Russell Simmons Faces Defamation Lawsuit Over Sexual Assault Allegations

Russell Simmons, the co-founder of Def Jam Records, is facing a new lawsuit. This time, it’s for defamation. The lawsuit has been filed by Drew Dixon, a former music executive who alleges that Simmons sexually assaulted her and then defamed her by labeling her a “liar” when she made the accusations public, as per court documents that Rolling Stone obtained.

Dixon, who served as an A&R executive at the label from 1993 and left shortly after the alleged assault in 1995, initiated the lawsuit in New York on Thursday. She is seeking both compensatory and punitive damages.

Dixon’s lawyers refer to a December interview in which Simmons minimized the allegations of harassment and sexual assault, stating “Yeah, [rape is] a serious word, but I think they’ve changed the meaning.” He also insinuated that his accusers might be “thirst[ing] for fame” and asserted that all his relationships were consensual.

The court papers allege that Simmons “has gone on a concerted and malicious campaign to discredit Ms. Dixon and to so damage her reputation” to the extent that her claims would not be believable. They further state that “this defamation has exacerbated the paralyzation of Ms. Dixon professionally.” (A representative for Simmons did not immediately respond to a request for comment.)

In a statement given to Rolling Stone, Dixon’s lawyers, Sigrid McCawley and Kenya Davis of Boies Schiller Flexner, said, “Ms. Dixon has taken enough abuse. Not only was she violently raped by Russell Simmons – profoundly disrupting her personal and professional life – but after she tried to move forward and heal, he then further abused her by publicly proclaiming that she lied about the rape in search of ‘fame.’ Mr. Simmons has used his public platform to re-traumatize and terrorize Ms. Dixon, and the time has now come to hold him accountable for his defamatory statements and to end this cycle of abuse.”

Dixon first disclosed her alleged encounter with Simmons to The New York Times in 2017. She claimed that she had to constantly ward off Simmons’ sexual advances while working at Def Jam. She alleges that he would often try to grope and kiss her and would expose himself to her. One night in 1995, while waiting for a car in Simmons’ apartment, Dixon alleges that he grabbed her from behind, pinned her to a bed, and sexually assaulted her. “The last thing I remember was him pinning me down to kiss me on the bed,” she told the newspaper, saying she “blacked out” and the next thing she remembered was being naked in a hot tub together. Dixon immediately informed a friend about the incident and later submitted a handwritten resignation letter, leaving her position at Def Jam.

Last December, Simmons responded to the accusations from more than 20 women who allege that the music mogul harassed or sexually assaulted them. (In addition to The New York Times article where Dixon and two other women came forward against Simmons, the 2020 documentary On The Record also featured multiple women who accused him of misconduct.)

In a conversation with journalist Graham Bensinger, Simmons confessed that he had been in “crude, compromising situations,” but insisted that he has “never been forceful in any of my relationships.”

Dixon’s attorneys underscored four statements from the interview to substantiate their claim of defamation, stating that in “their full context” Simmons has effectively accused Dixon of lying. Early in the discussion, Simmons admits that he’s slept with “thousands” of people but suggested only “six people” have come forward against him.

“I can simply tell you that I was in so many compromising situations, that people can have a recollection from 30 or 40 years ago, and it can be different from my recollection,” Simmons added. “And it could be one where there was perhaps a collaboration. If you had more foursomes than most guys at once, could someone leave and feel hurt? Could some reimagine a story out of thousands of people? Could someone want notoriety in the market where people thirst for fame, even infamous.” The lawsuit alleges that Simmons “has persisted in his efforts to discredit Ms. Dixon, referring to the ‘main accuser’ from On the Record and labeling her a liar for publicizing the account of the assault — defamation that began in December 2019 and has continued to this day.” The suit further claims that “this defamation has climbed the ranks to the apex of the leadership circle, encompassing not just Ms. [Oprah] Winfrey, but also other founding board members of Time’s Up, which includes some of our nation’s most influential women across various sectors from business to politics to entertainment.” (Winfrey had initially signed on as an executive producer of On the Record, but Simmons alleged she withdrew from the project “at his urging back” in late 2019.) This marks the second lawsuit against Simmons in the past week. A Jane Doe accuser lodged a lawsuit on Tuesday, alleging that after she joined Def Jam in the mid-1990s, Simmons “disrupted and derailed” her career following an alleged sexual assault at his New York apartment. (Simmons’ attorney refuted the allegations in a statement to Rolling Stone.)

Jane Doe’s lawsuit was filed under the provisions of New York’s Gender Motivated Violence Act, which offers a lookback window for survivors of gender-motivated violence until March 1, 2025. The music industry is currently undergoing a MeToo reckoning after both California and New York enacted laws to waive the statutes of limitations on sexual abuse allegations. Other individuals who have been sued include Sean “Diddy” Combs, Jimmy Iovine, Axl Rose, and the former CEOs of the Recording Academy, Neil Portnow and Mike Greene.

Fans Take Legal Action Against Madonna for Delayed Concert

Two fans of Madonna in New York City have initiated a lawsuit against the pop icon for the delayed start of her concert, asserting that they “had to get up early to go to work” the following day.

The legal action, lodged on Wednesday in a federal court in Brooklyn, was brought by Michael Fellows and Jonathan Hadden, who purchased tickets for a show on December 13 at the Barclays Center, a part of Madonna’s Celebration tour.

The concert was scheduled to commence at 8.30pm, but the musician, aged 65, didn’t appear on stage until after 10.30pm, as per the lawsuit.

When the two attendees departed past 1am, they were “left stranded in the middle of the night” and faced “limited public transportation, limited ride-sharing, and/or increased public and private transportation costs”.

The lawsuit alleges that the late conclusion of the weekday show also impacted their ability to “take care of their family responsibilities the next day”. Fellows and Hadden are accusing Madonna, Barclays Center, and tour promoter Live Nation of “unconscionable, unfair, and/or deceptive trade practices” due to the postponed start time, which they argue is a breach of contract and “a wanton exercise in false advertising”.

The lawsuit is aiming for class action status for attendees of other late-starting Celebration shows, including Madonna’s subsequent two concerts in New York on December 14 and 16.

In the live music industry, delays are not unusual. Madonna has previously faced similar lawsuits: in 2019, a fan from Florida argued that her tardiness on her Madame X tour was a breach of contract; and again in 2020, in a lawsuit filed by two concertgoers from New York.

Both lawsuits were eventually voluntarily dismissed.

Jackson 5’s Jermaine Jackson Faces Sexual Assault Allegations from the 1980s

Jermaine Jackson, one of the original members of the Jackson 5 and the elder brother of Michael Jackson, has been accused of sexual assault in 1988 by a woman, as per a recent lawsuit filed in California.

The concise lawsuit, which was lodged in Los Angeles on Wednesday, contains allegations from the complainant, Rita Barrett, that Jackson attacked her in her residence over thirty years ago, after he arrived at her home without prior notice. Barrett’s assertions in the lawsuit include that she became acquainted with Jackson through her profession as a music contractor and also via Berry Gordy, the founder of Motown Records. She claims to have had a close relationship with Gordy through her spouse, Ben Barrett.

The lawsuit declares, “Defendant Jackson forced himself into Plaintiff’s home, and with force and violence sexually assaulted Plaintiff.” It continues, “During the assault, Plaintiff, a woman of faith prayed to God for help. During the assault, Plaintiff feared for her life. After the assault and when Defendant Jackson was satiated, he left the residence.”

The lawsuit names Jackson, along with his businesses Jermaine L. Jackson Music Productions and Work Records, as defendants. The causes of action listed are sexual assault, battery, sexual battery, and negligence. Barrett is seeking damages, the amount of which is not specified.

Jeff Anderson, Barrett’s lawyer, said that “Rita Barrett suffered an egregious and violent sexual assault.” He added, “This is about her power and the declaration of it when she learned something could be done under the law, and she found the strength and support to find us and is now standing up for herself and others.”

While Gordy is not listed as a defendant, the lawsuit alleges that he shielded Jackson due to financial considerations. Barrett claims that she informed Gordy about the incident the day after it occurred because of his connection with both her and the Jackson family. She asserts that Gordy “was uniquely situated to both report Defendant Jackson’s acts and to aid plaintiff during her time of trauma.”

The lawsuit further alleges, “Instead, Mr. Gordy withheld and concealed the acts, further perpetuating the coverup and allowing Mr. Gordy, Defendant Jackson, and others in the business relationship to continue to reap profits derived from Mr. Jackson’s work and reputation for years to come.” The lawsuit was filed under California’s AB2777, similar to New York’s recently expired Adult Survivors Act, which temporarily lifts the statute of limitations on certain civil claims related to sexual misconduct. These laws have resulted in a surge of sexual abuse lawsuits in the music and entertainment sectors, with allegations being made against actors, artists, and executives, including Vin Diesel, Sean “Diddy” Combs, Axl Rose, and L.A. Reid, among others, in lawsuits filed in recent months.

Blueface Sued For Defamation by Soulja Boy’s Ex

Jackilyn Martinez, who has a young son with Soulja Boy, is taking legal action against Blueface for defamation. This follows a series of social media posts by the rapper suggesting that he could be the father of Soulja Boy’s one-year-old son.

Martinez lodged her complaint in Los Angeles Superior Court on a Friday. She claims that her legal team sent Blueface a cease-and-desist letter on a Tuesday, but his response on Instagram was dismissive and derisive, stating, “Nobody even said your name.”

In her legal documents, Martinez asserts that she had protected sex with Blueface once in 2018, but there has been no contact between them since then. She firmly states, “There is zero chance that the defendant is plaintiff’s child’s biological father,” as per her complaint obtained by Rolling Stone.

Blueface, legally known as Johnathan Jamall Porter, allegedly stated in his social media posts, which are included in the complaint, that he had sex with Soulja Boy’s “baby mama the day before your baby shower,” and he specified the date of the shower as June 11, 2022. He further speculated, “Might be my kid he ain’t even get the DNA test,” in another post mentioned in the lawsuit.

Martinez alleges that after she announced on her Instagram that she had sent Porter a cease-and-desist letter, she began receiving numerous death threats on the platform from unidentified individuals. One message read, “We gun in u down,” while another chillingly stated, “When u in the grave I’ll make sure you baby Alr,” according to the complaint.

Martinez expressed in her filing that she is deeply worried for her and her child’s safety and well-being, stating, “Plaintiff is gravely concerned for herself and her child’s safety and well being, and plaintiff is extremely nervous and afraid to go outside and/or be in public.” She argues that the alleged defamatory statements portray her as “promiscuous” and “unfaithful to the father of her child.” Martinez accuses Porter of failing to retract or remove the statements from social media, and she suspects that he made these claims to boost his career by “engaging in a feud” with Soulja Boy, legally known as Deandre Cortez Way. Her lawsuit includes charges of defamation, false light, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and negligence. She is seeking actual and punitive damages, legal fees, and a permanent injunction preventing Porter from defaming her.

Keefe D’s Statements on 2Pac’s Murder Merely for ‘Entertainment Purposes,’ Lawyers Claim

The attorneys of Keefe D, whose real name is Duane Davis, have asserted that his comments about 2Pac’s murder were merely for “entertainment purposes.” Davis is the sole individual ever charged with 2Pac’s 1996 murder and has pleaded not guilty, with his trial scheduled for next year.

His legal representatives have recently asked for his release from jail and bail ahead of the trial, a request that has been denied since his arrest in September. As per KTNV, his lawyers have cited several reasons in their motion for this request, including that many of Davis’s public statements about the murder of the rap icon were for “entertainment purposes.”

They argue that the prosecutors have based their case on excerpts from Davis’s 2019 book, Compton Street Legend, co-authored by Yusuf Jah, and “did not delineate which parts of the book, if any, were written by Duane.” They also pointed to interviews Davis has given about 2Pac’s death in recent years, alleging an “astounding amount of hearsay and speculative testimony” was presented to the grand jury that decided to indict the 60-year-old.

“The truthfulness of the content of the interviews was never verified,” they contend in the filing. “The book and interviews were done for entertainment purposes and to make money from a situation that [LAPD officers] and others had already profited [from].”

Davis’s lawyers also state that he has been dealing with health issues while in jail, including a previously disclosed colon cancer diagnosis. “He is not getting his bi-monthly oncologist check-ups. Additionally, his heart health has declined,” the petition states. "He was put back on a group of medications to try to get things under control.

“He has to take these medications in the jail because he is unable to do the things necessary to maintain proper health. His diet in jail is terrible. He is given heavily-processed meals full of sodium that barely pass as food.” Davis was arrested for 2Pac’s murder in September following a search of his residence, marking the first arrest in the 27-year-old case. His next court appearance is set for January 1, with the trial commencing on June 3, 2024.

While Davis has been arrested for the murder of the rap legend, it is not believed that he was the shooter but was in the vehicle that pulled up next to 2Pac and Suge Knight in Las Vegas on September 7, 1996, and fired multiple shots. He is the only living suspect in the case.

The prosecution alleges that 'Pac was shot in retaliation for assaulting Davis’s nephew and fellow gang member, Orlando Anderson, in a Vegas casino earlier that evening.

50 Cent To Produce “Surviving P Diddy” And Will Donate Proceeds To Victims Of Sexual Assault

A documentary about the scandals that have plagued Diddy for years has been secured by 50 Cent’s pitch.

G-Unit Films and Television company is working on a TV special about the Bad Boy Records mogul, but it’s unclear if it will be a single episode or a series. On Friday, Fifty shared the Page Six link on Twitter, saying he was “the best producer for the job.”

Fifty and Sean “Diddy” Combs used to be on good terms in the early 2000s, but their relationship soured later in the decade, when Diddy demanded $2 million to release Mase from his Bad Boy contract and let him join G-Unit.

Before getting the green light for the documentary, Fifty asked his Instagram followers for their opinion, suggesting a docuseries called Surviving P. Diddy or Diddy, Do It Or Not, inspired by Lifetime’s Surviving R. Kelly about the notorious R&B singer-songwriter.

While the “In Da Club” rapper is touring with Busta Rhymes and Jeremih, he has been mocking Diddy online for months, especially after “Brother Love” faced multiple allegations of sexual assault and abuse. It started when Diddy’s ex-girlfriend Casandra “Cassie” Ventura filed a shocking lawsuit that came with a trigger warning and accused Diddy of sexual assault, rape, and sex trafficking. The lawsuit was later settled, but Diddy was sued by two more women, with alleged incidents that happened in the 1990s. 50 says proceeds from his upcoming Diddy documentary will go toward sexual assault victims.

50 confirmed in an Instagram post that G-Unit Film and Television’s proceeds from the doc “will go to victims of sexual assault and rape.” Additionally, according to TMZ, the doc is “currently in development,” but more details are not available.

Daryl Hall’s Legal Action Against John Oates: A Restraining Order Explained

The enigma surrounding Daryl Hall’s decision to secure a restraining order against John Oates has been partially unraveled, as a portion of the case has been made public by a Tennessee judge who had previously mandated that all details remain confidential. It has now come to light that Hall is trying to prevent his long-term musical associate from selling his stake in their shared venture to Primary Wave Music.

On Friday afternoon, the Associated Press was the first to disclose the actual rationale behind the restraining order, after the judge discreetly unsealed some parts of the case two days prior, on the eve of Thanksgiving.

As per the AP report, Hall is opposed to Oates’ intention to sell his portion of the duo’s Whole Oats Enterprises to the investment firm, which had already acquired a “significant” interest in their catalog rights 16 years ago. Hall has expressed regret over not owning all his publishing.

Chancellor Russell Perkins concurred to temporarily prevent Oates from executing the sale, in response to Hall’s lawyers’ assertion that such action seemed imminent, given that Oates’ team had signed a letter of intent with Primary Wave.

The subsequent court hearing has been scheduled for Nov. 30. This session will take place well before the current restraining order is likely to expire.

According to the AP report, Hall’s team states in the recently unsealed portion of the lawsuit that Oates’ team allowed Primary Wave to view the duo’s joint business agreement, which was supposed to have remained confidential. Consequently, “the entire Unauthorized Transaction is the product of an indisputable breach of contract,” Hall’s lawyers argue.

Hall initiated arbitration between the two singers’ teams on Nov. 9, but he still believed that Oates would immediately go ahead with the sale to Primary Wave, as indicated by the request for a restraining order. The lawsuit stated that an arbitrator had not even been selected yet.

Some parts of the lawsuit are still sealed, with the judge seemingly agreeing with Hall’s lawyers that it contains information that falls under the confidentiality agreement they allege Oates violated in his dealings with Primary Wave.

Neither Hall’s nor Oates’ representatives have responded to requests for comment since the restraining order became public knowledge. Variety has sought comment from Primary Wave, whose office is closed for the holiday weekend.

Back in February 2007, Primary Wave announced that it had acquired a “significant interest in the song catalog of Daryl Hall & John Oates.” The New York Post estimated the sale of a rumored half-interest in the catalog to Primary Wave at between $25-50 million for the duo. Shortly thereafter, the company also purchased the copyrights for about 70 songs penned by sisters Sara and Janna Allen, including their share of Hall and Oates hits like “Maneater,” “You Make My Dreams” and “I Can’t Go for That (No Can Do).”

At that time, 16 years ago, Hall was quoted in the Post as stating he had been keen to sell to Primary Wave after being dissatisfied with their previous publishing company. “I didn’t feel my catalog was being addressed properly by BMG,” Hall told the Post in 2007. “Most publishing companies are administrative rather than creative in nature. Larry (Mestel, the founder-CEO of Primary Wave has) got a lot of creative ideas about what to do with my material.”

In a 2021 interview with Sky News, Hall expressed regret over having sold his publishing, although he referred to “the early days,” so it wasn’t entirely clear whether he was talking about BMG, Primary Wave or another deal.

“Oh, in the early days, it got sold off for me and I didn’t get the money,” Hall said in the two-year-old interview. “I have a bit of my publishing, but a lot of bad business was done in the early days – I’m a real rock and roll story when it comes to that kind of thing. Never sell your publishing — maybe if you’re, you know, 80 years old"

Young Thug Rico Trial Day 2: Pushing P = Pushing Positivity & Thug = Truly Humble Under God

The second day of the trial began with Brian Steel, the lawyer representing Young Thug, striving to debunk the State’s portrayal of the rapper as a villain. In the courtroom, Steel depicted Thug as a man who reveres God and contributes significantly to his community. Steel also offered positive interpretations for terms linked to Thug. He stated that YSL is an acronym for “Young Successful Life”, while Thug is an abbreviation for “Truly Humble Under God”. According to Steel, “Pushin P”, the title of a 2022 track by Gunna featuring Thug and Future, is a symbol for “Pushing Positivity”. Steel’s initial remarks also included a dismissal of song lyrics as incidental proof. He portrayed Thug as a performer who merely narrates unlawful deeds in his music, but does not engage in them. The State intends to utilize lyrics from 17 songs that feature Thug and his co-defendants as evidence against the group. The dispute between Young Thug and YFN Lucci was another issue raised by Thug’s lawyer. Young Thug has been alleged to have authorized YSL members to assassinate Lucci in prison. Lucci was stabbed in the Fulton County Jail in March of the previous year, where he is currently awaiting his own RICO case trial. Steel minimized the conflict between the rappers and suggested that Lucci’s feud with Thug originates from Lucci’s lesser success and his desire to associate himself with a more renowned artist. Young Thug, along with six co-defendants, is on trial for charges that include violation of Georgia’s RICO Act. The prosecution alleges that Young Thug’s record label, YSL, serves as a cover for a violent street gang, which has been involved in numerous violent crimes over the past few years, including conspiracy to commit murder, armed robbery, and participation in criminal street gang activity.

Day 1 Of Young Thug Rico Trial: Everything You Need To Know

The YSL RICO trial of Young Thug, which has been long-awaited, finally began with opening statements on Monday (Nov. 27) and the trial is scheduled to officially start this week. The rapper, whose birth name is Jeffery Lamar Williams, is facing charges of violating Georgia’s Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act and gang laws, among other things. He was indicted last year along with more than 24 other people. He will stand trial with five of them.

Thug and his five co-defendants are charged with conspiring to murder, armed robbery, and participating in criminal street gang activity. Fulton County, Ga. prosecutors have alleged that YSL is a cover for a violent street gang that has reportedly wreaked havoc on Atlanta for over 10 years. Thug is said to be the leader of the YSL organization, which stands for Young Stoner Life.

The jury was selected in mid-November after 10 months of deliberating, and it consists of 12 people. Seven Black women, two White women, two Black men, and one White man will determine Thug’s fate. The trial is expected to take up to a year, so as things get started, here are the biggest takeaways from the first day.

The first notable event happened before opening statements, with Judge Glanville mentioning that his dog moving around the courtroom might distract the jury.

“Here behind me is this ball that starts jingling,” the judge said. “and if you hear a jingling sound like a bell, please don’t think that I’m doing anything creepy up here, alright? I have a service dog behind me. His name is Jack. I think some of you may have seen him already. He lives the best life ever. He’s pampered, he’s a Labrador Retriever and he’s about two and a half, three years old at this point in time.”

He continued, “If you hear that bell, that’s him moving around. He doesn’t bark. He rarely gets interested in what’s going on so he might come up here and look but that’s about it. Don’t bring him any food either, okay? He is spoiled rotten. Please don’t try to throw him any food back here behind me or anything like that. He doesn’t need anything else.”

One of the 12 jurors of the YSL trial arrived late to the first day of proceedings because of car trouble, and the trial was delayed by over an hour as a result. Judge Glanville Scolds Both Defense and Prosecution for Use of PowerPoints Glanville became angry early on during opening statements and accused both the Defense and the State of not following his instructions in regards

“OK, here’s what I’m gonna do. I’m excluding the PowerPoints. Y’all are just gonna have to make this thing up the whole way. You’re gonna have to make an opening statement. No PowerPoints. Let’s bring our jury in.”

He continued, “No PowerPoints because you didn’t do what I told you to do, and that was to exchange PowerPoints. We have wasted almost two hours trying to get this stuff done. My orders to you are not aspirational. They’re given for a reason, and when you don’t follow them, then I have a way to remedy that.” Defense Tries to Get Trial Dismissed The defense attempted to get the trial dismissed early on during the proceedings on Monday. Judge Glanville was outraged that the prosecution didn’t share all the slides they planned to say during their opening statements, and the defense asked to have the trial thrown out. However, Judge Glanville didn’t give in and said the trial would go on.

After Judge Glanville ruled on Nov. 9 that song lyrics could be used by the prosecution against Thugga, Fulton County Deputy District Attorney Adriane Love followed through on that promise on Monday. She showed the lyrics on the screen and told jurors that, “law enforcement didn’t chase the lyrics to solve the murders. Law enforcement chased the murders and found the lyrics.” “Take this st to muthafkin trial,” “I rep my life for real,” and “pay for that casket that’s just if we whack 'em,”

Former Bad Boy President, Label Sued for SA, Negligence amidst diddy accusations

A longtime executive at Bad Boy Entertainment, Harve Pierre, is facing a lawsuit for allegedly grooming and sexually assaulting his assistant, just DAYS AFTER Sean “Diddy” Combs, the founder of the company, was sued for rape and sex trafficking by R&B singer Cassie.

The Jane Doe plaintiff claims that Harve Pierre, who met Diddy at Howard University and became the former president of Bad Boy, victimized her “on multiple occasions in New York City and other locations throughout the country,” according to the complaint filed in New York County Supreme Court and obtained by Rolling Stone.

“Pierre used his position of authority as plaintiff’s boss to groom, exploit, and sexually assault her,” the filing says. “Pierre engaged in a year-long pattern of grooming plaintiff, leading to sexual harassment of plaintiff, and sexual assault.”

The unnamed assistant says she endured physical, emotional, and psychological injuries, along with pain and suffering. She’s seeking damages that will “fully and fairly compensate” her. (Pierre did not immediately reply to a request for comment.)

The lawsuit also holds Bad Boy Entertainment, Bad Boy Records, and Combs Enterprises responsible, accusing the companies of negligence and gender violence. “Defendants knew or should have known that Pierre was unfit to be in a position of authority before Pierre sexually assaulted plaintiff,” the lawsuit asserts. It alleges the companies failed to “properly supervise” Pierre, especially considering his access to “individuals like plaintiff.”

Pierre joined Bad Boy in 1991, left the company but came back to eventually become its president until December 2017. He now identifies himself as a “partial owner” of the company that helped launch the careers of Notorious B.I.G., Craig Mack, Ma$e and Faith Evans, according to his LinkedIn profile. The suit was filed as a result of the Adult Survivors Act, which allowed a one-year window for those in New York to bring civil lawsuits alleging sexual abuse even if the statute of limitations had passed. It’s set to expire on Friday, November 24, 2023. According to the Associated Press, the legislation led to more than 2,500 lawsuits, with many – including Cassie’s suit against Diddy and a Jane Doe lawsuit against Russell Brand – being filed in the final days leading up to the deadline.

Mariah Carey Sued for $20 Million by Country Singer over “All I Want for Christmas Is You”, Again!

The country singer Andy Stone, also known as Vince Vance, has revived his $20 million lawsuit against Mariah Carey for allegedly copying his song “All I Want for Christmas Is You”. Stone claims he wrote the original version of the song with Troy Powers in 1988 and recorded it in Nashville in 1989. He says his song was popular in 1993 and even performed at the White House in 1994.

Carey released her own song with the same title in 1994, co-written with Walter Afanasieff, and it became a huge hit that is played every year during the holiday season. Stone and Powers argue that Carey’s song is too similar to theirs in terms of lyrics, melody, harmony and rhythm. They say both songs have a female narrator who rejects material gifts and only wants her lover for Christmas.

Stone’s lawyer Douglas M. Schmidt tells Rolling Stone that about 50 percent of the words are the same, in almost the same order, and that he thinks his client has a strong case. He says they tried to settle with Carey, Afanasieff and Sony, but they failed to reach an agreement. So, they decided to file the lawsuit again in Los Angeles after dropping it in New Orleans due to the wrong venue.

The lawsuit says that the phrase “all I want for Christmas is you” was distinctive in 1988 and that the combination of the chord progression and the hook was a clone of Stone’s work. It also says that Carey and Afanasieff must have heard Stone’s song before they wrote theirs.

One lawyer said last year that the lawsuit might have a hard time because there are many other songs with the same title.

Check out both songs and tell us in the comments what you think:

Suspect in Takeoff’s Death Says He Was in the Wrong Place at the Wrong Time

The suspect in the killing of rapper Takeoff, Patrick Xavier Clark, faced a judge on Thursday (Oct. 26). Clark was taken into custody in December 2022 based on the evidence from ballistics and video footage. However, the defense team of the suspect is arguing that he acted in self-defense.

“He says he is innocent. We think that he has a valid claim of self-defense. I don’t believe they can prove with any certainty that Patrick was the one who shot the bullet that ended Takeoff’s life. There was another person who initiated the shooting, it was not Patrick Clark,” defense lawyer Letitia Quinones-Hollins told the media outlet. “He was in the same situation as Takeoff, he was trying to escape alive too. He had nothing to do with the dispute that happened. He was just unlucky to be in the wrong place at the wrong time when people started firing guns.” Patrick Xavier Clark was charged with murder by a grand jury in May 2023.

The 33-year-old was arrested a month after the shooting during a traffic stop by the Harris Police Department Gang Division. He allegedly had a large amount of money, a passport, and a gun with him at that time. In a July 2023 interview, Quavo shared how he has been mourning his nephew. The “Greatness” artist talked in the Conversation For The Fans segment about how his life and creative journey have been changed since Take’s death.

“I miss him a lot and I love him. He knows I love him. That’s what we always know. So when you see me and you see me smiling or something like that, you don’t have to ever think I forgot about him or I’ll forget about him. I think about him all the time. Sometimes I cry myself to sleep. And that’s it. I just know he’s here. If I can’t feel him, I just know he’s around,” he said.

Clark’s next court date is Jan. 23, 2024.

Second Sexual Misconduct Lawsuit Filed Against Danny Elfman

Danny Elfman, the musician known for composing “The Nightmare Before Christmas” and “The Simpsons” theme song, is facing a second lawsuit over allegations of sexual misconduct. The lawsuit, filed by an anonymous woman in Los Angeles, alleges that Elfman exposed himself to her and masturbated next to her while she was asleep. A representative for Elfman has denied these allegations.

This follows a previous lawsuit by composer Nomi Abadi, who accused Elfman of similar misconduct in 2017. Abadi reached a settlement of $830,000 with Elfman, but later sued him for breach of contract over missed payments.

Elfman’s representative has called the allegations “baseless and absurd” and stated that they will be vigorously defended in court. Jeff Anderson, the attorney representing both women, stated that it was important for them to know they were not alone.

In response to Abadi’s allegations, Elfman called them “vicious and wholly false” and stated that he had done nothing wrong. His representative claimed that the settlement with Abadi was made under duress, as Elfman faced an “unwinnable battle” to tell the truth.

Despite these controversies, Elfman continues his career. Last year, he performed The Nightmare Before Christmas at Wembley Arena with Phoebe Bridgers. He also worked on the original score for Netflix’s series Wednesday, alongside Chris Bacon. Next October, he is scheduled to perform at the Hollywood Bowl.

Divorce and Custody Dispute between Jonas and Turner Nears Resolution

Joe Jonas and Sophie Turner have taken steps toward resolving the federal lawsuit filed by Sophie Turner, which demanded the return of their two young daughters to her home country, England, amidst their ongoing divorce proceedings.

In a recent court filing on October 10th, attorneys representing Joe Jonas, the Jonas Brothers singer, and Sophie Turner, known for her role in Game of Thrones, announced that they have made significant progress during mediation discussions. They expressed optimism that an amicable resolution to all their outstanding issues is on the horizon.

The lawsuit initiated by Sophie Turner was filed last month in Manhattan federal court. It alleged that Joe Jonas was withholding the passports of their children, obstructing their planned relocation to the UK, which had been intended as their permanent residence. The lawsuit cited international treaties pertaining to child abduction, marking a significant escalation in the divorce case initially filed by Joe Jonas in Miami a few weeks prior.

The exact scope of the pending agreement mentioned in the recent court filing remains unclear. It is uncertain whether this agreement will fully resolve the divorce case in Florida or specifically address the complex matter of international custody raised by Sophie Turner's lawsuit. As of now, there is no documentation indicating a settlement deal has been presented to the Miami court. Representatives for both parties have refrained from offering comments on the matter.

Joe Jonas filed for divorce in Miami on September 5th, citing that "the marriage between the parties is irretrievably broken" after four years of marriage. In response to this unexpected divorce filing, Sophie Turner mentioned in her own court filings that Joe Jonas had initiated the divorce proceedings suddenly, following an argument that took place on the singer's birthday on August 15th. The day after Joe Jonas filed for divorce, the couple jointly released a statement confirming their separation.

On September 15th, it was Sophie Turner's turn to file her own case. In a petition submitted in a New York federal court, she asserted that the couple had permanently relocated to England in March, with prior plans for the children to return with her in September. However, she claimed that Joe Jonas "refuses to return the passports to the Mother and refuses to send the children home to England with the Mother."

The filing specifically referenced the Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction, an international treaty that both the United States and the United Kingdom have signed. Sophie Turner contended that Joe Jonas' actions amounted to "wrongful retention" of their children under the terms of this treaty.

Her lawyers argued, "The Father’s retention of the children in the United States from England is therefore wrongful under the Hague Convention because the Father has retained the children from their habitual residence of England, in breach of the Mother’s rights of custody to the children under English law, which the Mother was exercising at the time of the retention."

Representatives for Joe Jonas have steadfastly denied the allegations raised in Sophie Turner's lawsuit.

Ariana Grande Finalizes Divorce with $1.25M Payout to Dalton Gomez

The world of entertainment witnessed another high-profile split as pop sensation Ariana Grande, 30, and her former spouse, real estate agent Dalton Gomez, officially parted ways. The divorce was finalized in a swift manner, merely three weeks post the filing by Grande on September 18.

The couple had the foresight to sign a prenuptial agreement, which played a significant role in expediting the divorce proceedings. As part of the settlement, Grande agreed to pay Gomez a tax-free amount of $1,250,000. The couple’s shared property, a house in Los Angeles, will be sold and the net proceeds will be equally divided. Furthermore, Grande will bear $25,000 of Gomez’s legal expenses.

Despite the end of their marital journey that began in 2021, sources close to the couple affirm that there is no bitterness between Grande and Gomez. They have managed to uphold a strong sense of mutual respect throughout the divorce process. The official documents cite ‘irreconcilable differences’ as the cause for their separation, with the date of separation recorded as February 20, 2023.

This development marks another chapter in the personal life of Ariana Grande, who continues to mesmerize fans with her musical prowess. As for Dalton Gomez, he returns to his successful career in real estate. Both individuals embark on their separate paths with dignity and respect for each other.

Grimes Takes Legal Action Against Elon Musk for Custody of Their Three Children

The singer Grimes has filed a lawsuit against her ex-boyfriend Elon Musk, the billionaire founder of Tesla and SpaceX, for parental rights of their three children. The lawsuit comes after Grimes accused Musk of not allowing her to see one of their sons, Techno Mechanicus, who was born in 2022 and whose existence was revealed by a biography of Musk last month.

Grimes, whose legal name is Claire Boucher, filed a “petition to establish parental relationship” on Friday, October 3, 2023, in the Superior Court of San Francisco. This petition is often filed when two parents are unmarried and one of them is trying to have their parentage of a child legally recognized, or when seeking child support or custody. As of now, Musk has not filed a response to Grimes’s petition and the singer has not filed a request for custody or child support. The details of the petition are not public and the lawyers of both parties have not commented on the case.

Grimes and Musk dated from 2018 to 2021 and have three children together: X Æ A-Xii, Exa Dark Sideræl, and Techno Mechanicus. Musk has seven other children from previous relationships: Nevada (deceased), Griffin, Xavier, Damian, Saxon, Kai, and the twins with another woman, Shivon Zilis. Grimes also claimed that she had never seen a photo of Musk’s twins with Zilis until they were posted online. Grimes and Zilis later said that they had resolved their issues and were looking forward to their children growing up together.

Co-Defendant in YNW Melly Double Murder Case Faces Witness Tampering Charge

Cortlen “YNW Bortlen” Henry, the co-defendant of rapper YNW Melly in a double murder case, was arrested on a new charge of witness tampering on October 2, 2023. According to court documents, he allegedly tampered with at least one potential witness in the case, which involves the killing of two of their childhood friends and fellow YNW members, Anthony “YNW Sakchaser” Williams and Christopher “YNW Juvy” Thomas Jr., in 2018 .
Henry was out on bail before his residence was raided by the police. He is accused of helping YNW Melly stage the crime scene to look like a drive-by shooting after they allegedly shot and killed Williams and Thomas in a car . Both Henry and YNW Melly were charged with two counts of first-degree murder and two counts of accessory after the fact. They pleaded not guilty and have been in jail since their arrest in February 2019.
Their first trial began in June 2023, but it ended in a mistrial after the jury could not reach a unanimous verdict. Nine jurors voted to acquit them and three voted to convict them . Their second trial is scheduled to start on October 9, 2023.
Witness tampering is a serious offense that can carry a prison sentence of up to 15 years in Florida. It is not clear how this new charge will affect the upcoming retrial of YNW Melly and YNW Bortlen. YNW Melly is a popular rapper who has collaborated with artists like Kanye West and Juice WRLD. His song “Murder on My Mind” became a hit after his arrest and has been certified quadruple platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America.

Suge Knight Refuses To Testify Against "Keefe D" For The Murder Of Tupac

Suge Knight, the founder of Death Row Records and an eyewitness to the infamous 1996 murder of rapper Tupac Shakur, recently expressed his disbelief in an exclusive interview with TMZ. Despite being in the same BMW as Tupac on the fateful night of the shooting in Las Vegas, Knight made it clear that he would neither malign Duane Keith “Keffe D” Davis, the recently arrested suspect in the case, nor disclose who fired the shots. He also challenged the widely accepted belief that Orlando Anderson, Davis’s deceased nephew, was the shooter.

Knight is currently serving a 28-year sentence for voluntary manslaughter. Despite his close connection to the case and his presence at the crime scene, he emphasized his lack of intent to implicate anyone and his refusal to be a witness in Davis’s trial. This stance adds another layer of complexity to a case that has remained unsolved for over two decades.

In a surprising turn of events, Davis was recently apprehended and indicted with one count of murder involving a deadly weapon. This unexpected development left many, including Knight, in disbelief. As this saga continues to unfold, it serves as a stark reminder of the enduring mystery surrounding Tupac’s murder and the intricate web of narratives that continue to challenge investigators.

Blueface Avoids Prison Time For Las Vegas Shooting Incident

Rapper Blueface, whose real name is Johnathan Porter, has been sentenced to a suspended sentence of 24 to 60 months in prison for his involvement in a shooting incident outside a Las Vegas strip club in October 2022. The 26-year-old pleaded guilty to lesser charges of battery and discharging a firearm at or into an occupied structure in July 2023, avoiding the more serious charge of attempted murder.

The shooting occurred on the night of October 8, 2022, when Blueface and his crew were at the Euphoric Gentlemen’s Club in Las Vegas. According to the police report, the alleged victim approached them and made a joke about Blueface talking to “some females in a cheap vehicle”. This provoked a physical altercation between the two parties, which spilled out into the parking lot.

The victim escaped the fight in his pick-up truck and drove through the parking lot, asking who jumped him. Blueface’s crew thought he was “going for a gun” and Blueface fired shots at the vehicle. The victim was grazed by a bullet on his left hand and his truck had multiple bullet holes. Video footage shows Blueface with a gun in his hand, shooting at the truck as it drove away.

Blueface was arrested on November 16, 2022, by the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. He was taken into custody as he was entering the Regional Justice Center for a court appearance related to the shooting case. He was later released on bail and pleaded guilty to the reduced charges in July 2023.

On October 2, 2023, he was sentenced to a suspended sentence of 24 to 60 months in prison, meaning that he will not have to serve any jail time unless he violates the terms of his probation. He will also have to pay restitution to the victim, who suffered from nerve damage and loss of sensation in his hand.

Blueface is best known for his hit songs “Thotiana” and “Bleed It”. He has been involved in several legal troubles in the past, including being arrested for possession of a loaded firearm in Los Angeles in February 2019 and being charged with felony assault with a deadly weapon in Los Angeles in November 2019. He is currently working on his debut album, which is expected to be released later this year.

Lara Trump Draws Criticism For Tom Petty Cover After Estate Sends Cease And Desist

Lara Trump, the daughter-in-law of former President Donald Trump, has stirred controversy with her country music cover of Tom Petty's "I Won't Back Down". Despite a cease and desist letter sent to Donald Trump during his 2020 re-election campaign by Petty's estate, Lara Trump released her own version of the song. The cover, which was teased on Instagram and released on September 29, has been met with criticism.

Eric Trump, Lara's husband, alleges that Apple is "shadow banning" the song. He claims that despite being 31st on the iTunes charts upon release, the song is unsearchable. This raises questions about the fairness of Apple's practices.

The song was released through Mailman Media’s country music sub-label First Class Records. Pre-sales of the song were available before its release. Despite the backlash, many supporters have rallied behind Lara Trump's musical endeavor.

The Trump family continues to face opposition from Tom Petty’s family. The 2020 letter stated that both the late Tom Petty and his family firmly stand against racism and discrimination of any kind. They added that Tom Petty would never want a song of his used for a campaign of hate.

According to US Copyright rules, Lara Trump is indeed allowed to cover the song, as long as she changes it in some fashion. In this case, she has released it as a “country version”. So, while her decision to cover the song has sparked controversy and criticism, it does not appear to be breaking any laws.