settlement

Travis Scott & Live Nation Settle Lawsuit With Third Family Over Astroworld Festival Tragedy: Report

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Travis Scott and Live Nation have settled another lawsuit following the 2021 tragedy at Astroworld Festival. The Utopia rapper, Live Nation, Scoremore, a number of security companies, and festival organizers faced a lawsuit from the family of 14-year-old John Hilgert, who died during the crowd surge. However, the family withdrew the lawsuit in February, and according to Pitchfork, Scott and Live Nation have settled the case with them. It’s another step forward for Scott, who has continued to face scrutiny throughout the rollout of Utopia.

Hilgert’s family marked the third party to reach an agreement in their lawsuit over the deadly Astroworld Festival crush at NRG Park on Nov. 6th, 2021. The incident led to 10 deaths and thousands of injuries of concertgoers, many of which claim that authorities didn’t do much to prevent such an incident from occurring. Prior to Hilgert, the families of Axel Acosta and Brianna Rodriguez also settled their lawsuits against Travis Scott, Live Nation, and other parties involved with the concerts.

Read More: The 7 Best Features On Travis Scott’s “Utopia,” Ranked

The Astroworld Festival Investigation

Travis Scott astroworld
HOUSTON, TEXAS – NOVEMBER 05: Travis Scott performs during 2021 Astroworld Festival at NRG Park on November 05, 2021 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Erika Goldring/WireImage)

The announcement of the Hilgert family’s settlement comes a week after Houston PD released a 1266 page report on the tragedy that occurred a year and a half ago. The report included interviews with Travis Scott and Drake, who were both on stage at the time of the crowd crush. Scott, specifically, stated that he was told “you got to wrap it up, it’s getting kinda hectic out there” in his earpiece, although he wasn’t aware of how severe the situation was until later that evening.

In July, a Harris County grand jury concluded that Travis Scott wouldn’t face charges related to the Astroworld Festival tragedy. Besides that, Scott’s continuing to push the release of Utopia, which is on pace to have one of the biggest opening sales weeks of 2023. The rapper’s latest project boasts appearances from Drake, Beyonce, Future, and plenty of others, along with production from The Alchemist, Wondagurl, BNYX, and Scott, himself. Check out our review of Utopia here. 

Read More: Travis Scott’s Team Called Out For “Tone-Deaf” Comments By Astroworld Victim’s Lawyer

The post Travis Scott & Live Nation Settle Lawsuit With Third Family Over Astroworld Festival Tragedy: Report appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Kesha And Dr. Luke Reach Settlement In Long Legal Battle

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After nearly a decade of legal drama and repeated counter-suits, Kesha and Dr. Luke’s legal battle has finally come to a close. According to The Daily Mail, the case was expected to go to trial next month but no longer needs to as the two parties have reached a settlement. The announcement of the settlement came in the form of an Instagram post from Kesha containing two statements. Kesha’s statement reads “Only God knows what happened that night. As I have always said, I cannot recount everything that happened.” She closed the statement by declaring her happiness to move on from the situation. “Only God knows what happened that night. As I have always said, I cannot recount everything that happened,” it concludes.

The post also included a statement from Dr. Luke where he continued to proclaim his innocence. “While I appreciate Kesha again acknowledging that she cannot recount what happened that night in 2005. I am absolutely certain that nothing happened.” His statement also concludes that he is happy to finally move on from the situation. “I never drugged or assaulted her and would never do that to anyone. For the sake of my family, I have vigorously fought to clear my name for nearly 10 years. It is time for me to put this difficult matter behind me and move on with my life. I wish Kesha well.”

As the statements imply, Kesha’s lawsuit dates all the way back to an alleged 2005 sexual assault. Just lays week New York declared Dr. Luke a “Limited public figure.” That decision was seen by many as a victory for Kesha as it raised the level of proof necessary for Dr. Luke to prove she acted with malice. The settlement comes nearly 10 years after Kesha originally sued Dr. Luke in 2014. It comes almost 20 years after the original alleged sexual assault happened.

Kesha released her new album Gag Order in May of this year. The project saw her shifting her style into more experimental lanes of pop music than in the past. What do you think of Kesha and Dr. Luke settling their lawsuits? Let us know in the comment section below.

Read More: Andre 3000 Reportedly Charged 100k For Kesha Remix

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The post Kesha And Dr. Luke Reach Settlement In Long Legal Battle appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Nicki Minaj‘s Husband’s Sexual Assault Case Stalls In Settlement Negotiations

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Nicki Minaj‘s husband, Kenneth Petty, is reportedly refusing a judge’s order to settle the sexual assault case brought forth against him by Jennifer Hough. The victim is now seeking legal help to put pressure on Petty to move forward. HipHopDX obtained court documents on Monday that show Hough’s attorney, Tyrone Blackburn, has demanded a scheduling order. He claims Petty is refusing to cooperate on settlement negotiations.

“We are counsel to Plaintiff Jennifer Hough in the above-referenced matter. I write jointly with counsel for Defendant Kenneth Petty,” Blackburn wrote in his letter to Judge Cho as noted by HipHopDX. “As you know, the Court provided the parties with an opportunity to engage in private mediation. The parties participated in private mediation, but unfortunately, we were unable to reach a settlement. We would like to have a scheduling conference with the court to set a scheduling order.”

Read More: Nicki Minaj’s Husband Kenneth Petty’s Alleged Assault May Cost Her $750K

Nick Minaj With Kenneth Petty

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – FEBRUARY 12: Nicki Minaj and Kenneth Petty attend the Marc. Jacobs Fall 2020 runway show during New York Fashion Week on February 12, 2020 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for Marc Jacobs)

Hough alleges that Petty harassed her in an attempt to convince her to recant to avoid the National Sex Offender Registry. Hough says Petty offered her $500,000 to drop the case and that Minaj hired private investigators to harass her and her daughter. However, she’s since dropped her case against Minaj. As Petty continues to not make progress toward a settlement, the possibility of the case going to trial becomes more and more likely. The judge ordered him to reach a settlement with Hough back in December.

Petty was previously convicted of first-degree attempted rape in 1995. For the conviction, he served over four years in prison. Almost two decades later, he still had not registered as sex a offender, resulting in a judge sentencing him to one year of home confinement and three years of probation.

Read More: Nicki Minaj’s Husband Kenneth Petty Suddenly Sick, Can’t Attend Mediation With Assault Accuser

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Brian McKnight & Ex Clashed Over Daughter’s Birth Control Payments: Report

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Brian McKnight’s family drama has been quite the hot topic for the past month due to a few different public scandals. Moreover, court documents reportedly obtained by Radar Online on Thursday (May 25) show that he and his ex Patricia Driver had quite the contentious court affair. Not only that, but it also brought up the various medial services that the singer refused to pay for their daughter. Furthermore, their court struggles specifically revolved around the young one’s healthcare plan, her therapy sessions, and birth control pills. What’s more is that the judge took different stances on each side of the aisle.

For those unaware, Briana McKnight is Brian’s daughter with Patricia Driver, and was born while her father was still married to Julie McKnight. The first issue that came up in their legal battle was Briana’s health insurance, despite the fact that she turned 18 and was responsible for her own affairs. Reportedly, Patricia argued that Brian McKnight agree to pay her insurance costs in full during his divorce settlement and had apparently neglected the payments. Then, the judge ordered him to reimburse her for nearly $1,800 for healthcare expenses.

Read More: Brian McKnight Responds To Backlash, Shares Photos Of His Biological Children

Brian McKnight At iHeart R&B Concert Series

ATLANTA, GA – JUNE 26: Brian Mcknight attends iHeart R&B Concert Series Featuring Brian McKnight on June 26, 2020 in Atlanta, Georgia.(Photo by Prince Williams/Getty Images)

Readers may remember that this is the same daughter that sued Brian McKnight back in 2020 for incest slander. In fact, that story is what got a lot of public interest in his family affairs circulating like wildfire, in addition to his appreciation of his new family over his old one. Another element in the court proceedings was Briana’s therapy sessions. Apparently, the 53-year-old “did not know why it was necessary,” although he eventually changed his mind after a few months of meetings. Still, it shows a clear disconnect between both sides of the family.

Meanwhile, the Buffalo-born artist also allegedly did not want to pay for Briana’s birth control medication. Despite Patricia explaining that it was for a medical situation, he claimed that he refused to cough up the cash because he wasn’t notified in time. The judge took his side when it came to that caveat. While he continues to defend himself against accusations of abandonment, he did so by maintaining that he shares much more love for his current family. For more news and the latest updates on Brian McKnight, log back into HNHH.

Read More: Brian McKnight Net Worth 2023: What Is The Singer Worth?

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Spinrilla Shuts Down & Is Ordered To Pay $50 Million in Piracy Damages

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The iconic hip-hop mixtape website, Spinrilla, has shut down after a judge ordered the company to pay $50 million in piracy damages and other fees. Universal Music, Warner Music, and Sony Music, as well as other major record labels, filed the complaint against the website in documents obtained by Billboard. The order names Spinrilla founder Jeffrey Dylan Copeland.

“Through the Spinrilla website and apps, users with an artist account can upload content that any other user can then download or stream on demand for free, an unlimited number of times,” the RIAA’s lawyer James Lamberth writes in the complaint. “A substantial amount of content uploaded to the Spinrilla website and apps consists of popular sound recordings whose copyrights are owned by Plaintiffs.”

UMG Files Complaint Against Spinrilla

UKRAINE – 2021/06/04: In this photo illustration, Universal Music Group (UMG) logo is on a smartphone and pc screen. (Photo Illustration by Pavlo Gonchar/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

The RIAA itself also issued a statement regarding Spinrilla. “Spinrilla specializes in ripping off music creators by offering thousands of unlicensed sound recordings for free,” the company said. “Fans today have access to millions upon millions of songs from innovative platforms and services that pay creators — this kind of illicit activity has no place in today’s music marketplace.”

The complaint further accuses Spinrilla of having “knowingly contributed to, profited from, and induced, the widespread infringement of Plaintiffs’ sound recording copyrights through the Spinrilla website and apps.” The settlement additionally states that Copeland must pay “$50,000,000, inclusive of any recoverable costs and attorneys’ fees.” He has five days to shut down his site. He’ll have to transfer the website domain registration to the property of the record companies, although they can’t use it.

Fans on Twitter were sad to see the iconic mixtape website meet its end. “Spinrilla got me thru highschool,” one fan wrote. Another tweeted, “Damn RIP Spinrilla [heartbreak emoji]. You made my early years in college lit.” Spinrilla isn’t the only mixtape website that has been experiencing business troubles. There were also rumors that Datpiff was also shutting down this year, but the company later clarified they were only making changes to their website.

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Lil Kim Settles Tax Debt

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Lil Kim reportedly (and finally) settled her longtime disagreements with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) over tax debt. According to court documents obtained by RadarOnline, Kimberly Denise Jones agreed to a $1.4 million settlement with the federal tax agency. However, its exact details remain unspecified, as is the date on which she discharged the tax debt in question. Furthermore, some of this discharge dated back all the way to 2003, and this settlement means that the federal government can no longer seize her assets to satisfy the debt. The largest debt she owed was reportedly in 2008, where she had to cough up around $400,000.

While it’s been a long history of arguments and payments for Lil Kim, that didn’t stop her from performing and continuing to inspire others. In fact, as of late, many female rappers shouted her out as an influence, which is unsurprising considering her long reign as one of rap’s queens. For example, Ice Spice recently named “The Jump Off” MC as one of her biggest inspirations along with Nicki Minaj. When it comes to her artistry, that speaks louder than any settlement agreement.

Lil Kim Reaches Settlement With IRS

ATLANTA, GEORGIA – SEPTEMBER 30: Lil Kim performs onstage during the 2022 BET Hip Hop Awards at Cobb Energy Performing Arts Center on September 30, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/WireImage)

Another female superstar to praise the 48-year-old for paving the way was Megan Thee Stallion. “My mom was a rapper, right?,” the Stallion expressed on RapCaviar Presents. “She was a female rapper, but I had never heard of women being rappers ever because my mom was listening to UGK, Three 6 Mafia. My daddy [listened to] Lil Wayne, like, we only listening to men in the house. But one day, my mom put on Lil Kim. Damn! She raps harder than a lot of these guys!”

Not only that, but Lil Kim often shows these artists the same amount of love, as she did recently to Cardi B. “Cardi is like the love of my life,” Kim expressed in an interview. “You don’t even know. Like, she makes me laugh… we talk a lot. People have no idea. But she’s my little sister but she’s really my big little sister. Believe it or not, she directs me on a lot of things like ‘No, this is what I want you to do’…and I’ll be like ‘Ok that makes sense’. We just laugh a lot too.” For more updates and news on Lil Kim and her impact, stick around on HNHH.

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50 Cent Reaches Settlement With Medspa In Penis Enlargement Lawsuit

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50 Cent just reached a settlement in a six-month lawsuit concerning false suggestions that he underwent penis enlargement procedures. Moreover, the case involved Perfection Plastic Surgery & Medspa, specifically its owner Angela Kogan. Not only that, but The Shade Room also caught a lawsuit from the Queens rapper for falsely implying he got an enhancement surgery, though that was settled in February. Furthermore, 50 claimed that Kogan promoted her business using a photo of him, and indirectly suggested he sought services with her for that reason. The case began in September of 2022 after he filed the suit, and finally found a resolution.

However, its terms aren’t final yet, according to legal documents obtained by AllHipHop. In addition, most of its agreements so far aren’t available to the public. Regardless, at least this marks the end of a pretty long and public ordeal for the “In Da Club” star. His previous settlement with The Shade Room seemed much easier to reach than his spat with Kogan. Fortunately, it looks like all parties are moving things aside, with the outlet retracting its original coverage of 50 and Kogan.

50 Cent Reaches Settlement In Penis Enhancement Case

“The Shade Room previously published an article about penis enhancements on its website and social media accounts,” a statement read. “The article and links to the article included a picture of Curtis J. Jackson, III p/k/a 50 Cent, juxtaposed with an image of a faceless male obtaining a penile enhancement procedure, with a euphemistic eggplant emoji covering the exposed groin area. The Shade Room has since deleted that article and social media posts and wants to make it abundantly clear that 50 Cent did not have penis enhancement surgery or any other procedure to augment his genitals, and any implication to the contrary is false.”

Meanwhile, this unfortunately doesn’t mean the end of the 47-year-old’s present-day legal woes. For example, his legal battle with an ex-drug kingpin over “Power” now roped Lionsgate in with a $300 million lawsuit for threats the rapper allegedly made. As such, Fif will likely split a lot of his already stacked endeavors with some cleaning up in court. Regardless, stick around on HNHH for the latest news and updates on 50 Cent.

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The Weeknd Settles “Call Out My Name” Copyright Lawsuit

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The Weeknd has reached a settlement in the copyright lawsuit regarding his 2018 single, “Call Out My Name.” According to the BBC, both parties are still formalizing the agreement. However, the terms of the settlement have not been disclosed publically. “The parties are still in the process of formalizing, executing, and consummating,” the plaintiff’s lawyers said in a filing on Friday.

In the original 2021 lawsuit, Suniel Fox and Henry Strange claimed that there will numerous similarities between The Weeknd’s song and their own track, “Vibeking.” They described their song as “atmospheric and melancholic.” “Both works are in a 6/8 meter that is less common in popular music,” they claimed. “Both works are played at a similar tempo. And both works use features of electronica, ambience, pop, hip-hop, rock, and R&B to achieve a particularly atmospheric and melancholic sound.”

The Weeknd At Super Bowl LV

TAMPA, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 07: The Weeknd performs during the Pepsi Super Bowl LV Halftime Show at Raymond James Stadium on February 07, 2021 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

Fox and Strange also stated that The Weeknd heard their song, recalling having sent the track to the artist’s DJ, Eric White, in 2015. His response was allegedly, “It’s fire.” About a year later, White got in touch with Strange again and wrote to him: “I sent [The Weeknd] that track u made a while ago. He listened and liked it. But nothing ever happened.” He further added in a subsequent email: “Just gonna tell [The Weeknd] that our production team wrote the track. Cool? Or u have another idea? Just don’t wanna say ‘hey, [Strange] wrote this’ when he doesn’t know u.”

While terms of the settlement were not announced. Fox and Strange previously asked the court for a share in the song’s past and future royalties, as well as coverage for their legal fees. The duo’s legal team has asked that all future hearings are set to be canceled and the case dismissed. “Call Out My Name” was included on the tracklist for The Weeknd’s 2018 EP, My Dear Melancholy. It ended up reaching the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100.

Revisit “Call Out My Name” Below

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Prince From “L&HH” Claims Tory Lanez “Threatened” Him Into Alleged Assault Settlement

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Even from his new home behind bars, Tory Lanez is still in the middle of legal drama. The latest past enemy to speak out about the “Say It” hitmaker is Love & Hip-Hop star Prince. The two previously got into an alleged altercation with at a club last year.

On Thursday (January 26), RadarOnline shared a report claiming that the reality star has asked the court to throw out a settlement he signed last summer. According to Prince, one of the father of one’s associates joined them when they met in Miami. At the time, he was obviously carrying a gun with him.

Tory Lanez attends Shaq’s Fun House at Shrine Auditorium and Expo Hall on February 11, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sarah Morris/WireImage)

As HipHopDX notes, Lanez’s lawyer, Kadisha Phelps, spoke to the court. He said that a deal between his client and the apparent victim was complete. “[I have] information to believe that a settlement has already been reached between the parties and [Lanez] has tendered funds to [Prince] in the consummation of their agreement,” he said at the time.

However, the Jamaican-American model said that last June, the 30-year-old called him to arrange a meeting. When they finally came face-to-face, though, the circumstances were nothing short of hostile. “[Lanez] presented me with a document that he drafted himself and ordered that I sign the agreement,” Prince recalled.

“He told me not to contact my lawyer when I told him I needed my lawyer to review the agreement. This individual is the same individual who was ordered by [Lanez] to attack me at the Vendome nightclub and he did so. I cannot share his identity at this time as this individual threatened me that if I mention his name I would be severely injured or even killed. This individual was in possession of a firearm which was visible at the meeting.”

Elsewhere in his recount, Prince claims that both his apparent attacker and the gun-toting man “aggressively ordered [him] to sign the agreement.” He did so, fearing for his own safety if he failed to agree to the terms.

“I would have never signed the agreement otherwise,” the L&HH cast member admits. “The amount of money that they made me accept was only a fraction of the damages I have suffered in this lawsuit as a result of their repeated attacks.”

In other Tory Lanez news, the rapper became a hot topic on the latest episode of Caresha Please. During her interview, Trina got real with host Yung Miami about her alleged romantic past with the Canadian. She denied that they dated but admitted that he did have a crush on her.

Read everything the Florida artist had to say here, and check back later for more pop culture news updates.

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Tory Lanez & Prince From “Love & Hip-Hop” Settle Alleged Assault Cases

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Tory Lanez and Love & Hip-Hop: Miami star Prince are reaching a settlement over a number of past assault allegations, reports reveal.

The rapper’s new attorney, Kadisha Phelps has specifically shared that the Brampton native agreed to the financial deal. This comes as part of the lawyer’s plea to further remove the trial date completely.

Tory Lanez discusses his creative process during BMI’s How I Wrote That Song 2018 on January 27, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Roy Rochlin/Getty Images for BMI)

Phelps says she has “information to believe that a settlement has already been reached between the parties and [Lanez] has tendered funds to [Prince] in consummation of their agreement.”

The alleged assaults stem from two separate incidents between the reality star and rapper at two different Miami nightclubs.

The first allegedly took place in November of 2019 at LIV Nightclub. Prince says that Lanez swung his fists and punched him in the face after a verbal confrontation.

The 32-year-old also alleges that the “Say It” singer’s security assaulted him. Ultimately, this caused blunt-force trauma to his back, neck and chest.

The second incident took place when the two got into it at Vendome Nightclub in Miami a year later. Prince claims that the R&B vocalist later let his anger get the best of him again, punching the Love & Hip-Hop star in the face.

A trial date of December 5 was previously set, but Phelps believes it’s no longer necessary. Her client has been busy putting together a defense for the criminal trial involving his alleged shooting of Megan Thee Stallion. That trial will begin next week, on December 12.

Lanez is also allegedly responsible for an assault on fellow artist August Alsina that took place in September. The D.A. is currently looking into this case.

After his last lawyer dropped him for “irreconcilable differences” earlier this year, Phelps began representing the Canadian rapper. She has put in a request for that trial date to move four months.

The 30-year-old is arguing that his actions were self-defense.

Read more about the latest updates in Tory Lanez’s ongoing legal battles and stay tuned for updates.

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