Doug E. Fresh accuses neighbor of ‘half-steppin’ in lawsuit over Brownstone damage

In a lawsuit, the rap legend charges his neighbor and the construction company hired by them of 'risin' to the top' of his nerves after structural harm was done to his property

Shawn Grant

Apr 2, 2019

Hip-Hop icon Doug E. Fresh is suing his neighbor and their hired contractors for $4 million in damages, accusing them of endangering his Harlem brownstone.

The lawsuit is currently in the hands of Manhattan Supreme Court, citing the work done in the area has caused a rodent infestation, water seepage and “compromised structural integrity” of the property he owns.

The suit could just be one of many issues for his neighbors who allegedly ignored a stop-work order that was issued by the Building Department back in February of 2018. At the time, the superintendent for the construction project withdrew, resulting in the order.

According to the New York Daily News, the issues for Doug E., (whose real name is Douglas Davis), and his property began in March 2016 after the initiation of the property “created instability to the structural integrity of the building.”

The neighboring properties share a wall, which affects the building structure of the property Doug E., 52, owns.

The lawsuit names the neighbors in addition to Oz Bosph Construction, Structureline Inc., K274 Construction and the Anthony Cucich Architecture firm. The suit has resulted in finger-pointing among the companies, specifically Cucich who stated Oz Bosph Construction did not follow the construction plan.

“The contractor that the building owner hired was negligent,” Cucich said of Oz Bosph. “The rear wall should have been taken down at the end.”

Further detailing the negligence, Cucich revealed the wall was taken down at the beginning of the job and was done without obtaining permission. Representation for Oz Bosph was not able to be reached and K274 Construction did not offer a comment.

The owner of the neighboring building hung up when contacted by the Daily News and Doug E., who is best known for his 1985 rap classic “The Show” and his beatboxing skills on its B-side, “La Di Da Di”, with Slick Rick declined to comment.