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R. Kelly Files For Appeal In Federal Sex Crimes Case In NY

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R. Kelly has filed for an appeal in his federal sex crimes case based in New York. According to TMZ, the disgraced singer cites a “laundry list of reasons” he believes the conviction should be overturned. Kelly was previously found guilty in 2021 on nine total federal counts. They included RICO charges in addition to charges pertaining to sex crimes and human trafficking.

As for Kelly’s issues with the conviction, he argues the government did not meet its burden of proof in court. In the filing, his legal team brings up issues with several pieces of evidence prosecutors were allowed to submit during the trial. The lawyers also take issue with at least 4 of the jurors selected. They say in the time since, they’ve admitted prejudging his guilt before handing down their official verdict.

R. Kelly In Court

CHICAGO, IL – SEPTEMBER 17: Singer R. Kelly turns to leave after appearing at a hearing at the Leighton Criminal Courthouse on September 17, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. Kelly is facing multiple sexual assault charges and is being held without bail. (Photo by Antonio Perez – Pool via Getty Images)

As for Kelly’s original conviction, he was sentenced to 30 years in prison for the charges. He’s also serving an additional 20 years for a similar case in Chicago. At the time of his New York sentencing, U.S. Attorney Breon Peace stated: “R. Kelly used his fame, fortune and enablers to prey on the young, the vulnerable and the voiceless for his own sexual gratification, while many turned a blind eye. Through his actions, Kelly exhibited a callous disregard for the devastation his crimes had on his victims and has shown no remorse for his conduct.”

He continued: “With today’s sentence he has finally and appropriately been held accountable for his decades of abuse, exploitation and degradation of teenagers and other vulnerable young people. We hope that today’s sentence brings some measure of comfort and closure to the victims, including those who bravely testified at trial, and serves as long-overdue recognition that their voices deserve to be heard and their lives matter.”

As for Kelly’s Chicago conviction, he has yet to file for appeal in that matter. Following the sentencing, his lawyer, Jennifer Bonjean, told TMZ at the time: “We feel good. Sentence was mostly concurrent. One additional year added. Almost no restitution. Good outcome. But we are still going to fight the NY case!”

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Jack Harlow And Lil Dicky Have Beef (‘A Whole Slab’) In A Hilarious New ‘Dave’ Teaser

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jack harlow lil dicky
Getty Image/Ralph Ordaz

As the ongoing third season of Dave rolls on, Dave Burd/Lil Dicky is recruiting more and more celebrity firepower to guest-star in episodes. Rick Ross and Killer Mike popped up in last week’s show, for example. Now, Dicky is teasing what promises to be a fantastic Jack Harlow appearance.

A teaser video shared today (April 19) shows an encounter between Harlow and Dicky (who have been compared before) at what looks like the Met Gala. Harlow sniffs Dicky and tells him, “You stink a little bit: I like that.” Dicky retorts, “I see that you put on platform shoes to appear 6-foot-5.” Harlow replies while holding his crotch, “You want beef? ‘Cause I got a whole slab.”

Elsewhere, Rachel McAdams, Travis Barker, and Don Cheadle also make brief appearances in the clip.

A new episode is set to premiere tonight, so it appears we’ll get a look at Harlow (and McAdams, Barker, and Cheadle) on Dave soon.

In a recent interview with Uproxx, Dicky explained why he wouldn’t have wanted to be in Harlow’s White Men Can’t Jump remake, saying, “For me to be in a basketball movie, I would have to really dedicate my life to the game. If I’m going to be in a full-length motion picture about basketball, I would just care so much about just the footage of me, and that would require dedicating my life to the game. And I don’t think I can do that right now.”

Check out the teaser clip above.

Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

Dirk Nowitzki Reflects On Being Embarrassed To Win MVP Award

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Dirk Nowitzki recently sat down with Rachel Nichols to discuss his time in the league. The Dallas Mavericks legend accomplished everything a player can possibly do in the league. Even earning the right to call himself league MVP. However, at the time, Nowitzki would have rather been anywhere else on earth than receiving that award. Because just two weeks earlier, the Mavericks were on the losing end of the biggest NBA Playoffs series upset in the league’s history.

2007 marked the first and only time that an eight seed has taken down a one seed in the NBA Playoffs. Before they were the Golden State Franchise you know today, the Warriors were once mighty underdogs. The Warriors seemed to have everything going against them back in 07. Including having to play a future MVP winner. However, that didn’t stop the underdog from pulling off the impossible. The Warriors stunned the Mavericks in six games sending the one-seed home early. A series that still seems to be on the mind of Nowitzki.

Dirk Nowitzki Was Hurt Over Playoffs Loss

In his appearance on Headliners, Nowitzki opened up on his MVP award victory. However, it wasn’t the answer that anyone had in mind. Nowitzki claims he was so embarrassed by the playoff loss that he told the league he didn’t want the award. But Nowitzki ended up accepting the prestigious award, even if he was lost in the moment. Looking back, Nowitzki realizes how special the honor is to be called NBA MVP. However, at the time, the award just didn’t feel special to a player who had just suffered the worst loss in his career.

But things ended up working out for the Mavericks star. The Mavericks won the 2011 NBA championship as massive underdogs. No one expected Dallas to defeat the loaded Miami Heat. However, Nowitzki finally got the elusive ring he had long been chasing. Now Dirk Nowitzki is considered one of the greatest to ever play in his generation. But the memory of those Baron Davis led Warriors may still give the legend nightmares. For the latest NBA news, keep it right here with HNHH.

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Papoose Opens Up About The “Worst Mistake” He’s Ever Made

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Papoose spoke candidly about the $1.5 million record deal he signed at the beginning of his career. Specifically, he states it was the “worst mistake” he’s ever made. In a recent interview with Big Boy TV, the New York rapper opened up about signing his first major deal with Jive Records in 2007 after blazing through the mixtape seen as a young and hungry artist. Papoose notes that “It was the worst mistake I ever made in my life.”

During his mixtape days despite working with DJ Kay Slay the New York native said he garnered many “haters” who could’ve negatively impacted his career. He explained that “in conjunction with a lot of other things, people stood down.” His first single had a Snoop Dogg feature and was produced by Scott Storch. However, the label didn’t promote it, resulting in the deal folding.

Papoose Speaks On His “Worst Mistake”

Although Pap has had some turbulence throughout his career, his fortunes have turned around over the past few years. Recently, he became head of Hip Hop at TuneCore, a Brooklyn company that specializes in independent distribution and licensing deals. He announced his new role back in January in Times Square, in front of a billboard advertising his new position. Not only that, the Brooklyn rapper added his official email address for potential artists and clients to contact him about TuneCores services.

Additionally, Papoose went on to share another post of him from his office chair where he reflected on his journey. Subsequently, he spoke about how he’s looking forward to using all his experience from the rap game to help artists. In a post he wrote, “[It’s] very important. Follow your dreams and now you got someone in position who knows how hard it is, who knows how discouraging it can be at times.” Signing that $1.5 million record deal might’ve been the worst mistake Papoose ever made. Overall, despite his setbacks, Papoose has turned his entire career around. Now he’s using his experiences to help emerging artists through his position at TuneCore. Do you believe in redemption stories? Let us know what you think in the comments section below.

Jack Harlow and Lil Dicky Trade Barbs In New “Dave” Clip

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Season 3 of Dave is well underway. The show, which presents a fictionalized version of Lil Dicky’s life returned to Hulu and FXX on April 5. The season, which follows Dicky’s first tour, has been rife with celebrity cameos. Most recently, Rick Ross and Killer Mike stopped by in episode 3. It’s a fitting escalation as the show finds itself in a place where Dave/Lil Dicky is finding musical success. The show has also been a continued success, currently holding a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

The show’s celebrity counter is set to rise even higher based on a trailer for its next episode. Seemingly set around The Met Gala (and mysteriously titled Wisconsin), the brief trailer posted to Twitter featured Rachel McAdams, Don Cheadle, and Usher. However, it saves the best for last with the appearance of a musician that Lil Dicky has often drawn comparisons to.

Jack Harlow Gets Weird In “Dave” Episode 4

The highlight of the brief trailer posted to social media is an interaction between Dave and Jack Harlow. Presumably while at The Met Gala, Dave is approached by Harlow who proceeds to sniff him before saying “You stink a little bit, I like that”. There are also some serious bedroom eyes being laid down by Harlow. Dave, dressed in an oversized coat (Met Gala gonna Met Gala) retorts with, “I see you put on platform shoes to appear six foot five.” As Harlow backs away, he replies “You want beef? Because I got a whole slab” while grabbing his crotch. The whole thing was presented alongside a tweet from Lil Dicky that simply read “Fuck you @jackharlow”.

So is Harlow about to become a recurring antagonist that Dave must overcome in his rise to stardom? The trailer makes that implication, while also making Harlow wonderfully weird. His actions and delivery sell a slightly unhinged and parody-esque portrayal. It could also speak to a plot point for the rest of the season, especially considering that a future episode is titled #RIPLilDicky. However, whether its a recurring role or a brief cameo in Dave’s whirlwind tour of the music world, it’s sure to be hilarious. Dave Season 3 is currently able on FXX and Hulu.

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