s_bukley / Depositphotos.com
Several high-profile musicians, including Lil Wayne, Chris Brown, and Marshmello, allegedly misused funds received through the Shuttered Venue Operations Grant (SVOG), a government program intended to support independent venues and arts organizations during the pandemic. A detailed report by Business Insider claims these artists used the money for personal expenses, such as private jets, designer clothes, and lavish parties, instead of the program’s intended purpose of covering essential business expenses.
For example, Lil Wayne reportedly received $8.9 million, spending over $460,000 on clothing and $1.3 million on private jets. Chris Brown, who received $10 million, paid himself $5.1 million and spent $80,000 on his birthday party. Marshmello allegedly pocketed his $9.9 million grant despite earning more than that from touring in 2019.
The SVOG program, introduced in 2020 and expanded in 2021 to include musicians, provided over $16 billion in grants, requiring applicants to prove significant revenue losses. None of the artists named in the report responded to requests for comment.
View this post on Instagram
