Drake Ordered To Sit Down For Deposition In XXXTENTACION Murder Case

For months, a lawyer of one of the co-defendants accused of murdering XXXTENTACION has attempted to rope Drake into the case. It began a few months ago when the prosecutors and defense attorneys submitted a potential witness list. The defense attorney for Dedrick Williams, Mauricio Padilla, listed a number of celebrities with known relationships and feuds with XXXTENTACION, including Quavo, Offset, Joe Budden, and Drake. Still, Broward County Judge Michael Usan didn’t initially think Drake’s presence was necessary in this case.

The prosecutors never suggested Drake had involvement in X’s death, though Padilla’s frequently pushed the theory that the Her Loss rapper was never investigated for the crime. “Before X died, he said, ‘If anybody kills me, it’s Drake.’ Do you think sitting here years later, any detective has ever asked Drake or anybody like that? No,” Padilla said during opening statements, per Complex. “This is one of the biggest celebrities in the world. Excluding an order from this court, we all know that I will never be able to take his deposition.” 

Judge Grants Motion To Depose Drake

Per Rolling Stone, a judge granted Padilla’s petition for an “order to show cause.” This means Drake will now have to sit down for a deposition, scheduled for Feb. 24th, which will take place through Zoom, per Billboard. “If deponent Aubrey Drake Graham does not appear to deposition he must appear before this court on Monday, Feb. 27, 2023 at 10 a.m. EST at so [sic] the court can determine why he should not be held in contempt,” the motion reads.

Padilla cited the post from X where he alleged that Drake was trying to kill him. However, X later recanted his statement, claiming he was hacked. Still, Padilla referenced how their beef escalated throughout X’s career, including commentary from Akademiks, who reportedly warned X that “although he did not believe that Graham was a violent person, Onfroy could be pushing him to retaliate.” Furthermore, the filing includes quotes from X’s mom, who said she asked the rapper’s relatives to accompany him to purchase a motorcycle due to his “ongoing battle with Drake and Migos.” 

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Drake Beef Brought Up In Hearing For XXXTENTACION’s Murder Suspects

June will mark five years since XXXTENTACION’s untimely death but this month, the accused killers will finally face trial.

Though jury selection begins on Jan. 18, the attorneys for three of the suspects — Michael Boatwright, 28, Dedrick Williams, 26, and Trayvon Newsome, 24 — appeared in court this week for pre-trial hearings. The judge ruled that XXXTENTACION’s mother would have to disclose her earnings after her son’s death. However, the attorneys also mentioned Drake.

Williams’s attorney, Maurico Padilla, tried to persuade the judge to order a deposition of Drake due to his feud with XXXTENTACION. As you recall, XXXTENTACION previously took issue with the Canadian rapper stealing his flow.

During the hearing, Padilla said Drake and his associates, including Akademiks, may have had an issue with the Broward County artist. The judge denied the motion and said that there was no need for a deposition.

SUNRISE, FL - JUNE 27: Fans leave items at a makeshift memorial outside XXXTentacion Funeral & Fan Memorial at BB&T Center on June 27, 2018 in Sunrise, Florida. (Photo by Jason Koerner/Getty Images)
SUNRISE, FL – JUNE 27: Fans leave items at a makeshift memorial outside XXXTentacion Funeral & Fan Memorial at BB&T Center on June 27, 2018 in Sunrise, Florida. (Photo by Jason Koerner/Getty Images)

“This is one of the biggest celebrities in the world,” Padilla said. “Excluding an order from this court, we all know that I will never be able to take his deposition.”

Additionally, the state and the defense agreed no one should be permitted to wear graphic T-shirts during the trial.

The defense suggested that there are other individuals who might have motives, whether financial or personal, to kill XXXTENTACION.

Last month, we reported that Padilla shared a list of potential witnesses for the trial, including Drake and Akademiks. Additionally, the attorney named Quavo, Offset, Joe Budden, and 6ix9ine as potential witnesses. At this point, it’s unclear if a judge will order a testimony from the celebrities mentioned.

We will keep you up to speed on any further updates surrounding this case.

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Alleged XXXTENTACION Murderer Says Drake Needs To Testify In Trial

It’s been nearly five years since XXXTENTACION was murdered in Florida at just 20 years old. However, his legacy lives on because of his expressive music that continues to touch his fanbase. However, the Florida native did have a rather controversial past with violent accusations.

The suspect in his murder, Dedrick Williams, has pleaded not guilty. Now, he’s calling on some big names to testify due to their alleged involvement.

XXXTentacion (C) attends BET Hip Hop Awards 2017 on October 6, 2017 in Miami Beach, Florida. (Photo by Thaddaeus McAdams/FilmMagic)

Just a couple of weeks ago, Williams’ attorney listed a bunch of high-profile people as potential witnesses in the case. Joe Budden, 6ix9ine, Quavo, Takeoff (R.I.P.) and Drake are on this list.

New reports from AllHipHop indicate that the alleged murderer really wants Drake to testify at the trial. “The testimony of the said Aubrey Drake Graham is material to the case, and it is necessary to take the deposition of the said Aubrey Drake Graham to prevent the failure of justice,” says the document.

Drizzy and the “SAD!” rapper had a documented beef that began in 2017. Upon the Toronto star releasing his More Life project that year, the Florida native took exception to one of its tracks, “KMT.” X publicly claimed that Drake was stealing his flow and cadence on the song. The track that he’s allegedly ripping off is X’s mega-hit, “Look At Me!”

Williams and his attorney allegedly believe that Drizzy’s talking about the murder in one of his most recent songs, “On BS,” is him talking about the murder. “Damn, maybe I should do a twenty, maybe I should break that twenty, do a ten / Maybe I should break that ten, do a five, then if it gets live, do a five again / If he held his tongue on that live, he’d be alive again,” he raps in the second verse.

Additionally, Williams and his legal team also want DJ Akademiks to testify in the trial. His attorney claims that the media personality consistently makes comments about the case while streaming.

“Mr. Allen, who goes by the stage name ‘DJ Akademiks’ posted his podcast on December 21, where he openly discusses the case, acknowledges being served and states, ‘I am not showing up to court to talk to y’all n****s’. It is clear that nothing short of a court order will ensure Mr. Allen’s participation in a deposition,” the document reads elsewhere.

What are your thoughts on the situation? Do you think Drake should have to testify in the trial? Comment your thoughts down below. Finally, make sure to stay tuned to HNHH for all of the latest updates.

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Drake, Joe Budden & Other Rappers Named As Potential Witnesses In XXXTENTACION Murder Case: Report

The attorney for a defendant in XXXTENTACION’s murder trial listed Drake and other rappers as potential witnesses in the upcoming trial, according to the Miami Herald.

The lawyer for Dedrick Williams, a defendant in the case, reportedly named several rappers as potential witnesses in the case. Drake, incarcerated Toronto rapper Top5, Joe Budden, 600 Breezy, 6ix9ine, Quavo, Offset, and the late Takeoff, who was shot and killed on November 1st, are among those listed, the Herald reports. Additionally, the attorney named Tankhead666 and Ski Mask The Slump God as potential witnesses.

Most of the individuals listed as potential witnesses had beef with X at one point or another. Drake, for example, became embroiled in a largely one-sided feud following the release of “K.M.T.” Following the release of More Life, X accused Drake of stealing his flow. Later on, a post on X’s Instagram Story suggested the Canadian rapper was trying to murder him. “If anyone tries to kill me it was @champagnepapi,” tagging Drake’s actual Instagram handle. Afterward, X claimed someone hacked his Instagram account.

MIAMI BEACH, FL – OCTOBER 06: Rapper XXXTentacion attends the BET Hip Hop Awards 2017 at The Fillmore Miami Beach at the Jackie Gleason Theater on October 6, 2017 in Miami Beach, Florida. (Photo by Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for BET )

Due to the prominence of the online chatter, Williams’ attorney reportedly might use these conspiracy theories to place doubt in the jury’s mind. However, there’s no evidence available publicly that even suggests there’s any truth to these rumors.

Williams, the alleged getaway driver, said that he had “no knowledge in advance” of plans to kill XXXTENTACION.

At this point, Williams’ attorney hasn’t secured any of the rappers listed as potential witnesses. Prosecutors already pushed back against the witness list ahead of Thursday’s hearing.

“It is apparent from the deliberate, late disclosure of the defendant’s witnesses and comments made between the parties that [the] defendant intended to ‘surprise’ the state and create a trial by ambush,” prosecutor Pascale Achille wrote.

However, there’s also a possibility that potential witnesses won’t have to take the stand or even face deposition. However, if the judge approves, then the potential witnesses would have to divulge information on XXXTENTACION’s potential rap feuds. At the same time, the prosecutors and the attorneys for the rappers could ask the judge to keep them out of the case since there isn’t evidence linking them to the crime.

At this point, the attorneys for Drake or any other rapper listed have commented on the matter. The Miami attorney who filed the list, Mauricio Padilla, declined to comment.

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50 Cent Debuts Trailer For New “Hip Hop Homicides” Series 

In the last decade, 50 Cent has officially solidified himself as one of hip hop’s most lucrative success stories. From releasing a culture shifting album in 2003, to being one of the most sought after television producers in the game —- there’s not much that that the Queens legend can’t do. 

On Wednesday, 50 took to social media to share the trailer for his upcoming series Hip-Hop Homicides, which will explore the epidemic of violence that has attached itself to Hip-Hop. The Power creator will produce the WeTV series through his G-Unit Film and Television company, while Love & Hip Hop creator Mona Scott-Young will also produce, through her company Monami Productions, along with Lionsgate Television, who will physically distribute the series.

According to a press release, Van Lathan is set to host the unsolved mystery series, slated to premiere on November 3. A teaser for the upcoming series features a montage of  XXXTENTACION, Pop Smoke, King Von, and other hip hop stars who have tragically passed away. 50 spoke of the show back in January, sharing, “G-Unit Film and Television has thrived by telling real stories. Hip hop loves things that are damaged. This series will shed light on the artists that didn’t make it through the struggle.”

In the series trailer, host Van Lathan stated in the opening scene, “As of 2022, there have been a staggering number of rappers who have been murdered. And more than half of those cases are unsolved. I’m your host, Van Lathan, and together with executive producer 50 Cent, we’re here to bring these cases into the light.”

Hip Hop has experienced its fair share of losses in recent years. Last month, the community grieved the untimely death of Philly rapper PNB Rock who was gunned down at a Roscoes Chicken & Waffes in L.A. 

Catch Hip Hop Homicides, premiering November 3 on WE Tv and streaming the following Monday on ALLBLK.

Check out the trailer below.