Hip-hop producer Jermaine Dupri has become embroiled in a messy legal battle with a former friend.

The music mogul was close to Taddrick Mingo for several years until his pal filed legal papers accusing Dupri of hiring him as a personal assistant and failing to pay him for the work.

According to Tmz.com, Dupri has now hit back with his own lawsuit, claiming Mingo never worked as his aide.

Dupri is also seeking an undisclosed figure from his former friend for allegedly damaging a Hummer truck which he had lent him.