Oakland rapper Ovrkast, whose real name is Silas Wilson, has denied signing an agreement with hip-hop duo Outkast requiring him to change his stage name.
Wilson made the assertion Wednesday after High Schoolers LLC, a company tied to OutKast members Big Boi and André 3000, sued him in federal court.
The lawsuit accuses Wilson of trademark infringement, unfair competition and breach of agreement. High Schoolers alleges Wilson agreed to change Ovrkast to “OVERKXST” by July 15.
According to the complaint, Wilson delayed filing paperwork needed to make the change. The company also alleges he proposed two alternative names after missing the deadline.
Wilson disputes that account.
“For the record, I NEVER signed any agreement,” Wilson wrote on X. “I tried my hardest to cooperate with different options every step of the way.”
“This narrative that I’ve done wrong is also wrong,” he added. “(had to clarify) peace.”
High Schoolers alleges Wilson continued using Ovrkast after receiving a breach notice on Aug. 5. The company says a subsequent letter set Aug. 11 as a final compliance deadline.
The complaint also cites a 2025 Rolling Stone interview in which Wilson acknowledged confusion between his name and OutKast.
The plaintiffs seek a jury trial and damages tied to Wilson’s alleged use of the disputed mark. They also seek profits generated from sales associated with the name.
Rapper Ovrkast Reacts To Hip-Hop Duo Outkast’s Federal Lawsuit Over Name
High Schoolers is asking the court to bar Wilson from using Ovrkast or similar variations. The requested injunction would cover social media, websites, merchandise and performances.
The company also seeks destruction of promotional materials and merchandise bearing the allegedly infringing name.
Wilson previously described the dispute as emotionally difficult. He said he had been dealing with its effects privately for the past year.
“There’s a lot that I’ve been dealing with emotionally/mentally this past year behind closed doors regarding this whole situation,” Wilson wrote.
“So before you criticize please remember that I am the newer and younger artist trying to figure my way.”
Big Boi and André 3000 have not publicly commented on the litigation. Wilson’s statements instead place the existence and terms of the alleged agreement at the center of the dispute.
The case now presents competing accounts over whether Wilson accepted obligations to abandon the Ovrkast name.
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