American R&B singer Ne-Yo is facing a lawsuit in the United States filed by Sri Lankan concert promoter Brown Boy Presents over the cancellation of his planned performance in Colombo. The promoter is seeking the return of more than US4,000 paid in advance, along with compensation for additional losses, according to Billboard.

The lawsuit, filed on September 4, names Ne-Yo, his company Compound Touring and booking agency Independent Artist Group (IAG) as defendants. It includes several civil claims relating to the performance agreement and its cancellation.

Brown Boy Presents had entered into an agreement with Ne-Yo to perform at Sugathadasa Stadium in Colombo on December 28, 2025. The agreement reportedly guaranteed the singer a flat performance fee of US5,000, in addition to potential bonuses linked to ticket sales, as well as travel and accommodation arrangements.

The promoter says it paid at least US4,460 toward the agreed fee before the concert was cancelled. Ne-Yo withdrew from the performance in early December.

At the time, Ne-Yo's representatives said the promoter had breached the agreement by failing to make the required advance payment in full and by not arranging travel and accommodation as agreed. His team said the amount already paid would be retained as damages.

Brown Boy Presents disputes that account and alleges that Ne-Yo and his representatives were responsible for breaching the agreement. The promoter claims demands for costly travel arrangements for approximately 30 people made it difficult to fulfil the contract, with airfare eventually reaching nearly US,000.

The lawsuit also cites the effects of Cyclone Ditwah and the resulting economic disruption in Sri Lanka in late November. Brown Boy Presents claims these circumstances affected ticket sales and its ability to operate the event.

The promoter is seeking the return of the more than US4,000 already paid, in addition to damages associated with the cancellation. These reportedly include ticket refund charges, sponsor-related losses and expenses incurred for the venue and production.

Ne-Yo's team has strongly rejected the allegations. A spokesperson told Billboard that the lawsuit's claims were “categorically fraudulent and misleading,” maintaining that Brown Boy Presents was required to pay the singer in full and cover round-trip travel for his entire team.

The spokesperson alleged that the promoter failed to meet these obligations despite being given multiple opportunities to resolve the alleged breaches. The team further claimed that it became apparent the promoter lacked the financial resources to fulfil the agreement, leaving Ne-Yo with no choice but to withdraw.

The singer's representatives also alleged they had subsequently become aware of similar allegations involving Brown Boy Presents and other parties. IAG declined to comment on the lawsuit, according to Billboard.

The dispute remains a civil legal matter, with both sides presenting conflicting accounts of the circumstances surrounding the cancelled Colombo performance.