Hip Hop News

Gabby Petito has been laid to rest, but her family continues to mourn the loss of their daughter. The young woman’s tragic disappearance made headlines all over the world late last year, and when she eventually turned up dead, all eyes turned toward her fiancé, Brian Laundrie, who was also reported dead months later.

After taking some time to mourn, it’s been reported that Petito’s mother, Nichole Schmidt, has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the curator of Brian Laundrie’s estate in Florida.

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The lawsuit was filed earlier today (May 6th), and states that Schmidt and Gabby’s father Joseph have “incurred funeral and burial expenses, and they have suffered a loss of care and comfort, and suffered a loss of probable future companionship, society and comfort.”

The parents are seeking $30K in damages; it’s also been noted that they’ve demanded a trial by jury as well as compensatory damages. 

Laundrie family attorney Steven Bertolino told TMZ in a statement that the Petito’s filing was to be expected. “The Petitos will have gained nothing more than a piece of paper that tells them what everyone already knows – which is that Brian was responsible for Gabby’s death as indicated by the FBI,” he said.

Elsewhere in the news, just last week Nicole and Joseph filed an amended civil suit against Laundrie’s parents, Christopher and Roberta, alleging that they were aware of their daughter’s body’s whereabouts as a massive missing person investigation was unfolding.

That lawsuit also seeks $30K in damages for “the mental anguish they suffered due to the alleged deceit of the Laundries.”

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Chet Hanks is the latest famous face to be placed in Ziwe Fumudoh’s hot seat. During an exclusive interview with Entertainment Tonight, the talk show host opened up about her conversation with the actor, which she teased on social media earlier today (May 6th).

“I asked Chet Hanks if he wanted to apologize to any marginalized communities,” she captioned a clip from the upcoming episode. In the footage, Ziwe even suggests, “I don’t know, maybe the Patois community?”

After a brief moment of hesitation, the 31-year-old shakes his head before saying, “Nah. I don’t feel like I’ve truly done anything offensive, so I don’t.

“You don’t see it as cultural appropriation,” Ziwe clarifies, “you see it as like a celebration of culture.” Hanks responds, “Mhm,” before the host continues, “And then, it’s like ‘Social justice warriors can like, go kick rocks.'”

Ultimately, Hanks stands with the interviewer’s statements, saying, “No, I 100% agree. Social justice warriors can kick rocks.”

Though the clip makes it seem as though the conversation will be an awkward one, Z told ET that her chat with Hanks will be one of this season’s most memorable. “I was so delighted. He had been someone who I thought would be an iconic guest for years and I think that interview was an iconic interview,” she shared.

Another episode from the second installment of her talk show finds Ziwe sitting down with Charlamagne, whom she asked about his troubled history with Black women. “What I love about that one is that Charlamagne has been in the public eye for decades,” the host explained.

Read what The Breakfast Club host had to say to Ziwe Fumoduh here, and tap back in with HNHH later for more pop culture news updates.

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Dave Chappelle is able to joke about the attack he faced at the Hollywood Bowl earlier this week, but his assailant – a young man named Isaiah Lee – can’t say the same. On Friday morning Lee appeared in court, and as TMZ notes, he looked to be in pretty rough shape.

The defendant’s right arm was bandaged in a sling; a public defender informed the judge that he had suffered a broken arm during the Hollywood Bowl beatdown. In case you missed it, cameras caught Lee being rolled out on a stretcher following his attack on the comedian.

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The judge set Lee’s bail at $30K. If he’s able to pay it off, he’ll be hit with a protective order that requires him to “stay at least 100 yards away from the Hollywood Bowl, Dave, and any other venue at which the comedian performs.”

Last night, Chappelle revealed that he asked security at Tuesday’s event to allow him to speak with his attacker before he was taken away so that he could get some answers. The young man reportedly told him that he was hoping to get “attention for his grandmother who he said had been forced out of her neighbourhood because of gentrification.”

L.A. County D.A. George Gascon refuted the felony charges for Lee and instead sent the case to the City Attorney, who have charged him with possession of a weapon with intent to assault and unauthorized access to the stage area during a performance.

If convicted, Lee will serve no more than 18 months in county jail, although it’s likely he’ll face less; check back in with HNHH later for any future updates from the courtroom.

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The death of Kevin Samuels has caused plenty of reactions to come pouring in across social media today, and while some are condemning the late image consultant for his more controversial content and opinions, others, such as DL Hughley, think it’s sad to see him getting so much hate.

On Friday afternoon, Hughley tweeted, “It’s sad that #RKelly would get warmer condolences than #KevinSamuels is getting! RIP #TeamDl.”

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If you’re not familiar, Samuels was known for using his online presence to heavily critique people – notably Black women – which is why some have been unphased by word of his passing. “You can’t shit on folks then want them to miss you when you’re gone,” one user responded to Hughley’s tweet. “Cosby learned that hard lesson.”

Someone in agreeance with the California native wrote, “A lot of people (women to be more particular) were triggered by [Samuels’] truth and his strong stance on his topics, that’s why they didn’t like him as much.”

“Truth? What truth? He found a way to blame women for pretty much everything,” someone else argued. “Dismissed women over 35 as being unwanted. Come on. What did he say that was the truth?”

Elsewhere in the news, last month DL Hughley made headlines with his commentary on “The Slap” at the Academy Awards and how it will have a long-lasting impact on Chris Rock’s career – read more about that here, and tap back in with HNHH later for more pop culture news updates.

RIP Kevin Samuels.

Robert Maraj’s family is nearing justice. Over a year after the death of Nicki Minaj’s father, his killer – a man named Charles Polevich – has entered a plea, as per TMZ. 

The 71-year-old has pleaded guilty to one count of leaving the scene of an incident without reporting, and one count of tampering with physical evidence, both of which are felonies.

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It’s been noted that Polevich was facing up to seven years behind bars, but Judge Howard Sturim has committed to sentencing the man to “no more than one year in jail, along with community service and suspension of his driver’s license.”

As Page Six reports, prosecutors have alleged that the driver struck Maraj as he was crossing a street in Mineola on February 12th, 2021. Polevich is said to have gotten out of his vehicle to ask the victim if he was okay before fleeing the scene without offering any aid or alerting the authorities.

Minaj’s mother, Carol Maraj, sued Polevich for $150 million in the state Supreme Court in Nassau County in March of last year. At the time, attorneys Ben Crump and Paul Napoli said, “[Polevich] was not only irresponsible and negligent but more concerned about running away and hiding than seeking help.”

“Polevich’s behaviour was criminal, cowardly, and immoral. We will hold him responsible for his reckless actions that led to Robert Maraj’s death!” The “Super Bass” hitmaker has also called her father’s death, “the more devastating loss of [her] life.”

Charles Polevich is due back in court for sentencing on August 3rd. RIP Robert Maraj.

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