Relief to Riches: How Lil Wayne, Chris Brown, and Others Allegedly Misused COVID-19 Funds for Luxe Living
In an exposé that strikes a sour note for taxpayers, high-profile artists like Lil Wayne, Chris Brown, and Marshmello are under scrutiny for allegedly misdirecting millions from a COVID-19 relief program for struggling performers and venues. According to a Business Insider report by Jack Newsham and Katherine Long, these stars exploited the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG) to fund private jets, designer wardrobes, and extravagant celebrations.
Grants Gone Wild
The SVOG, signed into law in 2020, aimed to support independent venues and artists crippled by pandemic shutdowns. Instead, Business Insider uncovered that Lil Wayne, for instance, secured $8.9 million and allocated over $1.3 million to private-jet travel. A further $460,000 reportedly went to luxury brands like Gucci, Balenciaga, and Raf Simons. Wayne even billed taxpayers $175,000 for costs tied to promoting his cannabis brand, GKUA.
His expenditures also included nearly $15,000 for flights and hotels for women seemingly unconnected to his touring operations. Adding insult to injury, the rapper allegedly charged $88,000 for a concert he never performed, scheduled for New Year’s Eve 2021 in California.
Lavish Celebrations and Self-Payouts
Chris Brown’s company, CBE Touring, reportedly received a $10 million grant, with $5.1 million going directly to Brown. Among the most eyebrow-raising expenses was his 33rd birthday bash, which allegedly cost taxpayers $80,000 on amenities like “atmosphere models,” an LED dance floor, and nitrogen-infused ice cream.
Marshmello, the helmeted DJ known for chart-toppers like Happier and Silence, reportedly obtained $9.9 million in SVOG funds. Rather than distributing the funds to his team, he allegedly paid the entire sum to himself. Because his 2019 earnings exceeded the grant amount, Marshmello was able to pocket the full payout—making him the highest individual recipient.
A Broken System
Other big names, including Steve Aoki and members of Alice in Chains, were also cited in the report for questionable spending. The Small Business Administration (SBA), responsible for administering the SVOG, defended itself by noting it was directed to review revenue rather than assets—a loophole that left the door wide open for abuse.
Public Backlash and Broken Trust
The revelations have triggered widespread criticism, underscoring how a program designed to uplift struggling artists instead padded the pockets of multi-millionaires. With taxpayers footing the bill, the fallout raises urgent questions about oversight and accountability in pandemic-era relief initiatives.
The misuse of funds hits a bitter chord, leaving the industry—and taxpayers—demanding answers.
