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SIGNS: Software Update Behind Global Microsoft Outage Affecting Flights, Banks & More

By: Devon JeffersonCategory: Rumors

Believe it or not, a routine software update is behind the worldwide mayhem that recently threw businesses, airports, banks and even law enforcement into disarray.

The digital pandemonium began when CrowdStrike, a major cybersecurity company, unwittingly deployed a flawed update. The Austin, Texas-based firm, trusted by businesses and government agencies using Microsoft computers, is now at the center of what might be the largest global IT outage ever recorded.

Ironically, CrowdStrike was simply attempting to protect its clients from cyber threats, and instead became one in the process inadvertently when coding in the software system update clashed with Windows systems.

“The system was sent an update, and that update had a software bug in it and caused an issue with the Microsoft operating system,” CEO George Kurtz explained on the TODAY show. “Our systems are always looking for the latest attacks from these adversaries that are out there.”

The ripple effects of this digital disaster have spared no sector. Airports ground to a halt with flights delayed or canceled en masse as computer systems failed. In the U.S., giants like American Airlines, Delta, and United issued ground stops due to communication breakdowns. From Berlin to Hong Kong, airports witnessed chaotic scenes, with frustrated passengers enduring lengthy delays. One passenger in Hyderabad even shared a picture of a rare sight: a handwritten boarding pass!

Banks have been crippled, leaving customers from Australia to New Zealand locked out of their accounts. Even the London Stock Exchange faced service disruptions, although trading miraculously continued. Retailers weren’t spared either—McDonald’s shut down stores in Japan due to cash register malfunctions, and British grocery chain Waitrose resorted to handwritten cash-only notices.

The chaos extended to shipping, with Baltic Hub in Poland battling operational issues. Law enforcement wasn’t immune either; the Alaska State Troopers reported a temporary 911 outage. Sky News in the UK briefly vanished from the airwaves, highlighting the widespread reach of the catastrophe.

CrowdStrike swiftly identified the glitch and released a fix, but recovery is slow. While some computers updated automatically, others require manual intervention. Companies like New Hampshire’s Department of Safety, whose 911 system briefly crashed, reported being back online by Friday morning. However, for many, it’s a laborious process involving manual rebooting and IT wizardry.

“Many of the customers are rebooting the system, and it’s coming up, and it’ll be operational because we fixed it on our end. Some of the systems that aren’t recovering, we’re working with them. So it could be some time for some systems that just automatically won’t recover,” Kurtz admitted.

This debacle is reminiscent of past tech nightmares. In 2017, the WannaCry ransomware attack wreaked havoc on global systems, paralyzing hospitals and businesses. Just last year, a Facebook outage left billions disconnected for hours, illustrating our dependency on tech giants. As businesses scramble to recover from the latest digital disaster, one thing is clear: in our interconnected world, a single flaw can unleash unprecedented chaos!

50 Cent Reacts To Former NYPD Detective Rejecting Ja Rule’s Order Of Protection Claims  

By: London JennnCategory: Rumors

50 Cent shared his reaction to a former NYPD Detective insisting that 50 Cent never cooperated with authorities, despite longstanding rumors to the contrary.  

Earlier this year, Ja Rule repeated his accusation that 50 Cent took out an order of protection against Murder. Inc in 2020. However, according to Former NYPD detective Bill Courtney, 50 Cent refused to cooperate.  

“50 Cent never cooperated with anybody,” Courtney said on a recent episode of ItsAGTV. “And I would know if he did. I had the whole music industry investigation business locked down, I knew everybody who was talking to everybody. There was no way he cooperated.” 

On Thursday (July 18), 50 Cent shared a clip of the podcast on his Instagram page.   

“See the facts always come out, I wasn’t raised like that,’ he captioned the post. “I’m not in Preme, killer Rat ass jimmy, or World’s paper work.” 

In the podcast, Country addressed the Murder Inc. Records co-founder’s claims that 50 Cent snitched.  

“I find it funny that the guys who say he cooperated, namely the Gotti brothers, they did more stupid things to bring heat on them and heat on everybody,” he added. “They did a lot of dumb things and they messed with the wrong guy. He came back; he’s a fighter. You know people got to respect that even if they don’t like 50. He didn’t have any cops protecting him.” 

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Ja Rule Repeats 50 Cent Order Of Protection Accusation

Back in April, Ja Rule took a jab at 50 while discussing the beef involving Drake and over half a dozen other people. 

“G-Unit literally had an ORDER OF PROTECTION against Murder Inc.,” he wrote on X (Twitter). Can you imagine if one of the camps in this beef right now put an order of protection on the other?” 

Irv Gotti previously accused 50 Cent of filing an order of protection against him and Ja Rule following a fight at the Hit Factory studios in New York City in 2000. According to reports, the New York Police Department issued the protection order on behalf of 50 Cent, rather than by request.   

Meanwhile, earlier this week, 50 Cent teased a Murder Inc. docuseries after a woman filed a lawsuit accusing Irv Gotti of abuse and Sexual assault.  

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Irv Gotti Denies Abuse & Assault Allegations, Claims Accuser Trying To “Coerce” Money

By: London JennnCategory: News

Irv Gotti is denying a woman’s abuse and sexual assault allegations presented in a new lawsuit and is considering filing a countersuit. 

A rep for Gotti claimed the woman, known only as Jane Doe, filed suit after The Murder Inc. Records co-founder refused her demands for cash, per TMZ. 

According to the rep, the suit “was filed after Mr. Gotti rejected the attempt by this individual to coerce a payment of money from him. The lawsuit contains a single page of ‘facts’ which are unsworn to, sparse by any measure, and which Mr. Gotti categorically denies.” 

The unidentified woman filed a lawsuit against Irv Gotti In Florida on July 11, accusing him of sexual assault, battery and intentional infliction of emotional distress. She claims Gotti repeatedly abused her during the two years they dated, beginning in 2020. “Gotti coerced Plaintiff into having sex with him,” while on vacation, the lawsuit reads. 

The Jane Doe accuser also details multiple examples of the alleged abuse and “unwanted sexual acts.” In one instance, she alleged, “Gotti forced her to perform oral sex on him in an elevator.” Later that same year, “he again forced her to perform oral sex on him in an Uber,” the plaintiff claims. The relationship ended following that event.  

“The allegations represent an affront to women who have truly suffered abuse,” Gotti’s rep continued. “Mr. Gotti has been surrounded by strong women the entirety of his life – his mother, five sisters and daughter. The top employees at his company are women. Mr. Gotti’s relationships with women have been characterized by mutual respect, honesty, and empathy. Mr. Gotti’s reputation has been placed at issue.” 

In addition to fighting the “baseless” lawsuit in court, the rep revealed Irv Gotti is considering filing a defamation countersuit.  

Big Sean Denies Kanye West Behind Album Leak As He Confirms Release Date

By: London JennnCategory: News

Big Sean is setting the record straight over rumors that Kanye West leaked his new album. 

On Thursday (July 17), the Detroit rapper hopped on Instagram Live after a Ye fan leaked an unfinished version of Sean’s upcoming album. 

Sean explained he didn’t want to draw attention to the leak but refused to believe West was behind it.  Someone told me Ye did it,” he began. “I know Ye ain’t did that. I know he ain’t. Ain’t no f###### way.” 

Big Sean explained that he loves Kanye West and questioned where his career would be without him. “All the projects, I been there since Graduation,” he said before showing off their accolades.  

“You see this plaque right here? That’s 185 million records sold under G.O.O.D. Music. I love G.O.O.D. Music. N#### done made more money off my music than I did.”  

Big Sean said that although he had exclusive access to multiple artists, including Kanye West, he would never leak anyone’s songs. “I would never leak nobody’s s###,” he continued. “So I know he ain’t do that. Whoever started that rumor, y’all on some b#######.” 

Earlier on Thursday a disgruntled Ye fan leaked the project amid speculation Sean dissed West on his recent On The Radar freestyle.  

“Since he wanna disrespect Ye so much, here’s the album, f### him and his whole team,” the leaker wrote. “Ye told me to leak it.” 

In response, Sean teased a snippet of his upcoming collab with The Alchemist. 

“Might as well start droppin, before they leak it all,” he shared on X (Twitter). “Got damn BIG SEAN x THE ALCHEMIST soon.” 

He also dropped off a new track and confirmed the album name and official release date.  

“BETTER ME THAN YOU Album August 9,” he revealed. 

Eminem Does Surprise Performance With Snoop Dogg & Dr. Dre In London

By: London JennnCategory: News

Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre stunned fans with a surprise appearance from Eminem at the Gin & Juice Party in London. 

On Thursday (July 18), a host of U.S. sporting stars and Hip-Hop icons collided at a bash hosted by the West Coast legends. The event marked the U.K. launch of their new beverage line, inspired by their iconic 2004 hit “Gin & Juice.” 

Shaq was on hand for presenting duties, welcoming Snoop and Dr. Dre to the stage as they opened their set with their 2021 hit, ”The Next Episode.” 

Eminem, also in the city to promote his latest album, The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grace), delivered an impromptu performance. He rocked the London crowd with a pair of tracks spanning 25 years of his partnership with Dr. Dre; “Houdini” and “Forgot About Dre.” 

Earlier on Thursday, Em put his alter ego to rest at the Pop-Up Funeral of Slim Shady. He flicked it up with fans, signed autographs and posed in front of a symbolic casket. 

Snoop Dogg & Dr. Dre Compare London To Compton

Meanwhile, Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre are feeling right at home in London. The superproducer likened the city to Compton, with Snoop noting, “I didn’t know it was that many Black people out here. It felt like the hood.” 

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The duo opened elaborated on their friendship of more than 30 years during an interview with Capital Xtra.  

“It taught me how to be professional, Dr. Dre has always been like a big brother to me,” Snoop Dogg explained. “He’s always had the attitude and the spirit of always looking forward.” 

Dr. Dre returned the flowers, saying, “I love that he gives me his trust with his career.” He added, “I’m never going to let my bro down.” 

Dre also shared an amusing story about a blind double date. While Dre was left feeling disappointed, the experience led to them creating “Nuthin’But A ‘G’ Thang.” 

JT Targets Her Rivals On Debut Solo Mixtape “City Cinderella” 

By: London JennnCategory: News

JT just dropped off her highly anticipated debut solo mixtape, City Cinderella, and her fans can’t get enough of it. 

At midnight on Friday (July 18), JT released the 16-track project, which includes guest appearances from DJ Khaled, Stunna Girl, and CLIP. Jeezy also features on the previously released remix of her hit single “OKAY.” 

JT and City Cinderella trended in the top spot on X (Twitter) following its release. While many listeners praised the former City Girls rapper’s lyrical prowess, a few lyrics gained particular attention.  

On the tape’s opener, “Intro (Hope)” Fans believe JT targeted Cardi B, referencing viral footage of an X-rated incident onstage with a bottle, which the NYC rapper previously insisted was not her.  

“Non-rapping b####, who the f### you talking to?” JT raps. “I was off in Saks, Gucci alligator bags/While you were laying on your back and stuffin’ bottles up your ass.” 

Back in 2022, Cardi mocked JT’s jail spell, referring to her as “prison pants” during their incendiary Twitter spat. JT seemingly fired back on “Lemon Pepper” featuring Stunna Girl. 

“JT a convicted felon and I’m still on they ass,” she said. “These Rick Owens, boo, these ain’t prison pants.”  

And it wasn’t just Cardi B that JT was accused of shading. “Now I’m hated by a b#### with a man voice,” JT raps on “Swang,” a line many believe is directed at GloRilla after the pair exchanged words earlier this year.  

JT Explains Why She Made City Cinderella A Mixtape

JT opened up about the project in her recent Paper cover story, clarifying City Cinderella is a mixtape. 

“People work on their albums for a year, albums are just different. So City Cinderella is not my first album, being that I made this project so damn fast,” she explained. “I had to create this project throughout the tour and moving around, so I didn’t have time to really nurture and doctor it. This is just something that I’m putting out with my pure instincts.” 

Cardi B Clears The Air After Unleashing On Joe Budden  

By: London JennnCategory: News

Cardi B is opening up after unleashing on Joe Budden in a fiery rant over her album rollout. 

The NYC rapper has been vocal about the release schedule for her upcoming album in recent weeks. On Thursday (July 18) Cardi fired off at Budden following a discussion of his podcast about her unwillingness to drop the project. 

However, hours after going in on her critics in a Spaces conversation on X (Twitter), Cardi set things straight. Ultimately, despite the drama, the “Wanna Be” rapper is grateful so much hype surrounds the project.  

“I wanna say this to Bardi gang or anybody who’s just a fan of my music or even my craziness,” she began. “I have my good days and my bad days but you know what, whether it’s good or bad I couldn’t be happier with the obvious anticipation for my album.” 

Cardi also explained why the conversation got so heated before reaffirming the album will arrive before the year is out. 

“Sometimes I get a little aggressive because yall know I don’t like to be told what to do,” she added. “But I promise you it’s coming THIS YEAR. Thank you for the love and anticipation and always holding me down I love yall.” 

She also reposted a tweet backing her tirade against the rapper-turned-podcaster.  

”Cardi is 100% in the right for standing up for herself against Joe Budden,” the fan wrote. “He been downplaying her artistry & questioning her work ethic for years now. Even creating non sense comparisons with every other rap girl. The treatment and the expectation around Cardi always different.” 

During her Spaces talk, Cardi B accused Budden of comparing her to other female artists.  

“You really want my album to come out so you can criticize it ‘cause every single time I drop a record, you don’t like it,” she said. “Every single time a b#### drops something and they doing mediocre, you say they doing better than me. Every b####.” 

While fans await the album, Cardi B dropped off a new single with Rob49. 

Ice Cube Not Surprised By Diddy’s Legal Issues But Thinks Bad Boy Mogul Is Being “Targeted”

By: Devon JeffersonCategory: Rumors

Ice Cube spoke about Diddy’s ongoing legal crisis, which includes an onslaught of sexual assault cases.

During a recent interview with Yankees minority owner Patrick Bet-David on the PBD Podcast, Ice Cube opened up about his past work with the Bad Boy Entertainment founder and shared his thoughts on the recent barrage of sexual assault allegations against him. Ice Cube initially recalled his brief professional interactions with Diddy, recalling his time working with him on the East Coast early on in his career.

“He produced a few records or had his producers do a few records on my War & Peace album,” he said. “We flew out to New York, and I was mainly in the studio with his stable of producers.”

While he noted that their collaboration was great and says his experience with Diddy was nothing but positive, he did make it clear that he’d never been to any of the alleged “freak off” parties and claimed he hadn’t been in contact with him since at least the mid-90s.

He added, “I really lost contact with him and really stopped dealing with Puffy around ’94.”

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Ice Cube didn’t hold back when Bet-David asked about his personal opinion on the recent allegations and if he was surprised by the legal troubles Diddy is facing.

“How could you be surprised with anything that happens in Hip-Hop?” he remarked. “Hip-Hop is the Wild West, so you are going to have the good, you’re going to have the bad. You’re going to have the ugly.”

Despite the tumultuous nature of the industry, Ice Cube expressed his belief that there’s more at play than meets the eye. The conversation quickly turned into a candid revelation, with Cube providing some eye-opening insights into why he believes Diddy is being “targeted” by individuals who may be more powerful than him.

“I believe he’s being targeted,” Ice Cube asserted, delving into a theory that has been whispered about in the music industry.

“I believe somebody has the power to pull the trigger to make this stuff just domino effect happen,” he added.

However, when asked about comments from Suge Knight alleging Diddy’s inappropriate behavior stems from mentorship he purportedly received from music industry veteran Clive Davis, Ice Cube distanced himself from the speculation.

“I don’t know enough to even be able to be specific on any of this stuff,” he said. “It’s just all speculation. I just know he was cool up until a point and then this stuff started happening. So I believe somebody, like I said, said, ‘Yo, he’s our new guy. We on to this year,’ or whatever.”

As Diddy faces mounting legal challenges, the details are staggering. Multiple women have come forward with accusations of sexual assault, painting a grim picture of the music mogul’s past. His homes in Miami and Los Angeles were recently raided by federal agents, uncovering evidence that could further implicate him.

Diddy is currently facing at least seven sexual assault cases at the moment. The specific charges range from sexual misconduct to more severe allegations, such as rape, that have shocked the entertainment world. Diddy is also still dealing with the fallout of the release of the video of his abusive 2016 hotel encounter with his former girlfriend Cassie Ventura, whom he settled a multi-million dollar lawsuit with earlier this year.

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Tasha K Taunts Soulja Boy After He Sues Her For Defamation

By: Justin IveyCategory: News

Tasha K seemed unfazed by Soulja Boy’s defamation lawsuit on Thursday (July 18). The infamous vlogger invited process servers to deliver Soulja Boy’s legal documents to her shows in Boston and New York.

“PSA,” she wrote on Instagram. “Process Servers can meet me in BOSTON on Saturday July 20 or in New York City on July 21st! I will be performing at The City Wineries. My wine, gossip & comedy shows start promptly at 7:30pm est. Be sure to purchase a ticket process server and I will make sure that my security team lets you through to serve me without any hassle. My lawyers are also in New York and will be attending my New York Show as well if u have any problems getting to me!”

Soulja Boy sued Tasha for $16 million over a May 2024 interview in which William the Baddest claimed to have a sexual past with the rapper. Soulja Boy denied the man’s claims.

“On my soul, on everything I love, that dude is lying,” he said. “I could die right now today. God strike me down. I put it on my life.”

Soulja Boy’s lawyers filed his lawsuit against Tasha K and William the Baddest in Los Angeles court on Tuesday (July 16).

“Plaintiff has suffered actual reputational and professional harm as a result of defendants maliciously targeting plaintiff and seeking to sabotage his career, redefining his character as a man who is not straight, a fraud and dishonest person in the entertainment industry, as a public figure, which is not true,” the lawsuit contended.

Soulja Boy added his name to the list of celebrities who sued Tasha K for her rumormongering. Cardi B won roughly $4 million in a defamation lawsuit against Tasha K in 2022. Comedian Kevin Hart and disgraced singer R. Kelly sued the vlogger in 2023.

Joe Budden Swears He Never Received Lap Dance From Cardi B High On Coke

By: Justin IveyCategory: News

Cardi B excoriated Joe Budden in an X (formerly known as Twitter) Spaces rant on Thursday (July 18). The Atlantic Records artist targeted Budden for criticizing her throughout her career. Her tirade stemmed from a podcast in which Budden discussed her unwillingness to release her sophomore album.

“You always talk about [how] you have a source at Atlantic,” she said. “You’re a f###### lie. There’s probably like 400 people that work at Atlantic … But I only talk to a couple of people … If something’s coming out, I already know who said it because I only talk to four people, four to five people in the building … So, you not getting information [about] me.”

She continued, “You every single f######— every five, six months, you comparing another female rapper towards me. You compare new artists, you compare old artists. You compare every single f###### artist with me, bro. Everything! Everything! If you love these b###### so much, why you not talking ‘bout their album? Why you not talking ‘bout what they do?”

Cardi B said Budden had no true interest in hearing her album despite him claiming to be a fan. She believed he viewed her as an easy target for criticism.

“You really want my album to come out so you can criticize it ‘cause every single time I drop a record, you don’t like it,” she said. “Every single time a b#### drops something and they doing mediocre, you say they doing better than me. Every b####.”

She added, “Shut the f### up! You don’t even know me. Everything you do, whether it’s my personal life or it’s music life, you always talking s### about it.”

Cardi B’s verbal assault included claims of giving Budden lap dances while he was high on coke when she was a stripper.

“Bruh, I gave you a lap dance two times at f###### Starlets,” she declared. “You was high as f###! High as f### on coke, n####. Smell that coke through your breath.”

Budden denied the allegations.

“I have also never gotten a lap dance from this lady,” he wrote on X. “I also have never done coke.”

Budden apologized to Cardi B on social media. He promised to never talk about her for the rest of her career.

Can Gunna Pick Up Where Kanye West Left Off With adidas In New Originals Collaboration?

By: Devon JeffersonCategory: Rumors

Gunna has teamed up with adidas Originals to launch the highly anticipated Adizero Aruku sneaker, and now the elephant in the room needs to be fed peanuts considering the collab follows the brand’s efforts to pivor following Kanye West’s dramatic exit.

While Gunna’s new venture appears to be a singular collab, it’s hard not to speculate how the impact of the release of the sneaker could factor into filling the massive void left by West and the absence of Yeezy. Primarily because West’s Yeezy line was a colossal success, generating nearly $1.7 billion in annual revenue for adidas at its peak.

The brand reportedly paid West a hefty buyout close to $1 billion to part ways. adidas reported significant financial losses following the departure of West and the end of their partnership with Yeezy. In February 2023, adidas warned that it could lose up to $1.3 billion in revenue in 2023 if it failed to sell its existing Yeezy stock.

By May 2023, the company announced that it was expecting a full-year operating loss of €700 million ($769 million), its first annual loss in 31 years, largely due to the unsold Yeezy inventory and the termination of its lucrative partnership with Kanye West.

Since Kanye West’s departure, adidas has been on a mission to collaborate with a new wave of influential artists. Big names like Pharrell Williams, Bad Bunny and Beyoncé have all joined forces with the brand, each bringing their unique flair to the adidas Originals lineup.

Fast forward to the present, where adidas Originals chose the WIRELESS Festival in London as the perfect stage for Gunna to unveil the Adizero Aruku. The crowd went wild as Gunna’s performance, paired with the striking white and red silhouette of the new sneaker, lit up the festival.

The sneaker, inspired by Japan’s vibrant streetwear scene, seamlessly blends athletic performance with urban fashion. Coupled with the momentum Gunna has created since the release of his album, A Gift & a Curse, which debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard 200 chart, the Atlanta native could be poised to help the show become a cultural phenomenon in the fashion world, much like Yeezys were.

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As if the sneaker launch wasn’t enough, Gunna is also making waves with his own fashion line, P By Gunna. Known for its bold designs and urban edge, P By Gunna is quickly gaining traction in the fashion world, making Gunna even more of a dripreneur than ever before.

With the Adizero Aruku set to launch globally in 2025, all eyes are on Gunna and adidas Originals. Will this new collaboration fill the Yeezy-sized void? Only time will tell, but one thing’s for sure—the sneaker game just got a whole lot more exciting.

Check out the post above for additional images of the kicks.

Pop Smoke’s Mom Avoided Purported Killer’s Interview: “His Life Is Finished”

By: Justin IveyCategory: News

Pop Smoke’s mother Audrey Jackson paid no attention to a controversial interview with Blockstar, one of the men involved in her son’s 2020 murder. Jackson said she only heard about Blockstar’s lack of remorse through secondhand information.

“I’m not tuned into that,” Jackson told Hot 97’s TT Torrez. . “It’s not so much that I’m closing it out. It’s that it’s just not a part of my world. I have people who will come and say, ‘Have you heard?’ People will hit me up like, ‘Ma, are you OK?’ I felt a way when you just said he was being disrespectful because I’ve been told that he’s been interviewing and being disrespectful. And I gotta let that go because that’ll eat me up. I gotta let that go. ‘Cause the bottom line is, your life is over. His life Is finished. He’s living, but if that’s his approach to what he’s done, life is done for him.”

Blockstar, the purported gunman who shot Pop Smoke, was a teenager at the time of the murder. Blockstar was sentenced as a juvenile and released from custody after a few years behind bars.

Two of Blockstar’s co-defendants were also sentenced as juveniles, making them eligible for release at age 25. Jackson accepted the fact her son’s killers would not spend their lives in prison.

“I don’t wanna say there’s nothing to forgive, but I don’t approach it that way,” she said. “People ask me … I’m not ready to go have tea with anybody and go to anybody’s house and have a meal. And I acknowledge the change that’s been brought to my life and devastated my family. But it doesn’t make sense to hold on to some sort of anger and bitterness that you can’t do nothing with … I’m not gonna hold onto something because then you’ve won. You’ve eaten my soul. I can’t let you do that.”

Corey Walker, the only defendant charged as an adult in Pop Smoke’s murder, awaits trial. Walker pleaded not guilty to one count of murder, one count of burglar and two counts of robbery.

Kanye West Sued Over “Blatant Theft” Of Eminem & Kendrick Lamar Collaborator’s Work

By: Justin IveyCategory: News

Artist Revenue Advocates sued Kanye West for copyright infringement on behalf of producer DJ Khalil and others on Wednesday (July 17). According to court documents reviewed by AllHipHop, Ye was accused of using DJ Khalil and three musicians’ work without permission and payment.

DJ Khalil created a track with keyboardist Sam Barsh, bassist Dan Seeff and multi-instrumentalist Josh Mease in 2018. The unpublished music was included in a “composer pack” made available to potential buyers. Kanye used the track for his songs “Hurricane” and “Moon,” which appeared on the 2021 album Donda.

“The West Defendants did, at various times, seek the Artists’ permission to include the Work in ‘Hurricane’,” the lawsuit revealed. “No permission was granted.”

Artist Revenue Advocates accused Kanye of “blatant theft.” They argued he admitted to infringement by crediting DJ Khalil, Barsh, Seeff and Mease on Donda. DJ Khalil, a Hip-Hop veteran who has produced songs for Eminem and Kendrick Lamar, received production credits on “Hurricane” and “Moon.”

“In an act of blatant brazenness, Defendants even credited the Artists as songwriters and producers on both ‘Hurricane’ and ‘Moon,’” the lawsuit noted. “Of course, given that Defendants knew they did not have permission to use the Work. The fact that they credit the Artists as songwriters and producers is effectively an admission of copyright infringement.”

Artist Revenue Advocates believed “Hurricane” and “Moon” earned at least $15 million in streaming revenue as of March 2024. The group viewed Kanye as a hypocrite for not properly compensating DJ Khalil, Barsh, Seeff and Mease.

“West’s unlawful use of the Work follows an unfortunate pattern and practice of taking other artists’ music without their permission,” the lawsuit explained. “Other instances of willful infringement by West include unauthorized use of music from Ozzy Osbourne and Donna Summer. West’s history of deliberate use of the music of others stands in stark contrast with his position as a supposed champion of artists’ rights. In September 2020, concurrent with West and his label’s deliberate unlicensed use of the Work, West launched a series of tweets criticizing UMG, alleging exploitative practices toward artists … West’s tirade underscores the need for accountability and fair compensation across all levels of the music industry, including by those who advocate for change. By failing to pay artists for their contributions, West perpetuates the very injustices against which he claims to fight.”

The plaintiff sought undisclosed damages for copyright infringement. Kanye’s label G.O.O.D. Music, Universal Music Group and Kano Computing, the company behind the Stem Player, were also defendants in the lawsuit.

Did Republicans Dis-Invite 50 Cent From RNC?

By: illseedCategory: Rumors

Here’s some tea for you. You know I don’t usually use words like “tea,” but I’m about to now.

Donald Trump came out to a 50 Cent banger that we all know: “Many Men.” It’s one of the biggest hits from the Queens rapper, but now it’s being used for some diabolical behavior—the Republican Nation Convention. That’s right, Donald Trump, also from Queens, is using a song we love to further the idea that he was almost killed. “Many men” are also questioning the validity of the assassination attempt, but that’s another story. Where’s the medical report, Mr. Former President?

Anyway, whenever Donald Trump uses someone’s song, typically they get a cease and-desist letter. However, it seems to be universally accepted that 50 Cent allowed the use of the song. We don’t know the terms of that agreement, but he certainly didn’t send a cease and desist. In fact, he promoted himself on social media, superimposing a picture of Donald Trump’s mug on his own body.

Here’s where it gets even more interesting. 50 Cent was slated to perform at the Republican National Convention and was going to show out in front of the largest, most rapid MAGA gathering ever. Well, that didn’t happen. Why?

Word on the street is that JD Vance, the vice-presidential candidate for Donald Trump vetoed it. No one quite knows why, but some folks with very powerful sources, who we can’t mention at this moment, have said they didn’t want a Black rapper performing at the conference. This doesn’t top Tim Scott doing all that Tom Behavior and still not getting his VP look.

But what’s crazy is that 50 Cent was reportedly disinvited. That’s wild, if true. How are they going let let Amber Rose cook like unseasoned chicken on stage and not one of the greatest rappers ever rock? You can’t dis Fif. Maybe he’ll comment on this so we can get the confirmed scoop.

DAMN JD!

De La Soul, Statik Selektah, DJ EFN & More Rally Around DJ Shortkut Amid Hospitalization

By: Kyle EusticeCategory: News

Beat Junkies and Invisibl Skratch Piklz legend DJ Shortkut was hospitalized earlier this week, according to multiple posts from his Instagram account. The news first started making the rounds on Tuesday (July 16) after someone running his page wrote a statement about his health crisis.

“We want to inform you that DJ Shortkut has been hospitalized due to a serious health incident,” it read. “He is currently in stable condition and receiving excellent care.” The statement continued in the caption, “We ask for your patience and understanding as his family requests that we respect their privacy during this time. More updates will be provided soon. Your love and support mean the world to him!”

The 48-year-old turntablist received an outpouring of support from the Hip-Hop community. Z-Trip, Amp Live, Peanut Butter Wolf, Souls of Mischief’s A-Plus, fellow Beat Junkie/Piklz D-Styles, Kid Koala, Egyptian Lover, Statik Selektah, Pharoahe Monch and DJ Nu-mark were among the many sending Shortkut love.

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A post shared by shortkut (@shortkut)

An update on DJ Shortkut arrived the following day and provided an opportunity for people to contact him through Instagram. Language used in the statement appear to point to a stroke or heart attack.

“Sincere thanks and love to everyone who reposted our health announcement today, shared posts and showed love for @shortkut. We understand it was a shock to everyone and appreciate all the inquiries for support. He definitely felt all the love and wants everyone to know that he is deeply touched by your message; they are providing him with strength. His cognitive development is improving daily, and his motor skills are steadily progressing.

“We will relay more updates as the days progress. Just a reminder, his doctors and family request he focuses 100% on his recovery. If there’s anything you’d like to direct to Shorkut, please DM me, and I will forward it to his immediate family. Once again, thank you everyone for your love and well wishes. God bless.”

Similar to the first post, a flood of artists showed up in the comment section, including De La Sou’s Plug One and Stretch Armstrong.

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A post shared by shortkut (@shortkut)

DJ Shortkut, born Jon Cruz, is also a member of the Triple Threat DJs crew. He was the DMC World DJ Championships​ in 1994 and 1998, ITF World Team Champion and, as a member of the Beat Junkies, part of the team that won the International Turntablist Federation (ITF) World Team Championship​. In 2023, he was inducted into the Bay Area Hip Hop Hall of Fame.

Pictured (l-r): D-Styles, Mix Master Mike and DJ Shortkut

Donald Trump Sells Out 5,000 Pairs Of $300 “Assassination” Sneakers

By: Kyle EusticeCategory: News

Donald Trump is capitalizing on the alleged assassination attempt that took place on Saturday (July 13) in Pennsylvania. A website owned by a Trump company is selling sneakers displaying a photo from the violent incident that brought chaos to his presidential rally in the town of Butler.

Only 5,000 pairs of t he limited-edition footwear are available, with 10 of them being randomly autographed. The sneakers are expected to ship in either September or October, just in time for the election.

“These limited edition high-tops, featuring Trump’s iconic image with his fist raised, honor his unwavering determination and bravery,” the website reads. “Show your support and patriotic pride with these exclusive sneakers, capturing a defining moment in history.”

The sneakers have the United States flag displayed in the high-top area and the now-viral image of Trump raising a fist after a bullet grazed his right ear. The image has been used on hundreds of items since the deadly event, which resulted in the death of 20-year-old shooter Thomas Matthew Crooks and one rally attendee. Two others were critically wounded.

Video footage shows Trump asking for his shoes soon after the bullet grazed him. “Let me get my shoes,” Trump repeatedly told Secret Service agents, who attempted to shield him and rush him off the stage.

Vendors are capitalizing off the photo of the historic event while some right-wing enthusiasts campaigning for Trump’s reelection bid. Merchandise with the photo range from sweatshirts, mugs, car stickers to trading cards with slogans like “Trump 2024,” “That’s My President” and “You Missed.”

Trump made his first public appearance in Milwaukee at Republican National Convention on Monday (July 15) wearing a large bandage over his ear. Ardant Trump supporters have been wearing them too as a sign of solidarity.

Crooks’ voter registration card started making the rounds on social media shortly after the shooting, showing he was a registered Republican. The upcoming November election in which Trump is challenging President Joe Biden would have been the first time Crooks had been old enough to vote in a presidential race.

When Crooks was 17, he made a $15 donation to ActBlue, a political action committee that raises money for left-leaning and Democratic politicians, according to a 2021 Federal Election Commission filing. The donation was earmarked for the Progressive Turnout Project, a national group that rallies Democrats to vote.

As of Thursday (July 18), the shoes are sold out.

Fan Tokens & Cryptocurrency: Cricket’s Next Big Thing

By: Staff WriterCategory: Sponsored Posts

Cricket is witnessing the rise of fan tokens and cryptocurrency in recent times. These new technologies assist in reaching out to the fans and increasing revenues for the teams. Now it is high time to find out how the fan tokens and cryptocurrency are revolutionizing this sector.

Understanding Fan Tokens

Fan tokens are tokens that provide their holders with certain benefits as fans. They can participate in the voting process of the clubs’ decisions, receive unique content, or even personally meet with their favourite players. Currently, there are many sports teams in different parts of the world that are using these tokens.

With respect to cricket, fan tokens are gradually gaining currency. Teams give out tokens to increase the fans’ interaction and loyalty to the teams. For instance, a cricket club may allow token holders to decide the type of shirt the team should wear. This makes fans feel more involved and appreciated by the team. Since online betting legal in India, these tokens might also be employed to improve the betting process.

Freepik

The Use of Cryptocurrency in the Sports Industry

Cryptocurrency is also entering the sports industry. It is safe and fast in executing transactions, and that makes it suitable for potential activities in the sporting industry. Here are a few ways cryptocurrency is used:

  • Sponsorships: In the present world, most sports teams have sponsors in the form of cryptocurrencies.
  • Payments: Salaries can be paid in cryptocurrency to the players and the staff.
  • Merchandise sales: A fan can purchase the team merchandise using the cryptocurrency.

Such applications of cryptocurrency assist in workflow and present more options for revenue generation. Sports and digital currencies are a great combination, and there is much to look forward to when it comes to this area.

Integration in Cricket

Cricket teams are getting on board the supporter tokens and cryptocurrencies bandwagon. These technologies assist in the interaction of the audience as well as increase the income. Now, let us have a look at how these are being implemented in cricket.

Fan Engagement Through Tokens

With fan tokens, followers of cricket teams get the chance to interact with their favorite teams in a different manner. They can participate in voting for certain team decisions, gain more content that is not available to the public and, in some cases, meet their favorite players. This makes them feel more like a part of the team itself, and this is good for their morale.

For instance, a cricket club could allow the followers who have the tokens to decide what design the team should have on their jerseys. This makes supporters loyal and gives followers a feeling that they are important to the team or organization. Through tokens, teams improve the connection with supporters which, in turn, raises fan loyalty and thus improves the level of audience experience.

Merchandising and E-commerce

Cryptocurrency is also transforming how they purchase fan merchandise. Currently, most cricket teams have their merchandise, tickets and other services available for purchase through digital currency. This is good for followers to be able to purchase team apparel from the comfort of their homes across the globe.

Cryptocurrencies were designed to make payments and transactions fast and secure. It also creates a new market since those fans who prefer to use digital currency will be able to purchase merchandise. Moreover, teams can sell special merchandise that is only available to followers who use cryptocurrency to make purchases, which will create another level of interaction and enthusiasm.

Benefits to the Cricket Economy

Overall, fan tokens and cryptocurrencies enhance cricket’s economy in many ways. These technologies help teams and fans in several ways:

  • Increased revenue: They make money from fans through the sale of tokens.
  • Global reach: Cryptocurrency enables followers from any part of the world to purchase tokens and merchandise.
  • Enhanced engagement: Tokens make fans feel closer to the teams.
  • New sponsorships: Many cryptocurrency organizations have partnerships with different teams and events.

These are the advantages that make cricket progress, expand to other regions of the globe, and become more popular.

Freepik

Challenges and Risks

Despite the advantages that fan tokens and a cryptocurrency provide, there are issues. The first and possibly one of the most significant drawbacks is the extreme fluctuation of the prices of the cryptocurrencies. This can often lead to the value of tokens soaring or plummeting, which may be uncomfortable for fans and teams alike.

The other critical issue is regulatory issues. There are differences in the legal requirements of cryptocurrencies depending on the country. This may present legal challenges for teams that wish to adopt these technologies. In addition, there is always a chance for hacking and fraud, which can be detrimental to both fans and teams. However, these are the risks that are present, and if precautions are well laid out and security is well enhanced, the challenges will be manageable.

Final Words

Cricket is changing with fan tokens and cryptocurrency. They improve the fan base interaction, increase the revenue and create new possibilities. Despite the challenges, the advantages ensure that these technologies are an interesting development in the sport. With cricket accepting novelty at its best, fan tokens and cryptocurrency are all set to be the next big thing. Follow melbet india for more interesting news.

Soulja Boy Files $16M Defamation Lawsuit Against Tasha K Over Gay Affair Rumors 

By: London JennnCategory: News

Soulja Boy is reportedly making good on his promise to sue Tasha K and William The Baddest after the reality TV star claimed he was in an intimate relationship with the rapper. 

On Wednesday (July 17) TMZ reported Soulja Boy had filed a lawsuit in response to claims made on the “Unwine With Tasha K” podcast back in May.  

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A post shared by Tasha K🥂 (@unwinewithtashak)

During the episode, William the Baddest claims he met Soulja Boy as a fan, but they soon became lovers. He also shared explicit details about an alleged encounter, giving a very graphic description of Big Draco’s manhood. 

The “Crank That” hitmaker vehemently denied the claims at the time, but clips of the interview went viral. The outlet reports Soulja Boy also sent Tasha K and William The Baddest a retraction letter.  

Soulja Boy has now filed a lawsuit and is seeking more than $16 million in damages. He’s suing for defamation, sexual harassment, violation of right to privacy and intentional infliction of emotional distress, among other claims.  

After clips of the episode went viral, Soulja Boy took to Instagram to deny the rumors. He described William The Baddest as a fan he once took a photo with and insisted there was no more to it.  

“On my life, God strike me down. Send me to hell right now,” Soulja Boy declared. “On my soul, on everything I love, that dude is lying. I could die right now today; God strike me down. I put in on my life.”   

He then hopped on the phone with his lawyer, planning a Tasha K lawsuit. 

“We suing the f### out this n####. She gone have to pay me,” he said. While on the phone, Soulja’s lawyer added, “I’m doing the research and putting it all together right now. Cease and desist and getting sued, all of it.”   

Jermaine Dupri Says “Impact” No Longer Goal In Rap After Steph Curry & LeBron James Spark “Not Like Us” Debate 

By: London JennnCategory: News

Jermaine Dupri is sharing his perspective after Steph Curry and LeBron James debated whether Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us’” is played out. 

On Wednesday (July 17), footage went viral of Team USA basketball players warming up for their game against Serbia ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympics later this month. The chart-topping Drake diss played in the background, but Curry was tired of hearing it.  

“It’s not the only song in America,” he joked before James chimed in. “I love it,” he replied with a shrug before seemingly saying he was ready to hear “something else.” 

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A post shared by AllHipHop (@allhiphopcom)

Their conversation prompted a discussion about whether it was time for the hype surrounding the song to die down.  

Jermaine Dupri weighed in with his take, sharing insight he gained after attending a recent LL COOL J show.  According to the producer, “Not Like Us” made an impact that hasn’t been achieved by this generation of rappers.  

“The reason why it’s no male stars in Hip-Hop anymore that have the impact that LL COOL J has and had, is because the goal in Hip-Hop used to be impact,” he said in a video. “Not sales, not charts; impact. How hard (pause) you could impact the streets. That’s no longer the goal, and to me, is the sole reason why rap is not what rap used to be. Because n##### don’t care about impacting the streets no more.” 

Jermaine Duper Brands Steph Curry’s “Not Like Us” Reaction “Ironic”

He doubled down in the caption, saying he found Steph Curry’s reaction “ironic.” 

“Because what he is feeling (Pause) is a record impacting the streets,” he added. “This new generation is not use to that.” 

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A post shared by Jermaine Dupri (@jermainedupri)

The debate continued in his comment section. While some agreed with Dupri, others backed Curry, insisting the discussion isn’t that deep and the song is played out.  

DJ Jazzy Jeff shared his opinion among the responses. “I think what the issue is we used to have a few songs with this impact at the same time to spread it out alil more,” he said. “Because we haven’t had a Lean Back or a In Da Club in so long.” 

Another person said, “I love Kendrick but I mean it’s a diss song not a motivational song. That’s not a song I wanna hear everyday all day either. I listen to diss song a couple times then after that I’m tired of hearing it. It served it purpose. Just my personal opinion.” 

Antonio Brown Thirsts Over Angel Reese Amid Lil Kim Dating Rumors 

By: London JennnCategory: Rumors

Antonio “AB” Brown is lusting over Angel Reese after sparking rumors he’s dating Lil Kim after the pair were spotted locking lips and getting cozy at a recent event.  

On Wednesday (July 17), AB shared his reaction to a viral photo of the Chicago Sky forward. The image features an off-duty Reese courtside wearing short shorts, showing off her toned legs. AB quote-tweeted the image, posting a video caption-less video of dogs humping. 

While his display of thirst attracted some backlash, AB was unrepentant. “Bro is 36 fetishizing a 22 year old smh,” one user replied to his post. AB fired back, “N#### you gay.” 

Just before thirsting after Angel Reese, AB shared photos from his recent link-up with Lil Kim. The pair sparked dating rumors after putting on a very touchy-feely display at a party thrown by music manager Big Fendi in New York last Saturday, July 13. 

Footage from the event showed AB putting his head on Kim’s breast while she performed the Junior M.A.F.I.A. classic “Get Money.” Another photo from the party shows Ab and Lil Kim kissing. 

He then posted a selfie wearing a t-shirt with a large bee emblem, presumably showing love to Queen Bee, Lil Kim.  

Instagram/AB

Fans in AB’s comment section were divided, with some encouraging a possible romance while others weren’t as keen. 

“He looks like he’s so into Her…. I ain’t mad at it!!!! That’s a [queen] Sir as you should!” one person shared while another stated, “Looks like sexual assault.” 

Prior to getting flirty with AB, Lil Kim was rumored to be dating rapper Tayy Brown. In April, the NYC rap icon sparked speculation after sharing footage from Brown’s birthday party that left fans wondering exactly what their dynamic was.