Even by large-living hip-hop standards, a night out at a New York club could prove to be an expensive one for Drake and Chris Brown. The pair have been hit by a $16m (£10.2m) lawsuit after a brawl between the pair and their entourages at the WiP nightclub on 14 June.
The lawsuit has been brought by the owners of WiP and an adjoining venue, the Greenhouse Club, who claim that the fight – which left seven people injured – caused Greenhouse to lose a licensing deal worth $4m. Both venues also temporarily lost their liquor licence in the aftermath of the melee.
Both musicians used to go out with Rihanna. The fight developed when Chris Brown sent a bottle of champagne over to Drake's table, which the rapper sent back. Ice cubes, then glasses were thrown between both men's entourages before things escalated.
According to the lawsuit: "Defendants overran the nightclub's extensive security measures and the brawl overtook the entire space. Terrorised patrons ran for cover … most were unable to protect themselves."
French basketball player Tony Parker, who was hit in the eye with a glass in the commotion, has filed a lawsuit against the club for $20m.
Drake and Chris Brown's spokesmen have played down the rappers' involvement in the fight, and no charges have been brought.
In the lawsuit, the owners claim that Brown and Drake "should have foreseen that their notoriety and celebrity would ensure that their acts had far reaching and devastating effects".
