court battle Archives - New Hip Hop News

Missy Elliott Grabs Victory Over Fellow Songwriter For Aaliyah Royalties

August 28, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Back in mid-November 2018, Missy Elliott, Timbaland, as well as Aaliyah’s estate, were all taken to court by songwriter, Terry Williams. Specifically, the latter sued them for not receiving any royalties for the late R&B legend’s track, “Heartbroken”. Williams claimed that he co-wrote the song with Missy sometime in between 1994-1995. For those curious, “Heartbroken” would go on to release in 1996. He asserts that the only way that Aaliyah got her hands on the record was because Missy sneakily sold the record to her behind his back. Furthermore, Williams says that him and the legendary femcee signed a deal to share the profits from “Heartbroken”.

With that background information in hand, let’s fast forward to today because we have a new update from AllHipHop. After tons of disproving from Elliott and lots of hard thinking from Judge Quiñones Alejandro, the latter is giving the win to the rapper. There is a three-year statute of limitations on issues like these, and Alejandro says that Williams didn’t “exhibit reasonable diligence in recognizing the alleged infringement”. It’s worth noting that Williams also took Missy to court over records penned going back to 1993, too.

Missy Elliott Is Getting Full Royalties For Her Work With Aaliyah

ATLANTA, GEORGIA – MAY 19: Missy Elliott speaks onstage at 2023 Black Music Honors at Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre on May 19, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Nykieria Chaney/Getty Images)

In Judge Alejandro’s statement, he says, “Williams commenced this action against Elliott on November 14, 2018, over twenty-two years after the release of ‘Heartbroken.’ Under these circumstances, this Court further finds that Williams has failed to offer evidence that he exercised due diligence. As such, Williams’ co-ownership claim based on the song ‘Heartbroken’ released by Aaliyah is barred by the three-year statute of limitations”. However, this just one of many disputes, as Williams sued her for multiple other artists’ records. But she can still celebrate this one, and its perhaps the most important for Missy.

What are your thoughts on Missy Elliott winning the royalties battle in court over the Aaliyah track “Heartbroken”? How much longer do you think it will take for her and Terry Williams to resolve all of this? We would like to hear what you have to say, so leave your thoughts in the comments. Additionally, always keep it locked in with HNHH for all of the latest news surrounding Missy Elliott. Finally, stay with us for everything else going on in the music world.

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The post Missy Elliott Grabs Victory Over Fellow Songwriter For Aaliyah Royalties appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

TI Thinks Young Thug Is Going To Be Proven Innocent In YSL Trial

May 28, 2024 by newhiphopnews

TI and Young Thug have always been close. They were never on the same label, but the former gave Thug a co-sign when he was starting out, and he hasn’t forgotten it. During a 2023 appearance on the Drink Champs podcast, T.I. claimed that Thug showed more gratitude towards him than artists who had actually signed to his Grand Hustle label. The King of the South has shown love in return, and supported Thug during his ongoing YSL trial. He’s also confident that Thug will be a free man soon.

TI recently went on The Breakfast Club, and one of the first topics he discussed with the YSL trial. He told Charlamagne tha God that he’d been in touch with Young Thug, and both men felt good about the chances of Thug being cleared of his RICO charges. “He comin’ home,” TI asserted. “I don’t think that the prosecution has successfully proven a case of him knowingly and willingly participating in an active street gang. I just don’t see it.” The “No Mediocre” rapper claimed that the witnesses that have been called to testify against Young Thug have not been as convincing as the prosecution had hoped for.

TI Plans To Help Young Thug Rebuild His Career

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“I don’t think that the witnesses they’ve called thus far have proven what they said they would prove,” he noted. “I just don’t think that the grounds of their case have been presented properly. Just ain’t seen it.” Co-host DJ Envy interjected to lament the fact that the YSL case has disrupted Thug’s otherwise huge music career. He also voiced concern over whether Young Thug would be able to regain the momentum he had once he’s freed. TI assured him that he would see to it himself that the rapper would get back on top. “Don’t worry,” he told Envy. “When he come home, we’ll get it right. Just get him here… He’ll be just fine.”

TI knows how to rebuild a career after a legal battle. The rapper spent most of 2007 and 2008 in court over two weapons-related felonies. He eventually pled guilty and served a seven month prison stint the following year. TI returned with the album No Mercy in 2010, which was certified Gold and had features from the likes of Eminem, Drake, and Kanye West. Three years later, TIP was back on top of the charts with the number one single “Blurred Lines” opposite Pharrell and Robin Thicke. Young Thug could not have a better mentor waiting on him.

The post TI Thinks Young Thug Is Going To Be Proven Innocent In YSL Trial appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Papoose Explains Why Rap Lyrics Shouldn’t Be Used In Court

May 9, 2024 by newhiphopnews

The debate as to whether rap lyrics should be admissible in criminal trials has gone on for decades. There have been strong points made for both sides. The problem is, the specificity of each case has made it difficult for the legal system to hammer down an exact definition on when or when it isn’t ok to use them. Papoose is the latest rapper to weight in on this topic. He hit some of the same points that his predecessors did, but he also made some excellent observations of his own.

Papoose attended a meeting with New York politicians on May 7. The rapper lobbied for the AB127 bill, which limits the “admissibility of evidence of a defendant’s creative or artistic expression against such defendant in a criminal proceeding.” Papoose made an impassioned case for the bill in front of these politicians. The most compelling point was that the rapper wanted to shift the burden of proof to the prosecutor, rather than the defendant to deny. He detailed his perspective in an Instagram post.

Papoose Feels Burden Of Proof Should Be On Prosecutors

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“[We seek] to establish a systematic framework for the handling of lyrics in legal proceedings,” he wrote in the caption. “It does not ban the usage of creative work in criminal proceedings; instead, it shifts the burden to the prosecutor who must prove the work is relevant and admissible.” Papoose went on to say that the practice of using lyrics as evidence applies primarily to hip-hop. He makes note of this in his post, citing legal scholars.

“Researchers and legal scholars have seen this practice apply, almost exclusively, to hip hop and rap,” the rapper added. “While the legislation is not genre specific, it is impossible to ignore the detrimental impact the existing practice has had on certain Black and Brown artists practicing their craft.” Papoose’s passion for a fair trial makes sense given his own legal experience.

The rapper was in a relationship with Terror Squad member Remy Ma while she was serving time in prison. The two exchanged wedding vows over the phone in 2008. Remy was found guilty of a shooting she claimed was an accident, and was eventually released in 2014. Papoose and Remy Ma currently live in New York with their four children.

The post Papoose Explains Why Rap Lyrics Shouldn’t Be Used In Court appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Darius Jackson Empathized With Male Animals Who Eat Their Young, Keke Palmer’s Court Filings Claim

November 10, 2023 by newhiphopnews

Keke Palmer’s relationship has all eyes on her for the second time this year, though things are dramatically worse this time around. The first time she and Darius Jackson turned heads was due to his jealousy over her interaction with Usher at the R&B star’s Las Vegas residency. Now, the former child star just got a restraining order against Jackson. In addition, she has sole custody of their infant son, Leodis, after filing court documents accusing her co-parent of abuse in various forms.

Among receipts shared by Palmer were stills from video footage in her home, showing Darius getting physical with her on multiple occasions. Along with those, she also shared harrowing details of comments made by Jackson in the presence of her and their son. “[He] said very disturbing things to me that cause me to feat for our son’s safety with him,” the Chicago-born actress wrote. Among the troubling statements were some about “how he understood why male animals in the wild want to eat their children.”

Darius Jackson’s Behaviour Leaves His Co-Parent Concerned

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In addition to that, the 29-year-old suggested that “a man’s love for his child is based on if he loves the woman.” This, paired with Jackson’s history of violent outbursts while jealous are serious red flags for Palmer. Besides becoming physical with her, the new mother also claims she’s seen her co-parent taking his anger out on Leo, specifically when the baby was crying during a diaper change. “Darius started getting rough with Leo physically and I stopped in to make sure Darius would not hurt hum. [He] was angry and it almost became a tug of war with Leo,” Keke recalled.

Darius Jackson’s commentary up until this point has been almost minimal, though the embattled father of one did post a public message to Leodis promising their reunion as allegations against him began pouring out. Read what the infant’s dad had to say at the link below, and let us know what you think will happen for Keke Palmer and her co-parent going forward in the comments.

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