Mothership Music has entered voluntary liquidation after taking American rapper Flo Rida to court over his no-show at Newcastle's Fat As Butter festival in 2011.
Earlier this week the rapper – real name Tramar Dillard – escaped paying $400,000 in damages and the Newcastle Herald has reported that Mothership Music Pty Ltd has entered liquidation with almost $200,000 in debt to the Australian Tax Office and other debtors.
Fat As Butter promoter Brent Lean is a director of Mothership Music, but confirmed to theMusic.com.au that the company is not affiliated the festival, which will continue as planned. Fat As Butter is its own company and has been protected from the court case, which was brought to Flo Rida by Mothership Music.
Also not affected by the wind-up is Mothership Events, which continues to work with the profitable Fat As Butter event and other music industry interests.
Flo Rida escaped the fine for not showing up at the festival after successfully appealing that the summons, which was lodged over Facebook by the New South Wales District Court, was not sufficient.
Flo Rida's lawyer David Weinberger told theMusic, “Flo Rida is happy that the Court of Appeal has set aside the judgment that was made in his absence. He looks forward to performing in front of his Australian fans in the near future, and thanks all of his fans Down Under for their past, ongoing and future support. For him, it is all about the music.”
Bliss N Eso, Matt Corby, Boy & Bear and Gym Class Heroes will headline this year's event, which has introduced camping for the first time.
