Lil Wayne, Chris Brown, and others accused of misusing COVID relief funds on luxury expenses

A recent investigation by Business Insider has accused several high-profile musicians, including Lil Wayne, Chris Brown, and Alice In Chains, of misusing funds from the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG).

The grant was introduced in 2020 to aid musicians and venues financially impacted by COVID-19 shutdowns.

According to the report, Lil Wayne allegedly received $8.9 million in grant money, spending $1.3 million on private jets, $460,000 on luxury clothing, and $175,000 to promote his marijuana brand, GKUA. Additional allegations claim he financed luxury travel for individuals with unclear roles in his operations and accepted $88,000 for a Coachella performance he did not attend.

Chris Brown’s touring company allegedly secured $10 million, while Brown personally received $5.1 million, reportedly spending $80,000 on a birthday party. Other notable recipients include Marshmello, who reportedly received nearly $10 million, and Alice In Chains, who secured $3.4 million.

The investigation criticized Alice In Chains for not allocating funds toward employee health benefits. When longtime guitar tech Scott Dachroeden was diagnosed with cancer in 2022, the band reportedly relied on a GoFundMe campaign for his medical expenses, offering little financial support. Dachroeden has since passed away.

The SVOG program was designed to support struggling artists and venues during the pandemic, but allegations of misuse by wealthy musicians have raised concerns about accountability. Calls for further investigation are intensifying as details continue to emerge.