Ice Spice was booked as one of the headliners of Australia’s Wildlands Festival on New Year’s Eve. It did not go well.
The “Princess Diana” rapper reportedly showed up 25 minutes late for her 30-minute set, and left after only two songs. Videos from the festival show the moment Ice Spice’s mic was cut, eliciting boos from the restless crowd.
“At 11.01 p.m. – they gave her an extra minute – they cut the mic and you heard the collective sigh from the crowd,” podcaster Brenton Larney told the Guardian. “They’d been waiting for a while and they get two songs? So that was a bit ridiculous and it was just really disrespectful how she walked off, she was laughing they tried to give her flowers for her birthday and she just shrugged them off.” He added that it appeared Ice Spice seemed like she “didn’t want to be there… It was just really disrespectful to see.”
Wildlands acknowledged the incident on social media. “We understand that Ice Spice’s delayed arrival caused some frustration,” the festival wrote. “Managing a stacked festival means that we have to be extremely firm with scheduled set times. We had a strict curfew of 12:30 and needed to ensure that Chase & Status went on stage on time so you could all enjoy the NYE Countdown!”
Tony Buzbee’s latest court motion in the Jay-Z sexual assault case, according to an exclusive AllHipHop report, responds to Hov’s attempts to dismiss the lawsuit from Buzbee’s anonymous client. Moreover, the attorney claims that the Brooklyn rap mogul has a misguided legal strategy, is trying to move too fast with his claims, and will suffer the repercussions of not following the law to its fullest extent and intent. For example, one of the Roc-A-Fella boss’ arguments is that Jane Doe’s accusations can’t be relevant because they allege an incident in September of 2000, three months before the creation of the New York City Victims of Gender-Motivated Violence Protection Act.
However, Tony Buzbee argues that Jay-Z missed the point of the Protection Act to begin with, as part of its purpose is to sidestep typical obstacles such as statutes of limitations even before its application as law. In addition, the lawyer also dismissed Jay’s focus on rulings from lower courts such as the Second Circuit or the New York Court of Appeals, as neither provided strong rulings on the Protection Act’s retroactivity and thus cannot prevent the case from moving forward.
Jay Z Allegations Sexual Assault Lawsuit Tony Buzbee Response Hip Hop News” class=”wp-image-873543″ srcset=”https://wp.hnhh.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Jay-Z-Lawsuit.jpg 7948w, https://wp.hnhh.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Jay-Z-Lawsuit-300×200.jpg 300w, https://wp.hnhh.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Jay-Z-Lawsuit-768×512.jpg 768w, https://wp.hnhh.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Jay-Z-Lawsuit-1536×1024.jpg 1536w” sizes=”(max-width: 7948px) 100vw, 7948px” />Nov 24, 2024; Landover, Maryland, USA; Recording artist Jay-Z walks on the field before the game between the Washington Commanders and the Dallas Cowboys at Northwest Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Another one of Jay-Z’s arguments is that the Child Victims Act preempts overlapping statues and supersedes the Protection Act itself, so the sexual assault lawsuit should still face dismissal due to time constraints and due to statutes of limitations. “Local anti-discrimination laws are generally not preempted by state law in New York,” Tony Buzbee reportedly argued in his latest legal filing, positing that court precedent does not favor preemption. Finally, the attorney’s last point against Hov concerns the latter’s argument around geography. Since he claims the supposed assault that the anonymous accuser is alleging happened outside of New York City, then he believes Buzbee has no right to sue under the Protection Act.
Nevertheless, Tony Buzbee argued that Jay-Z made this point too early and did not even allow for a discovery process to determine this discrepancy. As you may know, the court allowed the suit to proceed recently, which means we will presumably get the answer to many of these questions and disagreements.
Kamaiyah always carries a bubbly and free-spirited personality with her wherever she goes. The California rapper and singer has used this to her advantage over the course of her nearly decade-long career. It’s led to a lot of underrated hits and some big features such as “Why You Always Hatin?” and more. The way she’s pretty effortlessly able to craft catchy raps with laid-back and sometimes comedic deliveries is admirable. This allows her to work in many different tonal settings, such as a more chill hip-hop space. That’s the aesthetic Kamaiyah went for on her most recent EP, Alternative Space. It’s her fourth project of 2024 and it arrives just in time with 2025 around the corner.
It follows up on her more self-reflective Figuring Out My Emotions, Before We Party, and then November’s Ms Everything. While this is certainly a lot of music, Kamaiyah has been keeping busy elsewhere. She dropped an accompanying documentary for Ms Everything on Christmas, and it seems that this eagerness to create is carrying into 2025. “Ms Everything Documentary dropping on Christmas and a new project Friday. Who working hard as me? 2025 we coming alive ” she wrote. Hopefully we get an album in the coming months, but let’s redirect our focus to Alternative Space. One reason why we love this tape is due to the instrumental palette she’s presenting on it. It lives up to its name with wavy and darker productions, two ways we would describe maybe our favorite cut, “Kaori.” Kamaiyah brings this speedy and confident flow to the song and it’s helping us fall in love with it even more. She what she was able to deliver below.
Ja Rule had a field day on New Year’s Day in response to the negative reviews of 50 Cent’s residency in Las Vegas. 50’s longtime rival shared a clip of blogger Jennifer Gay slamming the entire show in a scathing review on social media. “The sound was balanced poorly making it impossible to hear the performance,” she wrote in part. “His hypemen were unrelenting and overbearing making it difficult to hear anything but their echos.” Sharing Gay’s video on X (formerly Twitter), Ja added with laughing emojis, “Not the worst…”
Ja’s response quickly began circulating on social media. “The fact that you, in a sober state of mind, chose to engage in trolling your arch-nemesis at the beginning of 2025 can only be interpreted as a sign of insanity. I eagerly anticipate a response from @50cent in the form of a ‘killshot’,” one user wrote. Another added: “Where is your residency? At least he booked, busy and getting paid.” When one user brought up Ja’s own Fyre Festival disaster, he shot back: “See why you bringing up old sh*t,” with more laughing emojis.
50 Cent Performs During Opening Night Of His Las Vegas Residency
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – DECEMBER 27: Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson performs during the first night of his six-date residency “In Da. Club” at PH Live at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino on December 27, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
The latest post is the second time Ja’s posted about 50’s live shows in recent days. Last week, he addressed a rumor that he had bought tons of tickets to the event to make the arena appear empty. “[cap emojis] You believe this dumb s**t?” Ja Rule said of the rumor. “Like I said before I got 10K for ANYONE who can produce this footage a photo s**t what city/venue did this said show take place??? @50cent is a fat f***ing LIAR.”
Ja Rule Clowns 50 Cent Over La Vegas Show
50 doesn’t appear to have responded to the brutal reviews or Ja’s post. Check out Ja’s recent jab at 50 Cent below and be on the lookout for a reaction on HotNewHipHop.
Twelve tracks from Lana, the deluxe edition of SZA’s SOS album, have surged onto Billboard’s Hot R&B Songs chart, with “30 for 30,” her collaboration with Kendrick Lamar, debuting at No. 1. The song amassed 17.5 million official U.S. streams, an airplay audience of 385,000, and 2,000 digital song downloads during the tracking week of December 20–26, according to Luminate.
This marks SZA’s seventh chart-topping hit on the Hot R&B Songs chart, breaking a tie with Rihanna for the most No. 1s by a woman since the chart’s inception in October 2012. The record-setting achievement underscores SZA’s continued dominance in the R&B genre and her ability to captivate audiences with her poignant storytelling and emotive delivery.
OG Maco’s family has released a new project, Legends Live Forever 2, which was made in collaboration with producer Kino Beats. The profits from the music will go to his family.
“We are honored to share new music from OG Maco, a tribute to his legacy and a way to keep his spirit alive,” an online statement reads. “This release is dedicated to the fans who have supported him through every chapter of his journey, and we’re proud to announce that all proceeds will go directly to his family.”
Rapper OG Maco has passed away at a Los Angeles hospital. According to TMZ, the rapper’s coma worsened to critical condition and he was unable to be revived. OG Maco was hospitalized since Dec. 12 with a gunshot wound to the head.
TMZ also notes Maco’s doctors had trouble obtaining a proper brain scan to remove toxins from his body since he was admitted.
In the weeks leading to today, rumors of Maco’s death hit social media leading to a statement.
“We want to inform OG Maco’s fans, friends, and supporters that he is currently in critical but stable condition,” the statement reads. “He is receiving the best possible care, and we are staying hopeful as he continues to fight. At this time, we kindly ask that you respect our privacy, but if you would like to send any messages or have anything you wish to get to the family, please reach out via DM.”
Meghan Markle has made her return to Instagram. In her first post since 2020, Markle is in all white on the beach, where she draws 2025 in the sand. According to ABC News, the video was filmed by Prince Harry on a public beach near their Montecito, CA home.
Lil Durk’s murder-for-hire trial has been pushed to October. According to court docs, the trial, originally set for Jan. 7 has been moved to Oct. 13. The change was agreed upon by both Durk’s legal team and prosecutors.
The cause of the pushback highlights that the case “is so unusual and so complex that it is unreasonable to expect adequate preparation for pretrial proceedings or for the trial itself within the Speedy Trial Act time limits.”
In December, unsealed court documents highlight new accusations in connection to the 2022 murder of a gang leader on the city’s Far South Side.
According to the Chicago Tribune, the new details were revealed in a bond hearing for the rapper, which was ultimately denied.
“We were obviously disappointed, but will continue to fight on,” Durk’s attorney Jonathan Brayman said. “Mr. Banks remains confident and optimistic about the future. He deeply appreciates the outpouring of love and support he has felt since his arrest.”
Durk, born Durk Devontay Banks, was originally arrested for murder-for-hire, which was designed to kill Quando Rondo instead of wounding one of his relatives. The new documents state Durk was the orchestrator of the murder of 24-year-old Stephon Mack outside of the Youth Peace Center. Mack was reportedly the leader of the Smashville Gangster Disciples.
The shooting is believed to be in retaliation for the murder of Durk’s brother, Dontay Banks, which a member of the same faction carried out. “Lil Durk was and still is offering money for people to kill those responsible for his brother’s murder, and more specifically, offering to pay money for any Gangster Disciple that is killed,” an agent wrote.
Durk is not yet charged with the murder.
This development came after Lil Durk’s attorneys stated that they believed the Feds had nothing against the Chicago star.
Speaking with TMZ, Drew Findling and Marissa Goldberg of The Findling Law Firm, P.C., Jonathan Bryaman, and Christy O’Conner state: “When you see an artist’s rap lyrics quoted as ‘evidence’ against them, it is a glaring indication that there is no real evidence against that person.”
Federal authorities highlight the lyrics of “Wonderful Wayne & Jackie Boy,” where Durk rapped “Told me they got an addy (gooo) / Got location (gooo) Green light (go, go, go, go, go) / Look on the news and see your son, You screamin’, ‘No, no’ (p***y!!!)”
In addition to their statement, his legal team states that the accusations are false and “lacking in the most basic due diligence. The real truth is that Durk Banks is a Grammy Award-winning artist, a dedicated father, and a loving husband.”
“Mr. Banks has been intensely committed to giving back to the Chicago community he loves through his Neighborhood Heroes Foundation and has put on more than a dozen charitable events over the last few years.
“He is looking forward to fighting against these false allegations in court.”
Last month, Durk entered a not-guilty plea in his federal murder-for-hire case during an appearance in a Los Angeles courtroom. The Chicago artist, extradited from Miami ,where he was apprehended three weeks ago, will remain in custody at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Los Angeles.
According to HipHopDX, Durk, whose legal name is Durk Derrick Banks, was initially detained in Florida while allegedly attempting to flee the country. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California has since filed two additional charges: use of interstate facilities to commit murder-for-hire resulting in death, and using and possessing firearms, including a machine gun, in furtherance of a violent crime resulting in death.
A detention hearing is scheduled for December 12 to determine if Durk will be granted a bond.
The Lil Durk case is yet another troubling example of the criminal justice system intersecting hip-hop in the most violent of ways. But Durk isn’t alone on an island with these serious charges. Let’s break down the five other men allegedly involved in rapper Lil Durk’s suspected murder-for-hire plot targeting rapper Quando Rondo, who are now facing federal charges alongside the famed Chicago rapper.
Durk Banks, better known as Lil Durk, was arrested on October 24 in Miami. Prosecutors allege that the 28-year-old Chicago rapper placed a hit on Rondo in response to the 2020 death of fellow musician and close friend, King Von. Serious charges.
Now, according to authorities, five of Lil Durk’s associates allegedly assisted in an August 19, 2022, shooting intended for Rondo that instead resulted in the death of Rondo’s 24-year-old cousin, Saviay’a Robinson.
The five men, all linked to Lil Durk’s Only The Family (OTF) collective, were arrested in Chicago on October 24 under a federal grand jury indictment containing four counts related to the murder-for-hire plot.
The indicted individuals are:
Kavon London Grant, 28, a.k.a. “Cuz” and “Vonnie,” of Chicago Deandre Dontrell Wilson, 33, a.k.a. “DeDe,” of Chicago Keith Jones, 33, a.k.a. “Flacka,” of Gary, Indiana David Brian Lindsey, 33, a.k.a. “Browneyez,” of Addison, Illinois Asa Houston, 36, a.k.a. “Boogie,” of Chicago
Get this: Jones is additionally charged with possession of a machine gun.
All defendants made their initial court appearances in the Northern District of Illinois on October 24. According to an October 25 news release from the Central District of California, they are expected to be arraigned in the United States District Court in downtown Los Angeles in the coming weeks.
What’s more, if convicted, Lil Durk and the other five men each face potential life sentences.
As we said, these are serious charges.
As of Nov. 4, Grant, Wilson, and Lindsey were held at Winnebago County Jail in Illinois, awaiting extradition to Los Angeles. Houston and Jones remain in federal custody at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in Chicago. Lil Durk continues to be held in federal custody in Miami.
What a wild start we are off to in 2025. At the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas, a Tesla Cyber Truck exploded outside, leaving one man dead.
According to NBC News, the Tesla exploded around 8:40 a.m., leaving multiple people around he scene injured and killing one. The incident prompted a response from the Trump Organization.
“Earlier today, a reported electric vehicle fire occurred in the porte cochère of Trump Las Vegas,” the statement notes. “The safety and well-being of our guests and staff remain our top priority. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Las Vegas Fire Department and local law enforcement for their swift response and professionalism.”
New footage shows the Tesla Cybertruck exploding at the entrance of the Trump Hotel in Las Vegas. WATCH pic.twitter.com/GAnY4DATYp
— Republicans against Trump (@RpsAgainstTrump) January 1, 2025
New year, new babies. Coi Leray and Trippie Redd Hit Instagram to revealed they are expecting a child together. Leray wrote on Instagram: “I’m a rock star mommy we ready for 2025 .”
Congrats to the couple. You can see the announcement below.
Jay Z Allegations Sexual Assault Lawsuit Tony Buzbee Response Hip Hop News” class=”wp-image-873543″ srcset=”https://wp.hnhh.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Jay-Z-Lawsuit.jpg 7948w, https://wp.hnhh.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Jay-Z-Lawsuit-300×200.jpg 300w, https://wp.hnhh.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Jay-Z-Lawsuit-768×512.jpg 768w, https://wp.hnhh.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Jay-Z-Lawsuit-1536×1024.jpg 1536w” sizes=”(max-width: 7948px) 100vw, 7948px” />
” she wrote. Hopefully we get an album in the coming months, but let’s redirect our focus to Alternative Space. One reason why we love this tape is due to the instrumental palette she’s presenting on it. It lives up to its name with wavy and darker productions, two ways we would describe maybe our favorite cut, “Kaori.” Kamaiyah brings this speedy and confident flow to the song and it’s helping us fall in love with it even more. She what she was able to deliver below. 
we ready for 2025 
.”
(@coileray)