Jay-Z is being sued by a music producer who says the Rap Artist Owes him a decade of royalties from his 1996 launching album Reasonable Doubt.

Raynard Herbert – known as Rae – claims he assisted the Rap Artist master the album and settle the distribution contract for a payment of 1% of the earnings.

The producer claims that while he began receiving royalty cheques in 1998, they stopped showing up in November 2008.

He said he got in touch with Jay-Z’s agents in May 2010 to ferret out the cheques, but cannot get a response.

He states the 48-year-old rapper, whose real name is Shawn Carter, acted “with malice and in mindful neglect” of his rights and is demanding breach of agreement and unjust enrichment.

Mr Herbert is requesting both his supposed owed royalties as well as interest and damages.

Jaz-Z’s record business – Roc-A-Fella Records – which he established in addition to “Dame” Dash and Kareem “Biggs” Burke in 1995 – is likewise named in the suit.

The platinum selling album – which has sold millions of copies around the world and is regularly ranked as one of the very best rap albums of all time – is frequently deemed Jay-Z’s finest work.

In May the star remained in court to defend his clothes brand name – Rocawear – throughout an examination into whether his line violated security laws.

Jay-Z is currently in the UK with partner Beyonce as part of their On The Run II trip, which kicked off in Cardiff recently.

Some reports suggest ticket sales for the 48-date run have actually not readied, with lots of seats left unsold both in Europe and North America.