Tommy Vext has filed a lawsuit against former Bad Wolves manager Allen Kovac alleging he had a hand in the singer’s ouster from the band due to his political beliefs.
Per TMZ, “In legal docs…Vext says Kovac disagreed with his social media posts criticizing protests in L.A. and Portland, as well as statements he made about the attack on the U.S. Capitol. And, because of that, Vext alleges Kovac launched a campaign to drive him out of music by demanding radio and streaming services stop playing Bad Wolves — and they complied because Kovac has that kinda ‘pull’ in the industry.”
Vext’s other accusations include Kovac tried to block him from sharing his political views, saying his Bad Wolves bandmates locked him out of their social channels and said he “was not black enough.” Vext also alleges Kovac regularly used the N-word in conversations.
Vext said in a statement to TMZ, “For several years I’ve poured all of my energy and passion into building Bad Wolves. We’ve toured the world several times and charted 6 Billboard number 1 singles. All the while I’ve had to endure disparaging, manipulative and at times racially charged misconduct from my former manager Allen Kovak [sic] and his record company Better Noise Music. Allen has forced me out of my own band and is now attempting to slander and cancel me. After several failed attempts to settle amicably, I’m now forced to place this in the hands of the courts.”
Vext would share a screenshot of the TMZ story to his Instagram along with the following caption: “AS ARTISTS WE CAN NO LONGER REMAIN SILENT ABOUT THE CENSORSHIP AND THREAT CULTURE GOING ON BEHIND THE SCENES IN THE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY. AMERICANS HAVE A CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT TO VOTE AND VOICE THEIR OPINIONS. THEY SHOULD NOT HAVE THEIR LIVELIHOODS DESTROYED BY THE OLIGARCHY FOR DISAGREEING WITH THEIR DICTATOR SCRIPT.
Thank you to Malcolm McNeil & my legal team at Arent Fox for taking on my case. Thank you for the fans and other voices who continue to fight for the 1st amendment. Thank you to my investors who read the evidence and demand that I see justice.
WE NEED TO MAKE THIS STORY GO VIRAL SO THE ABUSE OF POWER ENDS. I IMPLORE YOU TO REPOST RESHARE AND TAGG AS MANY AS YOU CAN SO THE TRUTH IS NO LONGER SILENCED
#BadWolves #Betternoise #AllenKovac #10thstreetentertainment #TMZ #Trump
#Uncletom”
Vext and Bad Wolves parted ways in January 2021. In June, Bad Wolves named Daniel ‘DL’ Laskiewicz as their new singer.
Following his exit from Bad Wolves, Vext shared a lengthy statement critical of the press he received following sharing a number of opinions including unsubstantiated conspiracy theories related to racism and the Black Live Matter movement and protests.
Vext said in part, “I voiced my disappointment of protests turning into violent riots. Cities, businesses, lives destroyed ‘mostly peacefully.’ I criticized the media standing idle and even condoning that behavior. I pointed out that Good causes were infiltrated by bad actors, hijacked and delegitimized a good movement. I dared to question who financially benefits from this and who was funding these events. I questioned the lockdowns as small businesses were driven into bankruptcy yet big chains were allowed to operate. I questioned the imposed social distancing and why rioting and looting are exempt, or why you can’t have family gatherings or eat at restaurants unless you are a politician. A repeated hypocrisy we saw time and again. And for this they came after me.
He added, “Me, an African American artist speaking his mind. I became unacceptable by the gatekeepers because I walked off the plantation. I had to be silenced. Cancel culture came after my band. I was threatened, ridiculed, blackmailed and smear campaigns were launched to destroy my career and my livelihood. These events really opened my eyes, because this was no longer just an urban legend.”
