JACKI-O FILES FOR BANKRUPTCY

By: Yves Erwin Salomon

Miami-based rapper Jacki-O, whose real name is Angela Kohn, quietly filed Chapter 7 bankruptcy late last year. The Miami Herald reports that the rapper has debts totaling $144,225 and assets of only $1,340. In addition to getting out from under debts with Verizon, Bally's Total Fitness, and the IRS, the rapper hopes the bankruptcy will allow her to break her recording contract with Poe Boy Entertainment, who she still owes four more albums.

The rapper's lawyer, Richard Wolfe, said, "'Baby artist'contracts are inherently one-sided. This was particularly one-sided. She was given a small advance and since then she hasn't been given one penny in royalties." According to the rapper's court filings, she earns approximately $800 a month for appearances.

Ultimately a bankruptcy court will decide if Jacki-O will be able to break her contract with Poe Boy, but according to the label's distributor, TVT Records, she plans to keep recording for the parent company.

When Poe Boy first signed with TVT Records in 2004, Jacki-O shared that she was excited, but that there was still work to do. The rapper said: "I'm content with, you know, being at a new label, you know, with TVT Records. I'm content with, you know, just starting off, you know, just getting a start, but as far saying, 'Okay, I'm on my way. Okay, I made it,' no."

The rapper is currently working on her sophomore album, Jack The Ripper. The first single from the project will be "Monkey." The rapper released her debut album, Poe Little Rich Girl, in 2004.