On February 3, 2010, Lauren P. Raysor, Esq. announced the filing of an Appellate Brief against Universal Music Group et al.

Ms. Raysor hopes that the Appellate Court will understand and reverse the lower court’s decision to hold Universal Music Group responsible for the violent acts committed by the rap artist Remy Ma aka Remy Smith.

Ms. Raysor says, “Universal hires and encourages rap artists to act violently and engage in antisocial behavior in order to sell CDs. Thus, part of the performer’s persona promoted by the Company is to ‘keep it real’ and remain ‘gangsta.’

“It is our position that Universal is responsible for the negligent hiring of artist Remy Ma, in that they were aware of her violent behavior and actions and failed to train, supervise or take any precaution to protect the public. How many lives will have to be lost before the record industry takes responsibility for these talented young men and women?” says Ms. Raysor.

On July 14, 2007, Remy Ma shot Ms. Makeda Barnes-Joseph twice in the abdomen. As a result of her injuries, Ms. Barnes-Joseph required three surgeries and is still experiencing numbness in her legs.

Ironically, two months earlier — in May 2007 — Reverends Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson and other community activists met with record company executives, including those from Universal Music Group, to discuss similar issues.

Oral arguments are scheduled between May and June 2010.

For more information, visit www.laurenraysor.com.