Editor’s Note
This report examines how federal Covid-19 relief funds, intended to support struggling venues, were allegedly used for personal luxury expenses by several prominent artists. It follows our previous coverage of their receipt of these grants.
According to a new report from Business Insider, artists including Lil Wayne, Chris Brown, and Alice in Chains spent millions of dollars in federal Covid relief money on luxury items, personal travel, and other non-essential expenses. The report follows a 2023 story that revealed these artists had accessed funds from the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG) program, which was intended to provide relief to venues and businesses in the live entertainment industry.
While the spending may not be illegal, accounting records obtained by Insider show funds were used in ways that drew criticism. Senator Gary Peters called the expenditures “an abuse of federal resources.”
Chris Brown’s company, CBE Touring, reportedly received $10 million. About half went to Brown personally. Documents suggest $80,000 was spent on his 33rd birthday party, including over $29,000 on hookahs, bottle service, “nitrogen ice cream,” and covering damages to rented couches, plus $2,100 on “atmosphere models” (described as nude women in body paint). Another $24,000 was reportedly used for Brown to take his tour bus to Mexico for a month, where he did not perform but filmed a music video.
Lil Wayne received an $8.9 million grant. According to Insider, he spent $1.38 million on private jets and over $460,000 on clothes, including high-end items like a $1,900 Balenciaga sweater. He also allegedly used $15,000 to cover flights and luxury hotel rooms for women, including a waitress and an adult film actress. Other funds reportedly went to settling a debt with an ex-manager and paying commissions and legal fees.
It appears both Brown and Wayne used some SVOG money for touring-related expenses. Contractors for Wayne’s shows received over $327,000, while Brown spent more than $383,000 on crew payroll. Representatives for Wayne and Brown did not immediately return Rolling Stone’s requests for comment.
Marshmello (Christopher Comstock) reportedly pocketed the entire $9.9 million grant his touring company received because his 2019 touring income exceeded that amount. A representative did not return a request for comment.
Alice in Chains’ touring company, AIC Entertainment, used part of its $4.1 million grant to pay staff and contractors. However, none was used for health insurance. This left the band’s guitar tech and photographer, Scott Dachroeden, in a difficult position when diagnosed with cancer in 2022. He started a GoFundMe and died earlier this year. A source told Insider the band did not provide much financial support after his diagnosis. Band members Jerry Cantrell, Sean Kinney, and Mike Inez also received substantial personal sums from the grant. A representative for Alice in Chains did not return a request for comment.