by Jeroslyn JoVonn
October 22, 2025
Lawyers for the rappers call the demand “harassing, oppressive and burdensome.”
Snoop Dogg and Ice Cube's lawyers are fighting hard to prevent the hip-hop moguls' deposition in a $1.3 million fraud lawsuit.
Newly released court documents reveal that both rappers petitioned a judge in August to prevent the rap legends from appearing for an October deposition related to a lawsuit filed by Westside Merchandise, Us Weekly reports. The clothing company is seeking restitution of $1.37 million it says it paid to the defendants.
Westside Merchandise said Snoop and Cube instructed the company to resolve the matter with its partner Tony Draper. Westside Merchandise refuses to do this until both artists sit down to testify.
Lawyers for the rappers say the demand is “harassing, oppressive and burdensome,” particularly for “high-profile individuals who maintain busy schedules with regular commitments.” In addition, the demand for witness statements is a “clear tactic” to force Snoop and Cube to reach an agreement. At the time of filing, Ice Cube was leading his Big3 basketball league and preparing for his current tour. Snoop was making a movie.
Both rappers asked to testify virtually, with their statements limited to two hours. Westside Merchandise countered by demanding legal sanctions, charging Snoop and Ice Cube an $11,000 fee for delaying the proceedings.
The deposition stems from a lawsuit filed by Westside Merchandise in November 2024 against Snoop, Ice Cube, E-40, Too Short and their group, Mount Westmore LLC, for breach of contract, fraud and conversion.
Westside says it signed a deal in 2022 to be the group's exclusive merchandise seller, paying $1.375 million in advances and royalties based on the promise of a 60-date U.S. and European tour. The company says the tour never happened and the rappers failed to fulfill their contractual obligations.
The company further alleges that Snoop and Cube failed to create the agreed-upon promotional videos required to market the goods. Westside is seeking the return of its $1.375 million advance and punitive damages, alleging that the defendants have refused to repay the funds.
Snoop and Cube have denied any wrongdoing. Too Short and E-40 claim they were never part of the agreement.
“The defendants have no real legal defense in the case and their strategy was simply to delay the inevitable,” said John Fowler, an attorney for Westside Merchandise. “Defendant Too Short has publicly stated that they are simply 'too rich and busy' to focus on Mount Westmore, which is clearly not a legitimate defense in court. We look forward to trying this case.”
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