Huey Morgan has branded his former band, Fun Lovin’ Criminals, a ‘corny tribute act’ after his departure and said their 25th anniversary celebration is a ‘fraud’.
The musician, 55, rose to fame in the mid-1990s as a member of the rap rock group he formed with Brian Leiser and Steve Borgovini.
Best known for their 1996 hit Scooby Snacks, they released six albums between 1996 and 2010, with Huey leaving the group in 2021.
The ex-frontman gave an update to X/Twitter on Thursday amid the ongoing drama, once again slamming his former bandmates after they blocked him on social media.
He wrote, “My friends, I’m not in @funlovincrims anymore. It’s just a corny tribute act now.’
Drama: Huey Morgan, 55, has branded his former band, Fun Lovin’ Criminals, a ‘corny tribute act’ after his departure and said their 25th anniversary is ‘a fraud’ (pictured in 2019)
Feud: The musician rose to fame in the mid-1990s as a member of the rap rock group he formed with Brian Leiser and Steve Borgovin (pictured in 2016)
Huey continued, “The ‘100% Colombian Anniversary Album Tour’ is a hoax. It’s just the original keyboardist pretending to be me and singing my lyrics like a clown and two guys from Leicester who weren’t within 3,000 miles of the studio.
“They threatened me with legal bull**** if I said anything, but I spent 30 years making this tape, and I’ll be damned if these cowards are going to keep me quiet. Please repost because they blocked me like idiots.”
The update comes after Huey finally spoke out about leaving the Fun Lovin’ Criminals after his former bandmates blocked him on X/Twitter.
Huey decided to leave the group in 2021, but did not elaborate on the reasons behind his departure at the time.
The singer has now addressed his departure, saying his ex-bandmates were trying to provoke him into ‘a quick attack’.
Huey shared a poster announcing that Fun Lovin’ Criminals will be heading to Australia next year, writing: “I understand why they blocked me. trying to get a quick one down under and don’t want you guys to know that i’m not in the band anymore.
‘That’s all sad and scary. Just a tribute act now…’
Fun Lovin’ Criminals released a statement in November 2021 confirming Huey’s departure, writing: “Huey has officially confirmed his departure from the band. We wish him every success in his efforts.
Hitting back: Releasing an update to X/Twitter on Thursday amid the ongoing drama, the ex-frontman once again slammed his former bandmates after they blocked him on social media
Clash: The update comes after Huey finally spoke out about leaving the Fun Lovin’ Criminals after his former bandmates blocked him on X/Twitter (pictured in 2017)
‘Sad and creepy’: The singer has now discussed his departure, saying his ex-bandmates tried to pull ‘a quick attack’ on him
Moving on: The band previously released a statement in October saying that Huey had left two years ago, but that they were “still alive and kicking”
“We continue as Fun Lovin’ Criminals because of the love and dedication we have for our music and our fans. More details to follow.’
In a March 2022 Instagram Live, Brian Leisner and Frank Benbini confirmed that their relationship with Huey had become “strained.”
The pair said Huey decided he did not want to tour with the band, preferring to focus on presenting and DJing.
Brian also claimed that Huey did not want to play much of the band’s back catalog at shows and that they had been playing the same set for years.
‘We were bored and some fans were bored too. It was one of the reasons why cracks started to appear in our relationship,” he said.
Fun Lovin’ Criminals have embarked on a global tour celebrating 25 years of their album 100% Colombian with sold-out shows in Europe.
Brian ‘Fast’ Leiser, Frank Benbini and guitarist Naim Cortazzi have hit the road to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the LP, which features the hits Love Unlimited and Korean Bodega.
FLC will perform on 16 dates across the UK, including Liverpool, Manchester, London, Cardiff, Bristol, Glasgow and Edinburgh.
Over the next four months, the Criminals will visit 10 countries and play more than 40 dates in the UK, Europe, Dubai, Australia and New Zealand.
To date, the trio has performed in front of thousands of fans in Greece, Prague, the Netherlands and at the indie and dance festival Shiine On in Milton Keynes.
Multi-instrumentalist Fast, who took over lead singer duties after BBC Radio DJ Huey stepped down in 2021, said: ‘Fans can expect an exciting live experience. It will be an honor to perform the songs of 100% Colombian for our fans.
“This album holds a special place in their hearts and we strive to deliver unforgettable performances while bringing fresh energy to the stage.”
This year, Fast, Frank and Naim have also shared headline slots and stages with the likes of Jamiroquai, Jake Shears and Nile Rodgers & Chic.
Drummer Frank, who joined the band in 2003, said: ‘It’s going to be very special.
For more than twenty years I have cherished the songs live from 100% Colombian, but we have never played the album in its entirety. It will be great to bring that album to life for the band’s fans.”
The trio’s latest EP, The Capistrano Sessions, has been released on limited edition vinyl and digital and marks a new direction for the band.
On stage: Fun Lovin’ Criminals have embarked on a global tour celebrating 25 years of their album 100% Colombian with sold-out shows in Europe (pictured in Liverpool)
Rocking: FLC will perform on 16 dates across the UK including Liverpool, Manchester, London, Cardiff, Bristol, Glasgow and Edinburgh
Tour: Over the next four months the Criminals will visit 10 countries and play more than 40 dates in Britain, Europe, Dubai, Australia and New Zealand
Fun: So far the trio has performed for thousands of fans in Greece, Prague, the Netherlands and at the indie and dance festival Shiine On in Milton Keynes
Exciting: Drummer Frank, who joined the band in 2003, said: ‘It will be very special’
Solo: Huey decided to leave the group in 2021, but did not elaborate on the reasons behind his departure at the time
Couple: Born and raised in New York, he now lives in Bath, Somerset with his wife Rebecca (pictured) and their son Beaumont
Guitarist Naim Cortazzi, who has performed with Beverley Knight and Happy Mondays, added: “I’m thrilled to be part of this landmark tour and contribute my own style to the iconic Fun Lovin’ Criminals sound. The shows so far in Europe have been incredible.
“We’re ready to create an unforgettable experience for our fans and celebrate the music that brought us all together.”
Meanwhile, Huey now presents his own show on BBC Radio 6 Music on Saturdays between 10am and 1pm
In 2012 he released his debut solo album ‘Say It To My Face’.
Born and raised in New York, he now lives in Bath, Somerset with his wife Rebecca and their son Beaumont.