Recording artist Kanye West performs during the closing ceremony for the 2015 Pan Am Games at Pan Am Ceremonies Venue in Toronto, Canada, July 26, 2015. Matt Detrich-USA TODAY Sports via REUTERS

 

LOS ANGELES: Rapper Kanye West has sued Lloyd's of London for nearly $10 million in insurance payouts he claims he is owed after cancelling his tour last year when he was hospitalized with a "serious, debilitating medical condition."

West's tour company, Very Good Touring Inc., filed the lawsuit claiming breach of contract in federal court in Los Angeles on Tuesday, saying that syndicates of Lloyd's of London insurance market had delayed paying the rapper's claim for his cancelled shows.

The lawsuit said the Lloyd's syndicates had suggested, "they may deny coverage of the claim on the unsupportable contention that use of marijuana by Kanye caused the medical condition".

West, 40, abruptly cancelled his Saint Pablo tour in November 2016 with more than 20 shows left. He was hospitalized following a week of no-shows, curtailed concerts, and political rants.

The lawsuit, which seeks a jury trial, says West has submitted evidence to prove his medical condition did not allow him to continue the tour.

It said his behaviour at his November 19 concert in Sacramento, California, was "strained, confused, and erratic". The next day, the rest of his tour was cancelled and on November 21, West was admitted to a Los Angeles psychiatric facility with what the lawsuit called a "serious, debilitating medical condition".

He was released on November 29, and is still being treated, the lawsuit said. Details of his ailment have never been released.

Lloyd's is an insurance market housing more than 80 syndicates in London. Spokesman Stewart Todd said in a statement the company could not comment on the specifics of the West case.