Mos Def Needs Mo' Money

Mos Def, the rapper-turned-actor, is having child support problems. His estranged wife, Maria Yepes-Smith (Mos Def's real name is Dante Smith), says that he's failed the pay the full $10,000-a-month for their two daughters that he's owed for the first two months of the year, only paying $8,000 each time. Mos Def's lawyer claims that his business obligations, plus supporting three other children, are making it difficult. Def even spoke up during the hearing, much the judge's annoyance, saying, "I'm the only person who's providing for my children." Def also claims his wife said she would homeschool the girls, but isn't, so he should pay less in support. Hey, private school costs money, too!

Anyway, Yepes-Smith's lawyer said, "I've been seeing him in these commercials with Bruce Willis for his new movie. I'm sure he made enough money to pay his child support for his 7- and 8-year-old daughters." Gothamist saw those ads, too, but we've also seen a lot of episodes of Behind the Music, specifically the one about TLC where Left Eye (RIP) meticulously goes through how they lost all their money. Maybe Mos Def can auction off award show swag on eBay.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Jen Chung in Arts and Events on February 15, 2006 10:28 AM

Comments [rss]

ortem

I love this man's music, but I am greatly dissapointed that he has fallen into this sterotypical situation... the bottomline is he should not have had all those kids unless he was prepared to support them until they became adults

e

Tribe Called Quest?!

Hahahahaha

Try The Cosby Mysteries! Heard of it?

tien

tribe called quest? heard of them?

and that movie takes place in nyc.

rikomatic

It took me a bit of searching to figure out why this was in Gothamist. I guess its because Mos Def is from Brooklyn? Or is there some other NY connection I'm missing?

your sister's gay boyfriend

dude,

No kid actually needs $120,000 a year, but my understanding is that child support reflects the parent's lifestyle. Plus, if he could afford a decent lawyer, he wouldn't be paying $10,000 a month.

Peter

He really should have thought this through before he helped to pop those kids. Why didn't he get himself snipped after the first two or three accidents? He's pretty screwed financially regardless of what he works out. He should consider changing his name to Mos Debt.

Jen

Yeah, I know - I mean, he's doing a lot better than lots of other people out there, but with five kids, at least a manager (possibly an agent also...stylist, publicist...) taking a cut... He better do some quick and easy voiceover work stat - or license some music.

your sister's gay boyfriend

At the risk of sympathizing too much with a fairly successful entertainer with kids out of wedlock, I can see how he can come up short.

I'm guessing that the child support was set way too high, since artists get paid quite a bit up front, but much of the money ends up going to stuff like studio time and promotion. Seeing how he's not a platinum-selling artist like TLC but with similar obligations, he's probably making very little, if at all, from his music.

That said, the movies and commercials he's done should be able to provide for a comfortable lifestyle. $10,000/m seems a bit high for someone at his level though.