Update: Frank Ocean sent a check with “Fuck Off” in the memo to Chipotle Mexican Grill.
Mexican Chain Says Frank Ocean Backed Out of Ad.
Remember “The Scarecrow”—a little animated short by Chipotle Mexican Grill that delivered a big message about sustainable food?
It featured a hypnotic; haunting version of “Pure Imagination,” covered by Fiona Apple, but according to TMZ, the Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory classic was supposed to be performed by Frank Ocean.
On Friday, Chipotle filed a lawsuit against Ocean, claiming he backed out of a deal with the Mexican chain to record the song after already taking an advance for the work.
According to the lawsuit, Ocean broke the agreement after viewing a final cut of the ad—taking issue with the company’s logo being featured prominently at the close of the short.
The lawsuit goes on to reveal Chipotle received an email from the Ocean camp saying Ocean believed he had the authority to put the final stamp of approval on the short and that Chipotle was in breach when they didn’t comply with his request to remove their logo.
How much could the dispute cost Ocean? Chipotle is looking to get back the $212,500 advance it paid to the singer-songwriter.
Click below to watch “The Scarecrow,” featuring Fiona Apple’s take on the classic song: