Maverick City Music faces scandal amid artist exodus, lawsuit

What are the key allegations in Chandler Moore's lawsuit?

How might Maverick City's leadership crisis affect its future?

What did Naomi Raine cite as her reason for leaving?

Maverick City Music, an award-winning worship collective, is mired in chaos amid the exodus of two high-profile members and a lawsuit claiming the CEO engaged in fraud and exploitation.

In a statement posted to Instagram Oct. 6, Chandler Moore, 30, announced his departure from Maverick City, writing: "These last two years I’ve been locked in on what really matters…in my life and my career."

"It’s been scary at times, but it’s also been full of fresh vision and real excitement about the future," he continued. "With that, I’ve made the bittersweet decision to end my relationship with Maverick City Music. When we started Mav, I was grateful to have community and belonging while fulfilling my dream of making music that would help people experience God. And we did that…in ways I couldn’t have imagined."

Moore went on to thank fans and fellow members of the collective, and to promise to continue playing music. He then added: "I know there may be press and conversation around certain business matters that my legal team is handling, but my heart, my energy, and my focus are on what's ahead."

Those business matters come into further view in a lawsuit filed on Moore's behalf in federal court Oct. 1. The suit accuses Norman Gyamfi, Maverick City's business manager, of "taking advantage of a creative musical artist and violating the trust the artist placed in the manager."

USA TODAY has reached out to representatives for Moore and Maverick City for comment.

Start your streak: Solve a clue from today's puzzle.

1A large body of salt water

1

Keep Playing

According to court documents, reviewed by USA TODAY, lawyers for Moore allege that Gyamfi and his "corporate alter egos" entered deals without the artist's knowledge, forged his signature, and misappropriated "millions of dollars" of royalties that the singer was due.

Moore's lawyers go on to allege that a web of business entities named are not separate enterprises but a fraudulent network funneling money to Gyamfi. Gyamfi, who was Moore's personal manager before taking on the collective, allegedly made business dealings that were not in the artist's best interest, according to the lawsuit, which claims this amounted to "unjust enrichment" and "self-dealing."

Detailing several contracts and the sale of Moore's masters, lawyers for the founding member of Maverick City allege that Gyamfi siphoned money from him, withheld key information and abused "his power and authority."

Moore's decision to sue coincides with gospel singer Naomi Raine's exit from Maverick City. Raine, 38, announced her departure on Instagram the same day as Moore, writing to fans: "After a lot of prayer and consideration, I've decided that now is the best time to share that I am no longer a part of Maverick City Music."

"Being a part of Mav truly changed my life! What started as a group of folks singing in a shed has turned into something I could’ve never even imagined!" she continued. "Now I believe God has given me the green light to step into what He's calling me to do individually. Still writing. Still singing. Still worshipping and leading others in worship – just on my own.

"This isn’t really an ending, but a new beginning," she added. "A new chapter. I’m excited about the music, the ministry, and the purpose ahead. God’s not done yet."

The dual exit and lawsuit kick off a tumultuous new chapter for Maverick City, which has, since 2018, been a dominant force in the gospel genre. The group, and Gyamfi, however, projected calm.

A statement posted to Instagram by the group's co-founder, Jonathan Jay, and reshared by Gyamfi, read: "Over the years I've made it a point to stay silent on things that don't serve our mission and have chosen instead to speak through the music and the ministry.

"But in light of the recent speculation, innuendo, and allegations made by Chandler Moore, I can't remain silent. Not when the truth is being distorted..." the statement continued. "To be clear: the claims being made against me, against Norman, and against our companies are categorically false.

"These aren't misunderstandings," he wrote. "These are calculated attempts to strong-arm a way out of agreements Chandler made freely and later breached…There's a pattern of avoided accountability, unresolved conflicts passed off to others, and a history of others being forced to carry the weight of consequences never owned. That pattern ends here."

Jay struck a hopeful tone at the end, though, writing: "And yet, in all of this, I remain hopeful. The mission of Maverick City is bigger than any one person."