Azealia Banks has issued a stop & desist letter in opposition to The 1975’s Matty Healy and is demanding $1million (£790,000) in damages.
The authorized submitting follows on from an internet altercation between the 2 musicians final week (December 4), during which Healy rounded on Banks after she criticised his pal and collaborator Charli XCX.
Re-sharing a clip of the video for Charli’s 2014 tune ‘Break The Guidelines’, Banks wrote: “Charli was once soooo fairly. Ugh.”
Healy got here to the ‘365’ singer’s defence, writing: “Azealia you appear to have a blind spot relating to your ‘reads’. All the ladies you assault appear to be culturally related, enticing, divisive and NICE individuals.” He then added that Banks is “jealous”, saying: “You’re so gifted however all the things else about you is a failure. Simply rap bro.”
The feud then escalated shortly, with Banks saying: “The bitch look[s] like Frankenstein to me. You each appear like you share needles. Lmao.”
In a since-deleted tweet, Healy then replied: “Speak to me like that I’m not gonna facet eye you at an awards do I’m going to fucking slap you so arduous I’ll get a Guinness world file for the best a rat some bitch calls a wig has ever flown.”
Banks had already threatened Healy with authorized motion over his risk of bodily violence, and now she has posted a authorized letter on X despatched by her legal professional Wallace Collins to Healy’s Los Angeles residence.
Cc: @the1975 @jamieoborne pic.twitter.com/EadGOQgAlr
— Azealia Banks (@azealiaslacewig) December 8, 2024
The letter, dated December 7, opens: “Please be suggested that I’m authorized counsel to celebrity Azealia Banks in connection along with your threats of violence in opposition to my consumer. If you’re represented by authorized counsel, please direct this letter to your legal professional instantly and have your legal professional notify us of such illustration.”
It goes on to state that Healy’s “assaults” in opposition to Banks’ “skilled repute”, his “overt racial epithets” and his “threats of bodily violence” have been properly documented, and that Healy’s personal acknowledgement that the feedback have been inappropriate “doesn’t undo the harm, however somewhat constitutes proof of an request for forgiveness by you”.
The letter asserts that Healy “acted deliberately with the particular goal of inflicting my consumer to be shocked, distressed and emotionally injured along with your assaults of risk of imminent bodily hurt”. It provides that attributable to Healy’s public profile, he has “an obligation to keep away from reckless statements”, and it raises the chance that his followers “could also be incited to behave upon your posts and commit an act of violence” in opposition to Banks.
“Slightly than begin expensive and time-consuming authorized motion, I’ve normally discovered it useful for all events to attempt to resolve such issues amicably with out the necessity for courtroom intervention,” Collins continued.
“We hereby demand that you just instantly stop & desist from making any additional threats or defamatory statements in opposition to my consumer and demand is hereby made for (1) a immediate public apology to my consumer (in a way to be mutually agreed upon) and (2) compensation for damages within the quantity of $1,000,000.00 in full settlement of this matter”.
— Azealia Banks (@azealiaslacewig) December 8, 2024
It provides that if Healy will not be capable of meet these calls for, “then my consumer shall be compelled to begin authorized motion instantly and search substantial financial damages in addition to authorized charges and applicable injunctive aid”.
Banks shared the letter in two posts on X on Sunday (December 8), tagging in The 1975 and Jamie Oborne, the CEO of the band’s label, Soiled Hit.
Following the unique altercation, Healy acknowledged the row on Reddit on December 5, writing: “What a nasty day, I actually let myself down.”
“I’ve labored so arduous to maneuver previous these impulsive self harmful and truthfully fairly risky outbursts I’ve,” he added. “I’m continually making hassle for myself for no purpose, I come again to social media after depressive episodes (which is NOT an excuse) as a result of I typically turn out to be sober, in order an addict after I’m not utilizing I choose up social media my new manner of ‘consuming’ and altering how I really feel.”
“I simply really feel dreadful about how I acted violent – I feel Azealia and all apparent flawed individuals all deep down have a coronary heart and I hate that I’ve contributed to her psychological fragility. She’s a human. This cultural discourse has turn out to be so violent normally. I don’t wanna act like I remorse who I’m or who’ve been. However Tbh at this level I really feel gross even having stated something destructive ever about something – if it’s contributed to this tradition”
He went on to say: “I’m not right here saying this cos I really feel bullied and scared. I’m embarrassed man. And I’m unhappy. And I would like this 1975 world to be dreamy and fantastic once more. Not some black mirror episode about being a fucking hipster. I hope to place as a lot work into our want and need for altruism and understanding and love as I’ve in regards to the risks of turning into an web lunatic. Cos that occurred to me and it’s was actual nevertheless it’s time to maneuver on as an artist. Sending you all love.”
Banks has since doubled down on her feedback about Charli’s bodily look, writing: “I stated what the fuck I stated. Charli has horrible fucking cosmetic surgery. Interval. Do one thing.”
She then reiterated that “Matt Healy is getting sued” and stated “Charli XCX remains to be botched”, including: “Now fucking what?”
Charli XCX is engaged to Healy’s 1975 bandmate George Daniel – the latter of whom earned co-writing and manufacturing credit on his fiancé’s newest album, ‘Brat’. He’s credited on ‘Membership Classics’ – the place Charli declares “I wanna dance with George” – and the viral hit ‘Apple’ (Daniel lately did the viral dance to the latter tune on the ‘Brat’ tour).
Healy and Daniel additionally created a 1975 re-working of Charli’s monitor ‘I May Say One thing Silly’ for her new ‘Brat’ remix album. Throughout an interview in October, the pop star stated Healy was “like [her] brother now”.
