It was already a consensus opinion that Kendrick Lamar obliterated Drake when they exchanged diss tracks this spring. But just in case there were any doubt, Lamar delivered an epic knockout punch during his set at his The Pop Out — Ken & Friends Juneteenth concert at Los Angeles’ Kia Forum on Wednesday, June 19. First, Lamar opened his set by performing “Euphoria” live for the first time — adding a Tupac-related bar, to boot — but that paled in comparison to Lamar’s grand finale.
The Pulitzer Prize-winning Compton rapper welcomed Dr. Dre to the stage. They performed “Still D.R.E.” and “California Love,” and that seemed to be that before Lamar stopped him from walking off the stage. “You ain’t gonna say nothin’ else before we continue to party?” Lamar asked. Dre said, “Psst, I see dead people,” thus beginning a relentless medley of Lamar performing “Not Like Us” five times in a row.
Eventually, Lamar was joined on stage by the guest performers from the night — plus DeMar DeRozan and Russell Westbrook — and they all metaphorically danced on Drake’s grave. Still, Lamar paused between the fourth and fifth run through “Not Like Us” to emphasize that this Juneteenth concert was meant “for all of us to be together on stage” and display “united at its finest.” Lamar shouted out the late Nipsey Hussle and Kobe Bryant and acknowledged, “We lost a lot of homies to this music sh*t, to this street sh*t.”
KENDRICK LAMAR DEMAR DEROZAN RUSSELL WESTBROOK & FRIENDS
“THIS SH*T MAKING ME EMOTIONAL. WE BEEN F*CKED UP SINCE NIPSEY DIED. WE BEEN F*CKED UP SINCE KOBE DIED.”
“THIS IS UNITY AT IT’S FINEST. WE DONE LOST A LOT OF HOMIES TO THIS MUSIC SH*T. TO THIS STREET SH*T. FOR ALL OF US TO BE TOGETHER ON… pic.twitter.com/O0c7tLa8Xd
Shaq is one of the all-time greatest athletes turned rappers, as the big man’s 1993 debut album, Shaq Diesel, went platinum. Shaq released four albums in total, and worked with some of the biggest producers and artists in hip-hop in the 90s.
However, there was one collaboration from a song he recorded with a West Coast legend while in Los Angeles with the Lakers that never saw the light of day. On a recent episode of The Big Podcast, Shaq had Ice Cube join him and they discussed a project Cube was executive producing for him while he was with the Lakers. Cube set it up for Shaq to get in the booth with Dr. Dre, and Shaq and Dre cooked up a song called “That’s Gangsta,” which Shaq thought “was nice.” Cube saw things a bit differently, and made the executive decision for Shaq to not let it ever see the light of day.
“Cube was executive producing one of my records,” Shaq said. “And he put me in the studio with Dr. Dre. I did a song called ‘That’s Gangsta’. Cube heard it and was like, ‘Nope. We’re not releasing this.’ … He was like, ‘Shaq, you’re a f*cking Laker, bro. I don’t want you talking about nothing gangsta. We not doing none of that sh*t.’ And it never came out.”
While Adam Lefkoe seemed to think it was because the song wasn’t good, Cube noted it had nothing to do with that. He was trying to protect Shaq’s image, noting the then-Lakers star didn’t need to present himself as being “gangsta” in L.A., as he had mass appeal already and didn’t need to try to put on that image.
“It was good. Shaq is a dope MC, but I just felt the record was off-brand for him,” Cube said. “Because, to me, he’s more than just gangsta. He’s loved by millions, loved by kids. He already established that. And why go backwards when you’re already forward?”
Shaq would go on to note he thanked Cube for making that decision for him, and it shows how much respect Ice Cube had for Shaq that he would think about Shaq’s overall career as a basketball player (and one of the NBA’s most marketable guys, ever) while executive producing an album. Players don’t always have someone willing to think of the bigger picture and tell them no, and in this case, Shaq had that in the form of a music legend in Cube.
Snoop Dogg’s new album with Dr. Dre is on the way. Daz Dillinger and Kurupt pulled up on Drink Champs and revealed the Missionary album’s date
“Dogg sacrificed ’cause he got an album dropping in July,” Kurupt said. “This album with Dr. Dre dropping in July.”
Dillinger added, “He got an album coming out next month with Dr. Dre.”
Last August, speaking on the project with From The Desk of Lo is The D.O.C., who revealed he would travel to L.A. to help finish the project and what fans would expect.
The D.O.C. reveals that his collaboration with, Snoop and Dre is long overdue, and they are focused on creating a great product. The album so far is a family reunion. “It sounds like what Snoop’s next record would’ve been like on Death Row, that’s what it sounds like.”
Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre have been the closest pals for decades on decades. The iconic pairing has released some of the best music in hip-hop, but also from the West Coast. Arguably their greatest accomplishment together was dropping Doggystyle, which is now over 30 years old. It featured some of the G-funk/gangsta/West Coast tracks of that decade, and even to this day. Soon, –actually very soon– Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre will further cement their chemistry and legacies when they release Missionary in July.
That is what Tha Dogg Pound told the good people over at Drink Champs in a recent interview. According to HipHopDX, Kurupt and Daz Dillinger let that information slip at the 14:33 mark of the video. “Dogg sacrificed ’cause he got an album dropping in July. This album with Dr. Dre dropping in July,” said Kurupt. Daz also added, “He got an album coming out next month with Dr. Dre”.
Snoop Dogg & Dr. Dre Have Been Working On “Missionary” For A Bit
Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre have had Missionary in the works for quite some time now, so this latest update is massive. Uncle Snoop dropped the bombshell that this was happening nearly two years ago in an interview with Stephen A. Smith. During the October 2022 conversation, the multi-talent said, “I’ma tell you this, you’re the first one to hear this: me and Dr. Dre have been working on an album for the past two months… It’ll be done in November. It’s produced by Dr. Dre, it’s our 30th anniversary to Doggystyle. And the name of the album is Missionary“. He also mentioned that it was going to drop that November, but obviously we are still waiting. So, we will see if Tha Dogg Pound are telling the truth in due time.
What are your thoughts on Tha Dogg Pound confirming the release date of Missionary by Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre? How do you feel about this being the “succeeding” project to Doggystyle? Do you think the duo will actually drop it in July? Does this have the potential to be one of the best records of 2024? We would like to hear what you have to say, so be sure to leave your thoughts in the comments section below. Additionally, always keep it locked in with HNHH for all of the latest news surrounding Tha Dogg Pound, Snoop Dogg, and Dr. Dre. Finally, stay with us for everything else going on in the music world.
In April 2024, Eminem announced he would release his 12th studio album, The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce), in the summer. The announcement sparked excitement among the rapper’s fan base and marked his return four years after his last album, Music to be Murdered By. Eminem released his upcoming album’s lead single, “Houdini,” on May 31. “Houdini” showed Eminem remains the “Rap God” as he stayed true to his style. He stirred controversy with some of his lyrics, including his bars about Tory Lanez’s shooting of Megan Thee Stallion. Eminem also showed his creative genius as the song revived Steve Miller’s classic 1982 tune, “Abracadabra.”
“Houdini” took the internet by storm thanks to its catchy hook and lyrics, which brought back memories of Eminem’s Slim Shady era. The “My Name Is” and “Without Me” references are hard to miss. Eminem released the “Houdini” single alongside a music video and featured several celebrities, including Dr. Dre, 50 Cent, and Eminem’s children. Let’s explore all the celebrity cameos in Em’s latest music video.
The “Houdini” Music Video Plot
Eminem’s alter ego, the Real Slim Shady, is back. The “Houdini” music video shows how the blonde Slim Shady entered a portal in 2002 and found himself in today’s present world. Dr. Dre alerts Eminem about Shady’s presence, and they team up to take him down in true superhero style. However, before they get to Slim, he wreaks havoc across the city in his bid to cancel the present-day Eminem. Eventually, Em, dressed in the Rap Boy costume, meets Shady and engages in a battle. However, there is no victor as both merge to become a hybrid individual.
Eminem “Houdini” Video Celebrity Cameos: Paul Rosenburg
The “Houdini” video begins with Eminem’s longtime friend and manager, Paul Rosenburg, calling to tell him he heard the album and wishing him luck. Paul playfully states, “Hey Em, it’s Paul. I was listening to the album. Good f**king luck, you are on your own.”
Dr. Dre acts as one of the main characters in the “Houdini” video. He is the first to call Em to let him know Slim Shady has entered 2024 via a mysterious portal. He drives Eminem around the city to find the rampaging Slim Shady. At first, Dr. Dre and Eminem have a little fight in the car but get along just fine.
As Eminem’s “Houdini” video progressed to the chorus, 50 Cent, Snoop Dogg, Westside Boogie, and Denaun Porter made cameos. The four rappers lined up in a book panel reacted to the news that Slim Shady was back in the city by singing “Guess Who’s Back.” The chorus offered a fresh version of “Without Me’s” evergreen hook, which Em paid homage to in “Houdini.”
While Dr. Dre and Eminem continue searching for the latter’s younger self, Slim Shady walks into an underground cipher. There, he meets producer and DJ Alan Daniel Maman, popularly known as The Alchemist. However, Slim Shady looks perplexed and disappointed with what he sees in the cipher but eventually steps into a circle.
Slim Shady’s quest for destruction sees him burst through a podcast room where he meets Shane Gillis and Royce da 5’9. Gillis and Royce are engaging in a discussion about who the best MC of all time is. Slim Shady becomes upset with the conversation and disrupts proceedings. He steals a microphone before flipping a table and exiting, leaving Royce and Shane terrified.
Jimmy Iovine
NEW YORK, NY – NOVEMBER 05: (L-R) Eminem, Jimmy Iovine and Dr. Dre speak onstage at WSJ. Magazine 2014 Innovator Awards at Museum of Modern Art on November 5, 2014 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images)
After Eminem and Slim Shady engaged in a battle and fused, they became an unholy hybrid. The monster they create comprises the best and worst versions of Slim Shady and Marshall Mathers. The effect is that Eminem begins to diss his closest friends and family members. Eminem’s longtime friend and Interscope Geffen’s CEO, Jimmy Iovine, is one of the first casualties of the monster. Iovine appears in the “Houdini” video, looking confused and shocked as he listens to Marshall insulting him.
Eminem’s Three Kids Make Appearance In “Houdini” Video
Eminem’s three kids, Hailie, Alaina, and Stevie, were not spared from the onslaught. In the “Houdini” video, the trio was on a video call with their dad, who dissed them by rapping, “F**k my own kids, they are brats/They can screw off.” The rapper’s children reacted to his diss by opening their mouths in shock.
Pete Davidson is the last celebrity to appear in Eminem’s “Houdini” video. Dr. Dre, who had been driving Eminem through the city, gets uncomfortable after the hybrid Marshall insults him and others. Hence, he exits the vehicle, after which Pete shows up. The comedian sports a similar look to the hybrid Eminem. He has the same blonde haircut and wears an all-black ensemble. Pete gets into the yellow Lamborgini and sits in the driver’s seat. He tells Eminem, “Trust me, I’m a great driver. Don’t worry, I just got my license back.” However, that isn’t the case, as the video ends with Em and Pete crashing through other vehicles as they make their way through the city.
On this date three decades ago, Death Row Records producer and Dr. Dre’s brother Warren G dropped his debut album ‘Regulate…G Funk Era’.
Executive produced by the late Chris Lighty, The Def Jam/Violator signee took his solo act on the road and brought it cross country to NYC to distinguish himself from the rest of his legendary peers from Death Row Records. The strategy worked, with the album being certified platinum by the RIAA two years following its release.
The album’s title track is by far the most memorable track from the album, however, another track entitled “So Many Ways” made it into the 1995 Martin Lawrence/Will Smith silver screen smash Bad Boys.
Salute to Warren G, the late Nate Dogg, the late Chris Lighty, Dr. Dre, the Violator squad and Def Jam for this timeless piece of Hip Hop History!
Eminem is back in Slim Shady mode. There are lots of different ways to tell. For one, the rapper’s new album will be called The Death of Slim Shady. The music video for his lead single, “Houdini,” features the classic, bleach blond Slim in action. The most telling side effect of a Slim Shady sighting, however, is the lyrical insult. Eminem’s alter ego loves to take shots at his peers, his predecessors, and pretty much any other person he can think of. He targets multiple people in “Houdini,” but the most notable is far and away Megan Thee Stallion.
Eminem turned the zaniness up to ten on the new single. He tells Dr. Dre to “f*ck off,” and does to the same to his children (one of whom just got married). Both Dre and his family are been topics of scorn and adoration over the years, however. Megan Thee Stallion is someone new. The rapper flipped a line about scoring a guest verse from Megan into a double entendre about Tory Lanez shooting her in the foot. “If I was to ask for Megan Thee (What?) Stallion if she would collab with me,” he raps. “Would I really have a shot at a feat? (Haha). I don’t know, but I’m glad to be back like.”
It’s a clever turn of phrase, but a topic that has not been received by the hip-hop community. Rappers who have poked fun at Megan Thee Stallion have either been scored by fans or Megan herself, in the form of a diss. Megan managed to win her battle with Nicki Minaj while dropping a number one single, “HISS,” in the process. The diss song, which dropped in January, is actually relevant to the current Em situation. Megan Thee Stallion made an oblique reference to Slim Shady on “HISS.” “I feel like Mariah Carey (Mariah Carey),” she rapped. “Got these n**has so obsessed (Damn).”
The line is meant to address Megan’s haters, but it’s also a reference to the 2008 Mariah Carey diss song “Obsessed.” The target of Mimi’s diss was, infamously, Eminem. The tension between the pop superstar and the rapper ran throughout the 2000s, and many feel like the former won out with a hit single. Eminem dissing Megan Thee Stallion over a subliminal actually makes a lot of sense. Eminem knows how to hold a grudge against rappers who slight him. He waited years to respond to MGK on record, and when he did, he demolished the pop-punk artist. It’ll be interesting to see if Megan Thee Stallion decides to respond.
Eminem has a lot riding on this. The legendary rapper has been hyping up the release of his new album, The Death of Slim Shady. Like, a lot. He’s dropped fake obituaries, fake TV promos featuring 50 Cent, and he announced this new single, “Houdini,” with the help of magician David Blaine. Eminem is pulling out all the stops on this one, which only emphasizes the feeling that this is the end of the line. For Slim Shady, definitely, but perhaps even for Eminem. “Houdini” is definitely a throwback to the glory days.
The song was predicted by many to be a zany Eminem single in the vein of “The Real Slim Shady” or “Without Me,” and is it ever. “Houdini” recycles the chorus of the latter before jumping into the first verse. There’s even a cameo from Paul Rosenberg, who graced many an interlude during Eminem’s golden age. The beat is bouncy and playful and the rapper is very much in Shady mode. He takes aim at everybody in his life, including Dr. Dre, the aforementioned Paul, and even his own kids. “You can suck my d*ck, in fact,” he raps. “F*ck them, f*ck Dre, f*ck Jimmy, f*ck me, f*ck you, f*ck my own kids, they’re brats.”
Eminem’s ability to rhyme is still unrivaled. Those who wanted the “real” Slim Shady have gotten him on this track, as this is the silliest he’s sounded since 2009’s Relapse. The thing is, the effort is audible. Em is very clearly trying to give fans the old him, and it doesn’t have the punch that it used to. “Houdini” is a song that sounds like a rapper trying to recapture his glory days, because it is. The music video even pits the current version of Em versus the bleach blond Shady. Those who live the rapper will like it, but this is not the kind of song that wins over new fans. This is nostalgia rap, for better or worse.
What are your thoughts on “Houdini” by Eminem? Is this the rapper truly back? Does he recapture the Slim Shady magic? Does this song make you more excited for the album? We would like to hear what you have to say, so be sure to leave your takes in the comments section. Additionally, always keep it locked in with HNHH for all of the latest news surrounding Eminem. Finally, stay with us for everything else going on in the music world.
Quotable Lyrics:
My sh*t may not be age-appropriate But I will hit an eight year old in the face with a participation trophy ‘Cause I have zero doubts, that this whole world’s ’bouts to turn into some girl scouts That censorship bureau’s out to shut me down So when I started this verse, it did start off lighthearted first But it feels like I’m targeted, mind-bogglin’ how my profit has skyrocketed
It’s been over 30 years since Ice Cube released his explosive diss record “No Vaseline,” taking aim at his former N.W.A. group mates and their manager Jerry Heller. Still, the record has gone down in history as one of the most scathing diss records of all time, with Cube himself reaffirming this truth during a recent stage appearance. Maybe the recent feud between Kendrick Lamar and Drake has reignited the competitive spirit in hip-hop heads around the world, as all-time great diss songs such as “Ether” and “Hit ‘Em Up” have been receiving renewed attention. So, let’s take a moment to examine Ice Cube’s “No Vaseline” record, and see if we can understand exactly why it’s garnered a reputation for being the greatest diss of all time.
There are a myriad of contenders for the greatest diss record of all time. Ice Cube took to the stage at the California Roots Festival to explain why “No Vaseline” remains undefeated in his own words. While discussing the state of the culture, Cube specifically name-checks iconic diss performances such as 2Pac’s “Hit ‘Em Up,” Nas’ “Ether,” and Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us.” Cube shows reverence to each of these artists and their respective efforts, though he still feels that his own 1991 track reigns supreme.
In a now-viral video of Ice Cube’s comments, the Compton-born MC stated, “I love those songs, but ‘No Vaseline’ is the best diss song in the history of hip-hop. And I’ll tell you why: One MC — myself — I took out four motherf***ers and the manager. You can’t beat that.” It is true that N.W.A. never released another record following Ice Cube’s release of “No Vaseline” in October of 1991. The group’s manager, Jerry Heller, also never managed to find major mainstream success within the music industry following the release of the song. While there were other documented internal issues that added to NWA’s split in the early 90s, it’s hard to argue against Cube’s logic.
Why “No Vaseline” Tops Other Acclaimed Diss Tracks
Ice Cube explains why ‘No Vaseline’ is Better than Tupac’s ‘Hit Em Up’ and Nas’s ‘Ether.’
— The Art Of Dialogue (@ArtOfDialogue_) July 22, 2023
His California Roots performance is not the first instance of Ice Cube championing his work on “No Vaseline.” The prolific MC turned actor has expressed in multiple interviews and media appearances over the years exactly why tracks such as “Hit ‘Em Up” simply don’t compare. According to Ice Cube, 2Pac’s groundbreaking track doesn’t stack up against “No Vaseline” because he enlisted the assistance of his Outlawz collaborators. Furthermore, the track, while quite scathing, did nothing to halt the momentum of The Notorious B.I.G.’s career. In order for “Hit ‘Em Up” to reach the iconic status of “No Vaseline,” it would require one solo artist to completely halt the career trajectory of his opponent. This simply did not occur.
The same logic applies to Nas’ “Ether.” While Nas did embark upon the iconic Jay-Z diss by himself, the track did nothing to prevent Jay from churning out numerous successful projects shortly thereafter. To Ice Cube’s credit, there aren’t many examples of a single diss track completely dismantling the opponent in a permanent sense in the history of music. Sure, Dr. Dre and Eazy-E continued to find solo success in the wake of “No Vaseline’s” release, but the gangsta rap group that inspired a generation was never able to recover.
Despite bragging about dismantling the group, Cube claims that “as it stands today, I ain’t got nothing but love for N.W.A.” Ice Cube specifically referenced certain milestones achieved by the group in recent years, such as an induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. As part of N.W.A., Ice Cube also received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Grammys earlier this year. The group is only the fourth rap group in history to hold this historic honor.
Ice Cube’s beef with N.W.A. was squashed just a few short years after “No Vaseline” dropped, though Cube’s underlying issues with the team’s management remained an everlasting problem. The West Coast MC has reunited with N.W.A. members Dr. Dre and MC Ren on multiple occasions and even served as a producer on the 2015 N.W.A biopicStraight Outta Compton.
Musicians work hard to earn a living and become globally renowned stars. However, a negative news story or occurrence can tarnish an accomplished artist’s legacy. This can be in the form of celebrity lawsuits. Many rappers and R&B artists had their legacies questioned after legal battles. Although some of these artists survived or recovered from these lawsuits, they became an unwanted entry in their lives or careers—something people know them for besides their craft.
Rap mogul Diddy is famous for founding Bad Boy Records and helping many musicians rise to the top of their careers. He also enjoyed massive success as a rapper and music producer. However, Diddy has been in the news for the wrong reasons since November 2023, after his former longtime partner and singer Cassie filed a lawsuit against him. In the suit, she claimed Diddy sexually and physically assaulted her, among other damaging allegations. Diddy quickly settled the lawsuit but has since seen seven more lawsuits filed against him.
Leaked footage of Diddy physically assaulting Cassie in a hotel lobby soiled his image even further. Although the rapper apologized for his actions, too much damage had been done and one can only wonder what becomes of him. Besides Diddy, many more MCs have suffered celebrity lawsuits that soiled their legacies. Let’s dive in and see who these artists are.
7. Mystikal Gets Jail Term After Sexual Assault Conviction
It is easy to forget that Mystikal was a Grammy Award nominee. The New Orleans native is famous for his hit songs like “Here I Go,” “Ain’t No Limit,” “The Man Right Chea,” and “Shake Ya Ass,” a track featuring Pharrell. However, while Mystikal was at the peak of his career in 2003, his world came crashing down after his indictment on charges of sexual battery and extortion. The rapper pleaded guilty to the charges and was sentenced to six years in state prison in Jan 2004. Mystikal and two bodyguards allegedly forced his hairstylist to perform oral sex. They also accused her of stealing $80,000 in checks.
While serving his six-year sentence, Mystikal received two federal misdemeanor charges for failing to file tax returns in 1998 and 1999. He was convicted of those charges in Jan 2006 but was allowed to serve the one-year sentence concurrently with his six-year sex assault sentence. He regained his freedom on Jan. 14, 2010, and registered as a sex offender afterward.
Mystikal had more legal troubles after his release. In February 2012, he served a nine-day detention following a dispute with his domestic partner. He also served a three-month jail term for violating his probation terms and was released in August 2012. In August 2017, Mystikal was charged with rape and was held at the Caddo Correctional Center on a $3 million bond, which he posted in Feb 2019. However, the rape charges were dismissed in Dec 2020 due to lack of evidence. Mystikal’s career and celebrity status took a great hit due to his lawsuits, which soiled his reputation in more ways than one. One can only wonder what could have been of the once-great rapper if he avoided those troubles.
Lauryn Hill first gained fame as the frontwoman of The Fugees before becoming celebrated as one of the greatest rappers of all time. Her 1998 solo debut album, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, was a massive success, earning her five Grammy Awards. Lauryn became the first woman to win five or more Grammys in one night. Despite this acclaim, she unexpectedly withdrew from the music scene.
Before her Grammy wins, Hill faced a significant celebrity lawsuit. Musicians Rasheem Pugh, Vada Nobles, and Jahari Newton accused her of using their songs and production skills in her debut album without proper credit. Lauryn settled the lawsuit by paying $5 million. Struggling with the pressures of stardom, she decided to retreat from the spotlight. In a 2020 interview with Essence, Lauryn explained that she stepped away because she felt compromised by the industry’s demands, stating, “I discovered people could only acknowledge red and blue, and I was somewhere between. I was purple.”
Lauryn’s legal troubles continued. In 2012, she was charged with failing to pay over $1.8 million in taxes from 2005 to 2007. She pleaded guilty and was sentenced to three months in jail in 2013. After her release in October 2013, Lauryn remained mostly out of the music industry. However, the rapper has been making a gradual return. In 2019, she contributed a song, “Guarding the Gates,” to Queen and Slim: The Soundtrack. She also toured in 2023 for the 25th anniversary of her debut album. In May 2023, during a chat with TMZ, Lauryn’s son YG hinted that his mom had new material on the way, which Lauryn confirmed. The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill remains one of the greatest albums ever made. Yet, Lauryn’s legacy is also marred by her legal struggles and musical exile.
In July 1991, television show host Dee Barnes filed a $22.7 million lawsuit against Dr. Dre. In the lawsuit, Dee claimed the rapper smashed her face and body into a wall. After she fell, he allegedly proceeded to kick her in the ribs and stamp on her fingers. When Dee allegedly hid in the female bathroom, Dr. Dre purportedly burst his way in and bashed her in the back of the head. Dee claimed the assault occurred on Jan 1991, during a private party at the Po Na Na Souk club.
Dr. Dre pleaded no contest to Dee’s celebrity assault lawsuit and settled it out of court. He received a $2,500 fine and was placed on a two-year probation. Dr. Dre performed 240 hours of community service and produced an anti-violence public service announcement. The rapper regrets the occurrence and spoke about it in 2015. Addressing his violent past, Dr. Dre apologized to the women he had hurt over the years. In 2017, he addressed it again in the second installment of his four-part documentary series, The Defiant Ones. He said there was no excuse for his actions and that no woman should be treated that way.
Dr. Dre added, “Any man that puts his hands on a female is a f***ing idiot. He is out of his f***ing mind and I was out of my f***ing mind at the time. I f***ed up. I paid for it. I’m sorry for it and I apologized for it. I have this dark cloud that follows me and it’s gonna be attached to me forever.” He admitted the incident is a major blemish on who he is as a man and makes him feel sad whenever it comes up. Dr. Dre concluded by saying he was becoming a better person.
4. Chris Brown Charged After Physically Assaulting Rihanna
In 2009, Chris Brown and Rihanna were making waves musically and romantically. The pair started dating in 2007 and were adored by fans for their music and relationship. However, their love story came to a sad end in February 2009. Chris and Rihanna were involved in an argument that took a turn for the worse, leading to Chris physically assaulting the singer. A search warrant in the case revealed Rihanna read a text message from another woman on Chris’s phone. This caused the argument, after which he reportedly tried to force her out of the vehicle they were in. Chris hit Rihanna’s head against the passenger window and punched her in her left eye when she turned to face him.
Afterward, he drove away but continued to punch her with one hand while driving with the other. He also threatened to beat her when they got home and threatened to kill her after she called her assistant to alert the police. Rihanna was hospitalized afterward and left with visible facial injuries. In the aftermath, Chris was charged with felony assault and making criminal threats. On July 22, 2009, he pleaded guilty to a felony and accepted a plea deal of community labor, five years probation, and domestic violence counseling. Chris was widely condemned for his actions during and after the ordeal. He has been involved in more legal troubles following the incident, but his physical assault on Rihanna is one that continues to affect his public perception despite his musical success; a stain that may never go away.
3. Tupac Shakur’s Sexual Assault Lawsuit
Tupac Shakur was arguably the greatest rapper the world ever knew. However, he found himself in the news for the wrong reasons at the height of his career due to a celebrity lawsuit. A month before the release of his third studio album Me Against The World, Tupac was sentenced to jail after his conviction on sexual assault charges. It all began in November 1993 when Tupac and his crew members were charged with sexually assaulting a woman. The victim, Ayanna Jackson, claimed she had sex with Tupac a few days before the incident. She accused Tupac and his entourage of raping her in a room at New York’s Parker Meridien Hotel. Amid the celebrity lawsuit, Tupac maintained that his encounter with Ayanna was consensual. During a Mar. 8, 1994 appearance on The Arsenio Hall Show, he discussed the case, maintaining his innocence.
However, on Feb. 7, 1995, the court found Tupac and sentenced him to 1.5 years to 4.5 years in prison for sexually assaulting Ayanna. He served his sentence at the Clinton Correctional Facility in Dannemora, New York. Tupac served only nine months of his sentence. He regained his freedom after posting a $1.4 million bail. Death Row Records CEO Marion “Suge” Knight paid the bail after an agreement with Tupac, who released three albums under the record label. Tupac remained a music idol after his death, but his sexual assault lawsuit, conviction, and prison sentence are stains on his music legacy.
2. Michael Jackson’s Child Abuse Lawsuits
The late “King of Pop,” Michael Jackson, is one of the world’s greatest-ever musicians. However, his musical legacy is not without blemish due to several child abuse allegations against him. Although these allegations were never proven, their presence constitutes a dark patch over MJ’s laudable achievements. In early 1993, the Los Angeles police conducted investigations after the father of a 13-year-old boy, Jordan Chandler, made disturbing allegations against Michael. According to Jordan’s father, Michael allegedly seduced his son and performed sexual acts with him. MJ denied the allegations against him, while his security adviser, Private Detective Anthony Pellicano, said the allegations were part of a plot to extort his client.
Despite Jordan’s testimony, Michael didn’t face a trial. The singer settled the case with Jordan and his father, reportedly paying $23 million. However, the payment was not an admission of guilt on Michael’s part. He did it to prevent the lawsuit from interfering with his career. Despite the settlement, speculations about his fondness for kids remained. Jordan’s father returned with another lawsuit in 1996, claiming Michael breached an agreement not to discuss the case. However, the court dismissed the lawsuit.
Michael’s celebrity lawsuits continued in November 2003 after his arrest on charges of child abuse. British journalist Martin Bashir made a documentary, Living with Michael Jackson, that showed MJ discussing sleeping arrangements with a 12-year-old boy. After the documentary aired, Jackson bagged seven child sexual abuse charges and two charges of administering an intoxicating agent to commit a crime. Michael denied the allegations. He maintained his sleepovers with children were not sexual in nature. His friend, Elizabeth Taylor, also defended him. She claimed she was there when Michael was in bed with the kids, and nothing was abnormal about it. Michael’s case continued until June 2005, when he was cleared of all charges. The world may never know if Michael ever abused any child sexually. In the eyes of the law, the King of Pop was innocent, but his legacy will always have that stain.
Kelly, once celebrated as an R&B legend, saw his career and reputation irreparably damaged by a series of lawsuits and criminal charges that exposed a pattern of sexual misconduct spanning decades. The artist’s legal troubles began gaining public attention in the late 1990s. However, the revelations and subsequent legal battles of the 2000s and 2010s ultimately led to his downfall. In 2002, Kelly faced his first major celebrity lawsuit when a videotape surfaced allegedly showing him engaging in sexual acts with a minor. Although he was acquitted of child pornography charges in 2008, the allegations haunted his career. Public sentiment began to shift as more women came forward with accusations of sexual abuse, manipulation, and exploitation.
The turning point came in 2017 with the release of a BuzzFeed News article detailing accusations of Kelly running a “sex cult.” The article spurred the #MuteRKelly movement, leading to widespread calls for boycotts of his music. In 2019, the documentary series Surviving R. Kelly brought further damning evidence to light, featuring interviews with numerous women who accused Kelly of abuse and misconduct. Following the documentary’s release, Kelly bagged several charges on multiple counts of sexual abuse in several states, including Illinois and New York.
The charges encompassed a range of offenses, from child pornography to obstruction of justice. In 2021, Kelly was convicted in New York on federal racketeering and sex trafficking charges, leading to a 30-year prison sentence. Kelly’s legal battles and the shocking details of his crimes have forever tarnished his image. Once known for his musical genius, he is now synonymous with one of the most egregious examples of abuse in the entertainment industry.
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