T.I. Gives Back By Building Affordable Housing Including 25 Free Units For Unhoused Children

An increasing number of families in Atlanta now have the opportunity to live in affordable homes. This Tuesday, a new housing project was revealed by Atlanta’s rapper T.I., Mayor Andre Dickens, and several other organizations. They introduced 140 units located at the Intrada Building on Donald Lee Hollowell Parkway.

Mayor Dickens mentioned, “When you listen to Tip’s album… he shouts out all the neighborhoods right around here.”

T.I. shared a humorous anecdote, saying, “I’m going to tell y’all a secret. Don’t tell nobody. I got caught stealing from this Kmart.” He was referring to a store that used to be in the neighborhood. He added, “I thought that, you know, just to offset the shame that came with that, it would behoove me to invest in the community by acquiring these properties.”

“The Rubber Band Man” is discussing his investment in this newly constructed building on Donald Lee Hollowell Parkway. He’s not the only one familiar with this area.

The community is a collaborative effort between the city of Atlanta, T.I.'s “Briarhouse Holdings,” and the Vecino group, according to the mayor and the rapper. T.I. mentioned that he was motivated by Killer Mike, a fellow native of West Side.

“He says, ‘If everyone does a little, no one has to do a lot,’” T.I. quoted.

Since 2017, numerous organizations have pooled their resources to create a secure environment for families struggling financially. RentCafe states that the average rent in Atlanta exceeds $1,800. Considering a ZipRecruiter survey that shows the average individual earns $34.21 per hour, the focus on developing affordable housing is understandable.

“Safe, quality, affordable housing is linked to what we value,” stated the mayor. “It’s not something a government can fix on its own.”

The goal is to construct, and even better, a community by “buying back the block.”

Over the past two years, the mayor reports that the city has established 3,200 affordable homes, with an additional 5,000 under construction. The mayor’s objective is to reserve 20,000 units for affordable housing.

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,”

Jamie Foxx Sued for Alleged Sexual Assault at NYC Bar in 2015

A lawsuit filed on Wednesday accuses Jamie Foxx of sexually assaulting a woman at a New York rooftop bar in 2015.

The suit, which identifies the woman as Jane Doe, claims that Foxx dragged her to a hidden spot of the Catch NYC rooftop lounge, where he fondled her breasts and touched her genitals without her consent.

The suit says that the woman and a friend were sitting at a table next to Foxx and Mark Birnbaum, the bar’s owner. Around 1 a.m., the friend got up and requested a photo with Foxx.

Foxx consented, and they snapped a few photos. Foxx then started flattering the plaintiff, the suit says, telling her “Wow, you have that super model body” and “You smell so good.” He also said she resembled Gabrielle Union, according to the suit. She says that he then grabbed her arm and pulled her to a more isolated area of the rooftop, where he molested her breasts under her crop top. The suit says that she was surprised and attempted to get away, but that Foxx then shoved his hands into her pants and “put his fingers on and in Plaintiff’s vagina and anus.”

The suit claims that a security guard saw the molestation but did nothing. The woman’s friend then located her, and Foxx ceased touching her and left.

The lawsuit demands damages for pain, suffering, emotional distress, anxiety and humiliation. It claims that the woman was in pain and had to get medical help because of the assault.

The lawsuit also holds Birnbaum and Catch NYC responsible, claiming that they facilitated the assault and neglected to properly oversee their staff.

The suit is among many filed under New York’s Adult Survivors Act, which created a one-year opportunity to file sexual abuse lawsuits that would otherwise be time-barred. The cutoff date to file such lawsuits is Thursday.

Spotify Officially Requires 1k Streams To Earn Royalties

Spotify confirmed a major shift in its royalty system on Tuesday, after weeks of speculation and industry reports. The company introduced several new policies that aim to fight streaming fraud and deal with the huge amount of content on the streaming platform.

Spotify said, “As Spotify payouts to the music industry continue to grow — over $40 billion and counting — we want to make sure that money is going to the people our platform is designed to enable: emerging and professional artists.” The company added, “However, as the royalty pool and catalog on Spotify have surged, three particular drains on the royalty pool have now reached a tipping point. So, we’re working in close collaboration with industry partners — artist distributors, independent labels, major labels, label distributors, and artists and their teams — to introduce new policies to (1) further deter artificial streaming, (2) better distribute small payments that aren’t reaching artists, and (3) rein in those attempting to game the system with noise.”

The most noticeable change is that Spotify will set a payment threshold starting from next year, where songs need to have at least 1,000 streams to earn any royalties. Spotify data shows that out of the 100 million songs on the platform, only around 37.5 million have more than 1,000 streams, which means that over 60 percent of all tracks on Spotify don’t reach the threshold. But those songs account for less than 1 percent of all streams on Spotify, indicating the large number of tracks that get few streams.

The policy has been understandably upsetting for indie musicians who fear that their already small share of the streaming pie will shrink even more. Streaming has largely rescued the record industry, which struggled for years after digital downloads ruined traditional sales. But many artists still can’t depend on streaming revenue, and artists see adding another hurdle for them to get even tiny earnings as adding injury to insult. That criticism is similar to issues some in the industry have with streaming services’ “pro-rata” model, which splits up all the collective streams on a platform and awards artists based on their individual percentage of the pie rather than their specific streams. Some streaming services have looked into whether the model should change to a more “user-centric” model where streams are credited directly to an artist, but it’s unclear how much of a difference that would make. But as the industry has moved to streaming and $11 a month (or no money for an ad-supported subscription) gives users access to more songs than they can possibly imagine, an individual stream is worth less than a traditional sale, and less than 1,000 streams in a year amounts to a few dollars at most. Spotify claimed that the affected songs earn about 3 cents per month on average. And with music distributors often requiring a minimum withdrawal amount — on DistroKid, for example, it’s $2 — some of those payments wouldn’t have been available anyway.

Those small payments may seem trivial individually, but Spotify said they add up to about $40 million that the company says it can instead spread out among the songs that do meet the threshold. While those higher streamed songs make up a minority of tracks on the platform, they also account for 99.5 percent of all streams on the service, Spotify said. Several indie music executives expressed their support of the new changes. In a quote supplied by a rep for Spotify, Denis Ladegaillerie — founder and CEO of Believe (the parent company of music distribution service Tunecore) — called the new policy a step toward incentivizing the artists.

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:

The Last Beatles Song Has Been Released And It’s Pretty F*cking Good

The Beatles have surprised and delighted their fans with the release of Now and Then, a song that features the voice of John Lennon, who died in 1980. The song was created from a demo tape that Lennon recorded in the late 1970s, and was given to the remaining Beatles by Yoko Ono in 1994. The song was unfinished and had technical difficulties, so it was shelved until recently, when artificial intelligence was used to isolate Lennon’s voice from the piano sound. Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr then added new vocals, bass, drums, and strings, while keeping George Harrison’s guitar parts from 1995. The result is a bittersweet and poignant finale for the Fab Four’s recording career.

Now and Then is a slow and melancholic ballad, with Lennon singing about his nostalgia for the past and his longing for the future. The lyrics are simple and heartfelt, such as “Now and then I miss you / Now and then I wonder what I’m gonna do / Now and then I think about you / Now and then I know it’s true”. The song has a haunting quality, as Lennon’s voice sounds distant and fragile, while McCartney and Starr harmonize with him in a tender and respectful way. The song also features a slide guitar solo that pays tribute to Harrison, who died in 2001.

The song is not a Beatles classic, nor does it have the same energy and innovation as their earlier works. But it is still a beautiful and touching song that celebrates the bond between the four bandmates, who changed the history of music and culture. It is also a gift to their loyal fans, who have waited for decades to hear their final song. Now and Then is a fitting farewell to the Beatles, who have left us with an amazing legacy of songs that will live on forever.

Check out the new tune:

Meet Lil RT, He is 9 and is the Most Explicit Rapper in the Game!

Lil RT is a 9-year-old rapper from Atlanta, Georgia, who became famous after a video of him freestyling on a staircase went viral on TikTok. He released his first song, “60 Miles”, in October 2023, which features explicit lyrics about sex, guns, and running from the police. He also collaborated with Doe Boy, a 29-year-old rapper from Ohio, on the remix of “60 Miles”, which sparked controversy and criticism from some people who thought Doe Boy was endorsing Lil RT’s inappropriate behavior. Doe Boy defended his decision to work with Lil RT, saying that he was trying to help him get a better life and that he was just a regular kid from the hood.

Lil RT has not revealed much about his personal background or his parents, but he has gained a lot of attention and fans for his rap skills and confidence. He has over 2 million followers on TikTok and over 1 million views on YouTube. He has also been featured in several media outlets, such as The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Complex, and XXL.

The public reaction to Lil RT’s music has been mixed, with some expressing disbelief and concern over the explicit content in his songs given his young age, while others have shown support and admiration for his talent. Reactions on YouTube range from shock to praise, with many viewers commenting on the controversy surrounding his lyrics and the appropriateness of his content for someone so young.

Some people have criticized the adults involved in his career, questioning the decision to expose a child to such mature themes. However, there are also those who defend Lil RT, highlighting the reality of his background and the potential for music to provide a positive outlet and opportunity for change.

According to a report by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Lil RT’s mother, who goes by the name of Ms. RT, is supportive of her son’s musical aspirations and has hired a manager and a lawyer to help him navigate the industry. She also claims that Lil RT is a good student who loves to read and play video games, and that his rap persona is just a way of expressing himself creatively. She says that she monitors his social media accounts and does not allow him to use profanity at home or in school. She also says that she hopes that Lil RT’s music will inspire other kids to pursue their dreams and overcome their challenges.

Lil RT’s rise to fame has sparked a conversation about youth in the music industry, the influence of adult themes on young artists, and the role of mentorship in guiding young talent. He is one of the youngest rappers to ever make a name for himself in the rap scene, and he shows no signs of slowing down. Whether you love him or hate him, you can’t deny that Lil RT is making waves in the rap world.

Check out Lil RT:

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BURNA BOY SNUBS $5MIL DUBAI GIG OVER MARIJUANA BAN

Burna Boy, the Nigerian superstar who won a Grammy for his album “Twice as Tall”, has revealed that he turned down a lucrative offer to perform in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE). The reason? He does not like to go to places where he cannot smoke marijuana, which is illegal in the UAE.

The singer made this disclosure in a freestyle video that he posted on his Instagram account, where he sang: “Just now I turned down Dubai money, 5 million dollars na small thing cos me I no dey like to dey go where dem no go gree allow me smoke igbo” . Igbo is a slang term for marijuana in Nigeria.

Burna Boy is known for his outspokenness and his advocacy for the legalization of cannabis. He has also faced some controversies in the past, such as being banned from performing in South Africa due to his comments on xenophobia .

The UAE has a strict anti-drug policy that prohibits the possession, consumption, and trafficking of any narcotic substances. Anyone caught with drugs can face severe penalties, including imprisonment, deportation, and even death penalty .

Burna Boy’s decision to reject the $5 million offer has sparked mixed reactions from his fans and critics. Some praised him for sticking to his principles and values, while others criticized him for being arrogant and ungrateful. What do you think of Burna Boy’s choice? Let us know in the comments below.

Epiphone and Kirk Hammett Team Up to Release a Replica of His 1979 Flying V

If you are a fan of Metallica, you probably know the iconic 1979 Flying V guitar that Kirk Hammett used on the band’s first five albums and still plays live. This guitar is not only a piece of metal history, but also a personal treasure for Hammett, who bought it from a music store in London in 1984. Now, you have a chance to own a replica of this legendary instrument, thanks to Epiphone’s deal with Hammett to release a signature model of his 1979 Flying V.

Epiphone, a guitar brand owned by Gibson, has partnered with the Gibson Custom Shop to create a faithful recreation of Hammett’s original guitar. The Epiphone Kirk Hammett 1979 Flying V features a mahogany body and neck, Gibson USA Calibrated T-Type pickups, Grover tuners, and a custom bridge. It is available in two finishes: Ebony and Purple Metallic. The Purple Metallic finish is a tribute to Hammett’s love for horror movies, as it resembles the color of the poster for the 1979 film “Phantasm”.

The Epiphone Kirk Hammett 1979 Flying V is not only a stunning guitar, but also a great sounding one. The Gibson USA Calibrated T-Type pickups deliver the classic tone that Hammett is known for, with plenty of power and clarity. The mahogany body and neck provide warmth and sustain, while the slim taper neck profile and medium jumbo frets offer comfort and playability. Whether you want to play metal riffs, solos, or clean melodies, this guitar can handle it all.

The best part is that the Epiphone Kirk Hammett 1979 Flying V is much more affordable than the Gibson Custom Shop version that was released earlier this year for $15,000 and limited to 200 units worldwide. The Epiphone version costs $1,299, which is a great deal for such a high-quality guitar.

If you are looking for a guitar that combines style, sound, and history, you should definitely check out the Epiphone Kirk Hammett 1979 Flying V. It is a rare opportunity to own a replica of one of the most iconic guitars in metal music, and a tribute to one of the greatest guitarists of all time. Don’t miss this chance to rock out like Kirk Hammett!

From Silverchair to FutureNever: BMG Signs Landmark Publishing Deal with Australian Music Icon Daniel Johns

BMG has signed a global publishing deal with Daniel Johns, the Australian music legend and former Silverchair frontman. The deal covers Johns’ solo work, including his 2022 ARIA No. 1 album FutureNever, as well as his Silverchair songs like “Straight Lines,” “The Greatest View,” “Ana’s Song,” “Freak,” “Tomorrow” and more, which will revert to BMG in 2025 (Sony Music Australia acquired the rights to Silverchair’s recordings in early 2021). The deal, announced on Tuesday, Oct. 31, builds on Johns’ existing recording contract with BMG, which he signed in 2017 before releasing FutureNever, the best-selling new Australian album of 2022. Johns says he trusts BMG with his songwriting catalog, which he values more than anything else without a heartbeat. BMG has supported Johns’ creative endeavors, such as the Spotify podcast Who Is Daniel Johns? in 2021 and the award-winning exhibition Past, Present and FutureNever in 2022. In 2023, BMG will release the film What if the Future Never Happened?, featuring Rasmus King as a young Johns. Johns is the most decorated artist in ARIA history, with 21 awards, and has also won six APRA Music Awards, tying the record for songwriter of the year. He has sold 10 million albums and had six ARIA No. 1 albums, including all five Silverchair albums. Silverchair was formed in 1992 by Johns and his school friends Ben Gillies and Chris Joannou. They achieved worldwide fame with their debut album Frogstomp in 1995 and its hit single “Tomorrow.” Frogstomp reached No. 9 on the Billboard 200, and its follow-up Freak Show peaked at No. 12. The band split up in 2011 at the height of their success. Johns also runs FutureNeverFund, a charity that helps people and animals in need. The non-profit has raised and distributed over A$100,000 from personal and public donations. Jodie Feld, BMG senior creative director Australia & New Zealand, says it’s an honor to work with Johns and his iconic publishing catalog.

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.

Swifties Unite: #SWIFTIESFORPALESTINE Trend Calls for Taylor Swift's Support

The world of Taylor Swift fans, affectionately known as Swifties, is renowned for its unwavering support of their beloved artist. But amidst the excitement surrounding the release of "1989 (Taylor's Version)," a different kind of message is reverberating within this passionate community. The trending hashtag #SWIFTIESFORPALESTINE has illuminated a sobering reality, a plea for Taylor Swift, Taylor Nation, and 13 Management Staff to lend their voices to the plight of the Palestinian people.

It's indeed a challenging time for Swifties. The anticipation of reliving the magic of "1989" is palpable, but an undeniable shadow looms over the celebration. The ongoing suffering of the Palestinian people has prompted a moral dilemma, forcing the Swifties to reevaluate their priorities.

The heart-wrenching situation in Palestine is characterized by ethnic cleansing, unrelenting air-strikes, and an escalating ground invasion, all orchestrated by Israel and supported by Western nations, including the United States and the U.K. The grim statistics tell a harrowing story: as of October 28th, there have been 7,703 Palestinian deaths, with 3,595 of them being children aged 18 or under. These numbers do not even account for those trapped beneath the rubble of destroyed buildings, infrastructure, and communication networks decimated by Israeli forces.

This is not merely a conflict; it is, as many are now calling it, a genocide. It is a call to action, a demand for empathy, and a plea for justice. Swifties are urging their idol and her management team to stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people. Their requests are straightforward:

1. Issue a statement in support of the Palestinian people that calls for an immediate ceasefire.

2. Refrain from attending NFL games until the NFL releases a statement advocating for a ceasefire.

3. Withhold the release of the Eras Tour Movie to any company with funding ties to Israel, until such ties are severed.

The Swifties are aware that their call to action may come at the expense of their own excitement, but they are willing to make that sacrifice. For in the face of injustice and suffering, it's now more important than ever to speak out so that the voices of the oppressed do not remain forever silenced.

The Billion-Dollar Pop Star: Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour, Concert Film, and Re-Recorded Albums

Taylor Swift is not only one of the most popular and influential singers in the world, but also one of the richest. According to Bloomberg, her net worth is estimated at $1.1 billion as of October 2023. She is one of the few entertainers who have reached this level of wealth based on their music and performance alone.

How did she achieve this remarkable feat? The answer lies in her successful Eras tour, her concert film, and her re-recorded albums.

The Eras tour, which features songs from all her previous albums, has been breaking records and boosting the economy in the cities where she performed. The tour could gross $2.2 billion in North American ticket sales alone, making it the highest-grossing tour ever. Swift has been selling out stadiums and arenas across the continent, attracting millions of fans who want to experience her music live.

Her concert film, which premiered on October 11, 2023, earned about $96 million in the box office in the US and Canada in its opening weekend, becoming the highest-grossing concert film domestically for an opening weekend. The film captures the magic and spectacle of her Eras tour, with stunning visuals and sound quality. Fans who missed the chance to see her live or wanted to relive the experience could enjoy the film on the big screen.

Swift has also been re-releasing her old albums with new recordings, after her former label sold her master recordings in 2019. Her latest re-release is "1989 (Taylor's Version)", which came out on October 27, 2023. The original album earned 10 Grammy nominations when it was released in 2014. Swift has been reclaiming her artistic ownership and giving her fans new versions of her classic songs.

Swift is not only a billionaire, but also a cultural phenomenon. She has been rumored to be dating Kansas City Chiefs star Travis Kelce, which has increased the demand for NFL tickets. She has also caused seismic activity in Seattle with her dancing fans. She is widely admired for her talent, creativity, and influence. She is truly a pop star who became a billionaire.

System Of A Down Drummer John Dolmayan Alienated Friends And Fans With His Opinions

John Dolmayan, the drummer of System Of A Down, has revealed that he has lost friends and “hundreds of thousands of fans” because of his controversial opinions.

Dolmayan became known for his opinions when he openly supported Donald Trump before and during his presidency, which was in sharp contrast to the band’s singer Serj Tankian, who strongly condemned Trump and even demanded his resignation. Dolmayan assured, however, that there was “no danger whatsoever” of him being kicked out of System Of A Down. He also angered many people by saying that Black Lives Matter “never had legitimacy” and was a “propaganda tool” for the Democrat Party, and by arguing that the COVID-19 pandemic “has always been about money”.

Now, Dolmayan has reflected on what his “unwillingness” to accept the “narratives” that those close to him believed in have cost him in a new Instagram post.

“I lost people that I thought were friends over the last few years primarily due to my unwillingness to accept the narratives they are now questioning the validity of,” he wrote. “Not to mention hundreds of thousands of fans who couldn’t handle my opinions here on Instagram. When you endeavor to help those in peril, or guide those that are being duped, sometimes you lose because of it. You do it anyway”. He then added in a caption: “And I’ll do it again.”Dolmayan has previously criticized fans who have disagreed with his political views. “If I simply kept my mouth shut as some of you would prefer there would be one less voice speaking against the willful destruction and hate that is consuming so many people, hate and anger that will only bring a stronger and more violent reaction from opposing ideals. This helps no one,” he said in 2020.

Regarding his and Tankian’s different views, he has claimed that the singer does not represent the whole band on politics. “If you think that Serj is the mouthpiece of the band, which he is as far as vocally but not necessarily for ideology, then you have nowhere to go,” he said.

Tankian, on the other hand, has said that he “respects” Dolmayan but not his political views, even though he defended him for his earlier comments about Trump.

In other System Of A Down news, Tankian recently announced he had written a memoir, Down With The System, which will be released in May 2024.

Spotify to Cut Royalties for Low-Streaming Artists and Noise Tracks in 2024

Spotify will change its royalty system in 2024 to benefit more established artists and rights holders, and to crack down on fraud and non-music noise tracks, sources say. Spotify has been talking with major and independent labels and distributors for weeks about the new terms. The changes include:

• A minimum number of yearly streams for a track to earn royalties. This will reduce the share of tracks that get 0.5% of Spotify’s royalty pool.

• Financial penalties for labels and distributors that upload tracks with fake streams.

• A minimum play-time for non-music noise tracks, such as bird sounds or white noise, to earn royalties.

Spotify will need new agreements with most labels and distributors to make these changes, but not new licensing deals. The major labels are likely to agree, as they will benefit from the new terms.

Spotify did not confirm the changes, but said it is always looking for ways to serve artists and improve platform integrity.

The changes are in line with Universal Music Group’s call for an “artist-centric” model that rewards “real artists with real fanbases” and eliminates “noise” from the royalty pool. UMG has partnered with other streaming platforms, such as Tidal, Deezer and Soundcloud, to explore alternative models. UMG announced a “newly expanded agreement” with Spotify in July that addressed these issues.

Deezer’s plan, which was announced in September, was similar to Spotify’s, but more drastic. It also gave royalty “boosts” to artists who were actively searched by users, and replaced non-artist noise content with its own functional music that was excluded from the royalty pool.

Spotify’s plan does not affect passive listening royalties, which are based on algorithm-recommended playlists and auto-play features.

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.

West’s Attorney Confirms NO 2024 Presidential Run

Kanye West, the renowned rapper, has officially put an end to his presidential ambitions. His personal attorney, Bruce Marks, confirmed to Rolling Stone that West will not be running for the presidency in 2024. This announcement marks the end of West’s active presidential campaign efforts, which were unconventional and aimed to challenge the traditional political landscape.

West had previously expressed his intention to run for president after a failed attempt in 2020. However, it now appears that his political dreams are on hold for this election cycle. A source told Rolling Stone that while nothing is impossible with the unpredictable West, the likelihood of him reversing this decision and reentering the race is extremely low.

West’s 2020 campaign was unique in that he did not run as a Republican or Democrat. Instead, he announced his candidacy under his own Birthday Party. Despite spending a reported $9 million of his own money on his campaign, which lacked many of the typical events and ads associated with a presidential run, he failed to secure even 100,000 votes.

Now, instead of pursuing politics, West is concentrating on reviving his music career. After a series of controversial rants led to him being dropped from brand deals and banned from some social media platforms, West is reportedly close to finishing a new album with Ty Dolla $ign. He has been playing new music for friends and is currently in Italy working on this untitled project.

The 45 King, Renowned Music Producer Behind Hits Like "Stan" and "Hard Knock Life", Has Passed Away. His Legacy and Contributions to the Music Industry Will be Remembered.

The 45 King, the producer behind some of rap’s most iconic songs, has passed away, according to his manager, Paul Martinez, who confirmed the news. The 45 King, whose real name was Mark Howard James, was born in the Bronx and began making beats in the mid-80s, when hip-hop was booming in New York City. He rose to fame with his work for Queen Latifah in the late '80s, and later produced hits such as Jay-Z’s “Hard Knock Life (Ghetto Anthem),” Eminem’s “Stan,” and more. James was 62 years old, and died a few days after his birthday on October 16. The cause of death has not been announced.

James got his name from his DJing style, where he would use obscure 45 records to create sound effects, which influenced his production technique and reflected the hip-hop culture of sampling that is still prevalent today. His breakthrough track “The 900 Number” came out in 1987, and featured a catchy saxophone sample from Marva Whitney’s 1968 song “Unwind Yourself.” The track was also part of James’ 1988 debut album Master of the Game. Since then, “The 900 Number” has been used and remixed by many artists, such as DJ Kool, Public Enemy, Breakestra, and Ced Gee.

James was part of a New York hip-hop collective called the Flavor Unit, which included emerging artists like Apache, Lakim Shabazz, Chill Rob G, and Queen Latifah. After the success of “The 900 Number,” James was hired to produce Latifah’s 1989 debut All Hail the Queen.

James continued to produce and remix songs for Latifah, Gang Starr, Salt-N-Pepa, Eric B. & Rakim, Digital Underground, Madonna, C&C Music Factory, and many others throughout the late '80s and mid-'90s. He also released his own records during that time, such as Straight Out Da Crate and The Lost Breakbeats series.

In 1998, James produced Jay-Z’s smash hit “Hard Knock Life (Ghetto Anthem),” which introduced him to a new generation of rap fans. The song cleverly samples and loops “It’s the Hard-Knock Life” from the original cast recording of the Broadway musical Annie. In 2000, James made another star turn on Eminem’s second album The Marshall Mathers LP, crafting the legendary beat for “Stan,” which samples Dido.

Many artists have paid tribute to James after his death, including Eminem, who wrote on social media: “Legends are never over. #RIP Mark Howard James aka the 45 King … I’m 4ever grateful!!!” The Alchemist called James “one of the original architects of production,” while DJ Premier wrote “we Salute your greatness!”

Jay-Z added: “Thank you Mark. Your instrumentals, namely ‘The 900 Number,’ were more memorable than our whole albums. You gave me a canvas to have a conversation with the world!! You changed my life. Even when the life is short, the art is long!!”

In 2014, after recovering from a heart attack, James posted a video to his YouTube channel where he talked about his legacy. “I like to be liked for my personality and my sense of humor, in honesty, instead of my beats,” he said. “But people just like you for your art sometimes when it’s hot. I never said that my music was good. I’m just so glad enough people like my art where I can pay the bills.”

Celebrating Chuck Berry's Birthday and Carl Sagan's Timeless Tribute, Heard Across the Universe

Chuck Berry, the legendary rock and roll pioneer, celebrated his 60th birthday on October 18, 1986. Among the many tributes and congratulations he received, one stood out for its cosmic significance. It was a letter from Carl Sagan, the renowned astronomer and science communicator, who informed Berry that his music had been sent to the stars.

Sagan was the chairman of a committee that selected the contents of the Voyager Golden Records, two identical phonograph records that were attached to NASA’s Voyager spacecrafts, launched in 1977. The records contain sounds and images that represent the diversity of life and culture on Earth, intended for any intelligent extraterrestrial life form who may find them. The records are expected to last for at least a billion years, as they travel through interstellar space.

Among the 27 musical selections from different cultures and eras, one song was chosen to represent rock and roll: “Johnny B. Goode” by Chuck Berry. Sagan wrote in his letter: “When they tell you your music will live forever, you can usually be sure they’re exaggerating. But Johnny B. Goode is on the Voyager interstellar records attached to NASA’s Voyager spacecraft - now two billion miles from Earth and bound for the stars.

Sagan also expressed his admiration for Berry’s music, which he described as “the music of the human species”.

Berry was touched by Sagan’s letter, and replied: “I was so surprised and honored when I received your letter informing me of what you had done to make my song ‘Johnny B. Goode’ a part of history forever.

Berry’s music has influenced generations of musicians and fans, and has been recognized as one of the greatest achievements of American culture. But perhaps his greatest legacy is that his music has transcended the boundaries of time and space, and has reached out to the unknown wonders of the universe.

Pras Michel Claims Lawyer Used AI to Draft Closing Argument in Conspiracy Case

Pras Michel, a member of the Fugees, wants a new trial for his federal conspiracy case. He says his former lawyer, David Kenner, did a bad job and even used an AI program to write his closing argument.

Michel was found guilty of 10 counts of conspiracy and falsifying records in April. He was involved in a scheme to influence the U.S. government with money from a Malaysian financier, Jho Low, who is accused of stealing billions from his country. Michel denies the charges and says he did nothing wrong.

His new lawyers say Kenner hired inexperienced contract attorneys to do most of the work, did not know the relevant laws, and did not object to harmful testimony. They also say Kenner used an AI program to write the closing argument, which was confusing and weak. They claim Kenner had a financial stake in the AI program and used Michel's trial as a way to promote it, which was a conflict of interest. Kenner did not comment on these allegations.

Michel's lawyers also say the jury heard improper evidence from two judges and a case agent who said Michel was guilty. They say this made the jury biased and they did not give Michel a fair trial.

Michel's case is linked to his friendship with Jho Low, who wanted to avoid prosecution in the U.S. Michel allegedly gave money from Low to Obama's 2012 campaign and tried to lobby Trump's administration to help Low. Michel told Rolling Stone that he had no reason to break the laws and that he lost many friends because of the case.