Azealia Banks Publicly Shares Cease-and-Desist Letter to Matty Healy, Alleges 'Threats of Violence,' Demands $1 Million
Rachel McRady
December 9, 2024 at 6:56 PM
Azealia Banks has issued a cease-and-desist letter to Matty Healy.
The 33-year-old rapper posted a photo to X (formerly Twitter) on Dec. 8 of a formal cease-and-desist letter from her lawyer Wallace E.J. Collins III alleging "threats of violence" made by Healy in the wake of his since-deleted tweets about her.
The war of words between the pair began when Banks commented on Charli xcx's appearance, writing underneath a video of the singer, 32, on X on Dec. 3, "Charli used to be soooo pretty. Ugh"
Healy, 35, responded from his account, which is under the name "Truman Black" and has since been deleted, accusing Banks of attacking female artists online who are "culturally relevant, attractive, divisive and NICE people," per The Independent.
"I think this makes you jealous cos you're so talented but everything about you is a failure," Healy, whose bandmate George Daniel is engaged to Charli, continued. "Just rap bro."
Related: Cardi B Claps Back at Azealia Banks for 'Illiterate, Untalented' Comments -- Then Leaves Social Media
Banks then responded, per the outlet, "I still don't know any of your music but make sure you keep all that s--- behind your keyboard. This is hiphop, and you are very easy to set up. A bad bag, a bad pill. It only costs $200 and an ounce of weed to do you."
Hitting back, Healy wrote, "I'll f---ing slap you so hard I'll get a Guinness world record for the highest a rat some bitch calls a wig has ever flown."
The 1975 musician later issued a public apology on Reddit and took his tweets down. "What a bad day, I really let myself down," Healy began in his post, adding in part, "I just feel dreadful about how I acted violent - I think Azealia and all obvious flawed people all deep down have a heart and I hate that I have contributed to her mental fragility. She's a human."
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Meanwhile, Banks continued her original opinion of Charli, writing on X on Dec. 4, "And I said what the f--k I said. Charli has horrible f---ing plastic surgery. Period."
In addition to posting screenshots of Healy's now-deleted tweets and responding online, Banks also shared a copy of her cease and desist letter on X. Banks' lawyer, Collins III, confirmed the letter's authenticity to PEOPLE but would not provide a copy of the original.
In the letter, Banks' attorney accused Healy of making "threats of violence" against the rapper, adding, "Your attacks against my client's professional reputation, your overt racial epithets, and your most recent threats of physical violence against my client have been well-documented since you published them worldwide online (my client saved screenshots prior to you deleting your posts), and your attacks have now been republished in numerous press articles throughout the world."
Related: Lana Del Rey Threatens to 'F -- Up' Azealia Banks During a Heated Twitter Feud Over Kanye West
Banks' lawyer said in the letter that Healy's apology and removal of his posts were considered to be "an admission of guilt."
Collins III specifically cited Healy "calling her a rat," and accused the singer of "cyber harassment and cyber bullying" as well as, "slander, libel, and business defamation."
As for Banks' demands, her attorney requested that Healy "immediately cease & desist from making any further threats or defamatory statements against my client," and also requested, "A prompt public apology to my client (in a manner to be mutually agreed upon)."
The final demand was "compensation for damages in the amount of $1,000,000 in full settlement of this matter."
A representative for Healy did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment.
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