(AllHipHop News) Eminem, Beyonce and The Weeknd have reportedly been tapped to headline California’s Coachella festival next year. The “Formation” singer was originally due to headline the event back in April, but was forced to pull out as she was expecting twins. Having given birth to Sir and Rumi Carter in June, according to Consequence of Sound, she is now set to return to perform at the festival which will be held at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California in April 2018. Industry sources tell the website that Beyonce will be joined by Eminem and The Weeknd in headlining the event’s main stage. If the report is true then it will be the first time festival bosses have not signed up any rock acts as headliners. Rumors have also linked Beyonce with a reunion with her old Destiny’s Child bandmates Michelle Williams, Kelly Rowland LeToya Luckett and LaTavia Roberson. Fans have speculated a top-secret project LaTavia teased on Twitter could be a reunion, more than five years after Beyonce joined Michelle and Kelly to perform at the Super Bowl. Kelly Rowland has quashed rumors the band will get back together for Coachella however, telling People magazine “I have no idea about any of that. I mean, I gladly accept that very much but it’s nothing that we recently talked about.” Both Eminem and The Weeknd would also be playing their first headline Coachella shows, with the former only having appeared in a guest slot with Dr.Dre in 2012. The Weeknd is a regular Coachella performer and appeared as a surprise guest at this year. An official announcement naming those who will headline the festival is expected next month. Radiohead, Kendrick Lamar, and Lady Gaga, who stepped in for Beyonce, headlined the 2017 event.

(AllHipHop News) The Game is facing a new lawsuit from rap rival 40 Glocc over an outstanding payment relating to a past battery incident. 40 Glocc, real name Lawrence White, took the “Dreams” hitmaker to court in 2013, claiming he had been subjected to a beating at the hands of the 38-year-old and his entourage in Los Angeles in 2012. The alleged altercation, which was caught on camera, left White with injuries to his right eye, ribs, kidneys, and back, and the judge overseeing the case eventually ruled in the plaintiff’s favor, with The Game ordered to pay damages. However, he has reportedly failed to do so, and now White is suing again for payment. In legal papers obtained by TMZ.com, White explains the original ruling was for just under $ 200,000, but he is seeking additional interest, which he alleges bumps up the outstanding amount to about $216,776. The Game, born Jayceon Taylor, has yet to respond to the suit.

The woman who accused rapper Nelly of rape is taking him to civil court. The “Hot in Herre” hitmaker was arrested in Washington in October after an unnamed woman told police officials he had sexually assaulted her on his tour bus. The alleged victim was subsequently identified as Monique Greene, but she declined to testify and press charges against the hip-hop star, resulting in King County prosecutors officially dropping the case last week. Nelly, who vehemently denied the accusations, then announced plans to sue Greene, but she has since beaten him to the courthouse after filing documents for defamation and sexual assault. In the paperwork, Greene claims she had been hanging out with Nelly at the Seattle club where she was employed as a hostess on the night of his performance on 6 October, although she wasn’t working at the time of their supposed encounter. She alleges Nelly invited her to an afterparty on his tour bus, and when she boarded, she headed straight to the back of the vehicle, where the rapper’s bedroom was located. She sat on the bed, where Nelly joined her and purportedly began masturbating. Greene maintains the star then forced her to have sex and reportedly refused her pleas for him to wear a condom, and when it was all over, she screamed to be let off the bus. A member of Nelly’s entourage is said to have pushed her off the vehicle, with the rapper allegedly throwing a $100 bill her way and bidding her “bye bye”. Greene called the police over the incident and was taken to a medical center for treatment, while Nelly was arrested on suspicion of second-degree rape. She also defends her decision not to follow through with the criminal charges in her lawsuit, expressing concerns that she wouldn’t be able to “stand up against a celebrity and that the criminal system would fail her,” and accuses Nelly’s representatives of targeting her in a smear campaign, claiming she was only interested in “money, fame, and notoriety.” Greene is suing for undisclosed damages. Nelly has yet to respond to the suit, but he had been preparing to take her to court in an effort to begin “restoring his reputation”.

(AllHipHop News) Twista hosted his 1st annual holiday toy drive earlier this week In Chicago. The Chicago rap legend linked up with some famous DJs, including Kid Capri, DJ Terry Hunter, DJ Pharris, Sean Mac, and DJ Mustafa Rocks. The team collected thousands of toys at Bassline in Chicago, to benefit local children and families in Chicago, in addition to a number of nonprofit organizations. Twista’s 1st annual event helped raise nearly $5,000 in donations as well. Photo credit: Tito G. @gotit_lens ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

(AllHipHop News) DJ Khaled escaped from serious injuries after he crashed his jet ski again. DJ Khaled hit up social media, to show his scraped up leg, which he wounded after crashing into a tree near Diddy’s house according to reports. In December of 2015, the producer also had a harrowing incident on his jet ski, when he got lost in the dark on his way home from Rick Ross’s Miami mansion. https://www.instagram.com/p/Bc71WFpl6VI/ https://www.instagram.com/p/Bc7535RlHb4/ https://www.instagram.com/p/Bc76hHfl6xd/ https://www.instagram.com/p/Bc8E4UkFxrS/

(AllHipHop News) Beyonce’s lawyers have fired off a cease-and-desist notice to the owners of a New York pop-up bar dedicated to the superstar. Bosses at Leyenda in Brooklyn recently announced they were renaming the Latin cocktail bar and restaurant “Sleyenda” for the month of December in honor of the singer, as a nod to her “I slay” lyrics from her hit tune Formation. They also had their menus printed on Beyonce Christmas cards for the holiday season. However, the owners have since been forced to revamp the hotspot after facing the threat of legal action from the hitmaker herself. In the legal notice, obtained by Eater New York bloggers, Beyonce’s representatives make it clear the musician is grateful for their support, but warn that their business idea may violate her trademark and other rights. Referring to the singer by her married name, they write, “It appears that you are a dedicated fan of Mrs. Carter, and for that support, Mrs. Carter thanks you. There is a line, however, between fandom and infringement of intellectual property rights, and we are concerned that this pop-up bar will cross that line.” The lawyers go on to ask Leyenda owners not to use her name, lyrics, or artwork in the female-owned establishment. “Please know that Mrs. Carter and BGK (her company) do not wish to initiate legal proceedings against you, but unless you comply with the foregoing demands, they will not be left with many options for protecting their rights,” the letter continues. Restaurant co-owner Ivy Mix tells Eater NY she is “a little bummed (Beyonce) didn’t share the enthusiasm,” and explains they have since chosen to honor a variety of strong female pop stars, including Katy Perry and Gwen Stefani, at the venue. The news emerges days after Beyonce, who is married to Jay-Z, real name Shawn Carter, also had a beer named after her pulled from retailers. Bieryonce, a beverage made by tastemakers at Brooklyn company Lineup Brewing, was only released earlier this month, but its owner Katarina Martinez was forced to stop production following the first batch after receiving a similar cease-and-desist letter from the star’s legal team.

(AllHipHop News) Rapper XXXTentacion caught a break and will be released from prison in time for the holiday. XXXTentacion is facing 15 felony charges, stemming from a series of violent altercations with his ex-girlfriend. ​ He was charged with additional crimes, after he contacted his ex, in an attempt to persuade her to drop domestic violence assault charges against him. On December 15th, a judge ordered XXXTentacion straight to prison, for violating the terms of his bond. But a judge gave the rapper a break earlier today (December 20) and is allowing XXXTentacion to remain under house arrest, as he prepares for his trial. According to TMZ.com XXXTentacion will be allowed to honor his contractual obligations and visit a local recording studio. However, he was barred from having any contact with his accuser. According to his lawyers David Bogenschutz, XXXTentacion plans to get the house arrest condition lifted after 60 days, as he prepares for his trial.

(AllHipHop News) Rapper Rick Ross’ copyright infringement lawsuit against LMFAO over their song “Party Rock Anthem” has been revived after a judge granted his appeal. The hip-hop hitmaker launched legal action against dance music stars Redfoo and SkyBluin in 2014 over the highly-popular track, which featured the phrase “Everyday I’m shufflin’,” which Ross claimed was illegally derived from his line, “Everyday I’m hustlin’,” from his 2006 debut single “Hustlin’.” Ross requested maximum statutory damages and an injunction against the 2011 party song for copyright infringement, but a judge ruled last year, he has no copyright protection for Hustlin’ due to poorly filed documents. Ross reportedly made three separate copyright applications that were inconsistent and incomplete. The case was subsequently dismissed but last month, Ross filed an appeal with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit in Miami, Florida, claiming his copyright registration is still valid despite filing errors. He argued he did not try to conceal or intentionally commit fraud when he filed the original copyright registration. And now a judge at the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals has granted the rapper another chance to bring his case before a lower court.

(AllHipHop News) Rapper Joey Bada$$ has been named streetwear brand PONY’s first-ever creative director. The hip-hop hitmaker has designed and released a sneaker collection with the New York-based brand, according to Billboard. “It’s pure synergy,” he says. “This is some classic, authentic, vibe: that’s how I feel. I am a product of New York and I plan to keep bringing my inspirations and background to PONY naturally.” The shoes in the 22-year-old’s four-piece collection start at $75 and are available at Urban Outfitters, Zumiez, and PONY.com. This isn’t the rapper’s first collaboration with the company – he was also tapped as the new face of the company in August.

The Hip-Hop community is mourning the passing of veteran lawyer/podcast host Reggie “Combat Jack” Osse. Combat Jack announced he was fighting colon cancer in October, after a hiatus from his longrunning podcast “The Combat Jack Show.” He revealed to his audience that he was rushed to the hospital for emergency surgery and had since been undergoing chemotherapy. “In [seven] years of podcasting, I’ve never missed an episode,” Combat Jack explained in a statement. “I got hit with some real life sh*t. I was recently diagnosed with Colon Cancer.” Combat Jack, who was a lawyer by trade, also owned the influential Loud Speakers Podcast Network. Over the course of his career, Combat Jack represented artists like Jay-Z, Damon Dash, Capone-n-Noreaga, and others. In addition to practicing law, Combat Jack, 48, was an author and also served as managing editor of The Source magazine. In 2013, Combat Jack launched his grounding breaking podcast “The Combat Jack Show,” where he interviewed thousands of Hip-Hop artists, celebrities and industry executives. Social media was flooded with tributes following the news of Combat Jack’s death.

(AllHipHop News) Kevin Hart has signed on to star as a hitman in action-comedy “On The Run.” The actor and comedian will play an assassin in Universal Pictures upcoming flick, and will also produce under his Hartbeat production company, according to The Hollywood Reporter. With a script from “Everybody Hates Chris” and “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” writer Aeysha Carr, the plot is slated to follow Hart’s character as he faces a dilemma when his target turns about to be someone very unexpected. “Girls Trip” producer Will Packer and Universal’s Kristen Lowe will also oversee production. Packer and Hart have a long-running partnership, having previously teamed on the “Ride Along” and “Think Like a Man” franchises as well as the upcoming “Night School.” Hart can next be seen on the big screen in “Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle” alongside Dwayne Johnson and Nick Jonas, with the action-adventure movie due to hit theaters from December 20.

(AllHipHop News) Travis Scott has partnered with Saint Laurent on a limited-edition album. The “Antidote” rapper fronted the French luxury fashion label’s spring/summer 2017 campaign, released in November 2016, which saw him sporting a slim-fit black suit and posing in the desert alongside other models. Continuing his relationship with the brand, Scott has now worked on a special vinyl album with creative director Anthony Vaccarello, with the record including music from Kanye West, Frank Ocean, James Blake and Bon Iver, among others. Only 500 copies of the album will be available, with each record packaged in a black leather pouch with the Saint Laurent logo and Scott’s name. Apple Music will also stream the collection.

(AllHipHop News) Eminem’s handlers were concerned his drug addiction hell had caused the star lasting “brain damage” because he almost forgot how to rap as he recorded his 2009 album Relapse. The “Lose Yourself” hitmaker forced himself to kick his longtime substance abuse habit after suffering a near-fatal drug overdose in 2007, and got back into the studio to work on songs for the follow-up to 2004’s Encore. However, Eminem was still trying to adjust to life without the use of prescription drugs and as such, he isn’t proud of any of the music he put out on Relapse. “I certainly have not had a perfect career. I’ve put out bad albums,” he told Vulture . “Encore was mediocre, and with Relapse – it was the best I could do at that point in time. (Relapse) was a funny album for me because I was just starting back rapping after coming out of addiction. “I was so scatterbrained that the people around me thought that I might have given myself brain damage. I was in this weird fog for months. Like, literally I wasn’t making sense; it had been so long since I’d done vocals without a ton of V##### (anxiety medication) and Vicodin (painkiller). I almost had to relearn how to rap.” To mask his struggles, Eminem put on a string of odd accents for tunes on Relapse, and at first, his manager Paul Rosenberg was unaware of how strange it all sounded. “I recorded at least 50 to 60 songs for that album and on each one I would get a little more drastic with the accents, trying to bend the words and make them rhyme in ways they wouldn’t if you just said them regular (sic),” the 45-year-old said. “It was this gradual thing and I didn’t even realize how accent-heavy the album got. Paul didn’t realize it either until he went and played the music for somebody at (his record label) Interscope and they were like, ‘Why is he doing all those accents?’ So yeah, I don’t know how much replay value that album has.” Eminem was able to redeem himself with 2010’s Recovery, which won the Best Rap Album Grammy Award in 2011. His eighth studio album, Revival, hit retailers on Friday (December 15).

(AllHipHop News) Rap mogul Russell Simmons is under fire again, after two of his rape accusers appeared on the “Megyn Kelly Today” show to discuss their allegations against the Def Jam founder. Sherri Hines and Natashia Williams-Blach both gave detailed accounts of their encounters with Russell Simmons. Sheri Sher said she was just 18-years-old when Simmons raped her 1983. “I felt embarrassed, I felt used, worthless,” said Sheri Hinds aka Sheri Sher of Mercedes Ladies. “The way I felt at the time was … I can’t believe this man just violated me like I was nothing Natashia Williams-Blach said Russell Simmons attempted to force her to give him oral sex while they were shooting the movie “How to Be a Player” in 1997. “You realize you just escaped a minefield,” Natashia Williams-Blach told Megyn Kelly. “I went into an automatic, you just gotta go. You got to get out.” The women appeared flabbergasted at Russell Simmons recent statements, where he defended himself from allegations of rape or sexual assault by over a dozen women. Simmons has adamantly denied that he has forced sex on any of his accusers and vowed to fight back through a #NotMe campaign launched on his Instagram last week. “I have separated myself from my businesses and charities in order to not become a distraction. I have re-dedicated myself to spiritual learning, healing and working on behalf of the communities to which I have devoted my life..What I will not accept is responsibility for what I have not done. I have conducted my life with a message of peace and love,” Russell Simmons said in a prior statement. “Although I have been candid about how I have lived in books and interviews detailing my flaws, I will relentlessly fight against any untruthful character assassination that paints me as a man of violence.” Russell Simmons lawyers also said their client took and passed a polygraph test and encouraged his accusers to do the same. The 60-year- old rap mogul has been silent on social media since December 14th when he deleted his Twitter account while commenting has been disabled on his Instagram page.

(AllHipHop News) Rapper Nicki Minaj’s brother has postponed his sentencing hearing in a bid to vacate his child rape conviction. Jelani Maraj was found guilty of predatory sexual assault against a child and endangering the welfare of a child last month and now faces 25 years to life in prison. He was set to be sentenced on December 14, but Maraj’s lawyers are planning to vacate the sentence and a judge will rule on the motion next year, according to Bossip. During the trial, his defense lawyers claimed Jelani’s estranged wife Jacqueline Robinson, the mother of the girl at the center of the drama, set him up as part of a $25 million extortion plot, just four months after they tied the knot in a lavish wedding, which “Anaconda” hitmaker Nicki paid for. Robinson, who filed for divorce last year, denied the allegations during her testimony, while the court also heard evidence from the victim and her younger brother, who claimed he walked in on Maraj assaulting his sister. Nicki has never commented on the case publicly, but she previously helped to secure her brother’s freedom following his arrest by putting up two of her homes for collateral as she covered his $100,000 bail.

(AllHipHop News) Lil Kim has hit back at a fan who body shamed her for wearing a tight catsuit. The rapper performed at a concert in New Jersey on Thursday evening sporting a tight PVC catsuit featuring bright blocks of pink, red and blue fabric, and posted several photos of herself posing in the outfit alongside rapper Remy Ma on her Instagram page over the weekend, along with the caption: “All our clothes custom str8 (straight) from France.” While many followers praised Kim for donning such a bold ensemble, one fan commented that she needed the bodice customised “because you could see stomach rolls,” causing the hip-hop star to post a long message about how she was offended by the note. “Working on it sis it’s natural most woman have it or have had it specially us woman that have kids,” she wrote. “I’m human, I️ could have photoshopped it but I️ didn’t because I️ have been working out every day really hard and eating better so I️ can be the best me that I️ can possibly be it’s called growth and change.” Kim added that she normally wouldn’t feel required to respond to a negative comment on social media. But she wanted to appeal to other people on the photo-sharing platform who may be targeted with similar types of criticism and body shaming. “Maybe (I can) help someone else who may feel a little self conscious about their weight gain or little rolls that show thru their clothes kno it’s ok because I’m telling the men don’t complain at all and if anyone wants to change for themselves maybe my comment will motivate them to start exercising and get healthy,” she shared. Kim concluded her message by insisting that she wasn’t hurt by mean comments and they actually give her more motivation to live a healthy lifestyle. https://www.instagram.com/p/Bc1SyOlF94F/

(AllHipHop News) Rapper Fetty Wap has invested $100,000 in his girlfriend’s fashion business. The “Trap Queen” hitmaker surprised designer Yaya at her Omaj by NoiR clothing line launch party in New Jersey, after performing for her. Fetty told fans he was very impressed with his girlfriend’s creativity as he hit the microphone to announce his generous hand-out. “I’m gonna give you a hundred thousand,” he told the beaming designer, who was sporting green hair for the party. “It’s a black woman doing s##t for herself,” he added to the launch party guests, urging them all to buy items from his girlfriend’s outerwear collection, which is slated for a spring release. The rap star also made it clear his hand-out is not something he expects back, stating, “I don’t get no money from this s##t… Y’all show her some love .” Fetty also hit the runway at the show and modeled Yaya’s new gear in footage obtained by TMZ.

(AllHipHop News) Rapper Mystikal pleaded not guilty to rape and kidnapping charges in a Louisiana court on Monday (December 18). The “Danger” singer, real name Michael Tyler, turned himself in to police in Shreveport in August after a warrant was issued for his arrest relating to an alleged sex assault in a casino in October 2016. He was indicted on counts of first-degree rape and second-degree kidnapping along with his associate Averweone Holman in Caddo in September and their bail was set at $3 million each. The 47-year-old appeared in court on Monday and entered a not guilty plea to both charges. He is next set to appear in court on January 18 for a hearing, which may include a motion to reduce his $3 million bond, according to KSLA News. Tyler has been in the Caddo Correctional Center since he surrendered to authorities. Holman also remains in the facility as well as Tenichia Wafford, who was indicted on an obstruction of justice charge in relation to the alleged assault. She reportedly tried to convince the unnamed victim to drop the rape allegation.

(AllHipHop News) Rap newcomer XXXTentacion has been slapped with a further eight felony charges of witness tampering relating to his 2016 arrest for domestic violence. The troubled star was jailed in Florida on Friday (December 15) for violating his bail after prosecutors accused him of coercing the ex-girlfriend he’s accused of beating not to testify to drop counts of battery against a pregnant woman and false imprisonment. At the time, authorities handed him seven new charges, including witness tampering and harassment, but on Monday (December 18) they added more felonies, taking his total number of counts to 15. According to TMZ.com, the “Look At Me” rapper, real name Jahseh Dwayne Onfroy, allegedly made multiple phone calls to his former partner while behind bars, with prosecutors using the recorded audio footage as evidence of additional witness tampering. The judge overseeing his case has since pulled XXXTentacion’s phone privileges while he’s being held without bail, where he is expected to remain until he goes to trial.

(AllHipHop News) Uncle Luke Campbell received some major backing for his Liberty City Optimist (Warriors) football program. Over the weekend, Luther Campbell announced Adidas has donated $300,000 to the program, in addition to equipment for the Sam Johnson Youth Center at Hadley Park, the new facility that Uncle Luke recently opened. Thanks to the donation, Campbell can expand his vision for taking talented kids off the streets and teaching them football. Adidas will create a curriculum for the athletes to learn more about the business side of sports apparel. “I wanted more than just a sports apparel deal. I wanted to work with a brand that was interested in teaching our athletes about the business side of sports apparel, including the design aspect of it,” Campbell explained. “I am so excited about this new partnership with Adidas, it’s an incredible deed they have set forth for the kids of Liberty City and our volunteers,” Campbell continued. “Not only will we wear the best uniforms and cleats, but will learn valuable lessons as well.” The news of the deal with Adidas comes on the heels of Luke Campbell’s announcement of an agreement with Starz and Lebron James to create a docu-series on the Liberty City Warriors, which is currently in production. Over the weekend, The Liberty City Warriors faced off against Snoop Dogg’s Youth Football League, which also marked a moment in Hip-Hop history, since the two men were once mortal enemies. Snoop’s Youth Football League emerged as the winners. https://www.instagram.com/p/Bc0XzY5nT4g/?hl=en&taken-by=unclelukereal1