Usher Sues Producer Bryan-Michael Cox for Nearly $5 Million

Usher has filed a lawsuit against music producer Bryan-Michael Cox and several other business associates over a failed restaurant project in Atlanta. According to court documents obtained by Billboard, the singer is seeking nearly $5 million in damages.

The dispute centers around a restaurant and lounge called Homage ATL. Usher says that in 2024, Cox, along with Keith Thomas, Charles Hughes, and entertainment lawyer Alcide Honoré, approached him about investing in the project. While Usher declined to become a full partner, he agreed to loan the group $1.7 million in January 2025 to help purchase the property.

Months passed and the restaurant property in Buckhead was never purchased. Usher says he asked for the money back and received $1 million in August, but the remaining $700,000 has not been returned.

According to the lawsuit, Honoré told Usher that returning the funds was “not that easy” because the money had been used for “other purposes”. Usher claims he has not received a clear explanation of what the money was spent on.

The filing alleges that the funds were intended only to buy the Buckhead property. Usher’s lawyers wrote, “Plaintiff loaned [the money] for the sole purpose of purchasing the Buckhead property. The defendant investor group failed to purchase the Buckhead property and, instead, diverted the Raymond loan balance for [other] purposes.”

Cox, known for producing hits for Usher, Mary J. Blige, and Mariah Carey, responded on Instagram, saying he is a “passive minority shareholder” in the business and had no involvement in the transaction. He added, “My 27-year friendship with @usher remains fully intact.”

The lawsuit accuses Cox, Thomas, and Hughes of breach of contract and unjust enrichment. Honoré faces separate claims including breach of bailment, negligence, and breach of fiduciary duty.

Usher’s lawyers claim Honoré admitted that the funds had been used elsewhere and that repayment would only happen after the property was purchased and refinanced.

Usher’s team says the restaurant was meant to be a unique dining experience in Atlanta, but the project never materialized. While he chose not to become an investor, Usher’s loan was meant to secure the property, which was valued at over $6 million. The remaining $700,000 has yet to be returned, prompting the lawsuit.

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