605 Default Judgment Bid
A law firm has renewed its request for a default judgment against the rapper over unpaid legal fees, with a hearing set for November 16.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Hip-Hop and Rap
The law firm Gordon Recs Scully Mansukhani has asked Los Angeles County Superior Court for a default judgment of $295,605 against Nicki Minaj, claiming she owes that sum for services, fees, and interest. The firm says Minaj has not responded to its March lawsuit seeking payment, and the renewed request was filed shortly after she appeared at a New Hampshire polling station.
Why it matters
The filing puts a pending financial dispute involving a high-profile U.S. hip-hop artist on the public docket and tests how an unanswered lawsuit can move toward a judgment. A default judgment, if granted, would make the claimed amount enforceable against Minaj.
The firm's filing cites a $295,605 balance for services, fees, and interest, a sum that compares with the $500,000 default judgment Minaj previously paid to a security guard in January. The court record does not yet show whether Minaj has filed any response, and the outcome of the hearing set for November 16 remains unknown.
The players
Nicki Minaj
A Trinidadian-American rapper and singer widely known for her chart-topping hip-hop work and her influence on the genre.
Gordon Recs Scully Mansukhani
A Los Angeles-area law firm that has pursued the legal fee claim against Minaj through the courts.
The details
The firm filed its renewed request within minutes of Minaj's public appearance outside a polling station in Derry, New Hampshire, where she posed for a photo in front of a campaign sign for Anthony DiLorenzo. The request follows an earlier lawsuit the firm filed in March seeking payment, which the firm says has gone unanswered for 30 days since Minaj was served.
Timeline
March: Gordon Recs Scully Mansukhani filed its lawsuit seeking payment from Minaj.
January: Minaj paid a $500,000 default judgment to avoid a sale of her Los Angeles mansion.
Last week: Minaj appeared with Trump at a rally in Michigan.
November 4, 2026: Minaj appeared at the New Hampshire polling station and the firm renewed its default request.
November 16, 2026: A hearing on the default judgment request is scheduled.
Industry Dynamics
The filing extends a recent pattern in which Minaj has faced default judgments, following the $500,000 payment she made in January to avoid losing her Los Angeles mansion. It shows how unresolved legal fee disputes can reach the courts even when they involve artists at the top of their field.
The outcome of the default request could affect how and when Minaj's business and legal obligations are settled, and it may shape how fans follow her ongoing public appearances and projects. The November 16 hearing will determine whether the claimed $295,605 becomes an enforceable judgment.
The takeaway
Unanswered legal claims can quickly escalate to default judgments, so artists and their teams benefit from responding to lawsuits within the required timeframe. Readers following the case should watch the November 16 hearing for the court's decision.
What happens next
A hearing on the default judgment request is scheduled for November 16, 2026, when the court will consider the law firm's renewed request.
Further reading
Explore more coverage in the Hip-Hop and Rap section for related artist news and industry developments.
