lawsuit Archives - New Hip Hop News

Future Hit With Lawsuit Over Alleged Damage To “Limo-Jet”

November 28, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Future probably hoped that he would close out 2024 with no further legal issues, but sadly, that’s not the case. Moreover, according to legal documents reportedly obtained by AllHipHop, Minnesota-based company MIK Corporation filed a lawsuit claiming that the “Everyday Hustle” MC, Egyptian artist Mohammed Ramadan and Lebanese-Canadian singer Sari Abboud they used a trademarked “Limo-Jet” in their “ARABI” music video without the company’s permission and damaged the custom vehicle. For those of you that have no idea what a “Limo-Jet” is, it’s a repurposed jet fuselage turned into a luxurious limousine. MIK owns the trademark for it and rents it out for events. Allegedly, the defendants agreed that they would not use the “Limo-Jet,” but they filmed it anyway without consent.

Per the court docs, Mohammed Ramadan first contacted MIK in April of 2023 in order to maybe get the “Limo-Jet” for shows in California and Dubai. Eventually, he and his associates visited Des Plaines, Illinois and saw the vehicle stored in a lot to continue discussions. Reportedly, all parties at this visit agreed that Ramadan and his affiliates would not post footage of the “Limo-Jet” without asking MIK first and that they wouldn’t damage anything. But apparently, during this same visit, someone scuffed the paint per MIK’s allegations. Then, the company claims that the release of the Future-featuring “ARABI” in February of 2024 shocked them, particularly its “Limo-Jet”-starring visual.

Future’s Music Video That Led To A Lawsuit

Furthermore, the present lawsuit against Future and company alleges breach of contract, negligence, fraud, and misappropriation. MIK’s pursuit of damages would hypothetically cover both the commercial use of the “Limo-Jet” without permission and the vehicle’s literal alleged damages. As a codefendant, Universal Music Group claimed the court should dismiss the accusation due to a lack of personal jurisdiction in Illinois. Seems like UMG’s got a couple of court headaches on their hands. But not this one.

The court agreed, even though MIK argued Ramadan was an agent of UMG in their amended complaint. The judge found an unsubstantial connection between both parties, and ruled that they could not establish the necessary jurisdiction to involve UMG. As such, they dismissed UMG as codefendants and gave MIK until December 15 to change their filing. In addition, the court noted that they don’t know if they were able to properly serve the other codefendants with the lawsuit, as the only confirmed serving was for Future’s Wilburn Holding Company. So maybe the other codefendants walk away from this if process servers don’t reach them in time… But the 2024 rap beef participant is in this fight whether he likes it or not.

[via]

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Stephen A Smith Drags Drake For Threatening UMG Over Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us”

November 28, 2024 by newhiphopnews

This week, Drake took legal action against Universal Music Group (UMG), accusing the label and Spotify of artificially boosting Kendrick Lamar’s diss track “Not Like Us.” In a second pre-action filing in a Texas court, he also accused UMG of defamation. According to him, the label could have allegedly prevented the release of the song, in which Kendrick “falsely [accuses] him of being a sex offender.”

“UMG … could have refused to release or distribute the song or required the offending material to be edited and/or removed,” the lawsuit alleges, per Billboard. “But UMG chose to do the opposite. UMG designed, financed and then executed a plan to turn ‘Not Like Us’ into a viral mega-hit with the intent of using the spectacle of harm to Drake and his businesses to drive consumer hysteria and, of course, massive revenues. That plan succeeded, likely beyond UMG’s wildest expectations.” Unsurprisingly, this latest move has earned mixed reactions. While some are siding with Drake, others like Stephen A Smith are not on board.

Stephen A Smith Thinks Drake Looks “Weak And Sensitive”

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“Let’s get this out of the way right now, it’s a bad look, and it’s all smeared on Drake. All of it. This is hip-hop, man, this is hip-hop. Somebody comes at you with lyrics, with a song, you supposed to come right back at them with the song, with lyrics,” he said during a recent episode of The Stephen A Smith Show. “I don’t care who pumped what up. If the song wasn’t straight fire, there’s no way it would have had that many hits.” He continued, arguing that this makes Drake look “weak and sensitive.”

Smith is far from the only person to criticize Drake lately, however. Joe Budden also recently slammed the Toronto rapper on his podcast. “This n****s been a sack of sh*t behind the scenes and because he got fans and had Lucian, everybody just gets to turn a blind eye,” he said. “The blind eye days are done.“

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Drake Reveals Financial Impact Of Feud with Kendrick Lamar

November 27, 2024 by newhiphopnews

This is not how things go in a battle. Well, at least in Hip Hop.

Drake has taken his feud with Kendrick Lamar to a new level by filing a petition against his own label, Universal Music Group (UMG). On Monday, the rapper accused UMG and Spotify of launching what he described as a “campaign to manipulate and saturate the streaming services and airwaves” with Lamar’s global hit diss track, “Not Like Us.” The song, celebrated as a modern classic, topped charts worldwide and has become a cornerstone of Kendrick’s discography.

In his filing, Drake claimed that the overwhelming success of “Not Like Us” directly harmed him financially. “UMG’s choice to saturate the music market with ‘Not Like Us’ comes at the expense of its other artists,” the petition stated, notably emphasizing Drake’s own career impact. As the owner of his entire catalog’s copyright through his own company, Drake alleged that the label’s actions led to “economic harm” and diminished opportunities for his music to thrive.

The petition further argued that streaming and licensing operate as a “zero-sum game,” where the success of one song inevitably limits the success of others. Drake also accused UMG of retaliating against his inner circle, claiming the company terminated employees associated with or perceived as loyal to him. His legal team referred to the promotional tactics employed by UMG and Spotify as “schemes,” asserting that these efforts unfairly prioritized Lamar’s song at his expense.

Drake’s decision to pursue legal action has sparked controversy within the music industry. Critics and insiders have mocked the move, suggesting it validates Kendrick Lamar’s critiques in “Not Like Us.” Charlamagne tha God shared his thoughts on social media, calling the lawsuit a weak response to losing a rap battle. “Because you lost a rap battle? Come on, man,” Charlamagne wrote.

Meanwhile, Lamar’s affiliates, including Rapsody, Mustard, and TDE’s Punch, joined the chorus of criticism, accusing Drake of exhibiting behavior fitting of the song’s title. “This is exactly what ‘Not Like Us’ was talking about,” one commented.

As the legal drama unfolds, the feud between Drake and Kendrick Lamar appears to be reigniting on both personal and professional levels, adding a new layer of intrigue to their storied rivalry.

The post Drake Reveals Financial Impact Of Feud with Kendrick Lamar appeared first on The Source Magazine.

Joe Budden Suggests Lucian Grainge Could End Drake Amid UMG Lawsuit

November 27, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Earlier this week, Drake decided to take legal action against Universal Music Group (UMG). In a pre-action filing in a Texas court, he accused the label and Spotify of artificially boosting Kendrick Lamar’s hit diss track, “Not Like Us.” He then proceeded to accuse UMG of defamation, alleging that the company could have prevented the release of the song, in which Kendrick “falsely [accuses] him of being a sex offender.”

“UMG … could have refused to release or distribute the song or required the offending material to be edited and/or removed,” the lawsuit reads, per Billboard. “But UMG chose to do the opposite. UMG designed, financed and then executed a plan to turn ‘Not Like Us’ into a viral mega-hit with the intent of using the spectacle of harm to Drake and his businesses to drive consumer hysteria and, of course, massive revenues. That plan succeeded, likely beyond UMG’s wildest expectations.”

Joe Budden Unleashes On Drake In Response To New “Not Like Us” Lawsuit

Joe budden goes off on drake for suing UMG . He says Lucian Grainge made you now he’s going to end you . The labels have chosen Kendrick Lamar pic.twitter.com/2VqobWyVhq

— joebuddenclips/fanpage (@Chatnigga101) November 27, 2024

Unsurprisingly, Drake’s latest move has earned mixed reactions from social media users. While some are siding with the Toronto rapper, others think he’s simply doing all of this out of jealousy. During a recent episode of his podcast, for example, Joe Budden weighed in on the debacle. He made it clear that he thought it was a bad decision, ripping Drake to shreds. According to him, Drake previously had UMG’s CEO Lucian Grainge in his corner, but that’s not the case anymore.

“You’ve been behind the scenes being the biggest sack of sh*t you can possibly be. I’m not here to f*cking play games with you n****s. N****s know what it is out there,” he said in part. “This n****s been a sack of sh*t behind the scenes and because he got fans and had Lucian, everybody just gets to turn a blind eye. The blind eye days are done.”

[Via]

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Drake May Try To Stop Kendrick Lamar From Performing “Not Like Us” At The Super Bowl

November 27, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Drake could attempt to stop Kendrick Lamar from performing his viral diss track, “Not Like Us,” at the upcoming Super Bowl Halftime Show. The move would have to come as an injunction along with his impending defamation lawsuit over the song against Universal Music Group. Monique, an attorney from the Givens & Larmond Law Group, explained the steps Drake would need to take in a video for The Shade Room.

“As us lawyers like to say, it depends,” she began. “What does it depend on? If Drake were to file an injunction, he may be able to stop Kendrick from performing the song that way; however, he would have to get the court to agree and grant the injunction. But, a lot of courts are reluctant to injunctions, especially that are related to defamation lawsuits, because they do not want to impede on our First Amendment rights, which is the right to free speech.”

Kendrick Lamar Performs “Not Like Us” During The Pop Out

INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 19: Kendrick Lamar performs onstage during The Pop Out – Ken & Friends Presented by pgLang and Free Lunch at The Kia Forum on June 19, 2024 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Timothy Norris/Getty Images for pgLang, Amazon Music, & Free Lunch)

Drake filed his pre-action petitions in Manhattan and Texas court on Monday. In the first filing, he alleged that UMG and Spotify worked together to artificially boost the popularity of Kendrick Lamar’s viral diss track, “Not Like Us.” “UMG did not rely on chance, or even ordinary business practices,” lawyers for Drake wrote. “It instead launched a campaign to manipulate and saturate the streaming services and airwaves.” In the second filing, he accused them of defamation for not halting the release of “Not Like Us,” which he said contains various untrue allegations.

Drake’s Legal Action Explained

The NFL announced Lamar as the headliner for the halftime show, earlier this year. Seeing as “Not Like Us” has quickly become one of the biggest hits of Lamar’s career, fans are expecting him to perform the track during the game. Check out the full breakdown of Drake’s legal case below. Be on the lookout for further updates on HotNewHipHop.

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Milagro Gramz Wants Megan Thee Stallion’s “Dubious” Lawsuit Dismissed

November 27, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Milagro Gramz has filed a motion requesting to have Megan Thee Stallion’s recent lawsuit against her dismissed on the grounds of failure to claim, arguing Megan’s complaint is insufficient. In the filing, her legal team wrote: “Plaintiff is suggesting here that merely liking, linking to, or talking about an online post regarding a public figure is a criminal offense.” Megan filed the lawsuit back in October, accusing Milagro of allegedly spreading numerous falsehoods about her and her criminal case against Tory Lanez.

“Rather than rebut the allegations online, Plaintiff chose to use the Courts to intimidate and silence the Defendant from exercising her First Amendment rights to publish her opinions and beliefs and also to serve as a warning to other critics that if the Plaintiff does not like what you say about her, you will likely have to deal with a federal lawsuit,” the filing argues. “This is evidenced by Plaintiff’s Complaint, which reads more like a press release than a legal document. Defendant submits that that Plaintiff’s Complaint which is buttressed on dubious legal claims and irrelevant and impertinent allegations that at best only tangentially relate to the Plaintiff, fails to state a cause of action under Florida law and should be DISMISSED.”

Megan Thee Stallion Performs During “The Hot Girl Summer Tour”

Megan previously explained the motivations behind her lawsuit in a statement at the time of filing. “It’s time to hold bloggers accountable for years of harassment, cyberbullying and the publication of misinformation about my personal and professional life,” she said in a statement shared with VIBE. “I’ve endured countless attacks on my character based on false narratives from social media bloggers misrepresenting themselves as journalists. It’s unacceptable behavior and these individuals need to understand there will be repercussions for recklessly posting lies and defamatory falsehoods.” She noted in the lawsuit that the false rumors had “a negative effect” on her “mental and emotional state.”

Milagro Gramz Fires Back

Assuming the two sides don’t reach a settlement agreement, the trial will kick off on September 8th, 2025. Check out the latest filing in Megan The Stallion’s lawsuit against Milagro Gramz below.

The first big filing in Megan Thee Stallion's lawsuit against Milagro Cooper is a dismissal motion for failure to state claim.

"Plaintiff is suggesting here that merely liking, linking to, or talking about an online post regarding a public figure is a criminal offense…" pic.twitter.com/j7FxV9gl83

— Meghann Cuniff (@meghanncuniff) November 26, 2024

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Funkmaster Flex Claims Drake Is “100% Right” Amidst UMG Legal Drama

November 27, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Drake continues to be ragged on by the whole of the hip hop world in 2024. The rapper has decided to file a petition against his own label, Universal Music Group, for their alleged role in promoting Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us.” The decision has baffled many, given that UMG is the hand that feeds the 6 God. Some have called the rapper sensitive, others labeled him a sore loser given the outcome of his battle with Lamar. Funkmaster Flex, on the other hand, took to social media to show his support.

The legendary DJ praised Drake for taking a stand against UMG and the rumored method of using Payola to boost Spotify streams. “Drake is 100% right. National play,” Funkmaster Flex tweeted. “Drake don’t $ for play.” He proceeded to list out the varying costs of promoting music on mix shows, radio shows, and local music events. Funkmaster Flex then threw weight behind Drizzy’s desire to challenge a behemoth label like Universal Music Group. As far as he’s concerned, independent artists need to be given more of an opportunity. “This is why independent artists don’t rise to the top,” Flex added.

Funkmaster Flex Claimed Drake Doesn’t Pay For Plays

DRAKE IS 100% RIGHT! NATIONAL PLAY!
(PER SONG) DRAKE DONT $ FOR PLAY!
POP / CHR RADIO: $350k
URBAN RADIO: $250K
MIXSHOW: $100K
LOCAL MIXSHOW DIRECTOR: $40k
LOCAL DJ: $3K-5K PER SONG!
(DJS ON THE RADIO 5 DAYS A WEEK)

THIS IS WHY INDEPENDENT ARTIST DONT RISE TO THE TOP!

ALL YOU…

— Funk Flex !!!!! (@funkflex) November 26, 2024

The New York legend also spoke up for his own credibility as a tastemaker. “All you artist know I ain’t never take a dime from you, your manager or your labels,” Funkmaster Flex concluded. “Bomb has no price.” Flex’s decision to support Drake may come as a surprise to some, given that he has been very critical of the 6 God in the past. He had some strong words for Drake after the rapper accused him of spreading “lies” in 2018. Flex claimed he wasn’t worried about Drake, and poked fun at his fanbase. “70% of your fans wear high heels,” he claimed during his show. “The other 30% are guys who wear sandals. I’m not concerned about you.”

Funkmaster Flex also played a role in Drake’s battle with Meek Mill in 2015. Flex and Drake have never been very close, but they have repeatedly crossed paths at crucial points in their careers. The former has made it clear that he appreciates the Toronto star’s artistry, though. In the aforementioned 2018 rant, he admitted that Drake makes “great music” and puts on “great shows.” If you told us Flex was going to be one of the most vocal 6 God supporters in January, though, we would not have believed you.

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Drake Allegedly Threatened Legal Action Against “Degrassi” In 2006

November 26, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Drake is really pushing his career into uncharted territory. The rapper has filed a petition against UMG. He believes the label boosted the streams of his rival, Kendrick Lamar. He plans to sue the label and Spotify for using bots and “schemes” to ensure the success of Lamar’s smash hit single “Not Like Us.” There’s been a lot of discourse surrounding Drake’s decision. What it could mean for his career, and the future of artists as a whole. It has also, however, led to renewed interest in a story from 2021.

The AV Club ran an anniversary piece on Degrassi: The Next Generation, the show that launched Drake’s career as an entertainer. One of the show’s writers, James Hurst, reflected on his relationship with Drake, and the concern he had regarding his portrayal on the show. So much concern, that the actor threatened legal action before the start of the sixth season. “There was a letter from a law firm in Toronto, and it was from Aubrey,” Hurst alleged. The letter allegedly stated that Drizzy would not return to Degrassi: The Next Generation “unless his [character’s] injury is healed, and he’s out of the wheelchair.”

James Hurst Claimed Drake Was “Apologetic” After Threat

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Hurst told the outlet that he confronted Drake about the letter. The actor was reportedly sheepish at first. He eventually admitted he didn’t like the storyline that his character had been given. The writer recalled the issue stemming from Drake’s friends in the hip hop community. “He’s like, ‘All my friends in the rap game say I’m soft because I’m in a wheelchair,’” Hurst stated. “I said, ‘Tell your friends in the rap game that you got shot. How much harder can you get? You got shot, and you’re in a wheelchair.’” Hurst claimed Drake got onboard after their discussion. His character remained in a wheelchair.

The former Degrassi writer described Drake as “nice” and “apologetic” once he realized what the show was going for. Hurst’s wanted to take the “coolest” kid on the show and prove there’s nothing wrong with being in a wheelchair. Hurst claimed there was only one other arc in which Drake needed convincing, and it’s supremely ironic in retrospect. The writer alleged that Drizzy was reluctant to rap as his character on the show. He eventually came around, though, and the rest is history.

[via]

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Wendy Williams Has Become “Permanently Disabled” As Health Worsens

November 26, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Wendy Williams’ guardian, Sabrina Morrissey, has provided an update on the former broadcaster’s health in a new court filing obtained by the New York Post. She revealed Williams “has become cognitively impaired, permanently disabled, and incapacitated” as she continues to battle with dementia. The court filing comes amid Morrissey’s ongoing legal battle with Lifetime. The case centers around the release of the documentary, Where Is Wendy Williams?. She claims the filmmakers took advantage of Williams’ declining mental state.

The filing lists several defendants including A&E Television Networks, Lifetime Entertainment Services, EOne Productions, Creature Films, and the doc’s executive producer Mark Ford. It alleges that the group, “cruelly took advantage of [Williams’] cognitive and physical decline by creating and publishing a documentary at a time when [Williams] was highly vulnerable and clearly incapable of consenting to be filmed.”

Wendy Williams Steps Out For Dinner In New York City

NEW YORK NEW YORK – FEBRUARY 21: Wendy Williams during a private dinner at Fresco. By Scotto on February 21, 2023, in New York City. (Photo by Johnny Nunez/WireImage)

Morrissey and her legal team further argue that the defendants “intentionally manipulated and goaded” Williams “to trigger strong emotional reactions and acquire embarrassing footage.” She wants the court to redact aspects of Williams’ “health, familial relationships, and finances” to protect her privacy. On the other side, attorneys for the defense have agreed that Williams gave her “consent, input, and participation” prior to being diagnosed with dementia. Both sides have requested a trial, which is expected to last between two to four weeks.

While Williams’ health began to decline in recent years, a court placed her in a legal guardianship in 2022. The guardianship oversees her health and finances. Her bank, Wells Fargo, had claimed she was “incapacitated” at the time. Williams was first diagnosed with primary aggressive aphasia and frontotemporal dementia back in 2023. The Lifetime documentary, Where Is Wendy Williams?, dropped in February of the following year. Be on the lookout for further updates on Wendy Williams and her health on HotNewHipHop.

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Trey Songz Must Now Pay A Police Officer $11 Million

November 26, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Trey Songz will have to pay out a $11 million judgment after a Las Vegas judge ruled against him in a case brought by Tyrelle Dunn, a Maryland Capitol police officer who accuses the singer of assaulting him as he allegedly tried to rescue his wife from Songz’s hotel room in 2021. According to TMZ, Songz never responded to the lawsuit, leading to the default judgment.

“Plaintiff’s wife was escorted by Defendant security personnel to room 6014 where she was told she would meet Trey Songz,” the lawsuit alleged. “That while in room 6014, plaintiff’s wife was assaulted, tried to leave and had her phone taken away.” Dunn went on to allege he heard his wife screaming for help as he approached the hotel room. “The attack has had a profound and everyday impact on my life. I still have the scarring, and suffer emotionally from the attack,” Dunn wrote. “I think about the attack every day when I see the injuries to my face and body.”

Trey Songz Performs At JuicyFest In New Zealand

AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND – JANUARY 06: Trey Songz performs at JuicyFest at North. Harbour Stadium on January 06, 2024, in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Dave Simpson/WireImage)

The incident led to Dunn allegedly sustaining fractures to both eye sockets and injuries to his nose, face, ribs, stomach, ear, and head. In turn, he missed out on over a month of work. 8 News Now has obtained a 911 call from a worker at the hotel, in which they described Dunn as being “battered.” “He was battered in a room and we can’t go up there because we’re not sure if the people are armed,” the worker told the operator. “They battered him and they stole his money and his chain.”

It’s unclear whether Songz intends to appeal the decision and he has yet to discuss the judgment publically. Despite the lawsuit, Songz was cleared of any criminal wrongdoing in the incident back in April 2022.

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