During her seven years in the music industry, Cardi B has released multiple No. 1 and Diamond-certified songs. The Bronx, New York representative tells her fans she can now demand a seven-figure payout per performance.
Cardi took to Twitter Spaces to address some of the hatred directed her way. While she did not mention Hazel-E by name, the Invasion of Privacy album creator suggested some people have an issue with her because of jealousy.
Additionally, Cardi B took time to discuss her alleged going rate to perform. According to the self-described Trap Selena, concert promoters have to pony up at least a milli for her to hit the stage.
“I don’t even f###### come out the house to perform if it’s not $1 million and up,” Cardi said. She later added, “The f###? If you want me to take a f###### plane overseas, b####, it gotta be $1.5 million to $2 million.”
Kanye West is once again facing accusations of supporting antisemitism. His latest song has ignited condemnation from Jewish organizations, specifically the Anti-Defamation League and the American Jewish Committee.
Kanye West and Ty Dolla $ign—collectively known as ¥$—released “Vultures” featuring Bump J on November 22, which includes Ye rapping, “How I’m anti-semitic?/I just f#### a Jewish b####.”
According to TMZ, the ADL is now denouncing West for his “Vultures” lyrics. The Jonathan Greenblatt-led group referred to Ye as an “unrepentant antisemite and clearly a misogynist.”
In addition, an ADL spokesperson told the celebrity news outlet, “At a time of rising antisemitism worldwide, it’s disgusting to see Kanye once again use his platform to spew Jew hatred.”
The American Jewish Committee also took issue with Kanye West’s “I just f#### a Jewish b####” line. The Jewish advocacy group’s Richard Hirschhaut ripped the Grammy winner for rapping those words in the midst of the Israel-Hamas conflict.
“To fuel the flames of antisemitism and promote such bile to his millions of followers, especially at this fraught and dangerous time for the Jewish community, is unforgivable,” Hirschhaut said.
T.I. and his son King Harris continue to take over social media users’ timelines. After days of coverage about a family-related incident during a Falcons game, the father-son tandem has gone viral for another reason.
In a recent episode of the Complex series “GOAT Talk,” the former The Family Hustle cast members had to name their pick for the greatest rapper turned actor. Tip gave 2Pac (Juice, Poetic Justice) as his answer. King, 19, then shocked his dad by revealing he didn’t know 2Pac starred in movies before his 1996 murder.
“I didn’t know 2Pac was an actor,” King admitted, to which T.I. responded, “Get out! What are you talking about? You never seen Juice? What about when it said ‘Tupac Shakur’ on the screen… How could you embarrass me like this?”
King eventually mentioned Ice Cube (Boyz n the Hood, Friday) as his favorite rapper/actor. The conversation then turned to another Hip-Hop star who made the jump from the recording booth to the film set in the 1990s.
“Oh, Will Smith, can’t forget Will,” T.I. stated. King replied, “He’s a rapper? Bro, I don’t know no Will Smith songs. That’s like asking me what’s a Nick Cannon song.” Tip fired back, “No it’s not! Nick Cannon has no hits!”
The Grand Hustle founder went on to inform King that Will Smith (also known as The Fresh Prince) became the first rapper to receive a Grammy Award. His “Parents Just Don’t Understand” single with DJ Jazzy Jeff won Best Rap Performance in 1989.
In addition to dropping numerous studio albums, T.I. appeared in motion pictures as well. The 43-year-old made his film acting debut in 2006’sATL before starring in other movies like American Gangster and Ant-Man.
Hitman Holla is opening up about the harrowing 2021 home invasion when four intruders broke into his home and shot his girlfriend Cinnamon in the face.
The St. Louis native revealed he moved to Atlanta to “escape a certain kind of life that keep following me.” However, he says ATL wasn’t “peaches and cream” either before recounting the events of the harrowing night his girlfriend of seven years was shot.
Hitman Holla was working out of town when the men broke into their home, but he happened to be on Facetime with his girlfriend. Cinnamon was alerted when her dog began barking, so Hitman Holla remotely checked the security cameras.
Hitman Holla Felt “Helpless” on Facetime During The Home Invasion
Cinnamon soon discovered she was not alone in the house, and Hitman told her to grab his gun. “She ran in the closet. I feel like so helpless,” he said, recalling his terror over the unfolding drama. “All I could do is walk her through the moment, but I’ve never felt like this.”
He told Cinnamon that despite her fears, “If you want to survive, you have to shoot this gun.” On the other end of the phone, Hitman heard somebody kick the door down before Cinnamon fired the weapon.
“She missed,” he said, adding the assailant shot back and continued firing. “The phone goes silent, all I heard was gunshots and Cinnamon didn’t come to the phone.”
Hitman was beside himself, screaming, “they killed Cinnamon,” before passing out.
Check out the clip below, where Cinnamon also recalls the harrowing night from her perspective.
Cinnamon was rushed to hospital following the incident. She was fitted with a neck brace and continued to experience severe nerve pain and numbness long after the shooting.
This week, Nardo Wick found himself in news headlines following a violent incident involving his crew. Wick’s associates were filmed attacking a fan named George Obregon Jr., 20, in Tampa.
Nardo Wick traveled to the Florida city for a performance at Club Skye. Video footage showed two men repeatedly punching Obregon outside the venue after he apparently tried to take a picture of the rapper.
The Tampa Police Department claimed the victim was in critical, but stable condition. George Obregon’s mother, Michelle Obregon, used a Facebook post to demand justice for her son. She also spoke to the media.
Nardo Wick released a statement about the situation on his Instagram page. The “Who Want Smoke?” performer apologized to the Obregon family and expressed anger over the ordeal.
In addition, Wick took to his Instagram Story to further address the attack. The 21-year-old Jacksonville, Florida native spoke directly to the camera. He denied worrying about a potential lawsuit.
“It ain’t about trying to stop nothing from happening ’cause I don’t want to get sued. It ain’t none of that,” Nardo Wick stated. “I genuinely care about the fan. That’s all I’m worrying about right now.”
He also added, “I don’t give a damn about what everybody’s talking about. Talking about, ‘sue, sue, sue.’ I don’t care about that. They gonna do what they gotta do. Right now I’m worried about the fan.”
Boosie Badazz is worried about his son Tootie Raww “crashing out” after the 20-year-old recently made headlines when he called out NBA YoungBoy and Kodak Black for not clearing his features.
During a recent Instagram Live, Boosie admitted he was worried about Tootie Raww going to prison for murder and expressed his fears over his son’s friends.
“I wouldn’t know what to do if my son get a murder charge,” he told his followers. “I gotta stop him from crashing out. Then it worry me more all them lil n##### around him clutching. It’s easy for something to happen.”
He continued, “Got me worried as a daddy. You got s### around you, everybody clutching. That’s how that s### happen.” Check out the clip below.
Although Boosie remained tight-lipped about what triggered his concern, Tootie Raww recently took shots at NBA YoungBoy and Kodak Black.
“YB ain’t clear my feature,” he said during a recent IG live. “I don’t really f### with that n#### either. I don’t respect it.”
He also expressed similar frustrations with Kodak Black in a separate livestream earlier this month.
“Kodak Black a “straight b####.” That n#### lied to my face,” Tootie Raww stated. “If I see Kodak I’m a slap the f### outta him. That n#### said he gone send my s### back. I ain’t never heard from again.”
Back in July, Tootie Raww called out Kodak Black for working with 6ix9ine but not him.
“@Kodakblack how u promise me a song then don’t do my song and hope on a song wit a rat smh,” he wrote on his Instagram Stories.
Nelly and Ashanti are making sweet music together both in and outside the studio and have a new collab on the way.
The famous couple delighted fans after rekindling their romance earlier this year after ending their decade-long relationship in 2013. Now, the duo is reuniting in the studio with a follow-up to their 2008 collab, “Body On Me.”
Jermaine Dupri broke the news on social media Tuesday (November 28), teasing a new collab single from Nelly and Ashanti, with additional vocals from Three 6 Mafia’s Juicy J.
The superproducer shared a video of himself with Nelly and Ashanti in the studio debating double Dutch rules. However, he made sure his followers knew why they were in the studio, teasing the upcoming collab in the caption.
“Although we talking bout double Dutch,this a NEW RECORD ALERT !!” He wrote. “Got @nelly @ashanti & @juicyj on the way !!” Check out the video below.
Nelly and Ashanti recently reunited onstage for a performance of “Baby” at the rapper’s birthday party, although he was the one doing most of the crooning. Ashanti danced in front of her boo as he sang the song karaoke style, adlibs and all, before joining him on the track.
If this ain't the cutest thing ever……Not Nelly knowing her song word for word adlibs and all @ashanti got this man in LOVE LOVE…….Baby must be his fav song by her pic.twitter.com/YR2qAEPvm8
T.I. and King are putting on a united front after the family made headlines following a heated altercation last weekend.
The Harris family were at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday (November 29), to watch the Falcons and New Orleans Saints game. 19-year-old King hopped on Instagram Live as a conversation about his upbringing swiftly turned hostile.
What began as a shouting match soon turned physical. “You are embarrassing yourself and your family!” T.I. told King before seemingly putting his son in a headlock.
“Get off me n###a!”King shouted, to which Tip seemingly replied, “You can’t do nothing with me! There ain’t sh## you can do with me!” Check out the video below.
After the altercation, King took to his Instagram Stories to vent. “I stand on business don’t give a f### who u are,” he wrote. “IDGAF who u are mf can’t play wit me n my face not goin for da im a grown ass man now.
“If ima mistake say dat stop making da world think u fw me when u dont,” King added. “N#### be faking a image for da internet & it aint me.”
On Tuesday evening, T.I. broke his silence over the incident, expressing his unconditional love for King. He shared a clip of a recent father-and-son interview with Complex alongside a message for his fans.
“Fck what dis internet talkin bout… Da HFamily Tied Like a Knot,” T.I. wrote. “We all We Got…4LIFE… Ima RIDE to da heavens or da depths of HELL bout my Jr.& ain’t nothing gon change that.”
Diddy’s former bodyguard Roger Bonds has revealed why he’s breaking his silence on his time with the Hip-Hop mogul. Bonds took to Instagram Tuesday (November 28), claiming that although he was always there for his Diddy’s children, his former employer wasn’t there during his son’s murder trial.
Earlier this year, Bond’s son was reportedly sentenced to 27 years for his role in a 2011 murder in Namibia. Bonds called out Diddy for donating millions of dollars to worthy causes but showing no “loyalty” toward his son and failing to help with his legal costs. He shared reports of Diddy’s $3 million donation to three colleges in 2023 alone, saying, “If this is Love what’s Hate?”
Bonds continued in the caption: “At one time I would have tooken a bullet for this man and those that know me know that’s true. What happen?” He went on to hint that staying silent could land him in jail before expressing his frustrations over his son.
“Nobody worried about there kids when I had them I mean nobody,” Bonds added. “Where is the Loyalty at when it’s my SON ? Your want me to have loyalty to someone who couldn’t tell me here’s a 100,000 I may not can go but I ran sure can make sure he has a legal team. But I’ll give some strangers 3 million. F### outta here “
He went on to say, “My truth , my story , my life,” is coming soon. OH YOU DIDNT THINK I WOULD TALK ABOUT IT. We’ll watch me.”
He concluded his post with another question. “Name one person that has been with Diddy that is well off. Name one? ??” he asked before claiming that no such person exists.
Bonds first hinted he would speak out over the weekend once Cassie Ventura filed her bombshell lawsuit. In it, she claimed Bonds not only witnessed Diddy’s violence but also tried to intervene multiple times.
The former couple swiftly settled the suit, although two other women have filed lawsuits accusing Diddy of sexual and/or physical abuse. Diddy recently stepped down as chairman of his own company REVOLT, while Capital Preparatory Harlem Charter School in New York City also announced it has ended its partnership with the Bad Boy Records founder.
Benny The Butcher has created his own villain origin story following his recent photo-op with Freddie Gibbs’ ex-girlfriend, who’s also allegedly the mother of his child.
On Tuesday (November 28) the Griselda MC hopped on Twitter (X) to repost a photo of himself and Gibbs’ ex, who goes by the name Destini Creams, hugged up rather cozily together. The woman appears to be smiling ear-to-ear with Benny’s arms around her waist and his face buried in her ear.
“Chillin like a villain,” Benny wrote in the caption of the salacious pic.
Both Benny and Gibbs’ ex posing together for a photo is certainly a surprising turn of events, considering Gibbs and his ex were reportedly involved in an altercation in Buffalo in May 2022 in which the Alfredo lyricist and his then-girlfriend had their chains snatched. In fact, she actually addressed the altercation, in addition to speaking on her estranged relationship with Gibbs in a rant she shared on Twitter.
“Freddie didn’t spin about s### when they took my jewelry so i went and got it back myself,” she wrote in a tweet. In another tweet, she accused Gibbs of deserting her and his alleged son, adding, “Everything was planned then he switched up. said he would still help me with the baby and after holding him down through whatever, the first chance he got to dip on me- he did. but y’all excuse it because he can rhyme words.”
Check out the post recapping Gibbs and his ex’s break-up saga below.
Diddy is continuing to feel the repercussions from Cassie Ventura’s bombshell lawsuit, which is causing a ripple effect in the Bad Boys mogul’s life. On Tuesday (November 28), the Capital Preparatory Harlem Charter School in New York City announced it has ended its partnership with Diddy.
“Following a comprehensive evaluation, a decision has been made to end the partnerships between Capital Preparatory Schools and Sean Combs,” Dr. Steve Perry, founder and head of schools, said. “While this decision was not made lightly, we firmly believe it is in the best interest of our organization’s health and future.”
Harlem Prep opened in 2016 with the aim of offering more educational opportunities for young men and women in the community. A Bronx location opened in 2020. Diddy served as an advisor and provided support.
“The kids of Harlem should have access to opportunity and a quality education and deserve to learn on a campus that reflects the level of excellence we aspire for them to achieve,” Diddy said in 2021. “This new campus for Capital Prep Harlem reflects my commitment to empowering as many children as I can and creating spaces for the next generation of leaders to thrive in every aspect of their lives.”
Despite Diddy’s good intentions, his reputation has taken a giant hit over the last 12 days. Ventura filed the suit on November 16, alleging rape and physical assault. Since then, two other lawsuits have been filed alleging similar behavior. The Harlem Charter School’s decision comes not long after Diddy stepped down as chairman of his own company REVOLT. He reportedly made a “temporary” decision last week to vacate the role as his various lawsuits get sorted out.
Diddy and Ventura settled out of court less than 24 hours after she filed in a Manhattan federal court. Shortly after the resolution, Atlanta’s Agenda Studios canceled an event promoting Diddy’s tequila brand, DELEÓN. As the company explained on Instagram, “It is with a heavy heart that we announce the unfortunate cancellation of Sunday’s highly anticipated DELEÓN Day Party. Recent, serious allegations against DELEÓN Tequila owner, Sean “Puff” Combs,” have compelled us to take immediate action. In light of these circumstances, we believe it is in the best interest of our community to regrettably cancel the event. We understand the disappointment this may bring, but we remain committed to the values of integrity and accountability.”
Additionally, journalist/marketing specialist Dawn Montgomery announced she would no longer be part of REVOLT’s Monuments to Me podcast, tweeting on November 20, “FYI: I won’t be signing on to do the 3rd season of @revolttv’s Monuments To Me podcast. I am a [sexual assault] survivor & I cannot be a part of a show that’s supposed to uplift black women while @Diddy leads the company. Believe Black women.”
We have seen a number of millionaires and billionaires sprout out of the l#### of Hip-Hop. But, what we have not seen, is these superior individuals make their money exclusively through the music. In fact, it has been quite the opposite. We have seen Jay-Z make more money off of real estate and investments then the actual music the same thing applies with Nas, who is basically a tech mogul and restauranteur at this point. The same goes with 50 Cent, who before everyone invested in Vitamin water (Kool Aid light!). So, we now know that rappers are able to generate enormous levels of money by leveraging their brands and business savvy into superior ways.
Recently, we have seen the women step up as well. These ladies are powerhouses in their own own right. Beyoncé, RiRi, the Kardashians and others are getting to the money in ways previously imagined. And it’s hard to be mad at that! Rihanna is literally a billionaire off of a clothing/beauty line now. A$AP Rocky has got to be the luckiest SOB in the world. Now, we are looking at the possibility that Nicki Minaj may be following suit. The Queens rap mistress has always been known to kill it on the mic. Now we are noticing that she is also starting to invest in beauty. This starts with a line of press on nails that emulate her unique style. She is expected to make a tremendous amount of money off of this and some have already started to talk that it may help her and Mass enough money to transcend billionaire status.
Nicki is one of the most controversial figures, but also she is one of the most enduring figures in Rap. I wish her well, and I hope that she’s able to do it! In fact, I hope she’s able to inspire others to do it as well, because it’s out here for all of us!
Tina Knowles defended her daughter Beyoncé in a social media diatribe on Tuesday (November 28). Knowles pushed back against claims of Beyoncé trying to look white at the premiere of the Grammy winner’s Renaissancefilm.
“Came across this today and decided to post it after seeing all of the stupid ignorant self, hating racist statements about her, lightening her skin, and wearing platinum hair wanting to be white,” Knowles wrote on Instagram. “She does a film, called the renaissance, where the whole theme is silver with silver hair, a silver carpet, and suggested silver attire and you bozos decide that she’s trying to be a white woman and is bleaching her skin? How sad is it that some of her own people continue the stupid narrative with hate and jealousy.”
Knowles called out a TMZ reporter for attempting to contact Beyoncé’s hairstylist for a comment about her Renaissance premiere look. Knowles explained why it bothered her before refocusing on the social media criticism.
“What’s really sad is that a white woman had the audacity to reach out to Neal Beyonces hairstylist she was from TMZ to say that the fans are saying that she wants to be white and she wanted to get a statement about it from Neal,” Knowles wrote. “Well that made, my blood boil, that this white woman felt so entitled to discuss her blackness. What’s really most disappointing is that some Black people yes you bozos that’s on social media. Lying and faking and acting like you’re so ignorant that you don’t understand That black women have worn platinum hair since the Etta James days.”
Knowles said Beyoncé would not be happy with her mother’s fiery defense. Knowles admitted she did not care because she was “fed up” with “sad little haters” attacking her daughter.
Foxy Brown has once again voiced her frustrations with rumors swirling involving herself and her former collaborator JAY-Z.
In a post Brown recently shared on Instagram, the Ill Na Na lyricist briefly addressed the allegations that she and HOV were romantically involved when she was underage. Simultaneously, she claimed she was prepping for the “greatest” comeback in musical history.
“Fake fairytale news,” Brown wrote in part. “I understand the void. I’ve left in my absence but the fox in whole flies are pathetic at this point quietly raising my beautiful girl, preparing for the greatest comeback in music. Hop off my dick. IGNA”
While it appears Brown quickly deleted the post after sharing it, this isn’t the first time she’s retracted a post detailing and/or addressing her relationship with JAY-Z. Previously, she did an interview with MTV’s Rapfix Live during which she broke down in tears while discussing her cousin Clark Kent and several rumors concerning herself and JAY-Z, including speculation that he had dissed her on his song “Picasso Baby.”
She also posted and deleted a lengthy birthday shoutout post dedicated to the Roc Nation music mogul in 2018, where she appeared to claim HOV provided millions in support to her during a health scare at the beginning of her career.
Nardo Wick’s entourage reportedly beat up a fan who approached the rapper while he was leaving Club Skye in Tampa, Florida. Video showed two men punching the victim, who was taken to a local hospital after he got knocked out and collapsed on the concrete.
According to TMZ, Tampa Police said the victim was in critical but stable condition. The fan reportedly suffered a concussion. Police asked the public for help in identifying the 20-year-old man’s attackers.
Nardo Wick performed at Club Skye in Tampa on Sunday night (November 26). The victim attended the show and allegedly tried to get a photo with the RCA Records artist outside of the venue around 1:15 a.m. local time.
The fan ran up to Nardo Wick but was blocked by members of his crew. Someone in a hoodie blindsided the victim with a punch to the head, which left the fan leaning against a wall. A second attacker threw a barrage of punches, landing headshots that sent the fan to the ground.
Nardo Wick tried to intervene, but he was too late. The fan’s head already smacked the ground by the time he attempted to restrain the second attacker. The rapper released a statement about the incident on Tuesday (November 28).
“I don’t condone what happened to my fan George after my show in any type of way,” Nardo Wick wrote. “I expressed to him and his mama how sorry and concerned I was that it happened to him multiple times before anything was ever posted on the internet. I sent his mama my number instantly the night it happened. I was even gone make a post to try to find out who he was before his mama text me. I can’t control another grown [man’s] actions. I ain’t know that was gone happen, and I was mad when it happened. I tried to stop it as u can see in the video, and if somebody got the longer video you can see how mad I was. I love and appreciate all my fans and don’t condone what happened at all dat s### ain’t gangsta or cool in no type of way.”
DJ Envy, co-host of The Breakfast Club, has been hit with yet another lawsuit related to former business partner Cesar Pina. In court documents obtained by AllHipHop, Derik Deangelo, Chamblin Group Real Estate Ventures LLC
and Reispec Developments LLC are suing Envy, Pina and several co-defendants for allegedly using their real estate seminars (dubbed “Flipping New Jersey”) as “funnels to draw in victims” to scam money out of them.
Nine different complaints are listed in the lawsuit, including violation of New Jersey Consumer Fraud Act, fraud, breach of contract, negligent misrepresentation, securities fraud, a civil RICO violation, joint and several liability and fraudulent transfer. The Plaintiffs are seeking a minimum of $2,000,000 in damages. They’re also asking for a jury trial.
“During these private consultations and meet and greets, members of the Pina network attempted to ‘size up’ the financial resources of each attendee and solicited individuals with sufficiently high net worth to “partner” with Pina, DJ Envy, and other members of the network in real estate ‘joint ventures,'” the docs read. “During these meetings, Pina also offered his personal ‘consulting services’ wherein he made himself available for one-on-one private meetings with guests at his office for flat rate fees ranging from $1,500 to $2,500 per meeting and more.”
They continue, “After the seminars, members of the Pina network would reach out directly to attendees who demonstrated an interest in “partnerships” to solicit them to invest in real estate ‘joint venture’ agreements. If persons contacted demonstrated further interest, they would be invited to Casey and Pina’s shared office in Totowa to discuss personalized ‘joint ventures.’ Interested persons were eventually presented with contracts titled ‘joint venture
agreements.’
“These real estate joint venture contracts were typically specific to one or more real properties which the Defendants jointly owned and controlled, or which investors were led to believe were jointly owned and managed by Defendants Cesar Pina and Raashaun Casey. The contracts required investors to make an upfront ‘capital contribution’ to buy into the ‘joint venture.’ The contracts represented that the investors’ funds would be used to renovate the subject properties to improve their resale value.”
The first alleged victim of DJ Envy and Pina’s business spoke up in April, accusing them of defrauding them out of hundreds of thousands of dollars. The docs go on, “In the ensuing months, tens if not hundreds of individuals came forward on social media alleging that they too had invested with the Defendants in joint venture property agreements and that the Defendants had failed to pay back any of their money. The majority of victims had ‘invested’ funds with the Defendants in large amounts ranging from $100,000 to $400,000. Some victims and celebrities had ‘invested’ larger amounts totaling high six figure sums or in some cases multi-million dollars.
“The largest financial victim reported to date appears to be a Miami-based musician who alleges that he lost 5 million dollars. Current estimates among members of the public are that victims of this fraud scheme were scammed out of funds totaling 50-100 million dollars or more. As of the date of this Complaint, the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey has criminally charged Defendant Cesar Pina with wire fraud for the activities that are the subject of this lawsuit.”
Deangelo says he became acquainted with DJ Envy in 2018 when he followed his Flipping New Jersey page and listened to him on The Breakfast Club. He officially began investing in July 2022.
Charlamagne Tha God recently addressed DJ Envy’s future with The Breakfast Club—albeit somewhat cryptically.
“I think The Breakfast Club is bigger than any of us as individuals,” he said. “I’ve always felt like that. In my mind, what I’ve always wanted for The Breakfast Club was new talent constantly comes in and is a part of this, is under this umbrella of the club. So whether Angela Yee is there, or I’m there or Envy’s there, the platform can still continue.”
He added, “I’ve never felt like The Breakfast Club was just a show about three individuals. That’s always where my mind was, [and] you kind of see that. Like, if you plan to have the longevity you hope to have eventually things gotta change. I feel like regardless of what Envy’s situation is, I feel like, you know, I always felt like that was the plan. That should be the plan.”
Diddy’s decision to temporarily step down as the chairman of REVOLT opened the door for more trolling from one of his most prominent critics. 50 Cent mockingly offered to buy the network from Diddy on Tuesday (November 28).
“I’ll buy that from you play boy, for the low because you know Cadillac and AT&T gonna pull out,” 50 Cent wrote on Instagram. “I’ll give you a few dollars for it now! Sell it to me, then we can be friends. I’m serious call my phone.”
Diddy, who co-founded REVOLT, stepped aside from his role as chairman amid allegations of sexual assault. Two women sued the Bad Boy Records founder after he settled a bombshell lawsuit filed against him by his ex-girlfriend Cassie, who accused Diddy of rape and years of abuse.
Joi Dickerson-Neal’s lawsuit accused Diddy of drugging and raping her when she was a college student in 1991. Another woman, identified as Jane Doe, claimed Diddy and singer Aaron Hall sexually assaulted her and a friend at Hall’s apartment in 1990 or 1991.
50 Cent repeatedly antagonized Diddy on social media as reports of the lawsuits emerged. 50 Cent even joked about creating a Surviving Diddy series in the same vein as Lifetime’s Surviving R. Kelly.
Diddy denied the sexual assault allegations. His lawyer said his settlement with Cassie was not an admission of wrongdoing.
Ja Morant made an appearance at Rod Wave’s recent concert amid his 25-game suspension just as a separate scandal involving another NBA player erupts.
On Monday (November 27) video footage of Morant seemingly enjoying himself at the Soulfly rapper’s concert went viral on several social media outlets. Morant appears to be singing along word for word with Rod Wave in the short clip captured by a fan attending the show.
https://www.instagram.com/p/C0ItBVfugUH/
However, just as the NBA enters the sixth week of competition, yet another player has been allegedly involved in an incident of misconduct. Oklahoma City Thunder guard Josh Giddey, who’s 21 years old, is currently being investigated by the NBA following allegations of his intimate relationship with an underage girl. As early as November 24, video and images of Giddey and the girl who was allegedly a junior in high school at the time of the purported sexual encounter, began circulating on social media.
Giddey has yet to miss a game this season and head coach Mark Daigneault told media previously he intends to keep the Australian native in the lineup for now. Morant was suspended for 25 games last year in connection to a gun-flashing incident on social media. In comparison to suspensions former NBA players have received, Morant’s suspension is tied for the longest in the history of the league. Additionally, Morant was immediately suspended from all team activities following his initial incident of misconduct—even though he hadn’t broken any laws.
Since the allegations against Giddey surfaced, the NBA and media professionals have been criticized for the lack of coverage of the incident. Generally, the outcry is based in how commentators such as Malika Andrews and many other journalists have covered Giddey’s allegations in contrast to recent scandals involving other players. Andrews previously brought up a capital murder case former Alabama player Brandon Miller was a witness in while covering the NBA Draft the night Miller was picked by the Charlotte Hornets.
Smith notably covered the infidelity scandal between former Celtics head coach Ime Udoka and a team official (Udoka was ultimately fired and suspended). On November 28, Smith addressed the public outcry regarding the media coverage of the allegations against Giddey, remarking on the fact that restraint is needed in this situation due to possible legal repercussions.
The Grizzlies have played 16 games thus far, with Morant being eligible to return to the team as early as December 19 when the Grizzlies face the New Orleans Pelicans. The suspension has been rather costly for Morant, who failed to make an All-NBA team last year and lost a $39 million contract bonus as a result—along with the $7.6 million in earnings he’s lost while serving his suspension this year. In contrast, Giddey is facing the possibility of losing an endorsement deal with an Australian cereal brand worth $40 million in total.
Young Thug’s attorney Brian Steel delivered opening statements in the YSL RICO trial on Tuesday (November 28). Steel claimed Georgia prosecutors wrongfully portrayed his client as the leader of a gang. The lawyer insisted a successful rapper like his client had no reason to engage in the criminal activity cited in the case.
“He is not running this criminal street gang in [the] Cleveland Avenue area of Bleveland to gain property, money or power,” Steel said. “Jeffery Williams did it on will and hard work and determination without anybody’s help except the people from that area that he will not turn his back on.”
Young Thug’s lawyer added, “He is not sitting there telling people to kill people. He doesn’t need their money. Jeffery’s worth tens of millions of dollars.”
Steel told jurors his client did not know many of the 28 people named in the YSL RICO indictment. The defense attorney suggested Young Thug’s fame and generosity were exploited by others.
“You will learn that Jeffery doesn’t even know most of the people in this indictment,” Steel said. “He doesn’t know them. They all know him because everybody in that area knows Jeffery Williams. He is known as the Michael Jordan of that area. And he didn’t get out and stay away. He tries to come back and give people hope because he knows what it is to be depressed, hungry and have nothing going for you.”
Steel also denied Young Thug’s involvement in the 2015 murder of Donovan Thomas. The lawyer said Thomas was a friend of his client. Steel accused Kenneth Copeland, who allegedly implicated Young Thug in the murder, of lying. Steel referenced an earlier portion of his opening statements in which he detailed his client’s distrust of the criminal justice system and the reliability of snitches.
“Kenneth Copeland is one of those liars in the neighborhood that everyone knows that becomes a witness, swears to tell the God’s honest truth,” Steel said.
Steel’s opening statements also included his description of Young Thug’s stage name and the YSL moniker. The attorney said Thug stood for “Truly Humbled Under God” and linked YSL’s origins to the Yves Saint Laurent brand.
Young Thug’s trial began after a lengthy jury selection process on Monday (November 27). He is one of six defendants in the YSL RICO trial.
Diddy has reportedly stepped down as chairman of his own company REVOLT. According to TMZ, he made a “temporary” decision last week to vacate the role as his various lawsuits get sorted out. Diddy’s ex Cassie Ventura ignited a firestorm of controversy on November 16 when she filed a bombshell lawsuit against the Bad Boy Records mogul alleging rape and physical abuse.
Although the former couple settled less than 24 hours later, Diddy has since been sued by two other women with similar claims. As a result, sources say Diddy feels like his presence at REVOLT will distract from the company’s mission.
Diddy is already seeing plenty of real life consequences. Shortly after the suit was settled, Atlanta’s Agenda Studios canceled an event promoting Diddy’s tequila brand, DELEÓN. As the company explained on Instagram, “It is with a heavy heart that we announce the unfortunate cancellation of Sunday’s highly anticipated DELEÓN Day Party. Recent, serious allegations against DELEÓN Tequila owner, Sean “Puff” Combs,” have compelled us to take immediate action. In light of these circumstances, we believe it is in the best interest of our community to regrettably cancel the event. We understand the disappointment this may bring, but we remain committed to the values of integrity and accountability.”
The caption read: “Important Announcement. Due to recent allegations against Deleon owner Sean “Puff” Combs, we regret to inform you that Sunday’s Deleon Day Party is canceled, but stay tuned for an exciting update on Tuesday, November 21st – we’re working on something special for our community.”
Additionally, journalist/marketing specialist Dawn Montgomery announced she would no longer be part of the network’s Monuments to Me podcast.
“FYI: I won’t be signing on to do the 3rd season of @revolttv’s Monuments To Me podcast,” she tweeted on Monday (November 20). “I am a [sexual assault] survivor & I cannot be a part of a show that’s supposed to uplift black women while @Diddy leads the company. Believe Black women.”
Fans were shocked Ventura settled so quickly. But as she explained at the time, “I have decided to resolve this matter amicably on terms that I have some level of control.” Diddy responded to the now-closed case, saying, “We have decided to resolve this matter amicably. I wish Cassie and her family all the best. Love.”