Destiny’s Child member Beyoncé is one of the most beloved entertainers on the planet. Apparently, even members of the United States House of Representatives are part of the BeyHive fanbase.
In celebration of Black History Month and Women’s History Month, California representative Robert Garcia honored Beyoncé on the floor of the lower chamber of the U.S. Congress. His speech went viral on social media.
“She’s an icon, she’s a legend, and she’s now and forever the moment,” said Congressman Garcia while standing next to the cover art for Homecoming: The Live Album. He went on to call Beyoncé the “undisputed queen of Pop and R&B.”
Garcia also talked about the first time he saw Destiny’s Child perform. The Democratic politician proclaimed, “It was life-changing for me and the way I experienced music. I became an instant fan then and have been a huge fan ever since.”
She’s an icon, a legend, and is now and forever the moment. Congratulations to @Beyonce on making Grammy history. pic.twitter.com/TV7SwGnlF3
— Congressman Robert Garcia (@RepRobertGarcia) March 1, 2023
Rep. Garcia Also Acknowledges Beyoncé For Supporting Marginalized Communities
TMZ caught up with Robert Garcia to get more details on why he chose to praise Beyoncé as part of a Black History Month and Women’s History Month commemoration in the U.S. House of Representatives.
“She’s a global superstar. In my opinion, she’s the Queen of Pop/R&B. Period. The best of all time. But she’s also an incredible activist and leader. She’s stood up for voting rights, for feminism, for women and girls, for the LGBTQ+ community, being an openly gay person in Congress,” Garcia told the outlet.
The former mayor of Long Beach continued, “She’s always stood up for everybody, and I respect that immensely. I think there are a lot of us that want to recognize her body of work. Not just the Grammy wins, but the kind person that she is.”
Yesterday (March 1), Latto again had something to say about a negative narrative spreading across Twitter. A tweet by gossip blogger Armon Wiggins led to a heated back-and-forth with the RCA recording artist.
“I thought y’all said this was the one! It didn’t even break Top 50! Let alone Top 20, Top 10, Top 5, Top 3, NUMBER 1… I was wondering why it was soo quiet. 😂😂😂 But like I always say, anything in the Top 100 is a hit! 😌🙄🫢,” tweeted Wiggins, responding to “Lottery” debuting at No. 83 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
Latto fired back, “What have [you] done in life besides talk about what everybody else doing [with] theirs? I’m really sick of y’all LOW LIFE GROWN ASS MEN speaking on me! P####! [M############] ain’t doing HALF of what I’m doing but want me to be ashamed of my accomplishments? 🍆🚴♀️🚴♀️🚴♀️🚴♀️🚴♀️.”
As the online feud started to go viral, Latto posted, “I quit! For I catch a case! I’m finna start a family! 🥰.” Then Armon Wiggins posted a quote-tweet that read, “Don’t catch a case catch a HIT! Instead of worrying about me worry about how ICE SPICE CAME and ATE YOU UP!!”
Armon Wiggins Claims He’s A Fan Of Latto
Some of Latto’s followers began pointing out that Wiggins has flip-flopped on his views of the 777 album creator. They shared previous tweets showing the YouTuber praising Latto. In response, Wiggins claimed he is a supporter of the rapper.
“Y’all pulling up old tweets of me showing #Latto love isn’t doing [anything] BUT PROVING MY POINT… These celebs don’t care about positivity! For the record, I AM A LOTTA [sic] FAN,” tweeted Armon Wiggins on Wednesday afternoon.
Last night, Billboard celebrated Latto by presenting her with the Powerhouse Award at the 2023 Billboard Women In Music Awards. Latto’s “For the Night” collaborator Chlöe presented her with a special plaque before the Columbus-born entertainer gave an acceptance speech inside the YouTube Theater in Los Angeles.
“All the inspiring women who paved the way for me and all the women that there are to come. I’m grateful to be a part of this new wave of female rap and baby, we’re kicking down the door and we ain’t taking no for an answer,” said Latto at the Billboard Women In Music Awards.
I thought Yalll said this was the one! It didn’t even Break top 50! Let alone top 20 Top 10, Top 5, Top 3, NUMBER 1… I was wondering why it was soo quiet 😂😂😂 But like I always say Anything in the Top 100 is a Hit! 😌🙄🫢 pic.twitter.com/PpfbgnEhse
What have u done in life besides talk about what everybody else doing w theirs? I’m really sick of y’all LOW LIFE GROWN ASS MEN speaking on me! P####! Mfs ain’t doing HALF of what I’m doing but want me to be ashamed of my accomplishments? 🍆🚴♀️🚴♀️🚴♀️🚴♀️🚴♀️ https://t.co/Z5d0odRtRW
— Latto Crave | Fan Account (@lattocrave) March 1, 2023
Y’all pulling up old tweets of me showing #Latto love isn’t doing a they thing BUT PROVING MY POINT.. these celebs don’t care about positivity! For the Record I AM A LOTTA FAN..
Creed III actor/director Michael B. Jordan has been immortalized on Hollywood Boulevard. The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce honored Jordan with the 2,751st star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
“Michael B. Jordan has become a household name thanks to his many roles on the big screen,” stated Ana Martinez, Producer of the Hollywood Walk of Fame, in a press release.
Martinez continued, “To think that this star didn’t grow up with dreams of being an actor! Luckily for us, he changed his mind and now he will be honored with an iconic star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.”
Creed III actor Jonathan Majors and Fruitvale Station filmmaker Ryan Coogler attended the Walk of Fame event on Wednesday. Michael B. Jordan also gave a speech.
“This is probably one of the most unforgettable weeks I’ve had,” declared Jordan. The 36-year-old Newark native added, “I’m extremely humbled and grateful to be here.”
He also said, “I know it’s not a small achievement. It’s not lost on me how special this moment is and what this represents to our community, so from the bottom of my heart, I want to say thank you.”
Michael B. Jordan first gained notoriety as an actor for his performances on television shows such as The Wire, All My Children, and Friday Night Lights. His filmography includes Hardball, Chronicle, Fantastic Four, Black Panther, Just Mercy, and other movies.
Creed III hits American theaters on Friday, March 3. In addition to Michael B. Jordan playing the titular character Adonis Creed, the sports drama’s cast also features Jonathan Majors, Tessa Thompson, Wood Harris, Florian Munteanu, and Phylicia Rashad.
Fans across Europe have been going wild for Chris Brown’s recent tour performances, especially the lucky ladies the singer has pulled from the audience to join him onstage.
Over the past two weeks, clips of Breezy performing intimate dances for the chosen few have gone viral. In each clip, Chris Brown dances around the fan seated onstage before moving on her lap to the tune of his 2007 bedroom smash, “Take You Down.”
If Chris Brown gave me a lap dance! Baybeeeee….I’m glad that lady got her life and kept composure…because me!?! 🤣 pic.twitter.com/LQGsJYRMSn
However, his latest lap dance didn’t go as planned and ended up with Chris Brown hurling the fan’s phone into the audience.
The singer began crooning into the microphone while staring intimately at the seated fan. However, rather than enjoy the once-in-a-lifetime experience, the fan attempted to capture it on her phone. Chris Brown tried to get the fan to put the phone down, gently removing it from her hands and placing it into her lap, encouraging her to live in the moment.
Nonetheless, within seconds, despite the warning, the lucky Breezy enthusiast began recording again. She held the phone in her hand even as Chris Brown sat over her, thrusting and gyrating while the audience cheered.
At this point, the R&B singer decided enough was enough and literally took matters into his own hands. He snatched the phone from her grasp and hurled it into the crowd, much to the fan’s shock. Check out the clip below.
Chris Brown shared a video of the moment on his Instagram Stories, writing, “F### dat phone.” Fortunately for the fan, she apparently got her phone back in the end. Check out the video below.
A GloRilla superfan now shares an unusual bond with the rapper after ending up with a piece of the star following one of her recent shows.
The CMG artist tossed her wig into the crowd during her show in Philadelphia on Sunday (Feb. 26), after fans tried to snatch it off her head while she was crowd surfing. However, one lucky GloRilla enthusiast walked away with the star’s green and black hairpiece.
Since flying through the air, GloRilla’s wig has been on quite a journey, ultimately ending up gracing a fan’s head.
Instagram user Bigboujiela shared a video of the moment GloRilla ripped the wig off and launched it into the air. The clip shows the ensuing melee as fans scramble to get hold of the memento. In another snippet, Bigboujiela can be seen showing off her prized possession while on the way home from the concert.
She also tagged GloRilla, who saw the post featuring her old wig freshly installed on her fan’s head. She shared a photo of Bigboujiela wearing the wig and added her approval. “OK, she caught,” the Memphis native penned on her IG story alongside several heart eyes emojis.
Vic Mensa spent a night sleeping rough on the streets of Chicago to raise money and awareness for the city’s unhoused.
The Chicago-born recording artist joined a group of volunteers giving out meals to the homeless on Tuesday night. He also spent a night sleeping in a tent under the city’s viaduct to experience the harsh conditions individuals without homes face.
Despite the cold, with temperatures into the mid-30s, Vic Mensa was determined to support his friend, the event’s organizer Englewood Barbie. The activist and entrepreneur is raising money to build a shelter for the unhoused. According to TMZ, she’s raised about $126,000 of her $ 1 million goal.
“We outside tonight in Chicago,” Vic Mensa explained to the outlet. “Sleeping underneath the viaduct raising money to help my homegirl Englewood Barbie build her own shelter to provide for the unhoused of Chicago.”
He continued: “It’s cold as f### but it’s wild to think that people have to live outside every night. In the wintertime, people freeze to death so we’re taking this moment to honor that experience and do our part to work to make the city a better place.”
Check out the video below, where Vic Mensa gives fans a glimpse inside his tent.
Meanwhile, earlier this year, Vic Mensa announced his plans to help bring clean water to people in Ghana.
“We’re building 3 boreholes in different communities in Ghana to provide clean drinking water,” Vic Mensa explained in January. “The first being the Asokore Zongo in Koforidua where my family lives, which is already built.”
Mcdonald’s is in hot water with some franchisees concerned that their partnership with Cardi B and Offset doesn’t reflect the company’s values and fails to meet the chain’s “Golden Arches Code” of marketing guidelines.
The famous couple recently linked with the fast-food chain for a Valentine’s Day campaign featuring the company’s first-ever celebrity duo meal.
While the couple’s surprise appearance at the Times Square McDonald’s launch was a hit with fans, the collaboration has drawn criticism from some restaurant owners. Some have even gone so far as to refuse to promote the Cardi B and Offset meal, as per Wall Street Journal.
According to the outlet several franchisees have complained about the partnerships. These store owners fear that the rapper’s lifestyle and often sexually explicit lyrics don’t align with McDonald’s family-friendly values.
However, McDonald’s says the collab has helped drive excitement for the brand, as shown by the crowds at the launch. They added that the partnership with Cardi B and Offset was focused on celebrating love and sharing special moments.
Cardi B & Offset Cause Chaos At McDonald’s Times Square
“Across our marketing, we’re focused on putting McDonald’s at the center of culture,” McDonald’s U.S. Chief Marketing Officer Tariq Hassan said.
Nevertheless, McDonald’s said that their public image remains a priority.
The Cardi B and Offset meal was first revealed during an ad on Super Bowl Sunday. The moment was significant for the couple, as their first date was at the Super Bowl in 2017.
“Every single time that the Super Bowl comes around, I get a little bit emotional,” Cardi B admitted during a Billboard interview. “We do have projects to put out this year, and our careers [are] very important to us… and then balancing things out with our careers and our personal lives, you know what I’m saying? Our children and stuff. We just being grownups. It’s not easy being grownups.”
Joe Budden refused to back down despite receiving backlash after calling Michael B Jordan “corny” over the actor’s viral red-carpet exchange with radio show host Lore’l.
During a recent episode of the Joe Budden Podcast, Joe defended the presenter calling the creed actor “corny.”
“Dawg, you doing that to a girl is some corny-n#### s###,” Joe Budden declared. “You being Michael B. Jordan, today, allegedly sexiest man alive, all of these blockbuster movies, during your highlight week. You’ve probably never been more visible than you are right this second. And that’s what you do to her? And if I bring back those White girl rumors, then it’s gon’ sound even crazier. Why you talking to our sisters like that on the red carpet when you don’t talk to White b###### like that?”
After saying he didn’t want to make it about race, Joe Budden addressed the actor directly.
“Michael B. Jordan, that’s why n##### call you corny. Hey, Creed. In case you was confused, that corny-ass s### you did is why n##### think you corny. In case you were off a little bit.” he added.
However, Joe Budden faced backlash over his remarks, with many fans on social media calling him out. While some brought up his previous bashing of Black women, including his rant last year about Vivica A. Fox, others raised his domestic violence allegations.
Joe Budden Responds To Backlash
Nonetheless, Joe Budden stuck to his guns, responding to the criticism via his Instagram story.
“If any other Black multi millionaire embarrassed a woman working on a red carpet cuz she thought he was corny in 7th grade y’all would call him a lot more than corny,” he penned. “Also I work for me & im not firing myself. I said what I said, get off my dick. Love, management.”
He also hopped on Twitter to admit “I talk too much,” and stated he’s “working on talking less‼️‼️” However, just a few hours later he was back responding to the outcry. Check out some of his tweets and the red-carpet interview that sparked the chatter at the end of the page.
Michael B. Jordan has kept quiet about Joe Budden’s comments, and for good reason. He received a coveted star on the Hollywood Walk of fame on Wednesday.
Travis Scott’s lawyer, Club Nebula’s managing partner and a talent booker say reports exaggerated the alleged mayhem he caused at a New York nightclub.
Police wanted to question Travis Scott, who’s accused of assaulting a man and causing $12,000 worth of damage to equipment at Club Nebula. A 52-year-old sound engineer claimed the rapper punched him on Wednesday (March 1).
Travis Scott’s lawyer Mitchell Schuster called the situation a “misunderstanding” in statements given to multiple outlets. Schuster expected his client to be cleared of any wrongdoing.
“While this is clearly a misunderstanding being blown out of proportion by clickbait and misinformation, we are actively working with the venue and law enforcement to resolve and set the record straight,” the attorney said.
Richie Romero, the managing partner of Club Nebula, echoed Schuster’s sentiments.
“This is blown completely out of proportion,” Romero told ABC News. It was a great night.”
Talent booker Dorian Harrington also suggested the allegations against Travis Scott were overblown.
“This is a total misunderstanding,” Harrington said. “And what I saw on stage doesn’t reflect what I read in the news. The music and the night turned out great and everyone left peacefully.”
Travis Scott stopped by the club for a surprise DJ set. He appeared during an after-party hosted by Don Toliver.
No footage of the alleged punch emerged online. A brief clip of Travis Scott yelling at someone inside the club surfaced on Wednesday.
50 Cent teased his participation in a Grand Theft Auto project on Wednesday (March 1).
The G-Unit rapper posted an image of the words “Vice City” in the same style as the Grand Theft Auto: Vice City logo on Instagram. 50 Cent said he’d provide more details at a later date but claimed whatever he’s working on would be bigger than his Power franchise.
“I will Explain this later,” he wrote. “GLG GreenLightGang this s### bigger than POWER trust me. BOOM.”
Fans began speculating about 50 Cent creating a Grand Theft Auto television series. Social media users also wondered if the 47-year-old artist might be appearing in the Grand Theft Auto 6 video game.
Vice City, a fictional version of Miami, is widely expected to be the setting for Grand Theft Auto 6. Rockstar Games, the publisher of the Grand Theft Auto franchise, hasn’t announced the game but work-in-progress footage leaked in 2022.
Rockstar released Grand Theft Auto: Vice City in 2002. A new Grand Theft Auto game hasn’t dropped since 2013’s Grand Theft Auto V.
50 Cent’s hint at a Grand Theft Auto collaboration comes a few weeks after he signed a non-exclusive broadcast deal with FOX.
In describing himself, he states, “I’m a music-lover, producer, drummer, DJ, and a father. From Detroit, Michigan. My passion for music, it runs deep. I’m a real true creative, and an advocate of just being creative.”
First coming up as a student under the jazz bassist Ray Brown, Riggins quickly found his footing in the music space, eventually joining Roy Hargrove’s band in 1995. That same year, he met Common, who had come out to one of their jazz showcases. A fan of Common’s already, the two ended up collaborating when Common was working on his album, One Day It’ll All Make Sense.
Talk about diving timing: at this time, Common wanted to start a live band. It was Riggins’ musical talents that would land him as Common’s bandleader, who later introduced him to J Dilla for the first time. From there, the rest is history.
Riggins recently released his mini-documentary called Behind The Sleeves, produced by Native Instruments. He also created a new instrument titled NI Play Series, aka Karriem Riggins Drums.
AllHipHop spoke with Karriem Riggins to discuss his roots in Detroit, biggest influences, his new documentary produced by Native Instruments, advice for producers, and more!
AllHipHop: Talk about being from Detroit, what does that mean to you?
Karriem Riggins: Detroit is classic. I got my roots there, I still have a lot of family. The music scene there taught me so much, just being around my mentor, Marcus Belgrave. So many incredible drummers and producers and rappers. There’s something in the water there that’s special. I feel blessed to be from there, and have drinken from the fountain.
AllHipHop: Now more than ever, I feel like there’s been a Detroit rap wave. It’s so dope!
Karriem Riggins: I do too. It has never been a dull moment with the scene. It’s just growing, and I like what the younger artists are bringing to the table right now. They’re very innovative in their sound.
AllHipHop:You got any favorites?
Karriem Riggins: Yeah, there’s this one cat. His name’s Ink, he’s extremely talented. I’m gonna be doing some work with him.
AllHipHop:Who were your biggest influences growing up?
Karriem Riggins: One of my favorite drummers, Elvin Jones, from Pontiac, Michigan–he played on some Coltrane records I grew up listening to. And Roy Haynes. Then for Hip-Hop, my brother J Dilla is a big inspiration. Common. Madlib, Pete Rock, those are my influences and inspiration.
AllHipHop:Definitely want to touch on your new Native Instruments documentary, Behind The Sleeves. What’re you most excited for?
Karriem Riggins: I’m really excited to have you know, producers and music creators to connect to this plug-in. It’s so special to have such an abundance of sound. The sound design is crazy. There’s a lot of producers, even me at times, I need more options sound-wise to expand my drums. Native Instrument is so innovative. Giving me the platform first of all, but also forward-thinking on how to implement that into an actual DAW (digital audio workstation)
Peace, I said -giving me the platform first of all, but they are also forward thinking in how they implemented that into an actual DAW (digital audio workstation)
AllHipHop: Do you have any advice for up and coming producers?
Karriem Riggins: My advice is to really— especially with this actual Play series, there’s so many opportunities in there to create these sounds to be different. You have one sound, but you have so many options to make it yours. My advice is to be original and to push the envelope, and set the bar higher.
AllHipHop:Talk about the KARRIEM RIGGINS DRUMS project. You said you worked two years on it?
Karriem Riggins: Yes, we worked so long on that. Worked hard. I mix all of those sounds myself, and created all of those patterns. There’s 16 different kits, and within each kit there’s 16 patterns. All of that is really handcrafted by me. I touch the pads, really figuring out different syncopation, rhythms to spark inspiration to whoever’s using it. It’s incredible, I use it daily.
Karriem Riggins: Not that I can think of. Everything is in the book, really. Charnas wrote an incredible book, Dilla Time. Everybody should check that book out, because it really lets you into who Dilla was as a producer and as a person. I learned a lot about Detroit in the book, things that I didn’t know about the city. Everybody should check that out.
AllHipHop: Any goals for yourself at this point in your career?
Karriem Riggins: My goal is to continue to create and to spread love through the music. I want to keep pushing out the positive message in my music, to connect with people. Music is real therapy, it’s therapeutic to people. It’s healing, so much positivity in it. I want to continue to spread the love through the music.
Two pregnant attorneys convinced a judge to wait on possibly severing their clients’ cases from Young Thug’s upcoming RICO trial.
According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Judge Ural Glanville agreed to delay his decision on the matter until April 28. Prosecutors sought to separate Kahlieff Adams and Tenquarius Mender’s cases from Young Thug’s trial due to their lawyers’ pregnancies.
Attorneys Teombre Calland and Nicole Fegan argued their pregnancies won’t prevent them from properly defending their clients. The two believed they will be able to take maternity leave and return to court in time for opening statements in the trial.
“Mother Nature is not something that I can bargain with,” Judge Glanville told the lawyers. “And while we are all thrilled [about the pregnancies] … there are a lot of unknown variables. We should have, if all works out, a jury by early summer.”
Adams, who’s represented by Calland, and Mender, who’s represented by Fegan, don’t want to find new attorneys. Both men are willing to have stand-ins for their lawyers during the jury selection process.
Jury selection is underway for the trial against Young Thug and his 13 co-defendants. The court intends to call 1,200 potential jurors with the last group scheduled to appear in May.
Young Thug’s trial is expected to last six to nine months.
MF DOOM left the physical realm in October 2020, but fans didn’t find out about his death until two months later. It was a crushing blow to the Hip-Hop community, and those who love him are desperate for any DOOM artifacts. Before the prolific yet enigmatic MetalFace’d MC passed away, he and wife Jasmine Dumile had been inquiring about some missing rhyme notebooks, which are allegedly in the possession of Egon, his former collaborator. But, the war continues.
On Wednesday (March 1), MF DOOM’s family shared an Instagram post exposing some of those emails. The caption reads: “Egon Give Back The Notebooks.”
In one of the emails, dated August 2016, DOOM writes, “Hope you’re well. Any word from H—on my belongings. I really need those notebooks.” Egon replies, “I’ve no idea where H—is. As I told — when she contacted me, he disappeared when his family sold the building, which, from what I understand, has been gutted.”
Dumile followed up roughly two weeks later with, “We heard from H—he advised that he gave you DOOM’s notebooks. You can send them to the address below.”
Five months went by and DOOM hit up Egon again in January 2017. He writes, “I also come to find out my notebooks are in your possession. Let me know the cost of storage so we can promptly reclaim these items. I do appreciate the safe keeping and return of ALL the notebooks and any other property belong to DOOM in your possession.” The email ends with DOOM saying they want to keep “good relations” with Egon in the future.
Years later, the issue still hasn’t been resolved. In September 2017, Adult Swim abruptly ended its collaborative relationship with MF DOOM. The cartoon network had promised to deliver a 15-week series in which an unearthed DOOM single would be released every week.
“Adult Swim is ending our relationship with DOOM, and thus, the remaining Missing Notebook Rhymes will unfortunately have to remain…missing,” the network said in a statement. “We are glad to have had the chance to provide the previous free tracks to our fans.”
All tracks were removed for the Adult Swim website and the page dedicated to the project soon redirected fans to the Adult Swim music page. It’s possible DOOM was simply unable to get his notebooks back from Egon, therefore being forced to end the project. Whatever the case, Egon has yet to respond.
Young Thug’s RICO trial will proceed despite the leak of an interrogation video in the case.
According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Judge Ural Glanville denied defense attorney Gina Bernard’s motion for a mistrial on Wednesday (March 1). Bernard represents Jayden Myrick, one of Young Thug’s co-defendants in the YSL RICO case.
Bernard argued for a mistrial after footage of Kenneth Copeland a.k.a. YSL Woody’s interrogation surfaced online in February. Prosecutors blamed the defense for the leak and raised concerns about the safety of their witnesses.
Judge Glanville urged both sides to be more careful while rejecting the bid for a mistrial. He ordered an investigation into the leak while jury selection continues for Young Thug’s trial.
“It affects everyone’s right to a fair trial,” the judge said. “I don’t know who did this but if this pertains to you, please amend your ways. You’re playing a very dangerous game with your six-digit bar number.”
Young Thug and 13 co-defendants await trial in the YSL RICO case. Jury selection, which began in January, is expected to last several months.
The court plans to call 1,200 potential jurors, per documents obtained by AllHipHop. New groups of prospective jurors are scheduled to appear on March 17, April 28 and May 19.
Comedian Chris Rock is known for his ability to turn controversial events into comedic gold.
So it is no surprise that the funnyman plans to address the infamous altercation where Will Smith allegedly slapped him at the Oscars last year during an upcoming Netflix stand-up special, according to Page Six.
The incident in question reportedly occurred after Chris Rock made a joke about Will Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith’s hair at the event in March of 2022.
Will Smith took offense to a joke in which Chris Rock labeled his wife “G.I. Jane.” He strolled up on the stage and brutally slapped him in response.
Since the assault, Will Smith apologized and spent several months out of the public eye. He ultimately returned to promote his movie “Emancipation” in December.
After the review, Academy officials revoked Will’s membership and banned him from attending the ceremony for 10 years.
Vanessa Bryant has reached a $28.85 million settlement over the dissemination of images from the 2020 helicopter crash that killed her husband, Kobe Bryant, and their teenage daughter.
According to a proposed settlement order filed in federal court on Tuesday, Los Angeles County officials have agreed to pay the late basketball icon’s widow and their three surviving daughters $28.85 million to resolve the lawsuit.
This figure includes the $15 million a jury awarded Vanessa in August following a trial.
She pursued legal action against Los Angeles County after first responders took and shared graphic images of her husband, their 13-year-old daughter Gianna and seven other victims at the crash site outside of Los Angeles in January 2020.
The additional funds settle potential future claims from their daughters, related issues pending in state court, and other costs.
“Today marks the successful culmination of Mrs. Bryant’s courageous battle to hold accountable those who engaged in this grotesque conduct,” Luis Li, Vanessa’s lawyer, said in a statement. “She fought for her husband, her daughter, and all those in the community whose deceased family were treated with similar disrespect. We hope her victory at trial and this settlement will put an end to this practice.”
Mira Hashmall, the attorney representing LA County, called the settlement “fair and reasonable” and added, “We hope Ms. Bryant and her children continue to heal from their loss.”
Vanessa sued the county for negligence and invasion of privacy in September 2020 after police officers and firefighters responding to the crash took images of the bodies and wreckage on their phones. She won at the trial in August 2022.
Chris Chester, who lost his wife and daughter in the crash, was also awarded $15 million at the trial, and he reached a settlement with county officials in September for almost $5 million more.
The Weeknd has been cast as the lead in a feature film for the first time.
A representative for the “Blinding Lights” hitmaker told Billboard that he had been cast to lead his first feature film alongside Jenna Ortega and Barry Keoghan.
In addition to his starring role, The Weeknd, real name Abel Tesfaye, co-wrote the as-yet-untitled movie with his producing partner Reza Fahim and the film’s director Trey Edward Shults.
Tesfaye and Fahim will produce, while “Waves” filmmaker Shults and Wednesday star Ortega will executive produce.
And that’s not all – the music superstar will also score the film with his frequent collaborator, producer Oneohtrix Point Never.
Chayse Irvin has joined the production as director of photography, and Kevin Turen and Harrison Kreiss as producers.
The Weeknd previously made a brief appearance as himself in 2019’s “Uncut Gems,” and he will soon be seen leading the HBO TV series “The Idol” with Lily-Rose Depp. He created the show, which will air later this year, with Fahim and Euphoria’s Sam Levinson and will play self-help guru/cult leader Tedros.
The untitled movie project, which has begun shooting in Los Angeles, will mark his first leading role in a feature.
The Jam Master Jay murder trial has yet to get underway, even though it’s been more than 20 years since the Run-DMC legend’s death and three years since the feds indicted Karl Jordan Jr. and Ronald Washington for the killing. But the case is getting murky. Not long after Washington accused key witness Lydia High, who buzzed the killers into the studio that night in 2002, of being “unreliable,” now there’s testimony the suspects intimidated multiple witnesses.
According to docs obtained by AllHipHop, someone referred to as “Witness 6” refused to cooperate with authorities, claiming they feared both Jordan and Jordan’s father, Karl Jordan Sr.
“In a November 23, 2020 jail call, Jordan states that Witness 6 ‘put me at the scene’ and discusses Witness 6 and other possible witnesses implicating Jordan,” the docs read. “Witness 6, again, told the government in 2021 that Witness 6 was afraid of Jordan’s father.
“Witness 6 said [they] only had two options: cooperate and be killed, or not cooperate and lie at trial. In fact, Witness 6 has told the government that after JMJ’s murder, Witness 6 immediately left New York because the people who murdered JMJ were close to JMJ and Witness 6 wanted to ‘escape.’ Witness 6 said that if Witness 6 cooperated, Witness 6 thought [they] would be killed.”
And that’s not the only witness who’s accused the suspects of intimidation. In 2003, a group of individuals who “Witness 1″ described as the “Hollis Crew”—which included Jordan, his father and an alleged co-conspirator in JMJ’s homicide—encircled and confronted them. Jordan’s father asked Witness 1 what they’d told police about the murder and told them, “What goes on in Hollis, stays in Hollis” then called Witness 1 a “snitch,” while reminding them he knew where Witness 1’s family lived.
The docs continue, “There is no innocent explanation for why Jordan’s father, standing with Jordan, would remind Witness 1 that he knew where Witness 1 lived immediately after asking Witness 1 what she had said to the police about JMJ’s murder—that reminder, in Jordan’s presence, was undoubtedly meant to frighten Witness 1 in connection with providing information he/she possessed to law enforcement regarding the murder.”
Finally, at Jam Master Jay’s funeral in November 2002, Jordan and two other individuals approached “Witness 7” and repeatedly asked them if they knew who shot JMJ in a threatening manner. Witness 7 believed Jordan was attempting to intimidate them and determine if they’d recognized Jordan during the murder.
“Witness 7 was frightened and told Jordan that they had not seen who shot JMJ. Shortly thereafter, while still at the funeral, Witness 7 relayed to Witness 13 that Jordan had just threatened Witness 7. According to Witness 13, Witness 7 was visibly shaken and said that ‘Jordan walked up to [Witness 7] at the funeral and said to them in front of their mother, [Witness 7], ‘Who the F killed Jay’ and Little D said, ‘I will kill you and this your mother, I’ll kill you and your mother. Watch what you say.’ Witness 13 also said that later on, Witness 7 ‘wanted to go talk to Little D and tell Little D that [Witness 7] won’t tell on him [to law enforcement].’ That’s how afraid [Witness 7] was.”
Two other witnesses, identified as “Witness 2” and “Witness 5,” said in the docs Jordan made several incriminating statements in Witness 5’s presence regarding Jordan’s participation in JMJ’s murder.
“Witness 5 will further testify that Witness 5 observed Jordan threaten an individual with a gun and to kill the individual like he did Mizell—an event that prompted Witness 5 to contact law enforcement and report Jordan’s gun possession and narcotics trafficking. Following controlled purchases of narcotics from Jordan by law enforcement, a December 15, 2004 search of recovered two loaded firearms (not .40 caliber), a loaded 9mm magazine, a bulletproof vest, cocaine, marijuana and glassine envelopes used for packaging narcotics.
“Witness 2 will testify that, around the time of Jam Master Jay’s murder in 2002, he/she and Jordan secreted firearms in a van parked outside Jordan’s residence, a .40 caliber firearm used to be hidden in that van and that the firearm went missing around the time of JMJ’s murder. [Witness 2 will also testify] that Jordan kept firearms at the same residence and in the van outside, but occurring in or about December 2004, and also that Jordan threatened an individual with a gun and stated in substance that he would kill him/her like he had killed JMJ.”
The docs also state, “The search of on December 15, 2004 that recovered firearms and narcotics further corroborates both Witness 2 and Witness 5’s testimony that Jordan possessed firearms and narcotics.”
Karl Jordan Jr. and Ronald Washington were indicted for the murder of Jam Master Jay in 2020. No official trial date has been set.
Travis Scott is currently being investigated by the police for an alleged assault at a nightclub in New York City.
According to TMZ, the incident occurred in the early hours of Wednesday morning at Nebula, a club on 41st Street.
It’s reported that Scott got into a physical altercation with a sound engineer, during which he allegedly punched the man and caused $12,000 in damage to a speaker and video screen.
The identity of the person involved and the reason for Travis’ fit of rage remains unknown, but he was most likely unhappy with the job the soundman was doing during his guest performance with his Cactus Jack artist, Don Toliver.
This news comes after Travis Scott’s recent highly-publicized legal trouble surrounding the deadly Astroworld tragedy in November 2021, where at least 10 people died and many others were injured in a crowd surge.
Travis Scott has since faced at least 125 lawsuits concerning the tragedy filed by the families of the deceased and those injured.
The lawsuits allege that Scott and other festival organizers were responsible for inadequate safety measures, overcrowding, and not responding quickly enough to the emergency situation.
As for the alleged assault incident in New York City, Travis Scott has not made any official statements yet.
However, TMZ reports that the investigation is ongoing, and no charges have been filed against him as of press time, but he could face assault and criminal mischief.
More updates will be provided as the story develops.
Chloe Bailey, professionally known by the mononymous stage name Chlöe, will release her debut studio album In Pieces on March 31. Fans of the singer/songwriter will have the chance to see her live in concert too.
“The In Pieces Tour” kicks off on April 11th in Chicago. Chlöe also plans to perform in Detroit, Toronto, Boston, Philadelphia, New York, Atlanta, Houston, Dallas, Sacramento, and Los Angeles.
Tickets for “The In Pieces Tour” will go on sale to the public starting Friday, March 3 at 10 am local time at chloebailey.net. An Artist Presale option is currently available using the password “PRAY.”
The forthcoming In Pieces project contains 14 tracks. Previously, Chlöe earned Grammy nominations for Best Urban Contemporary Album (The Kids Are Alright) and Best Progressive R&B Album (Ungodly Hour) as one-half of Chloe x Halle.
Chlöe Teamed Up With Latto & Chris Brown For Recent Collaborations
Over the last three years, Chlöe let loose several singles as a solo act. The Platinum-certified “Have Mercy” arrived in September 2021. She also dropped other songs such as “Treat Me” and “For the Night” featuring Latto.
The official music video for “How Does It Feel” amassed over 5 million YouTube views since it premiered on the platform on February 24. Plus, that collaboration totaled 2.5 million Spotify streams so far.
