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Stephen A. Smith Says It’s Now OK To Play R. Kelly’s Sex Songs: “He’s In Jail”

R. Kelly remains a highly controversial figure after receiving guilty verdicts on sex-related crimes in New York and Illinois. Many fans question whether the self-proclaimed Pied Piper of R&B’s music has become unplayable as a result.

Veteran sports television personality Stephen A. Smith recently spoke about R. Kelly on his self-titled podcast. In one segment, Smith responded to an online fan asking him to name the best sex song.

Stephen A. Smith listed records by Troop, Luther Vandross, Teddy Pendergrass, Prince and Jodeci. The ESPN contributor also mentioned the singer who happens to be a convicted sex trafficker and child pornographer.

“I don’t want to bring up R. Kelly,” Smith stated. “But I think it’s okay now because he’s in jail. Now if he was not in jail, it would not be okay because he’s getting away with stuff. But now that they finally got his ass and he’s in jail, it’s okay to bring up R. Kelly’s music now.”

The longtime First Take analyst also said, “‘Dedicated’ was a beautiful song. ‘Your Body’s Callin” – that was another one. ’12Play’ can’t be ignored… ‘Honey Love.’ There are a few by R. Kelly. We can’t act like we don’t know that.”

Stephen A. Smith Blasted R. Kelly Fans For Supporting The Convicted Child Sex Abuser

Earlier this year, Stephen A. Smith went on a lengthy rant about R. Kelly and the many sexual misconduct accusations against him. Smith referred to the subject of the Surviving R. Kelly documentary as a “pedophile” and admitted to being happy the Chicago native received two multi-decade sentences in federal prison.

“I’ve been waiting for them to get him. I got two daughters. I’m not even gonna tell you what I would have done. Something would happen to that brother if he did something like that to my daughters,” Smith declared.

Stephen A. Smith also took aim at Kelly’s supporters. The Winston-Salem State University graduate said, “With these sick, psycho fans. These people out there still petitioning and acting like he’s some kind of victim. Kiss off!”

In June 2022, a United States District judge in New York sentenced R. Kelly to 30 years in prison for multiple convictions, including sexual exploitation of a child. Eight months later, a U.S. District judge in Illinois sentenced Kelly to 20 years in prison for child pornography and enticing a minor to engage in sexual activity charges.

Meek Mill Plans To Stop Smoking After Snoop Dogg Supposedly Calls It Quits

Calvin “Snoop Dogg” Broadus Jr. shocked the world this week when the longtime marijuana enthusiast announced his smoking days are coming to an end. The Hip-Hop icon apparently inspired Meek Mill to make a lifestyle change as well.

“After much consideration & conversation with my family, I’ve decided to give up smoke. Please respect my privacy at this time,” read a message by Snoop Dogg shared on his Instagram page.

Snoop’s post quickly went viral and became a top trending topic on social media. One of the central figures on Dr. Dre’s classic 1992 album, The Chronic, sparked a lot of conversation about cannabis use.

For example, Meek Mill took to the X platform to address the news of Snoop Dogg apparently stepping away from being, arguably, the most famous weed smoker on the planet.

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A post shared by snoopdogg (@snoopdogg)

“Ima go to Dubai and completely stop smoking,” Meek Mill tweeted on November 16. He continued, “Ima follow Snoop, my doctor said I got a lil bit [of] emphysema in [my] chest.”

The Dream Chasers leader also added, “If I don’t stop smoking it cuts my lifeline in half, I was addicted to the nicotine and this new weed got too many chemicals and too risky to play with my mental!”

Meek Mill recently teamed up with Rick Ross to release the MMG-backed Too Good To Be True collaborative project. In addition, Snoop Dogg has teased re-teaming with Dr. Dre for the Missionary album, a sequel to Snoop’s Doggystyle from 1993.

Comedian Brandon T. Jackson Responds To Backlash Over Jokes About Diddy Rape Allegations

A huge Hip-Hop-related news story broke this week. R&B singer Cassie Ventura sued her ex-boyfriend, Sean “Diddy” Combs, over years of alleged sexual assault and abuse. Comedian Brandon T. Jackson weighed in on the situation.

“Now Cassie is coming out, so this is the tell-all generation,” Brandon T. Jackson began in a video posted to social media. “I’m about to confess all of my sins at this point.”

The Tropic Thunder actor then said he used to eat pork and had sex with a lot of women. Jackson’s sarcastic confessions also included him claiming he just paid his taxes and was late on his child support payments.

“I’m so happy I’m not that famous no more,” Brandon T. Jackson told his followers. The 39-year-old entertainer’s jokes connected to Cassie’s sexual assault allegations against Diddy offended some people online.

As a result, Jackson returned to Instagram to address the backlash directed at him on the internet. Another Instagram post featured him speaking about the negative reactions on camera. He also pushed back on his critics in the clip’s caption.

“I’m no one’s slave. I say what I want. I work when I want. But I don’t disrespect people’s trauma, especially women, don’t take my words out of context. Period,” Brandon T. Jackson wrote on the social media platform.

In the video, he said, “No way would I ever make fun of Cassie’s trauma or Diddy or whatever’s going on. I was talking about myself. I was self-joking about myself.” In addition, Jackson used the moment to talk about his supposed business ventures and deals with various networks.

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ESSO’s Top 10: The Top Artists To Watch in November 2023

Welcome to “Esso’s Top 10,” where we dive into the dynamic world of rap music and spotlight the hottest talents making waves in the U.S. music scene as of November 2023.

From lyrical virtuosos to trendsetting trailblazers, this list celebrates the artists who are redefining the genre and leaving an indelible mark on the industry. Join us on this journey as we count down the top rap sensations, each bringing their unique style and perspective to the forefront of American hip-hop culture.

  1. OT7 Quanny 

https://instagram.com/ot7quanny?igshid=MzMyNGUyNmU2YQ==

  1. Skilla Baby 

https://instagram.com/_skillababy?igshid=MzMyNGUyNmU2YQ==

3. Karaboo 

https://instagram.com/karrahbooo?igshid=MzMyNGUyNmU2YQ==

4. HD Picasso 

https://instagram.com/hd.picasso?igshid=MzMyNGUyNmU2YQ==

5. Stargiela 

https://instagram.com/stargiela?igshid=MzMyNGUyNmU2YQ==

6. Lay Banks 

https://instagram.com/laybankz?igshid=MzMyNGUyNmU2YQ==

7. Stove God 

https://instagram.com/godcooks?igshid=MzMyNGUyNmU2YQ==

8. Kyah Baby 

https://instagram.com/kyah_baby?igshid=MzMyNGUyNmU2YQ==

9. Chow Lee & Lonny Love 

https://www.instagram.com/thankschow/

https://instagram.com/lonny.love?igshid=MzMyNGUyNmU2YQ==

10. Rocky 

https://instagram.com/fakebitcheshero?igshid=MzMyNGUyNmU2YQ==

As we wrap up “Esso’s Top 10,” it’s clear that the rap landscape in November 2023 is as vibrant and diverse as ever. These artists have not only elevated their craft but have also pushed the boundaries of what’s possible in hip-hop.

From thought-provoking lyricism to infectious beats, they’ve captivated audiences and solidified their spots as trendsetters in the industry. Be sure to look out for next month’s edition in December 2023, where we’ll bring you the freshest updates on the hottest rappers continuing to shape the sound of today’s music scene. Until then, keep those beats bumping!

Watch Esso Here!

https://www.youtube.com/@BagFuel

Follow Him:

https://www.instagram.com/essowrld/

Follow District Breakers 

https://www.instagram.com/districtbreakers/

Cardi B Addresses Rumors She’s Taking Break From Music Industry 

Cardi B is speaking out to address rumors she’s on a break from music after her recent comments caused an outcry from her fans.  

Speculation that the “Bongos” hitmaker was taking a hiatus stemmed from a recent Instagram Live. The Grammy Award-winning rapper told her followers she would disappear for a while, although fans apparently misunderstood the context.   

“Y’all might not see me for a long time cause I’m just not in the mood to be famous,” Cardi B said earlier this week. “If y’all wanna see me y’all go to Arizona to the Tik Tok concert, but other than that I’ve been liking my low key life.” 

Fans believed their idol was stepping back from music, prompting Cardi B to issue a clarification. 

“I never said I was taking a hiatus,” she posted on X Thursday (November 16). “I’m just continuing with my social media break like I have been for the last few weeks,” 

She also addressed the commotion her comments caused, adding, “Not sure why that’s causing such a ruckus,” before telling Bardi Gang, “ya know where to catch me!” 

Fans were also alarmed about Cardi B taking a musical break back in October. She told fans on X that she had scrapped her long-awaited second album. 

“There’s no album,’ she wrote. “I don’t want to do music,” Cardi declared in another, although she quickly deleted both posts.  

Addressing the outcry in a later Twitter Spaces chat, Cardi explained that she “was just feeling very overwhelmed,” and had become upset after reading social media comments.  

“I just wanted to burst,” she said, adding “I had one of those moments.”  

2 Chainz & Lil Wayne Unleash “Welcome 2 Collegrove” Joint Album 

2 Chainz and Lil Wayne have finally unleashed their highly anticipated joint album, Welcome 2 Collegrove. 

The project follows the 2016 ColleGrove album which was slated to be a collab offering. However, the project is credited to 2 Chainz alone due to Lil Wayne’s issues with his label, although Weezy features heavily throughout.  

Collegrove is a portmanteau of 2 Chainz’s hometown, College Park, Georgia, and Lil Wayne’s hometown, Hollygrove, Louisiana. 

The 21-track project clocks in at just under an hour and includes a star-studded cast of guest contributors. Features include appearances from the likes of 21 Savage, Usher, Rick Ross, Fabolous, Benny the Butcher, Marsha Ambrosius and Vory.   

Check out the trailer, narrated by 50 Cent below, and stream Welcome 2 Collegrove at the end of the page.  

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A post shared by 2 Chainz Aka Tity Boi (@2chainz)

Fans have had a long wait for the album, which 2 Chainz and Lil Wayne teased in 2022. The duo was forced to postpone the release due to clearance issues.  

“We’ve been working on it for some time, had a lot of clearance issues,” 2 Chainz told Zane Lowe on Apple Music 1. “But for the most part, we’re two hardworking individuals who go in the studio every night. So, I don’t think it was hard recording the music.”

“It just was a process of getting the music out to the people. I think me and him just have that chemistry. We enjoy working with each other a lot, and it’s a lot of respect there. And as I always say, still sharpen still. So, it’s always that little piece of anxiety of knowing that I got to this verse has to be better than the last one. I think it’s healthy. I think competition is healthy in any and everything that we do.” 

2 Chainz Lil Wayne – Welcome 2 Collegrove

Drake Unveils “For All The Dogs Scary Hours Edition” Featuring J. Cole Collab 

Drake is back with another new project, dropping For All The Dogs Scary Hours Edition

Despite warning fans that he was taking a musical break following his last album, Drizzy announced his surprise album on Thursday (November 16), less than 24 hours before he released the third installment in the Scary Hours series.  

In a video teaser, Drake revealed all the Scary Hours Edition songs were written “in the last five days.” According to Drizzy, he did “not have one bar written” when he released For All the Dogs

“I feel like I’m on drugs,” he said before adding, “I feel like I’m in that mental state without doing anything. It’s happening on its own. Who am I to fight it?” 

The six new songs also include another J. Cole collab following the success of their recent banger, “First Person Shooter.” Check out the newly released visuals below and Stream For All The Dogs Scary Hours Edition at the end of the page.  

Drake addressed his on-again-off-again relationship with Kanye West on the album opener, “Red Button.” According to the lyrics, Drizzy believes Ye’s truce attempts were part of a “premeditated” plot.  

“Every time you need me for a boost, I never hesitated,” Drake raps. “Every time that Yeezy called a truce, he had my head inflated.” 

He adds, “Thinkin’ we gon’ finally peace it up and get to levitatin’/Realize that everything premeditated/Everyone was good with me, then everyone expression faded.” 

Drake For All The Dogs Scary Hours Edition

Diddy Allegedly The Subject Of A Criminal Investigation By The NYPD  

Hours after news broke that Diddy is being sued by his former girlfriend Cassie Ventura for rape and years of abuse, a new report places the Bad Boy Records mogul at the center of a criminal investigation by the NYPD. 

According to TMZ, Diddy is under secret investigation by the NYPD. While it’s unclear if the complaint was made by Ventura, the outlet claims, “there is strong evidence it involves sexual assault.” 

In an official statement, the NYPD told TMZ:  

“The NYPD takes sexual assault and rape cases extremely seriously, and urges anyone who has been a victim to file a police report so we can perform a comprehensive investigation, and offer support and services to survivors.” 

The publication also claims sources informed them that there is an active, open case under the name, “Sean Combs.” However, the case file is reportedly “locked,” and access to any information is restricted.  

In addition, TMZ reportedly made inquiries in other jurisdictions, including Miami, Beverly Hills and Los Angeles, all regions Ventura mentioned in her lawsuit against Diddy. The outlet found no other police reports or investigations related to Diddy or Ventura. 

Cassie Ventura sued Diddy in a Manhattan federal court on Thursday (November 16). She alleges years of abuse at the hands of her former boyfriend and claims he raped her in 2018.  

“After years in silence and darkness,” Ventura said in a statement, “I am finally ready to tell my story, and to speak up on behalf of myself and for the benefit of other women who face violence and abuse in their relationships.” 

Ben Brafman, an attorney for Diddy, said his client “vehemently denies these offensive and outrageous allegations.” He says Diddy is the subject of a $30 million shakedown attempt “aiming to tarnish Mr. Combs’s reputation.” 

Does Rubi Rose Have Yet Another Geriatric Suitor?

Paul Pierce may have some competition in his pursuit of rising rap artist Rubi Rose.

Following the former NBA champion’s recent advances, it seems Rose has caught the attention of another older male gentleman—despite the fact that his partner appears to also be scoping out his every move. In a video clip posted on her personal Instagram profile, the “Big Mouth” rapper offered a behind the scenes look at her recent impromptu rehearsal routine. In the process, she seemingly attracted a new admirer, and or fan, in the form of the white-haired fellow watching her twerk it in the background of the clip.

“He stayed and watched my whole rehearsal lol,” Rose wrote in the caption of the video. Several of her other rap peers appeared to find the incident funny as well, including Latto who commented, “That’s my papa” and Slim Thug who added, “I would’ve stayed too ain’t nothing on tv better than this.”

Of course, Druski escalated things to another level with his vulgar remark which read, “That d### getting beat tonight.”

Check out the blatant nasty work the elderly gentleman was engaged in while spectating Rose’s rehearsal below.

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A post shared by 🌹 (@therubirose)

50 Cent Roasts Diddy Following Ex Cassie’s Bombshell Lawsuit

It was only a matter of time. On Thursday (November 16), just hours after the news broke that Diddy is being sued by his ex Cassie Ventura, 50 Cent has weighed in on the bubbling scandal. Taking to Instagram, the Power mogul shared a photo of himself eyeballing the camera with the caption, “Damn brother love, brother love, brother love, you out here looking CRAZY AS A MF. LMAO.”

Ventura sued the Bad Boy Records mogul for rape and years of abuse on in a Manhattan federal court. Ventura says shortly after she met Diddy in 2005, he began a pattern of control and abuse that included plying her with drugs, beating her and forcing her to have sex with a succession of male prostitutes while he filmed the encounters. In 2018, right around the time they broke up, Ventura claims Diddy forced his way into her home and raped her.

“After years in silence and darkness,” Ventura said in a statement, “I am finally ready to tell my story, and to speak up on behalf of myself and for the benefit of other women who face violence and abuse in their relationships.”

Ben Brafman, an attorney for Diddy, said his client “vehemently denies these offensive and outrageous allegations. For the past six months, Mr. Combs has been subjected to Ms. Ventura’s persistent demand of $30 million, under the threat of writing a damaging book about their relationship, which was unequivocally rejected as blatant blackmail. Despite withdrawing her initial threat, Ms. Ventura has now resorted to filing a lawsuit riddled with baseless and outrageous lies, aiming to tarnish Mr. Combs’s reputation and seeking a payday.”

 

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A post shared by 50 Cent (@50cent)

Of course, 50 Cent is presumably loving the negative attention Diddy is receiving right now. Beginning in October, 50 Cent has continuously taunted Diddy over the infamous murder of Tupac Shakur and Duane “Keefe D” Davis’s recent arrest. As far as 50 Cent is concerned, Diddy had something to do with it.

Before Davis’ capture, Davis implicated Diddy in Shakur’s murder during an interview with the Art of Dialogue, claiming Diddy had offered a bounty for the hit on Suge Knight, who was with Shakur during the shooting. Shakur’s brother, Mopreme, concluded the Las Vegas Police Department needs to talk to the Bad Boy Records founder about his possible involvement in the case.

“Damn so pac got lined by brother love,” 50 Cent wrote in another Instagram post. “LOL Time to Lawyer up, s### might get sticky.” Earlier this month, he posted a clip of Diddy and the caption, “This s### is so funny to me. Keefe D getting ready to go on trial for murder with a public defender damn throw [him] a bone or something. LOL.”

Knowing 50 Cent, this probably won’t be the last time he comments on Cassie Ventura’s lawsuit against Diddy. Until then, check out one of his latest troll jobs below.

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A post shared by 50 Cent (@50cent)

21 Savage Makes History With Stylish, Sold-Out Debut Paris Performance

Multi-platinum recording artist 21 Savage has already rewritten history books with his inaugural performance in France.

On Wednesday (November 15), days after his flicks in front of the iconic Eiffel Tower went viral, Savage sold out the well-known Zenith venue located in Paris. A number of notable artists also appeared alongside 21 Savage, including opening acts Baby Drill and 21 Lil Harold. Additional appearances included Hugo Ekitiké, Layvin Kurzawa, Koba La D, Axel Julien and Freeze Corleone and a VIP party capped off the evening.

21 Savage utilized the moment to assert his dominance as a tastemaker and leader in the fashion realm of Hip-Hop. With a total of three wardrobe changes, 21 Savage unveiled yet to be released spring/summer 2024 runway looks from high fashion houses such as Celine, Louis Vuitton and Prada.

In a sense, 21 Savage’s Paris show foreshadows how his upcoming European tour could play out—considering it serves as a celebration of his recent immigration status as a permanent resident of the United States. The set of dates will culminate in 21 Savage’s first-ever homecoming show in London on November 30, four years after his detainment by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement 2019.

For more details on his upcoming European tour, visit 21 Savages official website here.

Young Dolph’s Paper Route Empire & Ida Mae Foundation Bring “Dolph Day” To Multiple Cities

The second annual “Dolph Day” event is expanding to multiple cities outside of Young Dolph’s hometown of Memphis. On Tuesday (November 16), a message was shared on Young Dolph’s personal Instagram account announcing his Paper Route Empire (PRE) label will be partnering with his family estate’s Ida Mae Foundation for multiple Dolph Day activations in cities such as Memphis, Atlanta, Chicago and Dallas. The series of activations will officially kick off on Friday (November 17), which has been designated as the Adolf “Young Dolph” Thornton Jr. Day of service in Tennessee and Georgia.

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A post shared by Paper Route Frank (@youngdolph)

Countless artists and businesses in Young Dolph’s hometown of Memphis will take part in the upcoming events, including PRE rappers Paper Route Woo and Snupe Bandz, who are set to host a turkey giveaway at Christ Missionary Baptist Church in South Memphis. Additionally, Memphis area businesses such as Cxffee Black and Sweet Magnolia Gelato will donate a portion of the purchases of special menu items to the Ida Mae Foundation.

In Atlanta, the foundation will hand out hygiene kits with the help of Barrio ATL during the day, in addition to hosting a holiday dinner at the Atlanta Mission Center later on in the evening. PRE signee Chitana will be handling the Chicago turkey giveaway on the Southside of the city that’s taking place at the Lionel Hampton Fine and Performing Arts school.

The activations will continue on November 21 in Memphis during PRE artist Jay Fizzle’s turkey giveaway at the Westwood Community Center. Additionally, a basketball tournament will be hosted by Memphis rapper Grove Hero and former collegiate coach Jeremy Hunt at Grove Hero Park in the afternoon.

For details on activation cities and dates along with information for donations and volunteers the official website at Dolph-Day.com.

Check out the full itinerary outline of events below.

11/17 Memphis

Christ Missionary Baptist Church/ St. James Church
Turkey giveaway
11am – 1pm

11/17 Chicago

Lionel Hampton Performing Arts School
Turkey Giveaway 
12pm – until out of inventory

11/17 Atlanta

Barrio ATL 
Giveaway of food and hygiene kits to homeless
12p-5p

11/21 Memphis
Westwood Community Center
Turkey giveaway
3pm, until none left

Grove Hero Park
Turkey giveaway 
3pm, until none left

MF DOOM Lawsuit: Egon Accuses Late Rapper’s Widow Of “Smear Campaign”

Eothen “Egon” Alapatt fired back at a lawsuit brought against him by MF DOOM’s estate and widow in California. According to court documents obtained by AllHipHop, the former Stones Throw executive denied any wrongdoing regarding his possession of MF DOOM’s notebooks. Egon painted himself as the victim of “libelous attacks” in a legal response filed on November 14.

“Plaintiffs’ complaint is the continuation of a year-long smear campaign filled with baseless and libelous attacks on Alapatt’s integrity and character,” Egon’s legal team contended. “The complaint, like the previously highly public intimidation tactics used by this group, alleges that plaintiffs have concerns regarding the ownership of various notebooks of the luminary and now-deceased Hip-Hop artist MF DOOM. Contrary to the knowingly false statements contained in the complaint, Alapatt saved and preserved the notebooks after he purchased them from DOOM’s former landlord who owned and controlled the notebooks because DOOM had abandoned his studio and was in years’ long arrears on rent.”

Egon’s lawyers continued, “Rather than accept Alapatt’s generous offer to return the physical notebooks to plaintiffs if they agreed to protect the notebooks by jointly donating a digital copy of these precious artifacts of Hip-Hop history to the Cornell Hip-Hop Archive, the Smithsonian, or another accredited archive of their choosing, plaintiffs chose to continue their hurtful and defamatory attacks against Alapatt by filing this frivolous complaint.”

Last month, MF DOOM’s widow Jasmine Thompson sued Egon for allegedly stealing the late rapper’s notebooks and refusing to return them. She accused Egon of committing fraud, saying he “intentionally misrepresented” how he obtained the notebooks.

Egon asked the court to dismiss the lawsuit with prejudice. He also wanted copyright registrations for the notebooks to be invalidated. Egon requested an award to cover attorneys’ fees and other costs.

MF DOOM passed away in 2020. He was 49.

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Diddy’s Ex Cassie Sues Mogul For Alleged Rape, Forced Sex With Male Prostitutes & Physical Abuse

Diddy (legal name Sean Combs) and Cassie Ventura dated on and off for years but according to the model/actress, they were some of the worst years of her life. Per the New York Times, Ventura sued the Bad Boy Records mogul for rape and years of abuse on Thursday (November 16) in a Manhattan federal court.

Ventura says shortly after she met Diddy in 2005, when she was a mere 19, he began a pattern of control and abuse that included plying her with drugs, beating her and forcing her to have sex with a succession of male prostitutes while he filmed the encounters. In 2018, right around the time they broke up for good, Ventura claims Diddy forced his way into her home and raped her.

“After years in silence and darkness,” Ventura said in a statement, “I am finally ready to tell my story, and to speak up on behalf of myself and for the benefit of other women who face violence and abuse in their relationships.”

Ben Brafman, an attorney for Diddy, said his client “vehemently denies these offensive and outrageous allegations. For the past six months, Mr. Combs has been subjected to Ms. Ventura’s persistent demand of $30 million, under the threat of writing a damaging book about their relationship, which was unequivocally rejected as blatant blackmail. Despite withdrawing her initial threat, Ms. Ventura has now resorted to filing a lawsuit riddled with baseless and outrageous lies, aiming to tarnish Mr. Combs’s reputation and seeking a payday.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/Cq6qh61JqHx/?hl=en&img_index=1

Ventura’s attorney, Douglas Wigdor, said both parties had spoken before the suit was filed. As he noted, “Mr. Combs offered Ms. Ventura eight figures to silence her and prevent the filing of this lawsuit. She rejected his efforts.”

The suit reportedly describes Diddy as a violent person who once asked Ventura to carry his gun in her purse. It also suggests he was responsible for blowing up the car of a rival suitor. In one incident, Diddy supposedly dangled Ventura’s friend over a 17th-floor hotel balcony.

Cassie, an R&B singer, signed with Bad Boy in 2006 and was quickly swept up in the lifestyles of the rich and famous. She claims, in addition to controlling her career, Diddy paid for her car, apartments and clothing, and had access to her medical records. The results from one particular M.R.I. scan she had for memory loss, which was possibly caused by drug use or a beating she said she suffered from Diddy, went directly to him.

Diddy also allegedly provided Ventura with “copious amounts of drugs,” including ecstasy and ketamine, and urged her to take them. The suit says he often became violent, beating her “multiple times each year.” The suit says Ventura never sought help from the police because she feared it “would merely give Mr. Combs another excuse to hurt her.”

It continues, “Ms. Ventura felt that saying ‘no’ to Mr. Combs would cost her something—her family, her friends, her career, or even her life.”

In one incident described in the court papers, Ventura alleges in early 2012, Diddy grew so angry about her dating Kid Cudi that he said he would blow up his car. “Around that time,” the suit says, “Kid Cudi’s car exploded in his driveway.” Through a spokeswoman, Kid Cudi confirmed Ventura’s account. “This is all true,” he said.

A few years into Ventura’s relationship with Diddy, the suit says, he began coercing her “to engage in a fantasy of his called ‘voyeurism,’” in which she was directed to have sex with several male prostitutes, while Diddy watched, masturbated, took pictures and shot video. He called them “freak-offs.”

As explained in the docs, Ventura believes she was a victim of sex trafficking. The suit also accuses Diddy of sexual battery, sexual assault and violations of New York City’s gender-motivated violence law.

“With the expiration of New York’s Adult Survivors Act fast approaching,” she said, “it became clear that this was an opportunity to speak up about the trauma I have experienced and that I will be recovering from for the rest of my life.”

Diddy and Ventura officially broke up in October 2018. She has moved on with her husband and father of her children, Alex Fine.

Beyoncé In Negotiations To Take Over Residency For U2 At The Sphere In Las Vegas?

Grammy Award-winning vocalist Beyoncé is reportedly in negotiations to land a Las Vegas residency in 2024. According to a report published by the NY post on Thursday (November 16), Queen Bey’s management team has been contacted by James Dolan, the CEO of Las Vegas’ newly constructed Sphere, regarding the possibility of a residency.

Beyoncé recently took over the venue during her sprawling Renaissance World Tour, which Live Nation recently confirmed generated nearly $580 million in revenue and attracted roughly three million attendees across 56 dates in 39 cities.

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A post shared by Beyoncé (@beyonce)

Dolan, who owns two New York-based sports teams in the NBA and NHL, is purportedly preparing to offer Beyoncé a $10 million production budget for the residency, which is seemingly identical to what legacy rock band U2 was offered to produce their residency at the 20,000-cap arena. Should the two series come to an agreeable on the negotiations, Beyoncé would take over the venue in February 2024 following the completion of U2’s 36-date residency.

According to the NY Post’s sources, artists such as Bon Jovi, Paul McCartney and Lady Gaga are also in the running for the residency. Beyoncé’s mom and manager, Tina Knowles, and her husband, JAY-Z, have allegedly taken separate tours of the $2.3 billion facility located on the Las Vegas Strip (but this has yet to be confirmed).

The Sphere reported a profit loss of $98.4 million and is reportedly more that $1 billion dollars over budget, but Dolan reportedly has plans for additional residencies in 2024.

As he told the publication, “We expect to host two additional residencies in the [first half of 2024] and look forward to sharing more detail.”

HoneyKomb Brazy Busted For Indecent Exposure Days After Prison Release

HoneyKomb Brazy ended up in an Alabama jail a few days after his release from prison. He was arrested for indecent exposure in Mobile County on Thursday (November 16).

According to WKRG, the rapper surrendered to authorities over an incident dating back to 2021. Two years ago, he allegedly exposed himself to a corrections officer when he was in jail.

Earlier this week, HoneyKomb Brazy was released after serving three years of a 15-year prison sentence. He turned himself in for the indecent exposure charge on Thursday morning.

HoneyKomb Brazy, whose real name is Nashon Jones, posted a $1,000 bond. He did not mention his arrest but called himself a changed man in an Instagram Stories post on Thursday.

“I’m grown as hell,” he wrote. “I really changed my ways, but I’m still that n#### doe don’t get it twisted. I’m forever brazy, I’m just on Alabama time right now. I’m just trying to kill all the smoke in my city that can be killed n let everybody get some money n enjoy life n take care of they loved ones. If u on that type time come get some money. If u ain’t then just stay out my lane.”

HoneyKomb Brazy’s next court date is scheduled for November 27.

André 3000 Swears He’s Not Holding His Raps “Hostage”

André 3000 bewildered many fans by announcing a solo album featuring no rapping. The enigmatic artist admitted it’s a struggle for him to conceive new raps for public consumption despite trying to write “all the time” in an interview with GQ.

“Even now people think, ‘Oh, man, he’s just sitting on raps,’ or he’s just holding these raps hostage,” André 3000 said. “I ain’t got no raps like that. It actually feels…sometimes it feels inauthentic for me to rap because I don’t have anything to talk about in that way.”

He continued, “I’m 48 years old. And not to say that age is a thing that dictates what you rap about, but in a way it does. And things that happen in my life, like, what are you talking about? ‘I got to go get a colonoscopy.’ What are you rapping about? ‘My eyesight is going bad.’ You can find cool ways to say it, but….”

Andre 3000’s solo debut New Blue Sun is scheduled to drop on Friday (November 17). The project is entirely instrumental with the Outkast rapper playing the flute and other wind instruments.

New Blue Sun will be André 3000’s first release since Outkast’s 2006 album Idlewild. The soundtrack turned out to be the legendary duo’s final album.

Young Thug Trial: Prosecutors Have Staggering Amount Of Witnesses

Young Thug’s lawyer Brian Steel asked for more than 300 witnesses to be excluded from the YSL RICO trial at a court hearing on Thursday (November 16). Georgia prosecutors confirmed they had 737 people on their witness list.

Judge Ural Glanville questioned the prosecution’s addition of potential witnesses in recent months. The judge noted there were 632 witnesses in September. The number surpassed 700 in October.

Fulton County prosecutor Adriane Love said the prosecution intended to pare down the witness list. But Love justified the number of witnesses less than two weeks before the start of Young Thug’s trial.

“It would be different if it were just one murder or just one aggravated assault or just one burglary on the indictment, your honor,” Love told Judge Glanville. “But there is—there are lists of acts that we seek to show, to introduce as evidence to show the pattern of racketeering activity that they conspired to commit.”

Young Thug, whose real name is Jeffery Williams, is one of six defendants awaiting trial in the YSL RICO case. Many of his co-defendants accepted plea deals or had their cases severed ahead of the trial.

The YSL RICO trial is scheduled to begin on November 27. Young Thug has remained in jail since his May 2022 arrest.

Snoop Dogg Says He’s “Giving Up Smoke”—Has Hell Frozen Over?

Snoop Dogg  is a lot of things—rapper, entrepreneur, movie star, commercial actor, father, coach—but more than anything, he’s a known cannabis connoisseur who has flaunted his love for the sticky icky icky for decades. But on Thursday (November 16), the D-O-Double-G shared something so outrageous, we had to check if hell had actually frozen over. Taking to Instagram, Snoop Dogg told his 82.4 million followers, “After much consideration & conversation with my family, I’ve decided to give up smoke. Please respect my privacy at this time.”

He added in the caption, “I’m giving up smoke.” Naturally, the post netted thousands and thousands of comments. While some were more humorous than others, there was an outpouring of support if this is indeed for real and not a really, really early April Fool’s Day joke.

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Flavor Flav, who claims to have more than two years of sobriety under his belt, left a trifecta of prayer emojis as did Fat Joe and 9th Wonder.

But then there were those who had their doubts—and rightfully so. Snoop Dogg’s lungs are probably blacker than the Black Hole and the only person to ever out-smoke him is Willie Nelson. But, like many others, Fred Wreck wondered if his account had been hacked. Someone else suggested it was a stunt for a brand of edibles or another cannabis-related endeavor. Another person joked “Jesus is coming back today.”

But let’s not forget, Snoop Dogg has actually quit before. In 2016, while speaking to Kholé Kardashian on her now-defunct talk show, Snoop said he quit because of his youth football league.

“I went to practice high one day and one of the kids said, ‘Coach, you smell like my mama’s boyfriend,’” Snoop Dogg said. “And I had to check myself. I stopped smoking from that day for 180 days straight. And it made me a better coach, a better person, and I stopped smoking when I was coaching football. So every year when I coach football around the kids, I don’t smoke, so that’s three months out of the year that I do that.”

And who knows? Maybe his wife, Shanté Broadus, is sick of him smelling like blunts, or maybe he’s “forgotten” their anniversary one too many times and she gave him an ultimatum. Whatever the case, Snoop Dogg is gonna be Snoop and if that means he’s done with the herb for awhile, we should support him. After all, weed is a helluva drug.

TeaMarrr Takes Audiences On A Journey With Debut Album ‘You Should Prolly Sit Down For This’ 

Boston-born singer/songwriter TeaMarrr (@imaliltcup), is back with the release of her debut album, You Should Prolly Sit Down For This, officially out on Nov. 17th. TeaMarrr’s new album gives fans a vulnerable and unfiltered look into her life as she shares her turning points on her healing journey and navigating life in LA as an independent artist. This 13-track album offers a raw and unfiltered look into TeaMarrr’s life, offering a skillful creative expression that truly shines through on this project.

As TeaMarrr herself puts it, “This album is about the church girl from the East Coast who takes a wild turn in the wild wild west and ends up lost in the belly of the beast. It’s a musical map guiding her way back.”

You Should Prolly Sit Down For This delves deep into TeaMarrr’s mind and soul, addressing themes like mental health, drug abuse, regret, loneliness, and finding inner peace. Her unique sound, influenced by musical legends like Amy Winehouse, Biggie Smalls, Lauryn Hill, Rihanna, Drake, and Jay-Z, offers a tune for every emotion. The album features collaborations with multi-Grammy nominated producer duo Butta-N-Bizkit, who’ve worked with greats like John Legend, Ne-Yo, and Kelly Rowland. In addition, esteemed songwriter Sebastian Kole, known for his work with Alicia Keys, JoJo, Dua Lipa, and Alessia Cara. 

For first-time listeners, TeaMarrr recommends doing a little homework by starting with tracks like “Cool Enough,” “I’m That,” or “Chasing Amy,” from her 2020 releases which showcase her versatile and genre-blurring style then graduating to the new music, which serves as a conduit to the direction she is heading in as an artist.

TeaMarrr’s dedication to her craft has led to remarkable achievements like being announced by Issa Rae as her artist at the Soul Train Awards in 2019, including touring with SIR in Europe and most recently direct support to Durand Bernarr on his 2023 Wanderlust Tour.

TeaMarrr’s future is promising, with dreams of a first headlining tour on the horizon. With a heartfelt message for her fans, TeaMarrr hopes her music fills rooms with warmth, laughter, and a sense of belonging. “It’s like candy for your ears, but the natural fruit kind,” she shares. “I want them to feel seen and want to come see me live one day so I can share the light that God gave me to shine.”

Prepare for a unique musical journey with this album,You Should Prolly Sit Down For This, and stay tuned for the upcoming EP, KITEA CAT, which is in the works. TeaMarrr’s story promises to captivate and inspire as she continues to rise in the world of music.

Follow TeaMarrr on social media at @imaliltcup, and stream the new album below:

Spotify link: https://open.spotify.com/album/1IsDPJrQijue8GwAw6j3gz