The Hip Hop world has openly expressed its relief after Young Thug was released from prison this week, but the YSL RICO trial continues with two other codefendants and a new piece of evidence. The stabbing of YFN Lucci in 2022 while behind bars reportedly contributed heavily to how prosecutors presented the YSL RICO case and the purported danger a the feud between the two factions.
Reported YSL member, Jayden Myrick aka YSL Tripp, allegedly stabbed Lucci in March 2022, which was before the YSL RICO indictment was handed down or any arrests were made in the case. Shannon Stillwell and Deamonte Kendrick aka Yak Gotti are the only two co-defendants left in the case, so any evidence left to be presented in the RICO case will be brought forth in their trial.
On Tuesday (November 7), prosecutors shared the footage from the YFN Lucci stabbing during the YSL RICO trial during the retired Fulton County Jail security head’s testimony. Prosecutors claim that this supports the notion that YSL members carried out criminal acts on behalf of the collective. Also, they allege that this stabbing resulted in the retaliatory murder of Shymel Drinks, according to local court journalist Meghann Cuniff.
Additionally, the court ordered Myrick, Lucci’s alleged assailant, to undergo a mental evaluation after he claimed that Donald Trump offered him legal advice. There is no timeline for the trial of Stillwell and Kendrick, but the YSL RICO trial has been the longest trial ever in the state of Georgia.
It has also been reported that Lucci, whose real name is Rashawn Bennett, could be getting out of prison on parole as soon as January 2025.
Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) and Fanatics Collectibles have announced a partnership to produce limited-edition trading cards for MVP’s star-studded roster of fighters. This includes Jake Paul, Amanda Serrano, H20 Sylve, Shadasia Green, Javon ‘Wanna’ Walton, and Neeraj Goyat.
This collaboration marks a major moment in collectible sports history, especially as Jake continues to bridge the gap between entertainment, sports, and fandom. This is the first-ever opportunity for fans to collect MVP fighter trading cards and an exclusive way to own a piece of the Paul vs. Tyson bout with Paul signing exclusive Topps “relic cards” featuring pieces of his shoes, socks, and handwraps from the historic Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson fight. Also, each fighter will be signing a limited number of their trading cards. Jake Paul will be featured in multiple Topps products in 2025, joining an elite group of athletes signed by Fanatics Collectibles.
“This partnership with Fanatics Collectibles is a huge moment for MVP and our fighters,” says MVP co-founder Nakisa Bidarian. “It allows us to celebrate their achievements while giving fans an exclusive chance to own a piece of history. We’re always looking for new ways to elevate our athletes and engage with fans, and these limited-edition cards will be the first of many exciting collectibles to come.”
“I’m pumped to team up with Fanatics to bring these cards to life”, says Paul about the historic collaboration. “Not only is this the first time fans can get their hands on MVP fighter collectibles, but these relic cards from my fight with Tyson are gonna be crazy. It’s a chance for fans to literally own a part of one of the biggest fights in history. Thank you Fanatics for making this all possible and helping us take MVP to the next level.”
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 breakdown 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 had their initial court appearances in the Northern District of Illinois on October 24. They are expected to be arraigned in the United States District Court in downtown Los Angeles in the coming weeks, according to an October 25 news release from the Central District of California.
What’s more, if convicted, Lil Durk and the other five men each face potential life sentences.
Like we said, serious charges.
As of November 4, Grant, Wilson, and Lindsey were being 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.
Maybe he needs Brian Steel to represent him. You know, Young Thug’s lawyer and we know how that turned out.
Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis just won reelection, in Atlanta but she recently spoke with local Channel 2 Action News Monday before winning back her place as the head prosecutor. The topic, last week’s seeming end to the gang racketeering case involving rapper Young Thug.
Channel 2 investigative reporter Mark Winne asked some important questions and Willis made her stance known.
“Was it worth all the trouble?” Winne asked Willis about the extensive effort and resources put into the case.
“It’s always worth the trouble. The reality is, as you know, I have aggressively prosecuted gang violence, and there is no one above or below the law,” Willis confidently responded.
Interestingly Willis shared that, she did not negotiate a plea deal for Young Thug. Get this, she also chose not to publicly share her personal views on the sentence delivered by Fulton County Superior Court Judge Paige Reese Whittaker.
“Sentencing was in the hands of Judge Whittaker,” Willis stated. Told ya’ll it was interesting.
ICYMI, Thug entered a non-negotiated plea last Thursday, pleading guilty to nearly all charges in the YSL case, with the exception of two counts to which he entered a plea of nolo contendere, or no contest—a plea similar to a guilty plea but with different implications for civil cases.
“You poured a lot of resources, took a lot of flack on this case,” Winne commented.
Here’s how Willis replied:
“You shouldn’t be the district attorney if you’re not willing to take flack. The reality is the world has been caught up with one defendant. But we indicted 28 defendants. Fourteen of those defendants are now disposed of cases. We have 14 more defendants to go, and so we are going to continue to pursue justice in that case.”
What’s more even though Young Thug was released from the Fulton County Jail shortly after his plea in a car driven by his attorney, Willis noted that he had already served substantial time behind bars throughout the trial and pretrial proceedings.
“He’s been in jail three years, so that is not a walk in the park,” she remarked.
Makes sense right?
Willis also dove into the accountability built into Young Thug’s complex sentence: five years commuted to time served, followed by 15 years of probation, with a “backloaded” 20-year prison term, also commutable to time served if he completes the probation without issues. This probation is strict, loaded with numerous special conditions.
“Hope springs eternal that he will do well because if not, he’s going to land himself in prison for another 20 years,” she added.
Time to get real with Mike Tyson, who’s one of the world’s most iconic athletes. He has long been known for his rocky journey marked by the highest triumphs, hardest struggles, and even a personal transformation that has many wondering who Mike Tyson really is.
In a recent interview with Loaded magazine, the former heavyweight boxing champion spoke candidly about his past struggles with addiction and how those experiences have influenced his current perspective on life and wellness.
“I still have struggles with my mental well-being but thankfully I have better tools,” Tyson shared. “I’ve learned a lot over the years from being a former drug addict. I understand my triggers and why I self-sabotage.” The Brooklyn native reflected on the importance of self-awareness and the progress he’s made over the years.
What’s more, Tyson continued, emphasizing how self-reflection has played a vital role in his journey of redemption. “When I’m honest with myself and do that self-inventory I feel great,” he explained.
Iron Mike also discussed the common tendency to avoid accountability: “I think many people want to blame others for their problems without realizing they are a part of their own story and they can redirect their life at any time. But that’s only possible if you’re honest with yourself about how you got to where you are now.”
Get this, in addition to discussing his mental health, Tyson addressed his use of testosterone and challenged the stigma surrounding it. He argued that low testosterone levels can have a significant impact on mental and emotional health, not just physical well-being.
“I think there is this misconception that if men take testosterone it’s because physically there is something wrong with them,” Tyson said, explaining how aging affects testosterone levels. “But from the age of 30, I don’t care how healthy you are, your testosterone levels drop. This affects more than just your physicality, it also affects your mood,” he noted. “Getting a testosterone plan as you age should be as normal for a man as taking a daily supplement in my opinion, because it does so much to stabilize the body and mind.”
As the former heavy weight champion continues to prioritize his health, he is also gearing up for his much-anticipated boxing match against YouTuber Jake Paul. After multiple delays, the fight is finally scheduled for November 15 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, and will be streamed globally on Netflix.
Sacramento Kings owner Vivek Ranadivé has entered the Drake-Kendrick, chat? Huh? Okay, the NBA team owner apparently has taken a side in the now dated beef between the Hip Hop titans. It all went down during the Kings’ 122-107 home victory over the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday night. The 67-year-old billionaire was spotted wearing a shirt emblazoned with “Not Like Us.” First off, when it comes to the “Us” part, who’s going to tell Mr. Ranadivé, what that means? Oh hum …
Anyways this appropriation of Dot’s hit diss record probably has more to do with his new star guard, DeMar DeRozan, a Compton native than Kendrick.
DeRozan dropped 27 points in that game and was once close with Drake during his nine-year tenure with the Raptors. As you may know, they saw their relationship deteriorate when DeRozan aligned himself with fellow Comptonite Lamar. The Kings guard even appeared in the “Not Like Us” music video. Which may have lit a match in the faltering relationship with Drizzy. DeRozan wasn’t alone and was one of several West Coast figures who joined Lamar on stage to perform the song during a concert at the Kia Forum in Inglewood, California, over the summer.
The tension between DeRozan and Drake was underscored last Saturday when, during the Raptors’ 131-128 home win over the Kings, Drake was seen staring at DeRozan from his courtside seat. In a TSN broadcast, Drake commented he would personally “pull down” any DeRozan banner if the Raptors were ever to retire his jersey.
Unbothered by Drake’s comments, DeRozan responded, “He’s going to have a long way to climb to take it down.”
Ranadivé’s decision to side with DeRozan and Lamar is particularly striking, considering his past association with Drake. In 2019, Drake had extended the use of his private jet, “Air Drake,” to help Ranadivé, the Kings players, and coaches travel to India for preseason games comfortably. So wait, Drizzy lets Ranadivé, borrow the jetliner and this is how he repays him?
Anyways it appears that gesture wasn’t enough to keep Ranadivé from involving himself in one of hip-hop’s biggest rivalries. Maybe he should sit this one out because again, who’s going to tell him about the “Us” part. Insert laughing emojis – everywhere.
The JJ Redick era has begun and he is not rolling over. The rookie head coach delivered a blistering critique of the Los Angeles Lakers roster following a tough loss to the Memphis Grizzlies, taking aim at the team’s effort compared to LeBron James. In his first season as head coach, Redick has already faced a challenging journey with the Lakers, who have played only eight games but are experiencing highs and lows.
Wednesday night’s game concluded a grueling five-game road trip, and the Lakers’ struggles showed, as they lost four of the five games. Despite starting the season strong at 3-0, their recent performance has been shaky. Memphis handed the Lakers a 131-114 loss to cap off the trip.
Redick, known for his honest approach, has consistently supported his players since preseason but doesn’t hesitate to point out hard truths. After the Grizzlies’ game, he offered a pointed remark about James’s effort that highlighted the Lakers’ lackluster performance: “[LeBron] is almost 40 years old and he played the hardest on our team,” Redick said, as reported by Lakers Nation’s Daniel Starkland.
Redick’s comment underscored a disappointing night for the team, especially with Anthony Davis sidelined due to injury. Beyond James, who scored an impressive 39 points on 15-of-24 shooting (including 6-of-11 from three-point range), only Austin Reaves and Cam Reddish provided a spark off the bench. James also contributed seven rebounds and six assists in 35 minutes, but despite his exceptional showing, the Lakers entered the fourth quarter trailing by 14 points.
The team’s collective shooting struggles were evident, as they hit just 31.3% from beyond the arc. Reaves, D’Angelo Russell, and Dalton Knecht, who filled in for the injured Rui Hachimura, combined to make only 5-of-25 three-point attempts.
Now back in Los Angeles, the Lakers face a crucial stretch at home, starting with a matchup against the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday night. They’ll continue with games against the Toronto Raptors on Sunday and a rematch against the Grizzlies on Wednesday.
Antoine Fuqua’s highly anticipated biopic Michael, which chronicles the life of pop icon Michael Jackson, is now slated for a later release. Originally set to debut on April 18, 2025, the film’s premiere has been postponed until October 3, 2025. This delay means fans will need to wait a bit longer to see Jackson’s nephew, Jaafar Jackson, step into the legendary performer’s role.
Lionsgate, the studio behind Michael, has rescheduled the film as one of its major fall releases, alongside Good Fortune, a new comedy by Aziz Ansari. In his big comeback, Ansari will not only star but also write and direct, with a cast featuring Keke Palmer, Seth Rogen, Sandra Oh, and Keanu Reeves.
The cast of Michael also includes notable talents portraying Jackson’s family and mentors. Nia Long and Colman Domingo will play Jackson’s parents, Joe and Katherine Jackson, while Laura Harrier takes on the role of Suzanne de Passe, one of Jackson’s early mentors. Derek Luke will portray Jonnie Cochran, with Larenz Tate as Motown founder Berry Gordy, Kat Graham as Diana Ross, Liv Simone as Gladys Knight, Kendrick Sampson as music producer Quincy Jones, and KeiLyn Durrel Jones as Bill Bray, Jackson’s trusted security manager and friend.
The film’s ensemble also features Jessica Sula as LaToya Jackson and Juliano Krue Valdi as young Michael. Additional casting includes Jayden Harville and Jamal R. Henderson as the younger and older Jermaine Jackson, Laylen Lyndon Hunter and Tre Horton as Marlon Jackson at different ages, Judah Edwards and Rhyan Hill as the younger and older versions of Tito Jackson, and Nathaniel Logan McIntyre and Joseph David-Jones as the younger and older Jackie Jackson.
Pharrell Williams’ non-profit, Black Ambition, is gearing up to host its highly anticipated 4th Annual Demo Day on Friday, November 15, where the winners of the 2024 Black Ambition Prize Competition will be announced. The event will showcase the top Black and Hispanic-founded startups, awarding over $2.7 million in funding to companies that exemplify innovation and potential in Consumer Products, Healthcare, Media, Technology, and AI. Key sponsors, including Visa, Comcast, Louis Vuitton, and Adidas, support this exciting initiative, which aims to break down barriers and advance diversity in entrepreneurship.
This Demo Day marks the culmination of a rigorous nine-month journey for these emerging businesses, with eight finalists vying for a grand prize of $1 million. These promising founders have undergone a 3-month mentorship program, public voting, and pitch training to prepare them for the big stage. Beyond the national competition, Black Ambition’s HBCU Pre-Accelerator also prepared top innovators from Historically Black Colleges and Universities for a chance to join the final cohort and secure awards of up to $250,000.
“With mentorship to over 1,000 founders and generating over $265 million in revenue, we’re excited to continue showcasing the next generation of innovative companies,” said Felecia Hatcher, CEO of Black Ambition. “As other corporations scale back support for businesses of color, Black Ambition is doubling down on its commitment to accelerated growth for Black and Hispanic business owners.”
The day’s program will feature a live pitch competition judged by prominent CEOs and industry leaders, with the grand prize awarded to one outstanding venture. Following the pitch, Pharrell Williams and Hatcher will lead a discussion on the future of Black Ambition and the ongoing mission to support underrepresented entrepreneurs. The celebration will continue with a cocktail hour and VIP networking reception, inviting attendees to connect with the Black Ambition founders and network partners.
“Each year, the pool of talented innovators, thought leaders, and business owners grows,” Williams said, “further affirming Black Ambition’s mission to unlock the potential of underrepresented entrepreneurs.”
Since its inception in 2020, Black Ambition has awarded $10 million in capital to 101 entrepreneurs, extending beyond financial support to include holistic business development resources. From executive coaching and mental health workshops to bi-weekly office hours with industry experts from brands like Heineken, Adidas, and Microsoft, Black Ambition ensures that founders are well-equipped to tackle entrepreneurial challenges.
The impact of the Black Ambition Prize is profound. “Winning the 2023 Black Ambition Prize has been transformative,” said Antoinette Banks, CEO of Expert IEP. “The prize provided essential funding and an empowering community that drives our positive impact forward.”
As Black Ambition prepares to crown this year’s top innovators, it continues to make strides in bridging the gap for Black and Hispanic entrepreneurs, laying the foundation for a more inclusive future in business.
To connect and learn more about Black Ambition, please visit www.blackambitionprize.com. Follow us on Facebook (@blackambitionprize)Twitter/X (@blackambitionpz) and Instagram (@blackambitionprize) to stay up to date with the Black Ambition community.
On this date in 1995, the head of the Wu’s “Voltron” released his first solo LP under the moniker “the GZA”.
“We form like Voltron and GZA happens to be the head.” -Method Man
After appearing as the closer on the Wu Tang’s premiere single “Protect Ya Neck” and dropping his own solo joint “Clan In The Front” on WTC’s classic Enter The 36 Chambers LP, The Genius, who changed his name to the GZA after the formation of the Wu Tang Clan in 1992, fulfilled the expectations of a solo album with Liquid Swords, which was released 27 years ago today.
This should not, however, be confused with the first solo album Words From The Genius, which was released under the alias “The Genius” before his claim to fame with Wu Tang.
With in-house album cover art of a war-torn chessboard from Wu Tang DJ/Producer Allah Mathematics along with Milestone Media creative director Denys Cowan and released on Geffen Records, the debut album of one of WTC’s founders was recorded in RZA’s basement, as was the rest of the early Wu projects including Meth’s Tical and OB4CL. It also featured all of the original members as well as introduced some of the supporting members of the Killa Bees including Killah Priest, Dreddy Krueger and Allah Life, who sung the hook on “Cold World”. Other smash singles from this album include “Labels”, “4th Chamber”, “I Gotcha Back” and the timeless title track.
Salute to the GZA for one of the most formative concept albums in Hip Hop during the 20th century.
