COURT OVERTURNS $1.5 MILLION JUDGMENT

Juno-Award winner and rap/reggae singer Snow is off the hook after a court in New York overturned a jury’s order to pay $1.5 million (U.S.) to his former friend and associate.

In 1994, DJ Marvin Prince sued Snow, who was born Darrin O’Brien, for breach of agreement and damages claiming he was never fully compensated for his role in turning O’Brien into a star.

Snow’s 1993 debut, 12 Inches Of Snow, sold three million copies worldwide and his smash hit ”Informer” spent seven weeks at Number 1.

His troubled life inspired much of the album, which was released as he finished serving a year in jail for assault.

In 1997, an 11-member jury awarded Prince $2.1 million, an approximation of the value of his services. At the time, Snow’s managers and record label were based in New York.

That award was later reduced through a motion filed by Michael S. Elkin, a lawyer Snow retained the day after the decision.

The court found the jury’s original figure ”excessive and against the weight of evidence.” Prince appealed the decision to overturn the jury verdict and Snow counter-appealed.

The higher court recently dismissed Prince’s appeal and set aside all claims against Snow, said Elkin. The matter, he said, is now closed.

”This was a dark cloud hanging over his head for many years,” his manager, Paula Danylevich, said yesterday. ”This allows him to get on with his life.”

Snow, 29, is in a Toronto studio working on his fourth album for release in the Asian market, she added.

He recently co-starred in a feature film shot in Vancouver and is sorting out his immigration problems in the United States.

His criminal record has prevented him from entering the country.

Prince and his lawyer could not be reached for comment.