Hip Hop News

Report: Tory Lanez files appeal in Megan Thee Stallion shooting conviction

Lorne Thomson/Redferns

Tory Lanez has filed a motion for a new trial after being found guilty on all charges in the shooting of Megan Thee Stallion on July 12, 2020, in the Hollywood Hills, Rolling Stone reports. 

Lanez’s attorneys Jose Baez and Matthew Barhoma reportedly cite multiple grounds for the new trial, including a claim that jurors were “erroneously allowed” to view an Instagram comment made from the rapper's personal account claiming that Megan's ex-best friend, Kelsey Harris, was not the shooter. 

"The court erred on numerous questions of law in allowing the People to introduce this post, depriving defendant of a fair trial," the new motion reads, according to documents obtained by Rolling Stone. "The only acceptable remedy for this miscarriage of justice is a new trial."

In December, Lanez, born Daystar Peterson, was found guilty of one felony count each of assault with a semi-automatic firearm with the enhancement of "personal use of a firearm" linked to that count, plus carrying a loaded, unregistered firearm in a vehicle, and discharging a firearm with gross negligence. He faces 22 years in prison and is scheduled to be sentenced next month. 

Copyright © 2023, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.


Gabrielle Union two-part special, 'My Journey to 50', to hit BET+

Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic

Gabrielle Union has a new docuseries special hitting BET titled, My Journey to 50. 

The project is a two-part series will follow the Being Mary Jane alum as she, her husband Dwayne Wade, family and friends, explore Africa from Zanzibar to Ghana to South Africa and more as they celebrate her milestone birthday, per Variety

“I’ve always had a lifelong thirst for knowledge. Connecting with the birthplace of civilization and my own ancestry helped me inch closer to my true self,” the actress said in a statement. “There was no other place I wanted to spend my 50th birthday. It was an experience I’ll never forget and I’m excited for audiences to join me on the journey.”

The project is the first from Union as part of the overall deal she signed with BET Studios via her I’ll Have Another production company. She will executive produce the special alongside Jessie Collins and Dionne Harmon of Jessie Collins Entertainment, in addition to, Madison MerrittElaine MetaxasSergio Alfaro, Tiffany MillsKian Gass, and Erin Beaurem.

My Journey to 50 will be released June 15 on BET+. 

Copyright © 2023, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.


Chlöe says her debut album, 'In Pieces,' is "about all types of heartbreak"

ABC/Randy Holmes

From the outside looking in, it may appear Chlöe has it all together, but she says the opposite is true. With her debut album, In Pieces, out Friday, she's showing fans that she, too, has moments where she breaks.

"The overall narrative of this project is that I don't have my s*** together, and it's OK," she tells People. "No matter how many times I break, I'll put myself back together."

Chlöe says her album-making process started during a time when she was really vulnerable. She'd already made her debut as a solo artist with "Have Mercy," but couldn't quite understand the criticism about her being too sexy.

"I never understood it. I'd look at my peers and be like, 'We're all the same age. They're showing as much as me, if not more. But if I do it, I'm ridiculed to the max,'" she says, noting she eventually took some time away from Twitter.

"As much as I would see it and try to act like it didn't affect or bother me, it would. I was starting to believe the lies that the trolls were saying online, and I started to look down on myself even more than what I already was doing with my own insecurities," the singer continued. "Once I ignored it, I've been good."

Using some of those low moments as inspiration and fuel while working on her album, Chlöe decided her album would be "about all types of heartbreak — not just with a romantic partner, but heartbreak with family and friends that you trusted and thought would always be there for you."

She says she no longer worries about pleasing the naysayers who criticize her performances. "I find my confidence onstage," Chlöe says. "It's where I flourish."

Copyright © 2023, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.


iana Ross announces dates for The Music Legacy Tour

Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Academy Museum of Motion Pictures

Diana Ross is heading out on tour this summer. The legendary singer just announced dates for The Music Legacy Tour 2023, where she’s celebrating her greatest number one hits.

The tour kicks off June 9 in Temecula, California, and wraps July 2 in Chautauqua, New York, with more dates to be announced. A complete list of tour dates, along with ticket sale information, can be found at dianaross.com.

In 2022, Ross released her first album of new material in 20 years, Thank You, and toured on the album. She also dropped a new single, “Turn Up the Sunshine,” last May. The collaboration with the band Tame Impala was featured on the soundtrack for Minions: The Rise of Gru. 

Copyright © 2023, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.


Estate of late Roots bassist Leonard Hubbard sues Questlove and Black Thought

John Lamparski/Getty Images for Tribeca TV Festival

Questlove and Black Thought are facing a lawsuit filed by the estate of their Roots bandmate and bassist Leonard HubbardRolling Stone reports Hubbard's window is accusing the stars, as well as manager Shawn Gee and band employee Munir Nuriddin, of "advancing a continuing scheme to defraud" her and the estate. The suit also names Live Nation, Universal Music Publishing Group and other companies that have worked with the Roots.

According to the suit, Hubbard owned 17 percent stake in the group's corporate entity, Grand Negaz, Inc.; 25 percent in a company handling the Roots' recording and publishing; and 33 percent of the band's touring performance company. But his estate allegedly hasn't received his share.

Hubbard's estate claims Questlove, Black Thought and others mentioned in the suit started bank accounts following Hubbard's departure in 2007 and “through acts of forgery, wire fraud, bank fraud, mail fraud, and criminal copyright infringement … received millions of dollars of ‘commissions’” from the band's various entities.

They alleged that members “through a pattern of racketeered behavior, fraudulently converted, divested and absconded with monies lawfully belonging to the Plaintiff Decedent" starting in 2014.

The suit also claimed that beginning in 2013, Gee, Questlove and Black Thought “intentionally and fraudulently took control” of the finances and the band’s businesses, and formed a separate business in which they'd allegedly transfer funds from Grand Negaz without the estate's consent and knowledge.

Hubbard's widow and estate are seeking restitution for attorneys’ fees and the property, money and benefits that belong to Hubbard, as well as additional damages. They also want the Roots' trademark to be frozen until the brand's value is determined.

Copyright © 2023, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.


Yara Shahidi announces sixth season of 'Grown-ish' will also be its last

Freeform/Tiffany Roohani

Bad news for Grown-ish fans: The newly renewed sixth season of Grown-ish will also be its last. Yara Shahidi, who stars as Zoey Johnson on the show, announced the news in a video message to her fans.

"I wanted to share the news with you guys—our day ones—that season 6 of Grown-ish will be our final season," she shared. "But don't be sad, because we're gonna do it up big."

"You guys have been with us since season 1, and it has been such an honor to play Zoey and grow up alongside her for the past nine years," she continued. "Your support over the last five seasons has really meant the world to us, the cast and crew. We want to take the time to thank you all for the love and support that's kept us going."

Grown-ish premiered on January 3, 2018, as a spinoff of ABC's Black-ish. The show followed Zoey's journey to college, into adulthood and life outside her parents' nest. It now follows her brother Andre's (Marcus Scribner) experience attending Cal U. 

“We’ve spent nearly a decade telling our stories through the -ish series and to say it has been an amazing journey would be an understatement,” said Grown-ish creator Kenya Barris. “To be able to watch Yara, Marcus and our entire ‘grown-ish’ family grow up in front of us over these past several years has been both a joy and an honor. From the stories we’ve told to the talent we’ve fostered and ... the memories made, I could not be more proud of everything we’ve accomplished and the -ish family I’ve been a part of.”

The first half of Grown-ish's final season premieres this summer, with the second slated to air in 2024.

Copyright © 2023, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.


Chlöe releases title track for upcoming album, 'In Pieces'

ABC

The countdown to Chlöe's debut album is nearing its end. With just days before its release, the singer has dropped her new song "In Pieces" alongside a music video.

In the clip, the singer, dressed all in red from her dreads to her dress, plays the piano as she belts the lyrics to her song.

"I wanna be where you are/ I want you to need me like the fire needs the spark/ I need to see it in your eyes/ To lose myself completely like a full moon in the tide," Chlöe sings.

In the chorus, she continues, "I don't want nobody else to hold me when I'm in pieces."

"In Pieces" comes hours after Chlöe's appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, where she took the stage and debuted another song, "Cheatback," without guest feature Future.

Both tracks will appear on Chlöe's upcoming album, In Pieces, out Friday. 

Copyright © 2023, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.


Nicki Minaj featured on upcoming song from NBA Youngboy, "WTF"

Scott Kowalchyk/CBS

NBA Youngboy reunites with Nicki Minaj for a track titled "WTF." The song is slated to drop on April 7, along with the preorder link to Youngboy's upcoming album, Don’t Try This At Home.

"WTF" will mark the latest collaboration between the rappers, who both appeared on Mike Will Made-It's "What That Speed Bout?!" and Youngboy's "I Admit." It will appear on Don’t Try This At Home, out on April 21. The project is said to have 33 tracks.

Copyright © 2023, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.


Tyler, the Creator says "Sorry Not Sorry" in second video this week

Erik Voake/Getty Images for MNRK Music Group

Tyler, the Creator is hyping the upcoming release of Call Me If You Get Lost: The Estate Sale with his new video for “Sorry Not Sorry.” 

Released Wednesday, the self-directed visual finds the rapper and iterations of him from previous albums offering both honest and satirical apologies to a slew of individuals in the crowd. Tyler battles his different alter egos and ultimately ends the video beating one of them to death.

"Sorry Not Sorry" come days after the release of "Dogtooth" and its accompanying video. Both tracks will appear on Call Me If You Get Lost: The Estate Sale, which will feature songs that didn’t make it onto the original album. The project is due out Friday.

(Video includes uncensored profanity.)

Copyright © 2023, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.


Run the Jewels hitting the road in honor of debut album's 10th anniversary

Scott Kowalchyk/CBS

Run the Jewels is headed on the road to commemorate 10 years of their self-titled album. As part of a trek titled RTJX: Celebrating 10 Years of Run the Jewels, the group will visit four cities and perform a total of 16 shows.

“It’s mind blowing to us that it’s been 10 years since we joined forces as RTJ,” members Killer Mike and El-P said in a statement. “The best way we can think to celebrate is to get the whole family together and do what we love for the people who love us back. It’s going to be amazing, just like this entire ride has been, and we are grateful to get a chance to celebrate with our Jewel Runners this year and finally get back into clubs to destroy some stages for you.”

The RTJX tour will kick off September 13 with four consecutive nights at New York City's Terminal 5. Chicago, LA and Atlanta will also see four shows apiece.

“We’re doing four cities, four nights each, and four full albums' worth of jams, many we have only performed a small handful of times during our whole existence," Killer Mike and El-P continued. "So on night one it’s RTJ1 in full, plus many more songs from the other records; night two it’s RTJ2 … etc. etc. We can’t wait to get out there and see you.”

Tickets for the Run the Jewels tour go on sale March 31 at 10 a.m. local time on Ticketmaster. Per Complex, a press release teases "a plethora of special guests and surprises along the way.”

Copyright © 2023, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.


Metro Boomin and J.I.D. tease collaborative album

ABC

Metro Boomin's discography includes collaborations with the likes of FutureLil WayneDrake and Travis Scott. According to a recent post, J.I.D. can now be added to that list.

Taking to Twitter Tuesday, the producer teased some new music from him and the Dreamville star. 

“Got a lot of new music coming but when me and @JIDsv drop,” Metro wrote in his caption alongside some fire and spiral eyes emojis. J.I.D. responded, “I love working with u brudda, it’s an honor," to which Metro replied, “Honor is mine family." J.I.D. later clarified the two were gearing up to release not just a song, but a whole album.

The upcoming album will mark the follow-up to Metro's Heroes & Villains and J.I.D.'s The Forever Story, both released last year. Metro's expected to release a full-length project with Future sometime this year, according to HipHopDx.

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Copyright © 2023, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.


Lauryn Hill and Megan Thee Stallion named headliners of 2023 'Essence' Festival

Mauricio Santana/Getty Images

The Caesar Superdome's annual evening concert series is back this summer, with two women in hip-hop headlining the show. Announced Wednesday were this year's headliners for the Essence Festival: Ms. Lauryn Hill and Megan Thee Stallion.

Lauryn will take the stage with a special performance celebrating the 25th anniversary of her one and only solo album, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, while Meg will jam to her hits. Also taking the stage is Doug E. Fresh, who'll curate a set in honor of hip-hop's 50th anniversary, and Jermaine Dupri, who is slated to bring out some of Atlanta's biggest stars in celebration of the 30th anniversary of his So So Def label.

The 2023 Essence Festival will take place June 30-July 2 in New Orleans, Louisiana, featuring performances from WizkidMonicaCoco Jones and Kizz Daniel. Comedians Deon ColeAffion CrockettSpice Adams and Janelle James will joke with fans as evening hosts, while DJ Spinderella, DJ Kid Capri and DJ Clark Kent will provide the music. 

Tickets are currently on sale at ESSENCEFestival.com, with more announcements coming soon.

Copyright © 2023, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.


'Real Housewives of Atlanta' alum Eva Marcille files for divorce

ABC/Lou Rocco

Real Housewives of Atlanta alum Eva Marcille has filed for divorce from her husband of over four years, Michael Sterling.

The former America's Next Top Model winner, 38, filed for divorce on March 23 and stated that their marriage was "irrevocably broken," according to documents obtained by People. Her attorney added in the filing that the pair "are currently living in a bona fide state of separation."

In a statement to People, Marcille said, "This has been one of the hardest decisions I have ever had to make, but sometimes life takes your journey in a direction you were not expecting."

"Our children remain our biggest priority and the eight and half years we have spent together will always be cherished," she continued. "We ask that you respect our privacy at this time."

Sterling and Marcille tied the knot in October 2018. They welcomed their sons Michael Sterling Jr., 4, and Maverick Sterling, 3, in 2018 and 2019, respectively. Marcille also has 9-year-old daughter Marley Rae from her previous relationship with ex Kevin McCall.

The model and actress is seeking legal and primary custody of their children and child support with "care and maintenance" and medical costs. She is also requesting that the pair's assets gained during their marriage -- including her own separate property -- and debts be equally divided.

Copyright © 2023, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.


Keke Palmer isn't sure how motherhood will impact her career

Sami Drasin/NBC

Keke Palmer is a woman of many roles, but she's uncertain how her new title as mother will play out when it comes to her career. 

“There are different ways in which I exist," she tells Elle for its first Impact issue. "I don’t know how my baby will fit into that, or if that’s something that I’ll even want. I don’t know if motherhood will be part of that narrative or not."

She continues, "Only time will tell, but I’m definitely interested to see ... I might be like, ‘I have something to say so here’s a book.’ I don’t know. Or motherhood might be off limits, Beyoncé style. I don’t think I’ll know until I know.”

Keke is one of several women named as Elle's Women of Impact for making her mark on the world. With a career that's spanned nearly two decades, her definition of success has changed over time.

“As a kid, I thought success was being on Disney Channel or Nickelodeon or being in a movie with someone that I was a fan of," she says. "But as I’ve gotten older, success is just doing the thing you love."

Also different is Keke's focus, which has shifted outward and led to the creation of her digital network, KeyTV.

“I want to educate and allow people to see themselves, not just in front of the camera, but also in all of the different roles that go into creating a movie or a TV show," she says. "We could use a lot more young millennials, Gen Zers, and people of color, especially when we talk about ownership and changing the kind of content that we see. It starts from being in those kinds of positions.”

Copyright © 2023, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.


Lionel Richie admits he no longer lasts “All Night Long”

ABC/Gavin Bond

Lionel Richie’s classic “All Night Long (All Night)” celebrates its 40th anniversary this summer, but if Lionel wants to sing the truth he may have to change the lyrics. While appearing on The View Tuesday, Lionel admitted that at 73 years old, he can no longer relate to the sexy lyrics of his hit tune.

“Let me give you the first part that I have to really, really say to you. When I wrote 'All Night Long,' it was truly all night long,” he said. "Now my 'all night long' is down to a fierce 15 minutes. But, don't worry, we'll talk about that later!"

Richie was on the show with his American Idol co-judges Luke Bryan and Katy Perry, who actually seemed impressed by Lionel’s admission. 

“Fifteen minutes, that's long, bud,” Perry responded. "As long as it's not four times a night, seven days a week.”

Lionel then talked about writing the song and shared he got stuck on it because he had “everything but the hook.” It didn’t come to him until he was visiting a friend named Lloyd in Jamaica. He explained, “I said, 'Guys, I gotta go back to the studio, man. I got to go back, man, 'cause I gotta go work all night long, all night long.'"

Lionel says Lloyd’s friends would later tell him he got “ripped off” because Lionel didn’t share any money from the song with him. When Joy Behar suggested he rectify that, Lionel joked, "Alright, Lloyd, I'll send you a check."

Copyright © 2023, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.


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