Tory Lanez’s Driver Claims He Didn’t See Megan Thee Stallion Get Shot

The case involving Tory Lanez and Megan Thee Stallion seemed like a done deal. The former was found guilty of shooting the latter in the foot, and sentenced to prison as a result. Evidently, however, there was more to the story. Tory Lanez’s former driver, Jauquan Smith, recently came forward with an eyewitness account. He recalled driving the vehicle shortly before the 2020 shooting, and claimed that he didn’t see who actually shot Megan Thee Stallion. Smith’s testimony was submitted in an attempt to appeal Lanez’s prison sentence.

Jauquan Smith stated that Tory Lanez, Megan Thee Stallion, and a woman named Kelsey Harris were arguing in the vehicle. He added that he saw Harris holding the gun that shot Megan at one point, and recalls seeing Lanez attempt to disarm the woman. “I pulled over to stop them,” Smith continued. “Ms. Pete and Ms. Harris both got out of the vehicle and continued to fight, both verbally and physically. It’s here where the driver’s testimony proves revelatory. He insisted that Lanez attempted to diffuse the situation, rather than escalate it. “Mr. Peterson and Ms. Harris began struggling as Mr. Peterson tried to unarm Ms. Harris,” Smith wrote.

Read More: Tory Lanez Announces New “Free Tory Playlist” Via Prison Phone Call

Tory Lanez’s Driver Didn’t Testify During The Singer’s Trial

The driver, notably, did not testify during Tory Lanez’s trial. He did, however, provide some clarification as to why he’s coming forward now. He claims the D.A. was not ready to cross examine him during the case, and was not contacted afterwards. Smith asserted that the eye witness testimony he has to offer would have been immensely helpful to Lanez. “I wanted to present this evidence during Mr. Peterson’s trial but was prevented from doing so,” he explained. “I believe I should have been allowed to present this evidence at trial.”

The California Attorney General’s Office presents a different story. They acknowledged that they knew about Jauquan Smith’s testimony, but felt it wouldn’t have helped. “Recognizing that an independent eyewitness had placed the gun in the hands of Harris prior to the shooting,” explained Deputy Attorney General Michael C. Keller. “Defense counsel explained that it would not ‘do anything’ to have appellant’s friend say the same thing.” It remains to be seen what Smith’s testimony will do for Lanez in retrospect.

Read More: Tory Lanez Achieves Shocking Sound Quality On New “Prison Tapes” Tracks

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Travis Scott Gives Fans Unique Look Into The Making Of “Utopia”

Travis Scott shared a series of pictures from behind the scenes of the making of his latest album, Utopia, on Instagram, on Sunday. Among the photos are appearances from Pharrell, Rick Rubin, Dave Chappelle, and director Harmony Korine. On his Instagram Story, as caught by HipHopDX, he also remarked that the song, “My Eyes,” “means everything” to him. On the track, he seemingly touches on the 2022 Astroworld Festival tragedy that resulted in the deaths of numerous attendees.

In the comments section, Teezo Touchdown thanked Scott for the opportunity to work together. “Thank you sooooo much for everything congratulations,” he wrote. “1,000,000 more years to the flame XX.” Other fans called on Scott to drop a documentary about the making of the long-awaited project. “We need that utopia documentary now,” one top response reads. More users reacted to Mike Dean popping up in a neck brace in one of the pictures. One wrote: “He probably got hurt in the moshpit, and it ain’t no moshpit if there’s no injuries.”

Read More: Travis Scott’s College Essay About G.O.O.D. Music Dug Up By Fan, Internet Rips It Apart

Travis Scott Performs At Madison Square Garden

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – DECEMBER 21: Travis Scott performs at Madison Square Garden – Utopia – Circus Maximus Tour on December 21, 2023, in New York City. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Live Nation)

Scott dropped Utopia on July 28, 2023, after years of waiting from fans. In addition to Teezo, it features appearances from a number of other popular artists including Drake, Playboi Carti, Beyonce, 21 Savage, The Weeknd, Young Thug, Kid Cudi, Bad Bunny, SZA, Future, and James Blake, among others. It debuted at number one on Billboard 200 chart, after earning 496,000 album-equivalent units in its first week. All 19 songs from the album also debuted on the Billboard Hot 100.

Travis Scott Shares Pics From The Making Of “Utopia”

 
 
 
 
 
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Check out Scott’s latest post on Instagram above. Be on the lookout for further updates on Travis Scott on HotNewHipHop.

Read More: Travis Scott & 50 Cent’s Ex Cuban Link Spark Dating Rumors, Rick Ross Reacts

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Erica Ash Of “Real Husbands Of Hollywood” Passes Away At 46

Erica Ash, an actress best known for her work on Real Husbands of Hollywood as well as Survivor’s Remorse has passed away at the age of 46. In a statement provided to The Hollywood Reporter, her publicist confirmed that she died in Los Angeles after a long battle with cancer on Sunday. “Erica was an amazing woman and talented entertainer who touched countless lives with her sharp wit, humor, and genuine zest for life,” her family said in a statement. “Her memory will live eternally in our hearts.”

BET also shared a post in her honor. “Today, #BETRemembers actress and comedienne Erica Ash who has passed away at the age of 46,” the company wrote on its official Instagram. “Known for being equal parts witty and funny, Erica starred in BET favorites such as legal drama ‘In Contempt’ and reality spoof ‘Real Husbands of Hollywood.’ We send our deepest condolences and love to her parents, siblings, friends, and family. Fly high Queen.”

Read More: Tiffany Haddish On How Kevin Hart Changed Her Life While She Was Homeless

Erica Ash Attends Premiere Of “We Have A Ghost”

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 22: Erica Ash attends the premiere of Netflix’s “We Have A Ghost” at Netflix Tudum Theater on February 22, 2023, in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty Images)

Friends of Ash’s put out statements as well such as Loni Love, who wrote on X (formerly Twitter): “I am sad to confirm my friend and fellow actress Erica Ashe’s passing… Erica was talented and hilarious whether it was the show Survivor’s Remorse or Madtv she would put her all into her work. She would always just be there.. now she’s gone.. My sincere condolences to her family and fans.” Check out some of the posts below.

Friends React To Erica Ash’s Passing

 
 
 
 
 
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In addition to the aforementioned BET shows, Ash also appeared in Kyrie Irving’s Uncle Drew, Scary Movie V, as well as the comedy show Mad TV and more. Be on the lookout for further updates on Erica Ash on HotNewHipHop.

Read More: Big Sean Leaves Roc Nation Ahead Of New Album, “Better Me Than You”

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Lil Scrappy & Bambi Benson Clarify Their Relationship Status On Instagram Live

Love & Hip-Hop: Atlanta co-stars Lil Scrappy and Bambi Benson got on Instagram live to clarify their relationship. The two of them were married from 2017 to 2023, and had three kids together. They divorced last year, but continue to co-parent their kids, Xylo, Breland, and Cali.

In a recent Instagram live stream, the two of them addressed questions regarding the status of their relationship. They reiterated that they are continuing to co-parent their kids. They also confirmed that neither of them were leaving the show. The pair have both been series regulars for over ten years. The two of them also addressed a fan. The fan claimed that their network wanted to break them up for added drama. Scrappy said that they always had to go their separate ways, and that MTV did not “give a f*ck.” Based on the clips from the live stream, they are still on good terms. The pair laughed and joked with one another several times, any animosity seemingly put to rest.

Lil Scrappy & Bambi Benson Address Their Relationship

 
 
 
 
 
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Lil Scrappy has been linked to his ex, Erica Dixon, ever since he and Benson split. Dixon was an original member of the Love & Hip-Hop: Atlanta cast, but left for a few years before returning in a limited role in 2018. Bambi Benson filed a court order against Scrappy in April after Dixon posted images on social media of their children, which reportedly violated the terms of their divorce agreement. The court filing did not specify that Dixon was the offending party, but fans of the show quickly figured out who she was referring to.

The two of them recently attended a party together as well, though Benson confirmed that they were not back in a relationship. MTV released a trailer of the upcoming season of their show soon after. The twelfth season premiered on July 23. Musically, Scrappy has not released anything new in almost six years. His day job as a series regular on Love & Hip-Hop: Atlanta is likely enough for him at this point in his career.

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Tariq Nasheed Believes Sexyy Red Is Being Promoted By White Supremacists

Tariq Nasheed, Detroit born film director best known for his Hidden Colors film series, has an interesting perspective on Sexyy Red. In particular, it has to do with her pretty meteoric rise to fame. He sat down with Vlad TV to discuss why he feels that the White supremacists are the ones pushing her music. Essentially, Tariq firmly believes this community is aiming to perpetuate a negative view of Black women, but also the race at large. This then allows the justification for harm done (SA, missing people, etc.) when it does happen. Furthermore, Tariq goes on to point out artists similar to Sexyy Red like Latto, Nicki Minaj, Cardi B, GloRilla, and etc. are so plentiful and that there is no balance of “sisters”.

Here, Nasheed refers to the Lauryn Hills, Queen Latifahs, and MC Lytes of the world of the 1990s who were creating this equilibrium with showy names like Lil’ Kim and Foxy Brown. In today’s game we people like Little Simz, Rapsody, and Tierra Whack. But Nasheed’s point is that artists like Lauryn Hill and Latifah were just as big as Kim, whereas the audiences for the ones we listed do not have that same draw. During the interview, Vlad has an opposing view on who is spreading Sexyy Red’s material.

Read More: Jay-Z Ripped Apart By Dr. Umar For Tom Brady’s HOF Induction Performance

Tariq Nasheed Wants A “Balanced Depiction” Of Black Women

He brought up a past interview with Fredo Bang about Red to Nasheed to explain his side. Vlad’s argument derives from the point that Bang made about how Red is a “spirit animal” for women of all kinds. Her music allows for those who work at jobs where you have to be professional, to be freer and embrace their sexuality. Overall, both arguments are extremely compelling, and it really gets you thinking about how certain material affects everyone societally.

What are your thoughts on Tariq Nasheed’s explanation for Sexyy Red’s promotion? Whose side of the debate are you on and why? Is this a major topic that needs to be focused on more socially and musically speaking? We would like to hear what you have to say, so leave your thoughts in the comments. Additionally, always keep it locked in with HNHH for all of the latest news surrounding Sexyy Red. Finally, stay with us for everything else going on in the music world.

Read More: Air Jordan 3 “Black Cement” Receives Even More Photos

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Boosie Badazz Declares Kendrick Lamar The Winner Of Drake Beef

Boosie Badazz says that Kendrick Lamar is the definitive winner of the feud with Drake thus far, but isn’t counting the Toronto rapper out going forward. Speaking with VladTV, Boosie began by describing the music video for “Not Like Us” as “hard.” When Vlad asked whether any debate can be made that Drake has won thus far, Boosie remarked that there’s “no doubt” Lamar is ahead.

“There ain’t no doubt. They still running,” Boosie began. “When you run a race and one just stop, one still running. You still running. You stretching it to win the race. When you stop going, that’s with anything, what you gonna do? You gonna lose the race.” Despite thinking Kendrick is the clear winner thus far, Boosie doesn’t think Drake is fully out of the race. “Not even close,” he remarked.

Read More: Boosie Badazz Claims Drake Vs Kendrick Lamar Battle Went Too Far

Kendrick Lamar Films “Not Like Us” Music Video In Compton

Watts, CA – June 22: Kendrick Lamar dances during the music video shoot for “Not Like Us” at Nickerson Gardens on Saturday, June 22, 2024, in Watts, CA. (Michael Blackshire / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

In the comments section on YouTube, fans continued to argue over the beef. “Vlad is a true casual if he thinks that was Drake’s first loss,” one fan remarked. Another argued: “Drake lost cuz he was out rapped & defeated, not cuz he stopped making songs.” Check out Boosie’s full comments on the feud with Vlad below.

Boosie Badazz Speaks On Kendrick Lamar & Drake

Drake dropped his last song in the beef back on May 5 with “The Heart Part 6.” In the time since, Lamar’s “Not Like Us” has become the biggest track in the feud. He’s since hosted The Pop Out – Ken & Friends concert in Los Angeles as well, where he performed several of his Drake disses. Be on the lookout for further updates on Boosie Badazz as well as the beef between Drake and Kendrick Lamar on HotNewHipHop.

Read More: Boosie Badazz Thinks Someone Could Have Gotten Hurt Amid Drake & Kendrick Lamar Beef

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