News Exclusives Archives - New Hip Hop News

Minnesota Rapper Hit With Federal Fraud Charges For Hacking DEA System In Drug Ring

December 23, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Minnesota rapper Lil Shine, born Jasper William Johnson, faces federal charges for allegedly hacking into the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) system to gain unauthorized access to codeine prescriptions. The indictment, viewed by HipHopDX, names Shine alongside co-defendants Oscar Becerra-Ruiz and Raujaun Keon Varner.

According to prosecutors, the trio is accused of orchestrating a scheme to infiltrate the DEA’s practitioner and physician database, enabling them to order over 300 pints of promethazine with codeine. The men allegedly used stolen physician credentials to create fraudulent accounts with pharmaceutical wholesalers, placing large orders that were shipped to fake doctors’ offices nationwide. The street value of the promethazine is estimated at $750,000.

The defendants now face charges including conspiracy to acquire controlled substances by fraud, 11 counts of wire fraud, and four counts of aggravated identity theft. Despite the breach, the DEA confirmed that no patient data was compromised.

Lil Shine addressed the accusations on social media, proclaiming his innocence. “IM INNOCENT!” he wrote on Instagram Stories. He further elaborated during an Instagram Live session, stating:

“Basically, I’ve been given the opportunity to fight this shit and it could take anywhere from six months to a year… I just want you to know I appreciate all the love. I’m free, though. That federal shit is different, it’s not like a state case but I’m gonna be fighting this shit from outside the walls.”

The rising underground artist shared that he had anticipated the charges, having previously received a target letter from federal authorities. Despite his legal troubles, Shine reassured fans that new music is on the way, announcing a single dropping on Christmas Day and a tape set for release on New Year’s.

This case marks a shocking turn of events for Lil Shine, who has been gaining traction in the underground rap scene. Fans and observers alike await further developments as the legal proceedings unfold.

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[WATCH] Outlawz’s Young Noble Reflects On Altercation With Diddy Following Tupac’s Murder

December 20, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Young Noble of the Outlawz has revisited the tense confrontation with Diddy that took place after Tupac Shakur’s murder. In an interview with The Art of Dialogue, Noble recalled the events surrounding MTV’s 20th anniversary show in 2001, where emotions ran high during a rehearsal for a tribute to Tupac.

“Puffy was trying to engage with us, but we didn’t want to talk to him. He ended up having a conversation with Big Sike from Thug Life,” Noble recounted. “We had nothing to say; we weren’t interested in speaking to him.”

Things escalated when the situation turned physical. “Puffy was nearing the end of the song when Mu (Napoleon) walked up and grabbed the mic. The song had finished, and it was our time to take over. Puff seemed to take offense, saying, ‘Hold on, playboy!’”

Noble described the chaos that ensued, saying, “Next thing you know, security and all these guys jumped on stage. We thought, ‘Here we go again.’ It turned into a bit of a melee, and ultimately, we were escorted out and unable to perform.”

In a separate discussion during the same interview, Young Noble also shared his experience of visiting Tupac in the hospital after he was shot in September 1996. “I was right there, front and center. People still say he’s alive, hiding out like Bin Laden or in Cuba, but no, he really passed away,” he emphasized.

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Jay-Z Faces New Paternity Test Lawsuit Amid Mounting Legal Challenges

December 20, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Jay-Z is embroiled in yet another legal battle, this time stemming from a paternity lawsuit filed by Rymir Satterthwaite, who claims to be the rapper’s 31-year-old “illegitimate son.” According to MailOnline, Satterthwaite, along with his late mother Wanda and his guardian Dr. Lillie Coley, has brought the case forward, alleging fraudulent actions by Jay-Z during prior paternity tests. The plaintiffs argue that their legal “rights were violated through fraudulent court actions,” citing instances of “sealed records, wrongful sanctions, and obstruction of their legal proceedings.”

This paternity dispute is only one of several legal issues currently surrounding the hip-hop mogul. In a separate case, a woman recently amended a prior lawsuit against Diddy to include allegations that Jay-Z also assaulted her at a party in 2000 when she was just 13 years old. Both Jay-Z and Diddy have denied these accusations.

Adding to the legal troubles, attorney Tony Buzbee, who represents the woman in the assault case, has filed a new lawsuit against Jay-Z’s Roc Nation. Buzbee accuses the company of violating various state laws, including “barratry and impersonation of a public official.” In a statement released Wednesday, Buzbee declared, “LET ME BE CLEAR: we will not be bullied or intimidated.”

Jay-Z has not publicly commented on the latest allegations or lawsuits.

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Lil Durk Accused Of Breaking Jail Phone Rules Ahead Of Murder-For-Hire Trial

December 20, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Lil Durk has reportedly broken several regulations while incarcerated at a California jail as he awaits trial for his alleged involvement in a murder-for-hire scheme.

According to a report by Law & Crime published on Tuesday (December 17), court documents reveal new details about why the Chicago rapper was denied bond. Prosecutors argued that Durk’s behavior demonstrates a “pattern of criminal activity and interference,” including violating Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC) rules in Los Angeles.

One notable allegation is that Durk, whose real name is Durk Banks, repeatedly made three-way calls, despite explicit instructions against such actions. “Despite clear instructions to not engage in three-way calls, defendant repeatedly abused the phone system at MDC to engage in such conduct,” the prosecution wrote in a recently published brief. At a hearing on December 12, the judge sided with the prosecution and denied Durk’s bond request.

The legal troubles don’t stop there. Prosecutors have also linked the rapper to the 2022 murder of Stephon Mack, alleged leader of the Smashville faction of the Gangster Disciples in Chicago. While this case is separate from the current murder-for-hire charges, the allegations suggest a pattern of retaliatory violence tied to Durk.

According to newly unsealed court documents, Mack’s death was supposedly retribution for the 2021 murder of Durk’s brother, Dontay “DThang” Banks, who was fatally shot outside a nightclub in Harvey, Illinois. Prosecutors allege that Durk actively sought revenge. “Lil Durk was and still is offering money for people to kill those responsible for his brother’s murder, and more specifically, offering to pay money for any Gangster Disciple that is killed,” a federal agent stated in the April 2023 filing, which was unsealed on December 11.

While Durk has not been charged in Mack’s murder, the investigation remains ongoing. Two other men, Anthony Montgomery-Wilson and Preston Powell, were charged earlier this year with conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire in connection to Mack’s death. Investigators reportedly uncovered text messages on Montgomery-Wilson’s phone discussing a payment allegedly tied to Durk. One message asked: “Did Durk gave (sic) u that money.”

Lil Durk’s murder-for-hire trial is scheduled to begin on January 7.

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[WATCH] Alleged United HealthCare Killer Heads Back To NYC After Waiving Extradition In PA

December 19, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Luigi Mangione, the man accused of killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, is being extradited from Pennsylvania to New York after waiving his right to an extradition hearing.

Mangione appeared in a Pennsylvania courtroom on Thursday, where he agreed to the transfer without contest. Authorities are now transporting him to New York, where the alleged crime took place.

The 34-year-old suspect is charged with fatally shooting Thompson earlier this month outside a Manhattan hotel. Following a five-day manhunt, Mangione was arrested at a McDonald’s in Altoona, Pennsylvania.

Mangione faces multiple charges, including murder and firearm-related offenses in New York, as well as separate gun charges in Pennsylvania. Additionally, federal prosecutors are reportedly preparing to pursue criminal charges against him related to Thompson’s death, though those indictments remain sealed at this time.

The shocking case has drawn significant attention due to the high-profile nature of the victim, with investigators continuing to piece together the events that led to the tragic shooting.

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[WATCH] Fat Joe Reflects On 2024: “The Worst Year in Hip Hop History”, Weighs In On Remy Ma And Papoose Drama

December 19, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Fat Joe has declared 2024 as possibly the bleakest year in Hip Hop’s history—not because of the music, but due to the relentless drama surrounding its public figures. During his appearance on Math Hoffa’s My Expert Opinion podcast, released Tuesday (December 17), the Bronx legend didn’t hold back as he expressed his frustration with the state of the culture.

Joey Crack pointed to the ongoing issues between his close friends Remy Ma and her estranged husband, Papoose, as a prime example of the chaos enveloping the industry. Adding their public rift to a laundry list of woes, Joe reflected on how difficult it has become to maintain privacy and integrity as a public figure in Hip Hop.

“I woke up in 2024 like, ‘God damn it!’ It’s been a horrible year,” Joe lamented. “I was just having a heated discussion with my people. This might be the worst year ever in Hip Hop history, type shit. This shit bad. All our legends, all our mentors getting scrutinized. This is the worst time to be a celebrity in the history of mankind. I’m not sure you guys wanna be celebrities.”

He continued with a mix of frustration and disbelief, saying, “I got friends who are filthy rich that wanna be popping, wanna be celebrities. I don’t think they understand what comes with it. This shit crazy out here. It’s nuts. The world done changed on me. You can’t make it up!”

When the conversation turned to Remy Ma and Papoose, Fat Joe spoke candidly about his disappointment over the couple’s public turmoil. As a close collaborator of Remy’s and the godfather to the pair’s six-year-old daughter, the Bronx MC said he feels powerless to mend their relationship.

“It’s a hard situation,” Joe admitted. “I don’t like none of that shit. What I can’t do is stop it. They won’t listen to me.”

He elaborated on the delicate nature of intervening in a marital dispute, stating, “Nobody comes to my house and tells my wife shit. This is your husband. I can’t get in the middle of that, that’s y’all. I wish this didn’t happen.”

Joe also shared a poignant anecdote from the night before the couple’s latest public spat. According to the Lean Back rapper, Remy Ma had treated him and several others to a lavish dinner at a New York City restaurant, seemingly indicating that things were calm within her circle.

“I woke up in the morning, and my phone was going crazy,” Joe recalled. “They were like, ‘Yo! What’s going on?’ And I’m like, ‘What the fuck?’”

The speculation that Papoose was part of the dinner group was quickly debunked by the man himself. Taking to Instagram Stories, Papoose addressed the rumors, clarifying, “Peace to my brother @fatjoe. I think y’all misunderstood his interview. I was not at @brooklynchophouse with them. I do spend thousands of dollars there regularly. I love that place!”

As 2024 continues to unfold, Fat Joe’s reflections paint a sobering picture of Hip Hop’s challenges beyond the music. Whether it’s the scrutiny of its legends or the deeply personal struggles of its stars, this year has proven to be one of the most tumultuous yet.

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[WATCH] Kanye Chastises Lawyer, Puts On Mask During Lawsuit Deposition Zoom Hearing

December 18, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Kanye West’s unique flair for the dramatic was on full display during a recent deposition for a tech lawsuit, with footage now surfacing courtesy of A&E’s upcoming series, Interrogation Raw: Celebrity Under Oath. The video captures a tense exchange between the billionaire rapper and attorney Michael Popok during a Zoom hearing, highlighting Kanye’s unconventional approach to legal proceedings.

The deposition, stemming from a 2020 lawsuit accusing Kanye of misappropriating technology to bolster his Yeezy brand and Sunday Service, kicks off with Kanye joining the call while glued to his phone. Sporting a hat pulled low over his face, he avoids eye contact with Popok, setting the tone for what would be an eyebrow-raising session.

Popok quickly calls out Kanye for using his phone during the hearing. Kanye fires back, claiming that his “mental geniusness” requires him to multitask on his device. The lawsuit, which Kanye dismisses as “bull****,” seems to have elicited little more than disdain from the artist.

Things escalate when Kanye removes his hat at Popok’s request, only to don a full-face mask moments later, declaring, “You don’t have the right to see my face!” As the attorney probes further, asking Kanye to describe his surroundings, Kanye lashes out, “Are you stupid? You are talking to the richest Black person in the history of America.”

The footage underscores the larger-than-life persona Kanye brings even to legal matters, blending defiance with eccentricity. A&E’s Interrogation Raw, set to premiere on December 26 at 10 PM ET/PT, teases that this deposition is a masterclass in celebrity legal drama, with Kanye once again redefining the boundaries of courtroom decorum.

For now, the lawsuit continues, while Kanye’s antics ensure his deposition remains unforgettable.

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Quando Rondo Accuses Police Of Allegedly Trying To Steal His Jewelry

December 18, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Quando Rondo has once again found himself in the midst of controversy, this time alleging that local police attempted to steal his jewelry during an incident on December 17. The rapper took to Instagram Stories to share his claims, asserting that the officers not only tried to damage his jewelry but also attempted to take his watch.

“Police hate so bad,” Rondo wrote in his post, accompanied by a photo showing a chain resting on his lap. He did not provide further details about the alleged encounter or what led to the police interaction.

This incident comes during a challenging time for Rondo, who is facing a 33-month prison sentence after pleading guilty to conspiracy to possess and distribute marijuana. The legal battle lasted over a year, with Rondo initially facing a five-year sentence before ultimately reaching a plea deal with the Department of Justice in August.

Rondo has also been linked to a murder-for-hire plot that emerged in 2022, in which Lil Durk is accused of orchestrating an attack on the rapper. While Rondo survived the shooting, his cousin, Lul Pab, was tragically killed. The trial for Durk and several alleged accomplices is set to begin in January 2025. Although Rondo did not specifically address Durk in his recent statements, he did express his thoughts on the ongoing violence within the rap industry.

In his Instagram post, Rondo reflected on the struggles artists face in breaking free from a cycle of violence. “We didn’t get into this industry just to stay trapped in this street life,” he wrote. “We have families and communities counting on us. It’s time to leave all that behind. We’ve lost too much already.”

Meanwhile, Lil Durk has pleaded not guilty to the murder-for-hire charges, with his lawyer arguing that there is “no real evidence” linking him to the shooting incident from 2022. As the legal battles continue, both artists remain embroiled in a complex and troubling narrative.

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Megan Thee Stallion Files For Restraining Order Against Tory Lanez

December 18, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Megan Thee Stallion has filed a restraining order against Tory Lanez, citing ongoing harassment from both the rapper and his supporters. Although Lanez is currently serving a 10-year prison sentence for shooting Megan in the foot in 2020, the fallout from the incident continues to impact the Houston rapper’s life and career.

According to documents obtained by TMZ, Megan claims that Lanez has been orchestrating harassment campaigns against her from behind bars. Specifically, she pointed to a woman named Elizabeth Milagro Cooper, also known as Milagro Gramz, as a key figure in the harassment. Megan alleges that Cooper has a “conspiratorial relationship” with Lanez, supported by payments funneled through Lanez’s father to ensure the ongoing attacks. These claims follow a history of Cooper sharing false and damaging content about Megan online.

In the court filings, Megan described the harassment as “psychological warfare,” stating that it has caused her significant emotional distress, including depression and estrangement from loved ones. This isn’t the first time Megan has spoken about the toll the situation has taken on her mental health. In an interview with Women’s Health, she revealed that during some of the most tumultuous times in her career, she struggled to keep her emotions in check. “Before I went onstage, I would be crying half the time,” Megan shared. “Because I didn’t want to [perform], but I also didn’t want to upset my fans.”

Megan has also taken legal action against Cooper in the past. A lawsuit filed earlier this year accused Cooper of spreading lies and defamatory content, including a fake video falsely claiming to show Megan in sexual acts. The rapper stated that the video caused “severe emotional distress” and irreparable damage to her reputation.

This latest legal move underscores Megan’s ongoing battle to protect her peace and career amidst continued fallout from the high-profile case involving Lanez.

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Lil Durk’s Engineer Challenges Prosecutors’ Murder-For-Hire Evidence

December 17, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Lil Durk, currently facing murder-for-hire charges tied to the killing of Quando Rondo’s cousin Saviay’a Robinson, has received support from an unexpected source—his longtime engineer, Justin Gibson. Known professionally as Jusvibes, Gibson has raised questions about a key piece of evidence presented by prosecutors, potentially undermining their case against the Chicago rapper.

Gibson, who has worked with Durk since 2021 and describes himself as the rapper’s “main sound engineer,” filed an affidavit on Sunday, December 15, to challenge the claim that Durk used Robinson’s murder as lyrical inspiration. To support his statement, Gibson submitted screenshots and metadata tied to the song in question.

Prosecutors allege that Durk referenced Robinson’s death on his collaboration with Babyface Ray, “Wonderful Wayne and Jackie Boy.” They highlighted the lyrics: “Look on the news and see your son/ You screamin’, ‘No, no’,” which they claim mirrors Quando Rondo’s real-life reaction to seeing Robinson’s body shortly after his murder.

However, Gibson’s affidavit asserts that this interpretation is impossible. He states that Durk wrote and recorded his verse for the song during a studio session on January 25, 2022, nearly seven months before Robinson was killed. To corroborate his account, Gibson provided screenshots showing a rough draft of the song—then titled “2 Toxic”—saved on the same date. This documentation, Gibson claims, proves that Durk’s lyrics were not inspired by Robinson’s death.

While Gibson’s testimony casts doubt on this element of the prosecution’s case, Durk faces additional allegations linking him to other violent crimes. Recently unsealed court documents suggest the rapper was involved in the January 2022 murder of Stephon Mack, an alleged leader of the Smashville faction of the Gangster Disciples. Authorities believe Mack’s death was a retaliatory act tied to the 2021 murder of Durk’s brother, Dontay “DThang” Banks, who was killed outside a nightclub in Harvey, Illinois. Federal agents allege that Durk has actively offered financial incentives for the murder of individuals connected to DThang’s killing.

“Lil Durk was and still is offering money for people to kill those responsible for his brother’s murder, and more specifically, offering to pay money for any Gangster Disciple that is killed,” a federal agent wrote in an April 2023 filing, which was unsealed on December 11.

Gibson’s affidavit introduces new challenges for the prosecution, particularly in their argument surrounding the lyrics in “Wonderful Wayne and Jackie Boy.” However, with other charges involving Mack’s murder and alleged gang activity still in play, Lil Durk’s legal troubles are far from over. As the case progresses, it remains to be seen whether Gibson’s testimony will significantly impact Durk’s defense or if the mounting allegations will prove insurmountable.

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