After World Music Views (WMV) published an interview with music executive Damien “DDOT” Washington regarding his lawsuit against music platform EVEN and its CEO Enrique “Mag” Rodriguez, the company issued a direct rebuttal challenging key elements of Washington’s account and citing evidence from the public court record.
In correspondence provided to WMV, EVEN’s representatives, through Carrie Davis of CD Consulting — questioned whether DDOT’s public statements align with documented evidence, specifically disputing his assertion that he was “randomly added” to the Babygrande lawsuit due to his industry profile and former executive status.
EVEN strongly rejects that characterization. According to materials referenced from a public exhibit, the company says a text exchange shows DDOT acknowledging he was “working at EVEN with Stove using my Mailchimp” and acting on instructions “on his behalf outside of EVEN.” The company argues this demonstrates DDOT was not peripheral to the dispute but instead “at the dead-center, beating heart of the complaint.”
Employment Status and Misclassification Dispute
DDOT’s lawsuit accuses EVEN and Rodriguez of discrimination, retaliation, labor violations, wrongful termination, and deliberate misclassification as an independent contractor despite allegedly working full-time. He claims this classification deprived him of overtime pay, benefits, and workplace protections.
EVEN again points to the same exhibit to counter that narrative. In the cited exchange, DDOT allegedly states, “I wasn’t a full-time employee,” which the company says contradicts his legal claim of full-time status. The response further suggests he acknowledged lacking employee protections and liability coverage — statements EVEN argues undermine his misclassification claim.
Lawsuit Filed Amid Major Industry Deal
The dispute comes at a critical moment for the company. EVEN, a direct-to-consumer superfan platform, recently announced a partnership with Universal Music Group. Just days before that agreement, DDOT filed his lawsuit against the company.
In the 29-page complaint obtained by WMV, DDOT accuses EVEN Labs and Rodriguez of discrimination, wage violations, retaliation, contract breaches, and wrongful termination after he challenged what he describes as unlawful conduct within the organization.
DDOT alleges he experienced race and gender discrimination, including being denied a promised promotion to Head of Artist Relations in favor of a less experienced candidate, stripped of duties, denied commissions, excluded from meetings and travel, and removed from press credits despite contractual guarantees.
The complaint further alleges misclassification as an independent contractor while working full-time, unpaid overtime, withheld bonuses and reimbursements, and payment through a third-party platform rather than the company’s payroll system. DDOT claims his work generated more than $400,000 in merchandise revenue that EVEN used to attract investors without properly crediting him.
Additional allegations involve disputes over music releases connected to Stove God Cooks and Babygrande Records, as well as claims of post-termination retaliation that harmed his professional reputation.
DDOT is seeking back pay, overtime compensation, damages, attorney’s fees, and a jury trial.
Separate Babygrande Litigation
The dispute is unfolding alongside a separate case filed by Babygrande Records in the Southern District of New York, which names EVEN, its investors, and DDOT as co-defendants.
The court has scheduled a remote conference for March 11, 2026, to address disputed call recordings and related discovery matters. Babygrande has been instructed to file any responses by March 9, and a prior request for an extension has been denied.
Damien “DDOT” Washington is represented by attorney William Guilford of Guilford Law. The case has been assigned to U.S. Magistrate Judge Barbara C. Moses, who will oversee pretrial proceedings and matters related to the potential jury trial.
