Two Women Sue R&B Singer Jeffrey Osborne For Emotional Distress

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Renowned R&B singer Jeffrey Osborne is at the center of a legal battle after two women, Danielle Buchanan and Maneva Currie, filed a complaint against him and the Greek Theater alleging negligent and discriminatory behavior during one of his concerts. The incident, which took place on May 6, 2023, has left the plaintiffs “emotionally disturbed” and seeking legal recourse.

According to the complaint filed in the Superior Court of California and reported by People Magazine, the controversy arose during a crowd participation segment of Osborne’s concert at the Greek Theater. Osborne’s team selected Buchanan to sing a portion of his 1986 hit “You Should Be Mine (The Woo Woo Song)” into the microphone while the camera focused on her, projecting her face onto large screens flanking the stage.

However, the situation took a distressing turn when Osborne allegedly requested a “White person” to sing with him, prompting Buchanan, who is White, to announce her ethnicity into the microphone in an attempt to diffuse the situation. Despite her efforts, Osborne’s team swiftly took the microphone away and sought out another participant, leaving both Buchanan and Currie feeling “shocked, embarrassed, and humiliated.”

The complaint details how the women were subjected to comments from other audience members regarding Osborne’s alleged discriminatory behavior, exacerbating their distress and preventing them from enjoying the remainder of the concert.

The lawsuit underscores the broader issue of discrimination and the impact of such incidents on individuals’ emotional well-being. Buchanan and Currie’s legal action seeks accountability for the alleged negligence and discriminatory conduct exhibited by Jeffrey Osborne and the Greek Theater during the concert.

As the legal proceedings unfold, the case serves as a reminder of the importance of promoting inclusivity and respect in all public spaces, including live entertainment venues. The outcome of the lawsuit will undoubtedly be closely watched as it addresses sensitive issues of discrimination and accountability within the entertainment industry.

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Chris Brown Ordered to Pay $2 Million Debt for Unpaid Loan Related to Popeyes Chicken

[WATCH] Trailer for Nick Cannon's Film 'She Ball' Starring Chris Brown is Released

Last year, R&B sensation Chris Brown found himself embroiled in a legal battle over a $2 million unpaid loan taken out to purchase two Popeyes Chicken franchises alongside music producer The Dream and others. Now, after months of litigation, a Los Angeles court has delivered a decisive judgment against the singer, ordering him to pay up.

According to court documents obtained by Radar Online, this week saw the California court confirm a sister-state judgment filed by City National Bank (CNB) in September 2023. The bank had initially filed a lawsuit in Georgia, where it was awarded a staggering $1,760,654.11 in damages against Chris Brown.

CNB’s lawsuit, first reported by The Blast, alleged that it had provided Brown and his associates with a $2 million loan to facilitate the purchase of two Popeyes chicken restaurants. Despite the loan agreement, Brown failed to fulfill his financial obligations, leading to the bank’s pursuit of legal action to recover the outstanding debt.

With the court’s confirmation of the judgment, CNB now has the green light to initiate collection efforts against Chris Brown in California. The recent hearing saw the approval of CNB’s request, giving Brown a 30-day window to respond to the case or face finalization of the judgment.

The court’s filing issued a stern warning to Chris Brown, emphasizing the potential consequences of non-compliance. If Brown fails to address the judgment within the specified timeframe, his property could be subject to seizure as a means of satisfying the debt owed to CNB.

“This court may order that a writ of execution or other enforcement may issue. Your wages, money, and property could be taken without further warning from the court,” the filing read. “If enforcement procedures have already been issued, the property levied on will not be distributed until 30 days after you are served with this notice.”

The ruling marks a significant legal setback for Chris Brown, underscoring the importance of honoring financial obligations and contractual agreements. As the singer navigates the repercussions of the court’s decision, he faces the prospect of addressing the substantial debt owed to City National Bank in connection with the failed Popeyes Chicken franchise venture.

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Happy 53rd Birthday To Wu Tang’s Method Man!

Method Man

On this date in 1971, the Shaolin Island emcee who was virtually named after the term “John Blaze”, was born in Long Island, New York.

Admired for his unique voice and witty lyrics, Method Man is known for his one of a kind sound. The Long Island-born/Staten Island bred rapper raised the bar for the ideal Shaolin emcee alongside Wu brothers Raekwon and Ghostface Killah. Trailblazing the 90s, Johnny Blaze has pioneered an impressive portion of verses that are considered as one of the greatest in hip-hop history. His unpredictably bouncy flow hit wax in 1993 on Wu-Tang’s debut Enter the Wu-Tang: 36 Chambers, which featured what would later become his anthem, “M.E.T.H.O.D. M.A.N.” His signature stance continued into creating essential tunes as featured in his 1994 solo debut, Tical, along with guest features on the solo debuts of fellow Wu members and the only featured emcee on Biggie’s Ready To Die LP.

The wavering style and persona of Method Man have allowed him to flourish in many different pursuits in both music and entertainment. His iconic r&b collaboration with Mary J. Blige  “I’ll Be There for You/You’re All I Need to Get By” is sanctioned as a cult classic and also snagged the class-act rapper a Grammy in 1996. Dubbing another innovative vibe, his musical duality with Redman became one of the most distinct and successful in the light of hip-hop duos, which triggered Method Man’s acting career. Bound to craft commendable works, starting from his role as Father Sha in Belly (1998), to How High, and now Power II: Book Of Ghost, the man with the iron lung has maintained a stellar track record of creating classics that are timeless. His deeds as an emcee, actor, showman, and overall creative make him one of the greatest hip-hop artists of all time. A certified legend.

Happy born day to Meth!

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Happy Heavenly Birthday To The “Grand Incredible” DJ Scott La Rock!

scott la rock

On this day in 1962, Scott Monroe Sterling known widely as DJ Scott La Rock of the famous Boogie Down Productions was born in the Bronx borough of New York City. Scott La Rock was the producer for rap icon KRS-One until his untimely death on August 27th, 1987.

La Rock was born in the Bronx, New York City, New York and was raised by his mother Carolyn Morant. As a child, he moved from Queens to the Morrisania neighborhood in the South Bronx then to the Morris Heights projects. La Rock attended Our Savior Lutheran High School where he was a great student and athlete. He originally intended to attend Castleton State University to play basketball but decided to switch his focus to music upon graduation. In college, he used to DJ at a local bar called Dugan’s Bar on Friday nights. From there his musical career blossomed.

La Rock graduated college in 1984 and returned to New York City. He worked a few jobs in the city while at night spinning records at the Broadway Repertoire Theatre. Through his work as a social worker, La Rock met his future partner in crime Kris Parker aka KRS-One at the Franklin’s Men’s Shelter. The two, along with Derrick Jones or DJ D-Nice, formed Boogie Down Productions.

In 1987 the group released their first LP, Criminal Minded, which has become a classic Hip Hop album. Criminal Minded has been ranked by The Source as one of the 100 Best Rap Albums. Rolling Stone ranked it as one of the 500 greatest albums. Complex Magazine ranks the track South Bronx from the album as #9 on their list of best diss-songs of Hip Hop.

La Rock life came to a stretching halt in 1987 due to senseless street violence. In an effort to support his friend and partner DJ D-Nice, La Rock was shot in the neck and died of his wound. As the story goes, La Rock, DJ D-Nice, Scotty “Manager Moe” Morris, DJ McBooo, and BDP bodyguard Darrell rolled up to the Highbridge Homes Projects in the South Bronx. They were there to handle a problem between D-Nice and a man who’s ex-girlfriend we was acquainted with at the time. After they handled their disagreement, bullet began to fly toward the white on red Jeep CJ-7 that they were riding in. La Rock was hit and later died at Lincoln Hospital within one hour of being shot.

KRS-One’s Stop the Violence Movement was a direct result of La Rock’s murder. Despite the loss of La Rock, KRS-One kept the Boogie Down Productions name alive and continued to release music and grow to be one of the most respected voices in Hip Hop. DJ Scott La Rock’s righteous legacy lives on forever through his music and the empire that he helped shape. Take some time today to listen to his classic album and pay some respect to his greatness.

The post Happy Heavenly Birthday To The “Grand Incredible” DJ Scott La Rock! first appeared on The Source.

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BMF Co-Founder Big Meech Set To Be Released From Prison In 2025

Big Meech

The Detroit News has confirmed that Demetrius “Big Meech” Flenory will be released from federal custody in 2025 after a federa ljudge reduced his sentence by almost three years.

His scheduled release was for May 2028, however, the judge approved Meech’s request to shorten his sentence by 32 months, which was facilitated by his attorney, Brittany K. Barnett of the Buried Alive Project.

Barnett’s request for the sentence reduction harped on the revision in the United States Criminal Code, specifically section 18 582(c)(2), influenced by Amendment 821. It states that a defendant should potentially be able to deduct points off of their sentence if they have six or less infractions. 

Since his incarceration, Meech has initiated the “Build More Families” campaign, which aims to redirect the BMF’s infamous past towards a more positive impact in the community.

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Homage Awards Gala Celebrates 40+ Years Of Hip Hop Honoring “Uncle Ralph” McDaniels

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The cultural epicenter of Soho, NY, was ablaze with energy this past weekend, as the sixth edition of the Homage Awards unfolded, marking the commencement of Black History Month with a star-studded tribute to the incomparable Ralph McDaniels, affectionately known as “Uncle Ralph.”

For over four decades, Uncle Ralph has been a driving force behind the evolution of Hip Hop, initially as a revolutionary Video Director and later as a multifaceted cultural contributor. His groundbreaking achievements include the creation of the iconic hip hop video show, “Video Music Box,” in 1983, making him a trailblazer in the genre. McDaniels’ lasting legacy extends beyond music, encompassing his unwavering dedication to philanthropic educational youth programming.

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Spearheaded by the Homage Award team, led by Founder Peter Paul Scott and Co-Founder Nilson Martinez, the event received overwhelming support from industry giants such as Rock The Bells, Landmark, The House of Cannabis, Parti.com, and Dr. Cloud. The gala unfolded in a mesmerizing spectacle, boasting an electric atmosphere filled with hip-hop enthusiasts, all treated to a night of celebration and recognition.

The master of ceremonies, the legendary Dj Mister Cee, steered the event with finesse, while various rap legends graced the stage organically throughout the night, joining the award recipient, Uncle Ralph, in an unforgettable celebration of Hip Hop culture.

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Among the esteemed guests were notable celebrities, including Royal Flush, General Steele, Clarence “Coodie” Simons (Director), Vinnie of Naughty By Nature, Roxanne Shante, DJ Cool V, Large Professor, Al Scratch, Keith Perrin (FUBU), Andy Hilfiger, and Tuffy Questell (VMB/VJ), adding a star-studded touch to the vibrant occasion.

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Flava Flav, LL Cool J, Queen Latifah: Normski Captured Them All

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Flava Flav, Wu-Tang Clan, Queen Latifah. Norman Anderson a.k.a NORMSKI captured the Golden Age of HIP HOP. 

But it didn’t stop there. Subjects of Normski’s work range from the first U.K. appearances of LL Cool J, Eric B. & Rakim and Run DMC, to N.W.A, hanging out with Ice Cube in South Central LA, visiting the pioneers of techno in Detroit and capturing the explosion, and subsequent growth, of hip hop in the U.K.  

As a young, Black photographer at the time, Normski wasn’t just taking pictures, he was part of the movement itself. Normski: Man with the Golden Shutter is the FIRST book that takes his most iconic images (several of which have been featured in the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture!) and surprising stories (it was Normski who introduced Run DMC to The Pet Shop Boys) into a glorious coffee table book that offers us a glimpse into hip hop history through his lens. 

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[WATCH] First Trailer For “Freaknik” Documentary Featuring 21 Savage, Jermaine Dupri, Lil Jon

freaknik history

The very first trailer for the forthcoming Freaknik documentary Freaknik: The Wildest Party Never Told, ATL’s pioneering HBCU festival that was popularized in the early 90s, has been released.

The in-depth doc features various celebrities speaking about going to Freaknik, including Jermaine Dupri, Rasheeda, and Jalen Rose. 21 Savage, Jermaine Dupri, and Luther “Uncle Luke” Campbell are also featured in the documentary and serve as the film’s producers. 

Jalen Rose recalls the days of Freaknik, saying “I don’t know what heaven looks like, but this seems like a version of it.”

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Jack Harlow to Co-Headline Gazebo Festival With SZA in Louisville

Jack Harlow Delivers New "They Don't Love It" Video

Jack Harlow announced the lineup for a two-day Gazebo Festival that will be held in his hometown of Louisville, KY, from May 25-26. The festival begins at Louisville’s Waterfront Park and features “26 acts across two stages.” 

Harlow is co-headlining the event with R&B star SZA. Support acts include James Blake, Omar Apollo, PinkPantheress, Vince Staples, Amaarae, Channel Tres, Slum Village, Majid Jordan, and more.

There’s a philanthropic component to the festival where Variety reports that a “portion of each ticket sale will go to local community organizations via the Jack Harlow Foundation, which the rapper established in 2023.”

“Jack Harlow is an extraordinary Louisvillian who continues to give back to his hometown,” in a statement from Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg. “This is yet another way Jack is showing up for our city and I can’t wait to see the excitement this festival creates. I am so grateful for his commitment to making first class things happen for Louisville and our people.”

“We are beyond excited to support our city’s hometown hero, Jack Harlow, as he launches a new music festival at Louisville’s Waterfront Park,” from Cleo Battle, president and CEO of Louisville Tourism. “In addition to great music, festival goers will get a taste of this city’s iconic attractions, renowned heritage and global culinary scene.”

Seems like a “First Class” event from Harlow. 

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Cardi B Drops New Video “Like What (Freestyle)” Directed by Offset

Cardi B Drops New Video "Like What (Freestyle)"

Cardi B is back! The superstar rapper has released a new freestyle and video, “Like What.” The single features a sample of Missy Elliott’s “She’s a Bitch.”

The video for the new banger brings a glamorous Cardi B in a bathing suit, with fur draped across her body.

Offset directs the video and teases more music to be released with a video closing “Stay Tuned” label.

You can dive into the video below.

Are we finally getting close to a Cardi B album? Offset hopes so. Hitting Instagram, Offset praised the sophomore effort from his wife and delivered a sharp message.

“Stop being scary and drop the album, sh*t goes crazy,” Offset said.

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