lawsuit

YSL Defendant Files Lawsuit Over Dangerous Conditions At Fulton County Jail

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Shannon Stillwell, also known as Shannon Jackson, a defendant in the YSL RICO trial, has filed a federal class-action lawsuit against Fulton County Sheriff Patrick Labat and Chief Jailer John Jackson. The lawsuit, filed alongside fellow inmate Nkenegen Hambrick, accuses jail officials of overseeing dire conditions at the Fulton County Jail. Allegations include overcrowding, crumbling infrastructure, rampant violence, and unsanitary living environments.

Attorney Michael Harper, representing Stillwell and Hambrick, emphasized the urgent need for reform. “The Fulton County Jail’s management has not taken adequate steps to prevent violence, leaving detainees at constant risk of harm. We are seeking immediate reforms to ensure no more lives are endangered within these walls,” Harper stated in an interview with AllHipHop.

Stillwell, who was incarcerated during the YSL RICO trial, claims he was stabbed twice by other inmates due to broken cell doors and a lack of security personnel. The lawsuit also highlights the jail’s failure to separate inmates based on gang affiliations, creating a volatile environment that increases the risk of violence.

This legal action follows a damning report from the U.S. Department of Justice, which condemned conditions at the Fulton County Jail. Attorney General Merrick B. Garland detailed the findings, saying, “The Justice Department’s report concluded that Fulton County and the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office allowed unsafe and unsanitary conditions at the jail. As a result, people incarcerated in the Fulton County Jail suffered harms from pest infestation and malnourishment and were put at substantial risk of serious harm from violence by other incarcerated people — including homicides, stabbings, and sexual abuse.”

Garland added, “The unconstitutional and unlawful conditions at the Fulton County Jail have persisted for far too long, and we are committed to working with Fulton County and the Fulton County Sheriff’s office to remedy them.”

The lawsuit adds to growing scrutiny of the jail, which has long faced criticism for its hazardous conditions.

The YSL RICO trial concluded earlier this month. Stillwell was found guilty on a single charge of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. While sentenced to 10 years in prison, the judge commuted his sentence to time served, allowing him to serve the remainder on probation.

Meanwhile, YSL leader Young Thug avoided additional jail time after securing a plea deal in October.

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Dame Dash’s Past Debts & Judgements Lead Assets To Auction Block

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Dame Dash faces mounting financial pressures as more assets are poised for auction to address outstanding debts. Last month, a federal auction in Manhattan saw Dash’s one-third ownership stake in Roc-A-Fella Records sell for $1 million. While significant, the sum fell short of resolving his extensive financial obligations. The sale was prompted by a series of judgments against Dash, including an $823,284.71 award to filmmaker Josh Webber and Muddy Water Pictures.

The lawsuit stemmed from claims of unpaid debts and Dash’s alleged attempt to seize control of the film Dear Frank. The proceeds of the Roc-A-Fella sale were swiftly divided among creditors. New York City received $193,877.57 to cover Dash’s overdue child support payments, while $1,702,626.34 was directed to his substantial state tax debt, which exceeds $8 million. Despite these allocations, Webber and Muddy Water Pictures remain unpaid, along with other creditors, including photographer Monique Bunn and writer Edwyna Brooks.

Read more: Dame Dash Calls John Legend Out For Rejecting Roc-A-Fella Deal

Dame Dash Hit With More Lawsuit, Property On Auction Block

Court filings reveal that Dash’s financial troubles could soon deepen. His Poppington LLC business and copyrights to several films he produced may also face the auction block. Among the works at risk are We Went to… China, Welcome to Blackroc, and Honor Up. These projects form a core part of Poppington LLC and air on Dash’s America Nu television network.

The legal and financial fallout underscores the complexities of Dame Dash’s situation. As creditors vie for a share of limited funds, those with higher-priority claims, such as New York State, are likely to receive precedence. Meanwhile, Dame Dash’s future as a media entrepreneur hangs in the balance, with pivotal works from his catalog potentially slipping away to resolve his debts. The Roc-A-Fella Record’s sale marked a symbolic moment in the music mogul’s financial decline. It appears to be just the beginning of his arduous journey to settle his obligations.

Read more: Dame Dash Reveals How Jay-Z Allegedly Prevented Joe Budden From Dropping A Roc-A-Fella Album

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Megan Thee Stallion’s Defamation Lawsuit Could Be Hindered By A Case Against Bob Dylan

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Blogger Milagro Gramz and her legal team have referenced a prior lawsuit against Bob Dylan to defend her from accusations of defamation brought by Megan Thee Stallion. Megan’s lawsuit revolves around social media posts Gramz made during Tory Lanez’s recent trial. She had accused Megan of allegedly being a “drunk” and questioned her credibility as a witness. Gramz says Megan’s own song, “Cobra,” references abusing alcohol.

“Rather than rebut the commentary or debate the issues raised by [Gramz’] comments so people can make up their own minds, [Megan Thee Stallion] has succumbed to the current trend of using the legal system in an attempt to cancel those opinions she disagrees with,” Gramz’s latest filing reads, as caught by AllHipHop.

Read More: How Hip-Hop Culture “Revived” Itself & Declared War On Its Leaders In 2024

Megan Thee Stallion Performs During ESSENCE Festival Of Culture

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JULY 02: Megan Thee Stallion performs during day 3 of the 2023 ESSENCE. Festival Of Culture™ at Caesars Superdome on July 02, 2023 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Josh Brasted/WireImage)

As for “Cobra,” Megan raps on the song: “At night, I’m sittin’ in a dark room thinkin/Probably why I always end up drinkin’/Yes, I’m very depressed/How can somebody so blessed wanna slit they wrist/S###, I’d probably bleed out some Pinot/When they find me, I’m in Valentino/ayy; He pourin’ me shots, thinkin’ it’s lit/Hah, little did he know.”

In making her argument, Gramz refers to Dylan’s iconic song, “Hurricane,” and the lawsuit Patty Valentine filed over the song. Valentine accused the legendary singer of falsely implicating her in a conspiracy to frame Rubin “Hurricane” Carter. The courts ended up dismissing Valentine’s claim. “Taking Ms. Pete’s logic in bringing this case to its ultimate conclusion, given that a jury convicted Carter, any individual who suggested something to the contrary or who criticized the credibility of the state’s witnesses in that trial should be guilty of defamation. Patty Valentine, who was mentioned by name in the Dylan song, thought as Ms. Pete did and sued for defamation, claiming the song implied that she was involved in the conspiracy against Carter,” explained Gramz’ lawyer Michael Pancier.

Read More: Ice Cube Opens Up About His New Album “Man Down,” Legacy, And The Future Of West Coast Hip-Hop

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Jay-Z Has A New Reason He Wants His Alleged Rape Victim To Lose Anonymity

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Jay-Z and his lawyer, Alex Spiro, believe that his alleged rape victim has forfeited her right to anonymity after conducting a public interview with NBC News. In a motion filed before Christmas caught by AllHipHop, the legendary rapper’s legal team argued that the Jane Doe positioned herself in the public eye by giving the interview with the outlet, undermining her need for anonymity.

“By choosing to participate in a public NBC News interview, [Jane Doe] has deliberately placed herself in the public eye, undermining any claim that anonymity is necessary to protect her well-being,” Spiro wrote. “This imbalance unfairly harms Mr. Carter by allowing unverified accusations to damage his reputation while shielding the accuser from similar scrutiny.”

Read More: How Hip-Hop Culture “Revived” Itself & Declared War On Its Leaders In 2024

Jay-Z Attends Super Bowl LVIII

Feb 11, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Recording artist Jay-Z arrives before Super Bowl LVIII between the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports via Imagn Images

Jane Doe still maintained her anonymity during the interview, with the camera avoiding showing her face. Speaking with the outlet, she further claimed that Jay-Z and Diddy allegedly raped her at an MTV Video Music Awards afterparty in 2000, when she was just 13 years old. Spiro argues that her comments during the interview showed several inconsistencies in her story. “Her statements in the NBC interview directly conflict with key elements of her lawsuit, highlighting the lack of corroboration and credibility in her claims,” Spiro explained.

Jane Doe Speaks With NBC News

Doe originally made her allegation against Jay in an amendment to a prior lawsuit she had filed against Diddy, earlier this year. Afterward, Jay quickly came out with a statement, vehemently denying the allegation. He’s since gone as far as to take legal action against Doe’s lawyer, Tony Buzbee, in response. He’s accused the attorney of extortion, which Buzbee has denied. Check out Jane Doe’s interview with NBC News below.

Read More: Ice Cube Opens Up About His New Album “Man Down,” Legacy, And The Future Of West Coast Hip-Hop

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Diddy Employee Claims He Was Forced To Destroy Sex Party Evidence In New Lawsuit

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You know the drill at this point. It’s almost abnormal to have a week go by where there isn’t a lawsuit filed against Diddy. The Bad Boy founder has been accused of nearly every crime under the sun, including sex trafficking, assault, and racketeering. Diddy was hit with another lawsuit on December 23. This particular suit comes from a former employee named Philip Pines. Pines claims that he was forced to participate in Diddy’s sex parties. He was also, allegedly, forced to clean up and destroy any evidence after the parties came to an end.

In his lawsuit, Philip Pines revealed that he worked for Diddy from December 2019 to December 2021. During this time period, the employee was allegedly forced to have sex with women against his will, and was subjected to abuse on a regular basis. Pines claimed the sex parties in which he would be forced to participate were called “Wild King Nights.” He also alleged that he was tasked with preparing for these parties, as well as cleaning them up. Pines said that he purchased alcohol, drugs and sex paraphernalia for each “Wild King Night.” Some of the objects he claimed to have purchased include: “red lights, ice buckets, alcohol, marijuana joints, honey packs for male libido, baby oil, astro glide, towels, illegal drugs and power banger sex machines.”

Read More: Kendrick Lamar Is Hip-Hop’s MVP For 2024

Pines Claims Diddy Parties Were Called “Wild King Nights”

Afterwards, Philip Pines would be tasked with damage control. He claims he regularly made sure that attendees did not have video footage of Diddy. If he did not view and delete any footage with the Bad Boy founder, he would reportedly be fired. Pines also made sure that bodily fluids like blood and urine were cleaned up and not traceable. The former employee also recounted specific situations in which Diddy exposed a celebrity to COVID and violently kicked a participant during a “Wild King Night” in Miami.

Diddy’s legal team issued a statement denying Pines’ claims. “No matter how many lawsuits are filed,” the statement read. “It won’t change the fact that Combs has never sexually assaulted or sex trafficked anyone. Man or woman, adult or minor. We live in a world where anyone can file a lawsuit for any reason. Fortunately, a fair and impartial judicial process exists to find the truth, and Mr. Combs is confident he will prevail in court.”

Read More: Hip-Hop Albums That Grew On Us The Most In 2024

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Tony Yayo Defends Drake’s Decision To Take Legal Action Over Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us”

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Tony Yayo discussed Drake’s decision to take legal action against Universal Music Group over the release of Kendrick Lamar’s diss track “Not Like Us” while speaking with VladTV. In doing so, he refused to take sides in the artists’ feud and defended Drake’s right to file his petitions against the company.

“He might have his reasons. He might have the lawyers, he might have the information. Money is power. Power is money, right? He must know something,” Yayo began. From there, he argued that he doesn’t understand exactly how streams equate to physical album sales. As Vlad continued to suggest Drake was suing only because he lost the battle, Yayo added: “Either way, we’re talking about it right now. They’re both winning.”

Read More: How Hip-Hop Culture “Revived” Itself & Declared War On Its Leaders In 2024

Tony Yayo Performs With 50 Cent

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – AUGUST 10: (L-R) 50 Cent and Tony Yayo perform onstage during the 50 Cent: The Final Lap Tour at Barclays Center on August 10, 2023, in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images)

As for Drake’s argument, he filed two legal petitions, accusing UMG of defamation as well as allegedly boosting the streams of “Not Like Us.” In his defamation filing, he complained that the company didn’t block the release of a song featuring unfounded allegations. “UMG … could have refused to release or distribute the song or required the offending material to be edited and/or removed,” Drake’s lawyers wrote, as caught by 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.”

Tony Yayo Weighs In On Drake’s UMG Petition

In other news, Kendrick Lamar will be performing at the NFL’s Super Bowl Halftime Show, in February. Whether he’ll perform “Not Like Us” remains unclear. Check out Tony Yayo’s full thoughts on Drake’s petition below.

Read More: Ice Cube Opens Up About His New Album “Man Down,” Legacy, And The Future Of West Coast Hip-Hop

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Diddy Slams Male Prisoner’s $400M Sexual Assault Lawsuit As A “Meritless Attack”

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It goes without saying that Diddy’s legal battle is just beginning. In September of this year, the Bad Boy founder was arrested, and he’s now facing charges related to alleged sex trafficking and racketeering. Before that, he was hit with a long list of lawsuits from people accusing him of sexual assault, abuse, and much more. These haven’t slowed down amid his incarceration, as evidenced by the two new suits filed against him last week.

Diddy is pushing back, however, recently slamming a Michigan inmate for a lawsuit he filed against the mogul in June. The inmate, Derrick Lee Cardello-Smith, accuses Diddy of sexually assaulting him at a 1997 party. Diddy failed to reply to Cardello-Smith’s complaint, prompting a judge to order him to pay a $100 million default judgment.

Read More: Biggest Hip-Hop Moments Of 2024

Diddy Fires Back At Derrick Lee Cardello-Smith Amid His Prison Stay

Jul 25, 2023; Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA; Recording artist DJ Khaled and Sean Combs attend the game between Inter Miami CF and Atlanta United at DRV PNK Stadium. Jasen Vinlove / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

“This man [Cardello-Smith] is a convicted felon and sexual predator, who has been sentenced on 14 counts of sexual assault and kidnapping over the last 26 years,” Diddy’s attorney Marc Agnifilo told TMZ at the time. “His resume now includes committing a fraud on the court from prison, as Mr. Combs has never heard of him let alone been served with any lawsuit. Mr. Combs looks forward to having this judgment swiftly dismissed.” The judgment was later vacated, but Diddy’s team doesn’t think Cardello-Smith is done. In court documents obtained by AllHipHop, they vehemently deny all of his allegations. They also ask that the case be dismissed, and call for sanctions under federal law.

This type of court order is intended to prevent people from filing frivolous claims. “This barrage of fabricated claims must come to an end,” Diddy’s attorney, David Fink, also wrote. “Plaintiff’s frequent filings clearly indicate he has no intention of stopping his meritless attacks.”

Read More: Hip-Hop Albums That Grew On Us The Most In 2024

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DJ Akademiks Reveals Why He Thinks Drake’s Career Is At Risk Amid UMG Legal Battle

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Last month, Drake decided to go after Universal Music Group (UMG) and Spotify. In a pre-action petition, he accuses the companies of artificially boosting Kendrick Lamar’s diss track “Not Like Us” using bots and payola. UMG was quick to deny these allegations, and last week, Spotify finally issued its response.

“UMG and Spotify have never had any arrangement in which UMG charged Spotify licensing rates 30 percent lower than its usual licensing rates for ‘Not Like Us’ in exchange for Spotify affirmatively recommending [‘Not Like Us]’, including ‘to users who are searching for other songs and artists,’” the filing says in part. “Spotify has no economic incentive for users to stream ‘Not Like Us” over any of Drake’s tracks.”

Read More: Biggest Hip-Hop Moments Of 2024

DJ Akademiks Claims Drake Will Get “Washed” If He Goes Through With UMG Lawsuit

Drake’s team wasted no time firing back, confirming that the response had not deterred them. “It is not surprising that Spotify is trying to distance themselves from UMG’s allegedly manipulative practices to artificially inflate streaming numbers on behalf of one of its other artists,” they wrote. “If Spotify and UMG have nothing to hide then they should be perfectly fine complying with this basic discovery request.”

During a recent stream, DJ Akademiks shared his take on all of this, appearing somewhat shocked by how Drake’s team responded to Spotify. “Drake’s legal team is following up as if they’re really that serious,” he began. “I really, to my core and my heart, I don’t believe that Drake is serious with this lawsuit. I haven’t talked to him about it, he hasn’t said nothing to me about it. The reason why I’m saying it is because as much as I like Drake’s music, I think if Drake goes to war with UMG, he’s getting washed. I’m sorry, Drake is not bigger than the program.” Akademiks went on, explaining how he doesn’t think Drake will actually go through with the lawsuit. If he does, however, he thinks his career could take a serious hit.

Read More: Hip-Hop Albums That Grew On Us The Most In 2024

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Young Thug Awarded $1.6 Million In China Knock-Offs Lawsuit

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Young Thug secures a big win after a three-long RICO battle that landed him banished from Metro Atlanta and 15 years probation. Thug was awarded $1.6 million against 22 businesses, the majority in China, for selling “knock-off” versions of his popular Sp5der clothing brand. Each business in the lawsuit is liable for $75,000 in payment. Information about the lawsuit(s) is scarce outside of the ruling.

The Sp5der clothing brand received huge popularity during Thug’s RICO trial. The rap star frequently wore items from the brand that eventually went viral. Drake, Lil Baby, and Mariah The Scientist were among the many celebrities who supported the clothing brand during the trial. Young Thug accepted a plea deal and pled guilty to charges in October.

Read more: Young Thug, Travis Scott, Future & Lil Baby Still “Locked In” The Studio Making “The Best Music”

Young Thug Wins $1.6 Million Against 22 Businesses

Now that Young Thug is a free man, fans are eagerly anticipating his next musical chapter. While no official announcements have been made, it’s clear that he’s diving headfirst into creating new music. In a recent interview, producers Southside and Wheezy revealed that Thugger has been in the studio alongside Travis Scott, Lil Baby, and Future, working tirelessly on collaborations. According to them, the group has been relentlessly crafting tracks, channeling their collective talent into what promises to be some of the most exciting music of the year.

For Young Thug, these sessions mark a significant comeback. But the excitement extends to the other artists as well. Lil Baby, for instance, has two highly anticipated albums slated for 2025. As Young Thug reclaims his place in the spotlight, the anticipation for his return feels monumental. This moment is shaping up to be not just a celebration of his artistry but a defining chapter for the entire trap scene. Fans are ready—and the music can’t come soon enough.

Read more: Lil Woody Weighs In On Young Thug Blasting Gunna On X Following Prison Release

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Dame Dash Warns Jay-Z That White Media Has Turned On Him Amid Sexual Assault Allegations

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Dame Dash previously expressed his shock at not just the sexual assault allegations against Jay-Z, but at the fact that he responded to them at all. During a new interview with The Art Of Dialogue, he expanded on these feelings by positing that white media is now launching a lot of backlash Hov’s way for basically the first time ever. Dame compared this situation to allegations against himself, for which he didn’t receive the same level of criticism as Jay. Of course, the fame levels are different. He hopes that nothing abhorrent actually happened, but he suggested that this is first time that white media and big industry powers did not give the Roc Nation mogul “a pass.”

“Like, he can control Black media ’cause a lot of them either work or do business with him,” Dame Dash remarked about Jay-Z. “But, like, you know, Drink Champs can’t get him out of this one, and neither can Charlamagne. ‘Cause those are the guys that hold him down no matter what he does anyway. So he got to get to People magazine and Entertainment Tonight right now, ’cause they on his head. But the question is why. Like, why now?”

Read More: Biggest Hip-Hop Moments Of 2024

Dame Dash Speaks On Jay-Z’s Sexual Assault Allegations

Furthermore, Dame Dash said that Jay-Z could just treat the case as ridiculous, so he doesn’t understand why white media is supposedly bringing the hammer down so heavily. As for the Brooklyn rap icon’s statement on the matter, he thinks that he needs to be open, say his side of the story, and answer questions consistently rather than allow his attorney Alex Spiro to handle things. For example, Dame thought that Spiro’s assessment of Jay’s public relationship with Diddy would bring a lot of backlash, and it did.

Meanwhile, as Dame Dash and many others offer their takes on these scandals, Jay-Z and his accuser’s lawyer Tony Buzbee continue to engage in a war of words and legal accusations. The most recent development in this area is Buzbee’s response to Jay’s request to impose sanctions on the attorney for allegedly filing a false claim. But we still don’t have any tangible or important legal developments to talk about when it comes to this case’s future.

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