From Sweden to the World: “Starmony Voices” Sets the Tone in Collaborative Music-Making using AI

Photo by Fredrik Mårdh

The Swedish music tech innovator Starmony just launched “Starmony Voices” – a concept that redefines the future of music-making by allowing anyone in their community, and beyond, to share their voice and collaborate with the help of AI technology. Photo by Fredrik Mårdh Stockholm, Sweden, March 04, 2024: Starmony, a leading Swedish music tech company, … Read more

U.S. District Judge in Diddy Fed Case Orders Prosecutors “To Get Rid of” Notes Found in Cell

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Here’s breaking-ish news in Diddy’s epic legal case.

In a significant development, a judge has ordered prosecutors to destroy copies of the rapper’s handwritten notes that reportedly were seized during a recent raid on his jail cell at the notorious federal lockup he’s being held awaiting trial.

Get this, the notes, which Combs’ defense team argues are protected by attorney-client privilege, were obtained during an October 28 search of his cell at Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center.

Now, that’s usually a no-no.

But when a Manhattan federal court hearing went down on Tuesday, U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian gave clear instructions to prosecutors that they had to “get rid of them” while he considers the defense’s argument that the notes are confidential communications between Combs and his legal team.

What’s more, Judge Subramanian clarified that a separate team within the U.S. Attorney’s Office, responsible for screening documents for privilege, could keep a copy of the notes for review. That’s interesting. There’s nuance to all of this chaos.

As expected, Combs’ legal team had previously raised alarms about the raid, arguing that it violated his constitutional rights. A hard argument to prove but who knows.

Check it, they described the search as “outrageous,” claiming it infringed on Combs’ right to a fair trial and protections against self-incrimination. Attorney Marc Agnifilo referred to the incident as a “complete institutional failure” and stressed that the seizure of Combs’ legal notes was an unlawful breach of his rights.

The so-called search itself was part of a broader “safety and security initiative” at the detention center, which had been scheduled before Combs’ September arrest. Sounds like a smoke screen but we really do not know.

Prosecutors claim the search resulted in the discovery of several personal items, including a manila folder labeled “legal,” a notebook, and an address book. While some materials were submitted for review, prosecutors assert that the notes, which touched on business matters and family concerns, do not fall under the category of privileged legal communications.

Diving in, prosecutors also allege that Combs’ notes include references to paying off potential witnesses and gathering damaging information about them, actions that could amount to obstruction of justice. This claim further complicates the defense’s argument for attorney-client privilege.

Bringing you fully up to speed, a hearing on Combs’ bail request is scheduled for Friday, and the legal battle over the notes continues as the court decides whether they will be used in the preparation for his trial. Meanwhile, the judge has ruled that the notes should not be used by prosecutors to determine whether Combs should be granted bail. Makes sense. Let’s see how it all unfolds.

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Yak Gotti Secures Major Legal Win In YSL Case

Young Thug is finally able to put his legal issues behind him for now following a long, chaotic trial. The rapper accepted a plea deal last month and was soon released from prison. He’ll spend 15 years on probation, and must abide by various release conditions. Regardless, his supporters are thrilled that he’s back home. They’re eager to hear what music he has up his sleeve, and glad to see him enjoying his freedom.

Unfortunately, however, the same can’t be said for his former co-defendant Yak Gotti. The artist reportedly refused a plea deal around the same time Young Thug accepted one, and he remains behind bars. At the time, his attorney Douglas Weinstein told FOX 5 Atlanta that his client “fully intends to take this to the jury and get our not guilty verdicts and go home.” Now, he’s reportedly secured at least one legal win, according to @ThuggerDaily on X.

Read More: Yak Gotti Refuses Plea Deal Amid YSL RICO Trial

Judge Grants Yak Gotti’s Motion For Directed Verdict On Three Charges

Reportedly, Judge Paige Reese Whitaker granted the defense’s motion for directed verdict on three drug and weapon charges, meaning he cannot be found guilty. “I do not believe that, even viewing in the light most favorable to the prosecution, there’s evidence upon a rational trier of fact could find the essential elements of possession of those particular items,” she explained. As for his other charges, it will be up to the jury to decided whether or not he’s guilty, per journalist Meghann Cuniff on X. The other charges he’s facing include alleged Conspiracy to violate Georgia’s RICO Act, Murder, Participation in criminal street gang activity, and more.

Aside from Yak Gotti, the only other remaining defendant is Shannon Stillwell. Fox 5 reports that the jury will return tomorrow (November 21), and could begin deliberation as early as this week. Stillwell is facing gun, gang, and murder charges. Last year, he was stabbed multiple times by a fellow inmate and has since made a full recovery.

Read More: Young Thug Trial: Co-Defendant Takes Plea Deal

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Megan Thee Stallion’s Lawsuit Against Milagro Gramz Gets An Official Trial Date

Megan Thee Stallion’s lawsuit against Milagro Gramz will officially go to trial on September 8th, 2025, a judge in the case ruled on Wednesday. The update came after the two sides requested that July 21, “or as soon thereafter,” be chosen as the date. Despite the trial date, Megan and Milagro will continue to explore the possibility of a settlement.

In her lawsuit, Megan accuses Milagro of allegedly spreading numerous falsehoods about her and the criminal case against Tory Lanez. “It’s time to hold bloggers accountable for years of harassment, cyberbullying and the publication of misinformation about my personal and professional life,” she said in a statement shared with VIBE. “I’ve endured countless attacks on my character based on false narratives from social media bloggers misrepresenting themselves as journalists. It’s unacceptable behavior and these individuals need to understand there will be repercussions for recklessly posting lies and defamatory falsehoods.” She says in the lawsuit that the falsehoods have had “a negative effect” on her “mental and emotional state.”

Read More: Megan Thee Stallion Formally Announces Her Upcoming Documentary

Megan Thee Stallion Performs During The Hot Girl Summer Tour

Megan Thee Stallion performs during the Hot Girl Summer Tour stop at FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn., on Thursday, May 30, 2024. © Chris Day/The Commercial Appeal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images.

Milagro is getting legal help from Tory Lanez’s nonprofit legal team, Unite the People, through attorney Michael Hayden. Hayden, however, is not licensed to practice law in the state of Florida so she’s since hired another attorney to represent her.

Megan Thee Stallion Will Head To Trial Next September

The lawsuit comes after Megan released her new documentary film, In Her Words, in which she reflects on being shot by Tory Lanez in 2020. She also released a reissue of her third studio album, Megan, on October 25. Lanez is currently serving 10 years in prison after being convicted of the shooting, last year. Check out the latest filing in Megan Thee Stallion’s lawsuit below, as caught by reporter Meghann Cuniff.

Read More: Megan Thee Stallion’s Lawsuit Against Milagro Gramz Gets Possible Trial Date As Settlement Talks Continue

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Influencers Reportedly Targeted by Private Investigators Over Content Connected to Diddy

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Now TikTok has entered the toxic Diddy chat. Several so called TikTok influencers have reported they received surprising visits from private investigators. Okay. The revelation sparked speculation about a larger investigation connected to music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs. Well, duh.

Get this, TikToker Samson Crouppen (@samsoncrouppen1) posted a video on Monday showing two investigators arriving at his Los Angeles home. According to Crouppen, the investigators questioned him about whether he had been paid to create content related to Diddy. He denied any such arrangement and expressed confusion over their inquiry. What’s more, the investigators reportedly pressed him further, repeatedly asking if financial incentives had influenced his posts about the music mogul. Wow. So now if you post content related to someone under fire, then you might get pulled up on by private investigators? What world is this?

Check it, in response to the incident, Crouppen filed a harassment complaint with the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), further drawing attention to the unusual nature of the visit.

It did not stop there, another influencer, Amala Ekpunobi (@amalaekpunobi), shared her own similar experience. Ekpunobi claimed that the same investigators approached her and offered money in exchange for information about anyone allegedly paying her to create content related to Diddy. Ekpunobi, who has posted multiple stories discussing the rapper, also denied any payments and revealed that the investigators mentioned targeting at least ten other influencers as part of their probe.

As you can expect, the legal battles surrounding Diddy continue to attract public attention. Influencers have found themselves unexpectedly caught up in the controversy, but if they don’t want the smoke then maybe they should find something else to post. Now private investigators are probing their social media activity for possible connections to the music mogul’s ongoing legal issues.

Wild times.

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Kenny Mason Releases A Surprise Mixtape, ‘Angel Eyes,’ Along With The Joker-Inspired ‘Intuition’ Video

Just days after being announced as an opener on Denzel Curry’s Mischievous South tour, Atlanta grunge-rap upstart Kenny Mason has released a new mixtape, Angel Eyes, along with a video for its song, “Intuition.”

The black-and-white video takes clear inspiration from Heath Ledger’s Joker in the 2008 Batman movie The Dark Knight, as Kenny hangs out the window of a speeding car on a late-night drive, rapping the eerie song’s introspective lyrics.

Angel Eyes is Mason’s second full-length project of 2024; he released 9 in March, touring on the new project throughout the spring on his Route 9 tour.

You can watch the “Intuition” video above.

Angel Eyes is out now via RCA. You can find more info here.

Kenny Mason 2025 Tour Dates: Mischievous South

02/21/2025 — Brisbane, AUS @ The Tivoli
02/22/2025 — Sydney, AUS @ The Hordern Pavilion
02/27/2025 — Auckland, NZ @ Shed 10
03/01/2025 — Wollongong, AUS @ Yours & Owls
03/02/2025 — Melbourne, AUS @ Palace Foreshore
03/04/2025 — Perth, AUS @ Metro City
03/31/2025 — Phoenix, AZ @ The Van Buren
04/01/2025 — Albuquerque, NM @ El Rey Theater
04/03/2025 — Houston, TX @ Bayou Music Center
04/04/2025 — Austin, TX @ Stubb’s Haller Creek
04/05/2025 — Dallas, TX @ The Factory Deep Ellum
04/08/2025 — Tampa, FL @ Jannus Live
04/10/2025 — Atlanta, GA @ The Eastern
04/11/2025 — Raleigh, NC @ The Ritz
04/12/2025 — Nashville, TN @ The Pinnacle
04/14/2025 — Washington, DC @ The Fillmore Silver Springs
04/16/2025 — New York, NY @ Terminal 5
04/17/2025 — Boston, MA @ Roadrunner
04/18/2025 — Philadelphia, PA @ Franklin Music Hall
04/20/2025 — Toronto, ON @ History
04/21/2025 — Pittsburgh, PA @ Stage Ae
04/22/2025 — Columbus, OH @ Kemba Live!
04/24/2025 — Detroit, MI @ Royal Oak Music Theatre
04/25/2025 — Chicago, IL @ The Salt Shed
04/26/2025 — Minneapolis, MN @ Fillmore Minneapolis
04/28/2025 — Kansas City, MO @ Uptown Theater
04/30/2025 — Salt Lake City, UT @ The Complex
05/02/2025 — Seattle, HA @ Showbox Sodo
05/03/2025 — Vancouver, BC @ Pne Forum
05/04/2025 — Portland, OR @ McMenamins Crystal Ballroom
05/06/2025 — Oakland, CA @ Fox Theater
05/09/2025 — Los Angeles, CA @ Shrine Expo Hall
06/03/2025 — Amsterdam, NL @ Melkheg Max
06/05/2025 — Barcelona, ES @ Primavera Sound
06/09/2025 — Prague, CZ @ Roxy
06/10/2025 — Munich, DE @ Theaterfabrik
06/11/2025 — Berlin, DE @ Huxleys
06/13/2025 — Porto, PT @ Nos Primavera Sound
06/18/2025 — London, UK @ O2 Academy Brixton
06/20/2025 — Glasgow, UK @ O2 Academy Glasgow
06/23/2025 — Dublin, IE @ National Stadium
07/01/2025 — Frankfurt, DE @ 200M
07/02/2025 — Cologne, DE @ Carlswerk Victoria
07/03/2025 — Vienna, AT @ Gasometer
07/07/2025 — Vilnius, LI @ Lukiskes Prison 2.0
07/09/2025 — Hamburg, DE @ Grosse Freiheit

Juvenile Says ‘Back That Azz Up’ Is A Big Hit At Weddings On ‘Fresh Pair’

Uproxx’s Fresh Pair is back with a new season, a new studio, and the same unique insight into the world of hip-hop and sneakers provided by hosts Just Blaze and Katty Customs. This week, they present New Orleans legend Juvenile with a pair of custom Reeboks he prices at $70,000 while reminiscing on the dominance of Cash Money Records in the ’99 and the 2000 — including how big of a hit “Back That Azz Up” has become on the wedding DJ circuit.

After revealing the kicks, Juvie details his experiences with Cash Money building New Orleans’ rap scene almost from scratch, recalls the importance of Soulja Slim to both that scene and Juvie’s own career (he did write “Slow Motion,” after all), and reveals his favorite Cash Money records. Just, Katty, and Juvenile also highlight the creative mayhem and impact of the label’s album cover art, which was notoriously meticulously (and sometimes ridiculously) crafted by in-house designers Pen And Pixel.

Juvenile ranks his albums toward the end of the discussion, after sharing his thoughts on the viral popularity of his NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert. Finally, he shares his advice to creatives, which you don’t want to miss, even if you don’t think that includes you.

Check out the latest episode of Fresh Pair above.

Denzel Washington Gets Candid About Wine Habit And “Shooting Dope”

It goes without saying that years of drug and alcohol use will surely catch up to anybody, and according to Denzel Washington, he’s no exception. Luckily, the award-winning actor and producer never let his vices get too out of hand and has made his health a top priority as he approaches 70. During a recent interview with Esquire Magazine, he opened up about the “damage” he’s done to his body in the past by getting hooked on wine and occasionally “shooting dope.”

“Things are opening up for me now — like being seventy. It’s real. And it’s OK. This is the last chapter — if I get another thirty, what do I want to do? My mother made it to ninety-seven. I’m doing the best I can,” he told the outlet. Washington went on to open up about how his wine habit began, and exactly when he realized it was becoming a problem.

Read More: Denzel Washington Elaborates On Kissing A Man In Cut Moment From “Gladiator 2”

Denzel Washington Recalls “Damage” He’s Done To His Body

“Wine is very tricky. It’s very slow. It ain’t like, boom, all of a sudden. I never got strung out on heroin. Never got strung out on coke. Never got strung out on hard drugs. I shot dope just like they shot dope, but I never got strung out,” he explained. “And I never got strung out on liquor. I had this ideal idea of wine tastings and all that — which is what it was at first. And that’s a very sub­tle thing. I mean, I drank the best.”

Ultimately, Washington started to think he might be addicted when he got his own wine cellar in his house. Despite this, he says he was never under the influence while working or preparing for a role. “I never drank while I was working or preparing. I would clean up, go back to work — I could do both. However many months of shooting, bang, it’s time to go. Then, boom. Three months of wine, then time to go back to work,” he shared.

Read More: Denzel Washington Reveals He Will Be In “Black Panther 3”

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Tanna Leone Impresses With Blistering Flows On “Stuntman”

Back in 2022, Tanna Leone was signed to pgLang where he immediately made an impact. He came through with some new music as an introduction before being featured on the song “Mr. Morale” from Kendrick Lamar’s album Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers. Unfortunately, Leone’s relationship with pgLang has not proven to be a lengthy or fruitful one. Earlier this year, it was revealed that Leone was no longer signed to pgLang. There was no reasoning given for this, so fans have been left to speculate.

Regardless, Leone is still out here making new music which is certainly good news for all of the fans out there. Recently, Leone blessed fans with a new song called “Stuntman” which is supposed to come off of his upcoming album. As you will hear, this song is short but it is certainly effective as we hear numerous different flows from Leone. Furthermore, the production is bombastic and energetic, making this an undeniable banger.

When it comes to new artists, you want their art to be filled with personality. There needs to be something there for fans to latch onto so that they can keep coming back for future releases. This is definitely something Leone’s music has and it is why fans continue to look forward to whatever he has on the horizon. Hopefully, we get a new album, very soon.

Read More: Tanna Leone Previews Brand New Kendrick Lamar Song “Peter Pan”

Tanna Leone Delivers Stuntman

Quotable Lyrics:

When I got the goop it was stepped on (Yeah, yeah)
So I decided I’ma stick to the weed (Yeah, yeah)
Couple of my dawgs threw me plays
When I got back in the game
That’s the type of face card that you need (Yeah, yeah)
Stay down till you take off in a jet on they ass

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