#MAGFAB: Anok Yai for EE72 Magazine - Fall 2026
Nice!
#RHOA: Phaedra Parks & CT Tamburello Make Red Carpet Debut at Creative Arts Emmys After Confirming Relationship
Their appearance comes just one day after Phaedra confirmed that they were dating during an appearance on Sirius XM’s Jeff Lewis Has Issues.
The new couple were in attendance as CT was one of the presenters during the ceremony.
He was also seen posing on the red carpet with fellow The Challenge star Johnny “Bananas” Devenanzio, who was a presenter as well.
If you recall, Phaedra, CT, and Johnny all competed on season two of The Traitors, which is where the new couple actually met. If you missed it, check out a relationship timeline for Phaedra and CT!
During night one of the Creative Arts Emmy Awards, The Traitors was nominated in six categories and won them all!
The Peacock reality competition series was up for, and won, Outstanding Host for a reality or Reality Competition Program for Alan Cumming (which he won for the third year in a row!), Outstanding Production Design for a Variety or Reality Series, Outstanding Cinematography for a Reality Program, Outstanding Costumes for Variety, Nonfiction, or Reality Programming, Outstanding Directing for a Reality Program, and Outstanding Picture Editing for a Structured Reality or Competition Program.
The Real Housewives of Atlanta recently wrapped up it’s 17th season and is said to be coming back for season 18, though not officially confirmed by Bravo.
Phaedra Parks and Chris “CT” Tamburello just walked the red carpet together for the first time!
The 52-year-old Real Housewives of Atlanta star and the 46-year-old The Challenge star made their public debut while attending night one of the 2026 Creative Arts Emmys on Saturday (September 5) at Peacock Theater in Los Angeles.Their appearance comes just one day after Phaedra confirmed that they were dating during an appearance on Sirius XM’s Jeff Lewis Has Issues.
The new couple were in attendance as CT was one of the presenters during the ceremony.
He was also seen posing on the red carpet with fellow The Challenge star Johnny “Bananas” Devenanzio, who was a presenter as well.
If you recall, Phaedra, CT, and Johnny all competed on season two of The Traitors, which is where the new couple actually met. If you missed it, check out a relationship timeline for Phaedra and CT!
During night one of the Creative Arts Emmy Awards, The Traitors was nominated in six categories and won them all!
The Peacock reality competition series was up for, and won, Outstanding Host for a reality or Reality Competition Program for Alan Cumming (which he won for the third year in a row!), Outstanding Production Design for a Variety or Reality Series, Outstanding Cinematography for a Reality Program, Outstanding Costumes for Variety, Nonfiction, or Reality Programming, Outstanding Directing for a Reality Program, and Outstanding Picture Editing for a Structured Reality or Competition Program.
The Real Housewives of Atlanta recently wrapped up it’s 17th season and is said to be coming back for season 18, though not officially confirmed by Bravo.
#MusicNews: Daley Announces Upcoming Album “Strange Nature”
Multi-faceted R&B and soul singer-songwriter Daley has officially announced his highly anticipated return with a brand-new studio album, STRANGE NATURE. The 10-track project is slated for a global release on Friday, September 18, via the SRG-ILS (Virgin Music/UMG) label imprint, with pre-orders launching on September 4.
Coinciding with the album’s release, Daley will embark on his extensive 27-city STRANGE NATURE US Tour, kicking off on September 16 in St. Louis, Missouri.
The new album marks a period of profound personal and artistic growth for the vocalist, navigating significant life shifts including the global pandemic, the loss of his father, and an evolving music industry. The project boasts an impressive roster of guest features, including Marsha Ambrosius, Robert Glasper, Keyon Harrold, and Yussef Dayes.
“Naming the album STRANGE NATURE was an acknowledgment for me that life does not always unfold in ways we can predict, hope, or expect,” Daley shared regarding the project’s title. “Ideally, I wanted the title of my first album in some years to reflect growth, an internal flourishing, all of these positive, optimistic things. But in my soul, I knew that was only half of the reality of the process. Love, beauty, and optimism often existed alongside uncertainty, self-doubt, sadness, and things I couldn’t control.”
He added that accepting this duality allowed him to lift a creative weight, noting that “the strange isn’t good or bad, it’s equal parts beautiful and ugly.”
Daley initiated this new era earlier this spring with the release of the smash single “LAVENDER,” marking his first official release since 2018. Written and produced alongside genre-bending UK producer Swindle, the track serves as a lush, immersive meditation on intimacy and emotional surrender, elevated by jazz-inflected guitar chords from Tom Ford.
He quickly followed up with the summer anthem “SLIDE,” a future-throwback R&B groove that blends an infectious bounce with rich orchestral strings and his signature soaring vocal range.
The 10-track tracklist navigates a wide spectrum of emotions, moving from heartbreak and temptation to manifestation. Notable highlights include:
“EASY”: Described by Daley as a “compassionately cut-throat” breakup song, the track explores the difficult realization that a relationship has reached its end. Co-written in London with Ryan Ashley, the deeply personal song features beautiful piano arrangements by Darryl Woodson and strings by Izzi Dunn and Neil Waters.
“COMPASS”: A standout collaboration with multi-Grammy-winning musician Robert Glasper, exploring the journey of finding your way back to someone despite physical or emotional distance. The track grew from an organic studio session with Glasper on the piano, eventually bringing in the talents of Aliyah Niambi and Justin Tyson to round out the cinematic composition.
Reflecting on the grueling but rewarding process of completing the album, Daley credited his support system. “In more difficult moments I was uplifted by friends, fans and supporters who made sure to let me know that what I have to contribute is needed, and I truly feel this spurred me on to produce the best album I have ever made. Can’t wait to see how people react to the music, and take it out on the road, into the real world.”
Stream R&B Hits
STRANGE NATURE will be available to stream, download, and purchase across all major platforms on September 18.
“STRANGE NATURE” TRACK LISTING:
1. LAVENDER
2. SLIDE
3. SLEEPLESS
4. CONSEQUENCES featuring Keyon Harrold w/ drums by Yussef Dayes
5. FALLING DEEP
6. CHEMISTRY
7. EASY
8. HEADLIGHTS featuring Marsha Ambrosius
9. COMPASS featuring Robert Glasper
10. ZONE
Coinciding with the album’s release, Daley will embark on his extensive 27-city STRANGE NATURE US Tour, kicking off on September 16 in St. Louis, Missouri.
The new album marks a period of profound personal and artistic growth for the vocalist, navigating significant life shifts including the global pandemic, the loss of his father, and an evolving music industry. The project boasts an impressive roster of guest features, including Marsha Ambrosius, Robert Glasper, Keyon Harrold, and Yussef Dayes.
“Naming the album STRANGE NATURE was an acknowledgment for me that life does not always unfold in ways we can predict, hope, or expect,” Daley shared regarding the project’s title. “Ideally, I wanted the title of my first album in some years to reflect growth, an internal flourishing, all of these positive, optimistic things. But in my soul, I knew that was only half of the reality of the process. Love, beauty, and optimism often existed alongside uncertainty, self-doubt, sadness, and things I couldn’t control.”
He added that accepting this duality allowed him to lift a creative weight, noting that “the strange isn’t good or bad, it’s equal parts beautiful and ugly.”
Daley initiated this new era earlier this spring with the release of the smash single “LAVENDER,” marking his first official release since 2018. Written and produced alongside genre-bending UK producer Swindle, the track serves as a lush, immersive meditation on intimacy and emotional surrender, elevated by jazz-inflected guitar chords from Tom Ford.
He quickly followed up with the summer anthem “SLIDE,” a future-throwback R&B groove that blends an infectious bounce with rich orchestral strings and his signature soaring vocal range.
The 10-track tracklist navigates a wide spectrum of emotions, moving from heartbreak and temptation to manifestation. Notable highlights include:
“EASY”: Described by Daley as a “compassionately cut-throat” breakup song, the track explores the difficult realization that a relationship has reached its end. Co-written in London with Ryan Ashley, the deeply personal song features beautiful piano arrangements by Darryl Woodson and strings by Izzi Dunn and Neil Waters.
“COMPASS”: A standout collaboration with multi-Grammy-winning musician Robert Glasper, exploring the journey of finding your way back to someone despite physical or emotional distance. The track grew from an organic studio session with Glasper on the piano, eventually bringing in the talents of Aliyah Niambi and Justin Tyson to round out the cinematic composition.
Reflecting on the grueling but rewarding process of completing the album, Daley credited his support system. “In more difficult moments I was uplifted by friends, fans and supporters who made sure to let me know that what I have to contribute is needed, and I truly feel this spurred me on to produce the best album I have ever made. Can’t wait to see how people react to the music, and take it out on the road, into the real world.”
Stream R&B Hits
STRANGE NATURE will be available to stream, download, and purchase across all major platforms on September 18.
“STRANGE NATURE” TRACK LISTING:
1. LAVENDER
2. SLIDE
3. SLEEPLESS
4. CONSEQUENCES featuring Keyon Harrold w/ drums by Yussef Dayes
5. FALLING DEEP
6. CHEMISTRY
7. EASY
8. HEADLIGHTS featuring Marsha Ambrosius
9. COMPASS featuring Robert Glasper
10. ZONE
#HipHopNews: 9th Wonder & Black Thought Are Close To Completing Dream Collaboration
Black Thought joined 9th Wonder for a near-complete joint LP as another major recording venture moved tantalizingly close to completion.
9th Wonder and Black Thought have pushed a long discussed dream pairing closer to the finish line with a full collaborative album on deck.
The veteran producer revealed the status of the project during an appearance on Don Chenz’s podcast. His update was brief but offered the clearest indication yet that the two Hip-Hop heavyweights have assembled an entire body of work together.
“I just need one more verse from him, and we’re done.”
This intriguing link-up is essentially be sitting at the goal line. No album title or release date has been announced.
The partnership puts 9th Wonder’s soulful production alongside the precision and lyrical muscle that have defined Black Thought’s career. Both men have spent decades building reputations that extend far beyond their best known groups.
9th Wonder rose to prominence as a member of Little Brother before developing an extensive production career. Black Thought remains the commanding voice of The Roots while steadily expanding his catalog outside the legendary Philadelphia group.
A complete project with 9th Wonder would continue Black Thought’s increasingly collaborative approach to recording.
He previously teamed with Danger Mouse for Cheat Codes and is reportedly working on Cheat Codes 2. He also has a project with Mach-Hommy among the records said to be in development.
Meanwhile ,The Roots have their own album Endgame on the horizon.
That collection of pending music makes the 9th Wonder revelation especially notable. Rather than simply appearing together for a song or loosie the two have apparently committed to the album format.
One verse is apparently all that separates 9th Wonder and Black Thought from calling the record finished. We’ll be waiting patiently.
9th Wonder and Black Thought have pushed a long discussed dream pairing closer to the finish line with a full collaborative album on deck.
The veteran producer revealed the status of the project during an appearance on Don Chenz’s podcast. His update was brief but offered the clearest indication yet that the two Hip-Hop heavyweights have assembled an entire body of work together.
“I just need one more verse from him, and we’re done.”
This intriguing link-up is essentially be sitting at the goal line. No album title or release date has been announced.
The partnership puts 9th Wonder’s soulful production alongside the precision and lyrical muscle that have defined Black Thought’s career. Both men have spent decades building reputations that extend far beyond their best known groups.
9th Wonder rose to prominence as a member of Little Brother before developing an extensive production career. Black Thought remains the commanding voice of The Roots while steadily expanding his catalog outside the legendary Philadelphia group.
A complete project with 9th Wonder would continue Black Thought’s increasingly collaborative approach to recording.
He previously teamed with Danger Mouse for Cheat Codes and is reportedly working on Cheat Codes 2. He also has a project with Mach-Hommy among the records said to be in development.
Meanwhile ,The Roots have their own album Endgame on the horizon.
That collection of pending music makes the 9th Wonder revelation especially notable. Rather than simply appearing together for a song or loosie the two have apparently committed to the album format.
One verse is apparently all that separates 9th Wonder and Black Thought from calling the record finished. We’ll be waiting patiently.
Two-Time Grammy-Winning Jazz Vocalist, Cassandra Wilson Passes Awat At 70
Cassandra Wilson, an acclaimed, Grammy Award-winning jazz vocalist, has passed away. She was 70.
Wilson passed away in Jackson, Mississippi, on Tuesday morning, according to AP News.
In a statement to jazz radio station WBGO, Wilson’s passing was confirmed.
“It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Cassandra Wilson, the Grammy Award-winning and legendary jazz artist. Cassandra Wilson transitioned peacefully at home, surrounded by family, close friends, and her manager,” the statement read.
Taking to Instagram, Jon Batiste paid tribute to Wilson. “She had an unmistakable vocal tone, phrasing, and her approach of weaving folkloric, R&B, and diasporic music together with experimental and popular genres had a major impact on me,” Batiste wrote.
A prominent figure in modern jazz, Wilson reshaped the genre by pushing past traditional boundaries and integrating Delta blues, folk, pop, and country into her repertoire.
Rising to prominence in the 1980s as a founding vocalist for the avant-garde M-Base Collective in New York, she later achieved massive critical and commercial success with her landmark 1993 Blue Note album Blue Light ‘Til Dawn. Over her career, she earned two Grammy Awards—including Best Jazz Vocal Performance for New Moon Daughter (1996) and Best Jazz Vocal Album for Loverly (2008). She also performed as a lead vocalist on Wynton Marsalis’s Blood on the Fields, the first jazz composition to win a Pulitzer Prize.
Hailed as “America’s Best Singer” by Time magazine in 2001, Wilson’s lasting impact on American music was formally recognized in 2022 when she received the nation’s highest jazz honor, being named a National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Jazz Master.
John Horhn, mayor of Jackson, said the city “has lost an extraordinary native daughter, and the world has lost a singular musical voice.”
“Cassandra Wilson carried the sound, spirit and history of Mississippi with her wherever her music reached,” Horn said. “Her work had a rare depth of character. And a profound understanding of how music moves people, tells stories and connects generations.”
Wilson passed away in Jackson, Mississippi, on Tuesday morning, according to AP News.
In a statement to jazz radio station WBGO, Wilson’s passing was confirmed.
“It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Cassandra Wilson, the Grammy Award-winning and legendary jazz artist. Cassandra Wilson transitioned peacefully at home, surrounded by family, close friends, and her manager,” the statement read.
Taking to Instagram, Jon Batiste paid tribute to Wilson. “She had an unmistakable vocal tone, phrasing, and her approach of weaving folkloric, R&B, and diasporic music together with experimental and popular genres had a major impact on me,” Batiste wrote.
A prominent figure in modern jazz, Wilson reshaped the genre by pushing past traditional boundaries and integrating Delta blues, folk, pop, and country into her repertoire.
Rising to prominence in the 1980s as a founding vocalist for the avant-garde M-Base Collective in New York, she later achieved massive critical and commercial success with her landmark 1993 Blue Note album Blue Light ‘Til Dawn. Over her career, she earned two Grammy Awards—including Best Jazz Vocal Performance for New Moon Daughter (1996) and Best Jazz Vocal Album for Loverly (2008). She also performed as a lead vocalist on Wynton Marsalis’s Blood on the Fields, the first jazz composition to win a Pulitzer Prize.
Hailed as “America’s Best Singer” by Time magazine in 2001, Wilson’s lasting impact on American music was formally recognized in 2022 when she received the nation’s highest jazz honor, being named a National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Jazz Master.
John Horhn, mayor of Jackson, said the city “has lost an extraordinary native daughter, and the world has lost a singular musical voice.”
“Cassandra Wilson carried the sound, spirit and history of Mississippi with her wherever her music reached,” Horn said. “Her work had a rare depth of character. And a profound understanding of how music moves people, tells stories and connects generations.”
‘Soul Train Awards’ Back This Fall Airing On BET And CBS
The “Soul Train Awards” are back on BET! Held in Chicago—the birthplace of Don Cornelius’s legendary show over 50 years ago—the star-studded night airs Friday, November 27 at 8:00 PM ET/PT. Presented by Spotify and Toyota, the ceremony will also make history with its first-ever simulcast on CBS, alongside BET HER, VH1, MTV2, and LOGO.
Backed by exclusive partners Spotify and Toyota, the legendary franchise returns to honor Black music’s generational impact. The upcoming broadcast will bridge past and present, celebrating the visionary icons and modern innovators who have carried the torch since Soul Train debuted in 1971. Lineup, host, and honoree details are coming soon.
“As a Chicago native, I’m proud to bring the ‘Soul Train Awards’ back to the city where it all originated,” said Louis Carr, President, BET. “Coming off a landmark year for BET, this return reaffirms what we do best. Bringing our community together around the culture, and connecting the artists who built this sound to the ones carrying it forward.”
Connie Orlando, EVP, Specials, Music Programming & Music Strategy, BET, also shared a statement.
“The ‘Soul Train Awards’ has always been the home for R&B and soul, and this year we’re reimagining the celebration with a bold new format,” said Orlando. “It’s about honoring the artists who shaped the genre while reinventing the night for where the music is headed.
Launched in 1987, the Soul Train Music Awards were created as an annual celebration of Black excellence in music. The ceremony honored top talent across R&B, soul, hip-hop, and gospel. Arising from the iconic television show that revolutionized music broadcasting starting in 1971, the ceremony gave Black artists a dedicated national platform at a time when major mainstream award shows largely overlooked their achievements.
In its early decades, the telecast was famous for its distinctive trophy—a traditional African ceremonial mask symbolizing cultural heritage—and featured legendary hosts such as Luther Vandross, Dionne Warwick, Patti LaBelle, and Gladys Knight.
Over the years, the awards evolved to reflect shifting musical landscapes. After a brief hiatus in 2008 following production changes, the event was revived under BET Networks
Backed by exclusive partners Spotify and Toyota, the legendary franchise returns to honor Black music’s generational impact. The upcoming broadcast will bridge past and present, celebrating the visionary icons and modern innovators who have carried the torch since Soul Train debuted in 1971. Lineup, host, and honoree details are coming soon.
“As a Chicago native, I’m proud to bring the ‘Soul Train Awards’ back to the city where it all originated,” said Louis Carr, President, BET. “Coming off a landmark year for BET, this return reaffirms what we do best. Bringing our community together around the culture, and connecting the artists who built this sound to the ones carrying it forward.”
Connie Orlando, EVP, Specials, Music Programming & Music Strategy, BET, also shared a statement.
“The ‘Soul Train Awards’ has always been the home for R&B and soul, and this year we’re reimagining the celebration with a bold new format,” said Orlando. “It’s about honoring the artists who shaped the genre while reinventing the night for where the music is headed.
Launched in 1987, the Soul Train Music Awards were created as an annual celebration of Black excellence in music. The ceremony honored top talent across R&B, soul, hip-hop, and gospel. Arising from the iconic television show that revolutionized music broadcasting starting in 1971, the ceremony gave Black artists a dedicated national platform at a time when major mainstream award shows largely overlooked their achievements.
In its early decades, the telecast was famous for its distinctive trophy—a traditional African ceremonial mask symbolizing cultural heritage—and featured legendary hosts such as Luther Vandross, Dionne Warwick, Patti LaBelle, and Gladys Knight.
Over the years, the awards evolved to reflect shifting musical landscapes. After a brief hiatus in 2008 following production changes, the event was revived under BET Networks
Big Tigger Will Not Face Prosecution In Domestic Assault Case Involving Estranged Wife Alicia Brown
Longtime Hip Hop personality and Atlanta radio host Big Tigger will not face criminal prosecution stemming from domestic violence allegations made by his wife, Alicia Brown earlier this year.
According to court documents obtained by TMZ, the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office has declined to prosecute Tigger, whose legal name is Darian Morgan, on charges of aggravated battery and third-degree cruelty to children.
The decision brings the criminal case against the former Rap City host to an end, approximately two and a half months after his June arrest.
The charges stemmed from an alleged May 9 confrontation between Morgan and Brown at their Sandy Springs, Georgia, home.
According to the original arrest warrant, Brown told investigators that the couple had been arguing over text messages Morgan allegedly exchanged with a female co-worker. Brown alleged that during the confrontation, Morgan tackled her to the floor and that a subsequent struggle occurred after she began disconnecting a computer in the couple’s basement office.
Authorities alleged Morgan grabbed Brown by the arms and pushed her toward the exit, causing her to stumble headfirst into a door and suffer a deep laceration above her left eye.
Brown initially received treatment at a Dunwoody urgent-care facility before being transported to Grady Memorial Hospital. According to the warrant, medical personnel contacted police because of the severity of the injury.
Investigators also cited Ring camera footage and photographs of Brown’s injury while establishing probable cause for the aggravated battery charge.
The third-degree cruelty-to-children charge stemmed from allegations that the couple’s 13-year-old son was upstairs during the confrontation and could hear what was happening.
Morgan was arrested June 20 and booked into the Fulton County Jail. He was released the same day after posting $10,000 in surety bonds; $9,000 connected to the felony aggravated battery charge and $1,000 for the child-cruelty charge.
From the beginning, Tigger strongly denied Brown’s allegations.
“I unequivocally deny every allegation that has been made against me,” he said in a statement following his arrest.
Tigger also said he had “complete confidence in the facts and in the legal process” and intended to continue cooperating with authorities while trusting “that the truth will come to light.”
The longtime broadcaster subsequently stepped away from his duties on V-103’s Big Tigger Morning Show as the case unfolded.
The dispute became increasingly complicated outside the criminal investigation.
Brown obtained a temporary protective order that required Morgan to stay away from her and their children. Video from the home’s Ring security system also became part of the public dispute surrounding the allegations, with portions of footage showing physical struggles between the couple.
Meanwhile, V-103 personality Francesca Amiker filed a separate federal defamation lawsuit against Brown after social-media posts allegedly portrayed Amiker as Morgan’s mistress and connected her to the marital dispute.
Brown later encountered legal problems of her own when she was arrested in Georgia on warrants originating in Maryland connected to a separate 2019 custodial matter. That case is unrelated to the allegations she made against Morgan.
Now, however, the criminal case against Big Tigger will not move forward.
The Fulton County District Attorney’s Office’s decision to decline prosecution means Morgan will not be tried on the aggravated battery and child-cruelty charges arising from the incident. The publicly available reporting on the decision has not disclosed the specific reason prosecutors chose not to pursue the case.
That distinction is important.The decision does not amount to a jury finding that the allegations were false, nor was Morgan convicted or acquitted at trial. Rather, prosecutors have elected not to pursue criminal charges based on the case presented to them.
For Tigger, the development closes a criminal case that placed one of Hip Hop’s most recognizable media personalities under intense scrutiny throughout the summer.
Before becoming one of Atlanta radio’s most familiar voices, Big Tigger became a fixture in Hip Hop culture through BET’s Rap City, most memorably hosting Rap City: Tha Basement and its legendary freestyle booth. His career has since extended into radio, television and sports, including work with Atlanta’s V-103 and as an in-arena personality for the Atlanta Hawks.
After maintaining from the beginning that the allegations against him were untrue, Tigger now leaves the criminal portion of the dispute without facing prosecution.
The separate civil and family-related legal matters surrounding Morgan, Brown and others are not necessarily resolved by the district attorney’s decision.
According to court documents obtained by TMZ, the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office has declined to prosecute Tigger, whose legal name is Darian Morgan, on charges of aggravated battery and third-degree cruelty to children.
The decision brings the criminal case against the former Rap City host to an end, approximately two and a half months after his June arrest.
The charges stemmed from an alleged May 9 confrontation between Morgan and Brown at their Sandy Springs, Georgia, home.
According to the original arrest warrant, Brown told investigators that the couple had been arguing over text messages Morgan allegedly exchanged with a female co-worker. Brown alleged that during the confrontation, Morgan tackled her to the floor and that a subsequent struggle occurred after she began disconnecting a computer in the couple’s basement office.
Authorities alleged Morgan grabbed Brown by the arms and pushed her toward the exit, causing her to stumble headfirst into a door and suffer a deep laceration above her left eye.
Brown initially received treatment at a Dunwoody urgent-care facility before being transported to Grady Memorial Hospital. According to the warrant, medical personnel contacted police because of the severity of the injury.
Investigators also cited Ring camera footage and photographs of Brown’s injury while establishing probable cause for the aggravated battery charge.
The third-degree cruelty-to-children charge stemmed from allegations that the couple’s 13-year-old son was upstairs during the confrontation and could hear what was happening.
Morgan was arrested June 20 and booked into the Fulton County Jail. He was released the same day after posting $10,000 in surety bonds; $9,000 connected to the felony aggravated battery charge and $1,000 for the child-cruelty charge.
From the beginning, Tigger strongly denied Brown’s allegations.
“I unequivocally deny every allegation that has been made against me,” he said in a statement following his arrest.
Tigger also said he had “complete confidence in the facts and in the legal process” and intended to continue cooperating with authorities while trusting “that the truth will come to light.”
The longtime broadcaster subsequently stepped away from his duties on V-103’s Big Tigger Morning Show as the case unfolded.
The dispute became increasingly complicated outside the criminal investigation.
Brown obtained a temporary protective order that required Morgan to stay away from her and their children. Video from the home’s Ring security system also became part of the public dispute surrounding the allegations, with portions of footage showing physical struggles between the couple.
Meanwhile, V-103 personality Francesca Amiker filed a separate federal defamation lawsuit against Brown after social-media posts allegedly portrayed Amiker as Morgan’s mistress and connected her to the marital dispute.
Brown later encountered legal problems of her own when she was arrested in Georgia on warrants originating in Maryland connected to a separate 2019 custodial matter. That case is unrelated to the allegations she made against Morgan.
Now, however, the criminal case against Big Tigger will not move forward.
The Fulton County District Attorney’s Office’s decision to decline prosecution means Morgan will not be tried on the aggravated battery and child-cruelty charges arising from the incident. The publicly available reporting on the decision has not disclosed the specific reason prosecutors chose not to pursue the case.
That distinction is important.The decision does not amount to a jury finding that the allegations were false, nor was Morgan convicted or acquitted at trial. Rather, prosecutors have elected not to pursue criminal charges based on the case presented to them.
For Tigger, the development closes a criminal case that placed one of Hip Hop’s most recognizable media personalities under intense scrutiny throughout the summer.
Before becoming one of Atlanta radio’s most familiar voices, Big Tigger became a fixture in Hip Hop culture through BET’s Rap City, most memorably hosting Rap City: Tha Basement and its legendary freestyle booth. His career has since extended into radio, television and sports, including work with Atlanta’s V-103 and as an in-arena personality for the Atlanta Hawks.
After maintaining from the beginning that the allegations against him were untrue, Tigger now leaves the criminal portion of the dispute without facing prosecution.
The separate civil and family-related legal matters surrounding Morgan, Brown and others are not necessarily resolved by the district attorney’s decision.
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ Federal Prison Release Date Has Been Moved Up Again
Sean “Diddy” Combs has seen his projected federal prison release date adjusted once again as he serves his sentence at the Federal Correctional Institution in Fort Dix, New Jersey.
According to updated records from the Federal Bureau of Prisons, the 56-year-old music mogul is now projected for release on May 11, 2028—moving his timeline up by roughly four months from his previously scheduled release date in September 2028.
The shift in Combs’ release date reflects standard Bureau of Prisons adjustments under federal law, which allow eligible inmates to earn time off their sentences through good behavior and participation in educational or vocational programming:
Good Conduct Time: Federal inmates who maintain good behavior can earn up to 54 days of sentence reduction per year under the First Step Act.
Earned Time Credits: Participation in approved prison jobs, rehab initiatives, and educational courses can further accelerate an inmate’s transition to residential reentry centers (halfway houses) or home confinement.
Serving Time in Fort Dix
Combs was sentenced to 50 months in federal custody in October 2025 following his conviction on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution.
After initially being held at the Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC) in Brooklyn, Combs was transferred to FCI Fort Dix, a low-security federal correctional institution in southern New Jersey.
While the projected May 2028 date reflects his official sentence completion mark, federal guidelines mean Combs could potentially transition to a halfway house or home confinement several months prior to his final release date, depending on continued compliance and program completion.
According to updated records from the Federal Bureau of Prisons, the 56-year-old music mogul is now projected for release on May 11, 2028—moving his timeline up by roughly four months from his previously scheduled release date in September 2028.
The shift in Combs’ release date reflects standard Bureau of Prisons adjustments under federal law, which allow eligible inmates to earn time off their sentences through good behavior and participation in educational or vocational programming:
Good Conduct Time: Federal inmates who maintain good behavior can earn up to 54 days of sentence reduction per year under the First Step Act.
Earned Time Credits: Participation in approved prison jobs, rehab initiatives, and educational courses can further accelerate an inmate’s transition to residential reentry centers (halfway houses) or home confinement.
Serving Time in Fort Dix
Combs was sentenced to 50 months in federal custody in October 2025 following his conviction on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution.
After initially being held at the Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC) in Brooklyn, Combs was transferred to FCI Fort Dix, a low-security federal correctional institution in southern New Jersey.
While the projected May 2028 date reflects his official sentence completion mark, federal guidelines mean Combs could potentially transition to a halfway house or home confinement several months prior to his final release date, depending on continued compliance and program completion.
TLC's T-Boz drops out of shows amid medical emergency
TLC's Tionne Watkins is taking a break from the stage as she recovers from a medical emergency.
The singer, who performs under the name T-Boz, is currently scheduled to be on the road with fellow TLC member Rozonda 'Chilli' Thomas as part of the It's Iconic tour with Salt-N-Pepa and En Vogue.
Thomas has been taking the stage solo, however, as Watkins experienced a flare-up of sickle cell disease, USA Today reports.
Thomas addressed the crowd during a recent show, saying, "I want to ask each and every one of you to help me hold her down tonight. Thank you in advance for your support and understanding. This is T-Boz."
Watkins' rep provided an update on her health on Wednesday in a statement to the outlet.
"Tionne recently experienced a sickle cell crisis that required hospitalisation, and she is currently recovering and regaining her strength," the statement read.
"Because the It's Iconic tour is such an interactive show, we made the decision to continue with Chilli performing and receiving incredible support from Salt-N-Pepa, En Vogue and, most importantly, the fans.
"The love shown for T-Boz has been overwhelming. Hearing audiences sing her parts, lift her up in prayer and surround TLC with so much love has meant more than we can express.
"Sickle cell is a serious illness," the statement concluded, "so we ask everyone to please keep the prayers coming as Tionne continues to recover. We are immensely grateful for the love and support."
The singer, who performs under the name T-Boz, is currently scheduled to be on the road with fellow TLC member Rozonda 'Chilli' Thomas as part of the It's Iconic tour with Salt-N-Pepa and En Vogue.
Thomas has been taking the stage solo, however, as Watkins experienced a flare-up of sickle cell disease, USA Today reports.
Thomas addressed the crowd during a recent show, saying, "I want to ask each and every one of you to help me hold her down tonight. Thank you in advance for your support and understanding. This is T-Boz."
Watkins' rep provided an update on her health on Wednesday in a statement to the outlet.
"Tionne recently experienced a sickle cell crisis that required hospitalisation, and she is currently recovering and regaining her strength," the statement read.
"Because the It's Iconic tour is such an interactive show, we made the decision to continue with Chilli performing and receiving incredible support from Salt-N-Pepa, En Vogue and, most importantly, the fans.
"The love shown for T-Boz has been overwhelming. Hearing audiences sing her parts, lift her up in prayer and surround TLC with so much love has meant more than we can express.
"Sickle cell is a serious illness," the statement concluded, "so we ask everyone to please keep the prayers coming as Tionne continues to recover. We are immensely grateful for the love and support."
Malcolm-Jamal Warner's Mom Says His Widow Rejected Deal Worth Millions
Pamela Warner says Malcolm-Jamal Warner’s widow, Tenisha, rejected a private deal that would have given Pamela a one-time trust payment and directed most remaining assets to his 9-year-old daughter, MacKenzie.
Tenisha claims Warner failed to fulfill their 2022 prenup, including a $1 million life insurance policy and $5,000 monthly payments for her work as his chief of staff and assistant, leaving her owed about $1.2 million.
Pamela has reached a separate settlement with MacKenzie’s court-appointed guardian and wants a judge to approve it while dismissing Tenisha’s Georgia lawsuit.
The fight over Malcolm-Jamal Warner’s estate is heating up again. His mother, Pamela Warner, is pushing back against claims made by his widow, Tenisha Warner, and says Tenisha rejected an attempt to resolve their multimillion-dollar dispute outside of court—even as Pamela moves forward with a separate settlement involving Warner’s 9-year-old daughter, MacKenzie.
According to court documents obtained by TMZ, Pamela says she offered to take a one-time payment from her late son’s trust and direct the overwhelming majority of its remaining assets to MacKenzie. She also pointed to other provisions Warner allegedly made for his family, including a $2 million life insurance policy, a Georgia trust used to purchase a home for Tenisha and MacKenzie, and a retirement account worth approximately $2.4 million that was left to Tenisha.
Pamela claims Tenisha rejected efforts to settle their differences privately and proceeded with her lawsuit. Pamela subsequently reached an agreement directly with MacKenzie’s court-appointed guardian and is now asking a judge to approve that settlement. She also wants Tenisha’s separate Georgia case dismissed.
At the center of the increasingly contentious fight is what Malcolm-Jamal Warner intended for his family—and what he actually put in place before his unexpected death. Pamela argues that the dispute should not revolve around what either woman believes she deserves.
She maintains that Warner deliberately intended for his mother to receive part of his estate, citing their close relationship and her decades spent managing his career.
Tenisha's position is considerably different. She sued Pamela in July, alleging that Warner had never fulfilled several financial obligations set forth in their 2022 prenuptial agreement. Among them, Tenisha claims, was a promise to maintain a $1 million life insurance policy naming her as sole beneficiary.
She also alleges Warner agreed to pay her $5,000 per month for working as his chief of staff and assistant. Tenisha estimates she is owed roughly $1.2 million.
Pamela's representatives previously announced an agreement that would direct most of the trust and estate to MacKenzie, pending court approval. The settlement involving Warner's daughter has not resolved the separate dispute between his mother and widow.
That tension became public one year after Warner died at 54 in an accidental drowning in Costa Rica. Tenisha said she took legal action because she was now her daughter's sole provider and needed to protect their rights. Pamela, meanwhile, has denied trying to keep money from her granddaughter.
The court fight also stands in sharp contrast to the family's recent public remembrances of Warner. Tenisha marked his birthday by recreating the quiet celebrations he loved at home with his wife, daughter, and her collection of stuffed animals, writing, "He loved us with his whole heart, in ways I will never know again."
Tenisha claims Warner failed to fulfill their 2022 prenup, including a $1 million life insurance policy and $5,000 monthly payments for her work as his chief of staff and assistant, leaving her owed about $1.2 million.
Pamela has reached a separate settlement with MacKenzie’s court-appointed guardian and wants a judge to approve it while dismissing Tenisha’s Georgia lawsuit.
The fight over Malcolm-Jamal Warner’s estate is heating up again. His mother, Pamela Warner, is pushing back against claims made by his widow, Tenisha Warner, and says Tenisha rejected an attempt to resolve their multimillion-dollar dispute outside of court—even as Pamela moves forward with a separate settlement involving Warner’s 9-year-old daughter, MacKenzie.
According to court documents obtained by TMZ, Pamela says she offered to take a one-time payment from her late son’s trust and direct the overwhelming majority of its remaining assets to MacKenzie. She also pointed to other provisions Warner allegedly made for his family, including a $2 million life insurance policy, a Georgia trust used to purchase a home for Tenisha and MacKenzie, and a retirement account worth approximately $2.4 million that was left to Tenisha.
Pamela claims Tenisha rejected efforts to settle their differences privately and proceeded with her lawsuit. Pamela subsequently reached an agreement directly with MacKenzie’s court-appointed guardian and is now asking a judge to approve that settlement. She also wants Tenisha’s separate Georgia case dismissed.
At the center of the increasingly contentious fight is what Malcolm-Jamal Warner intended for his family—and what he actually put in place before his unexpected death. Pamela argues that the dispute should not revolve around what either woman believes she deserves.
She maintains that Warner deliberately intended for his mother to receive part of his estate, citing their close relationship and her decades spent managing his career.
Tenisha's position is considerably different. She sued Pamela in July, alleging that Warner had never fulfilled several financial obligations set forth in their 2022 prenuptial agreement. Among them, Tenisha claims, was a promise to maintain a $1 million life insurance policy naming her as sole beneficiary.
She also alleges Warner agreed to pay her $5,000 per month for working as his chief of staff and assistant. Tenisha estimates she is owed roughly $1.2 million.
Pamela's representatives previously announced an agreement that would direct most of the trust and estate to MacKenzie, pending court approval. The settlement involving Warner's daughter has not resolved the separate dispute between his mother and widow.
That tension became public one year after Warner died at 54 in an accidental drowning in Costa Rica. Tenisha said she took legal action because she was now her daughter's sole provider and needed to protect their rights. Pamela, meanwhile, has denied trying to keep money from her granddaughter.
The court fight also stands in sharp contrast to the family's recent public remembrances of Warner. Tenisha marked his birthday by recreating the quiet celebrations he loved at home with his wife, daughter, and her collection of stuffed animals, writing, "He loved us with his whole heart, in ways I will never know again."
‘Harry Potter’ Star Miriam Margolyes Under Fire for Racist Comments About Black TV Host
Miriam Margolyes questioned Black TV host Andi Peters about his ancestry on This Morning, wrongly assumed he was biracial, and called him “high yella,” a derogatory colorist term.
Peters corrected the Harry Potter actress, saying that both his parents are Black, while producers reportedly grew nervous as she continued discussing his complexion.
Margolyes similarly questioned Egyptian-Australian host Waleed Aly’s racial identity in 2024, while the franchise now faces racist threats against Paapa Essiedu over his casting as Severus Snape.
Harry Potter actress Miriam Margolyes is facing backlash after making racist comments about Black television host Andi Peters’ skin color and ancestry during a live appearance on This Morning—including assuming he was biracial and describing him with a derogatory term historically used for light-skinned Black people.
According to The Huffington Post, Margolyes was appearing on the ITV program to promote her new book, Miriam’s Full English, when she abruptly turned a conversation about accents into questions about Peters’ racial identity. “What accent would be normal for you? What are you?” she asked. After Peters responded, “What am I?”
Margolyes answered with an assumption: “Well, you’re a mix, aren’t you? You’ve got a Black daddy and a white mummy?”
Peters corrected her: “No, no, both my parents are Black.”
But Margolyes did not leave the subject there. She continued focusing on his complexion and eventually described Peters using “high yella,” explaining it as an American expression for someone who “isn’t deeply Black.”
The term “high yella” or “high yellow” has a long history in the United States as a racial and colorist label for lighter-skinned Black people and is, today, classified as dated, offensive, and disparaging.
Peters initially responded with humor, joking that perhaps the show’s makeup department had made him “a lighter shade than normal.” The tone changed when he revealed that producers were reacting in his earpiece. “They’re getting nervous now,” Peters said.
Margolyes pressed forward. “Don’t be nervous,” she replied. “We welcome everybody. And that’s what I want to write about in my book!”
Margolyes has publicly questioned another person’s racial identity in strikingly similar terms before. During a 2024 appearance on Australia’s The Project, Margolyes turned to Egyptian-Australian host Waleed Aly and asked, “What are you by the way? You’re sort of brown?”
Aly laughed uncomfortably before explaining that he is Egyptian. At the end of the segment, he acknowledged how far the interview had veered, telling viewers, “I think it’s safe to say that conversation did not go as predicted.”
Margolyes, 85, played Professor Pomona Sprout in the original Harry Potter films.
Her latest remarks arrive at a particularly charged moment for the franchise, as another actor associated with the Wizarding World has been confronting racism from the opposite direction.
Paapa Essiedu, the Black British actor cast as Severus Snape in HBO’s forthcoming Harry Potter adaptation, recently revealed that racist hostility over his casting has escalated into death threats. “I’m going to come to your house and kill you,” Essiedu recalled one message saying.
He has nevertheless vowed not to be intimidated out of the role Alan Rickman originated onscreen in 2001.
Jason Isaacs, who played Lucius Malfoy opposite Rickman, previously rejected attempts to dress up the attacks on Essiedu as ordinary casting criticism. “I’ve seen some people online who are being rude about him,” Isaacs said. “What they’re being is racist.”
Peters corrected the Harry Potter actress, saying that both his parents are Black, while producers reportedly grew nervous as she continued discussing his complexion.
Margolyes similarly questioned Egyptian-Australian host Waleed Aly’s racial identity in 2024, while the franchise now faces racist threats against Paapa Essiedu over his casting as Severus Snape.
Harry Potter actress Miriam Margolyes is facing backlash after making racist comments about Black television host Andi Peters’ skin color and ancestry during a live appearance on This Morning—including assuming he was biracial and describing him with a derogatory term historically used for light-skinned Black people.
According to The Huffington Post, Margolyes was appearing on the ITV program to promote her new book, Miriam’s Full English, when she abruptly turned a conversation about accents into questions about Peters’ racial identity. “What accent would be normal for you? What are you?” she asked. After Peters responded, “What am I?”
Margolyes answered with an assumption: “Well, you’re a mix, aren’t you? You’ve got a Black daddy and a white mummy?”
Peters corrected her: “No, no, both my parents are Black.”
But Margolyes did not leave the subject there. She continued focusing on his complexion and eventually described Peters using “high yella,” explaining it as an American expression for someone who “isn’t deeply Black.”
The term “high yella” or “high yellow” has a long history in the United States as a racial and colorist label for lighter-skinned Black people and is, today, classified as dated, offensive, and disparaging.
Peters initially responded with humor, joking that perhaps the show’s makeup department had made him “a lighter shade than normal.” The tone changed when he revealed that producers were reacting in his earpiece. “They’re getting nervous now,” Peters said.
Margolyes pressed forward. “Don’t be nervous,” she replied. “We welcome everybody. And that’s what I want to write about in my book!”
Margolyes has publicly questioned another person’s racial identity in strikingly similar terms before. During a 2024 appearance on Australia’s The Project, Margolyes turned to Egyptian-Australian host Waleed Aly and asked, “What are you by the way? You’re sort of brown?”
Aly laughed uncomfortably before explaining that he is Egyptian. At the end of the segment, he acknowledged how far the interview had veered, telling viewers, “I think it’s safe to say that conversation did not go as predicted.”
Margolyes, 85, played Professor Pomona Sprout in the original Harry Potter films.
Her latest remarks arrive at a particularly charged moment for the franchise, as another actor associated with the Wizarding World has been confronting racism from the opposite direction.
Paapa Essiedu, the Black British actor cast as Severus Snape in HBO’s forthcoming Harry Potter adaptation, recently revealed that racist hostility over his casting has escalated into death threats. “I’m going to come to your house and kill you,” Essiedu recalled one message saying.
He has nevertheless vowed not to be intimidated out of the role Alan Rickman originated onscreen in 2001.
Jason Isaacs, who played Lucius Malfoy opposite Rickman, previously rejected attempts to dress up the attacks on Essiedu as ordinary casting criticism. “I’ve seen some people online who are being rude about him,” Isaacs said. “What they’re being is racist.”
Influencer Igho ‘Tiny’ Ubiribo, 43, Suffers Fatal Complication After Penis Enlargement Procedure
Igho “Tiny” Ubiribo has tragically died at the age of 43.
The British-Nigerian businessman and social media influencer, who was also known online as Denisi and Ego, suffered a fatal medical emergency in March after undergoing a penis enlargement procedure while on vacation in Thailand with his wife Danielle Simba Allen.
Months later, a coroner has now revealed his official cause of death and determined that the cosmetic procedure caused the fatal medical emergency.
According to TMZ, Igho underwent the procedure at an unnamed clinic in Thailand and had 40 milliliters of hyaluronic acid and lidocaine injected into his penis.
Hyaluronic acid fillers can be injected into the penis to increase its girth. The cosmetic procedure can carry risks and complications, including swelling, infection and changes in sensation.
Afterward, he and his wife went for a massage, where Igho reportedly began experiencing chest pain and passed out twice.
He was transported by ambulance to Sukhumvit Hospital in Bangkok and was initially able to answer questions. Danielle informed doctors about the injections, but her husband lost consciousness before doctors could perform a recommended CT scan.
Doctors determined that Igho had suffered a pulmonary embolism, a blockage of an artery in the lungs.
He was transferred to intensive care, where medical professionals reportedly performed CPR for more than 100 minutes. Sadly, Igho died in the early hours of March 6.
A postmortem examination performed in the United Kingdom reportedly found cellular material in Igho‘s lungs that matched the hyaluronic acid used during the procedure.
Coroner Jean Harkin determined that Igho died from a pulmonary embolism caused by the cosmetic procedure, according to the outlet.
Igho had amassed approximately 185,000 followers on Instagram, where he documented his travels and luxurious lifestyle. He and Danielle, a fashion designer and socialite, married in Zimbabwe in 2022.
He was laid to rest at a funeral in London in May.
Our thoughts are with Igho‘s loved ones during this difficult time.
The British-Nigerian businessman and social media influencer, who was also known online as Denisi and Ego, suffered a fatal medical emergency in March after undergoing a penis enlargement procedure while on vacation in Thailand with his wife Danielle Simba Allen.
Months later, a coroner has now revealed his official cause of death and determined that the cosmetic procedure caused the fatal medical emergency.
According to TMZ, Igho underwent the procedure at an unnamed clinic in Thailand and had 40 milliliters of hyaluronic acid and lidocaine injected into his penis.
Hyaluronic acid fillers can be injected into the penis to increase its girth. The cosmetic procedure can carry risks and complications, including swelling, infection and changes in sensation.
Afterward, he and his wife went for a massage, where Igho reportedly began experiencing chest pain and passed out twice.
He was transported by ambulance to Sukhumvit Hospital in Bangkok and was initially able to answer questions. Danielle informed doctors about the injections, but her husband lost consciousness before doctors could perform a recommended CT scan.
Doctors determined that Igho had suffered a pulmonary embolism, a blockage of an artery in the lungs.
He was transferred to intensive care, where medical professionals reportedly performed CPR for more than 100 minutes. Sadly, Igho died in the early hours of March 6.
A postmortem examination performed in the United Kingdom reportedly found cellular material in Igho‘s lungs that matched the hyaluronic acid used during the procedure.
Coroner Jean Harkin determined that Igho died from a pulmonary embolism caused by the cosmetic procedure, according to the outlet.
Igho had amassed approximately 185,000 followers on Instagram, where he documented his travels and luxurious lifestyle. He and Danielle, a fashion designer and socialite, married in Zimbabwe in 2022.
He was laid to rest at a funeral in London in May.
Our thoughts are with Igho‘s loved ones during this difficult time.
Octavia Spencer Wins First Emmy at 2026 Creative Arts Emmy Awards, Moves One Step Closer to EGOT
Octavia Spencer just got closer to an EGOT!
The 56-year-old actress picked up a win on night one of the 2026 Creative Arts Emmy Awards on Saturday night (September 5) at Peacock Theater in Los Angeles.
Octavia won the award for Outstanding Narrator for her work on the Lost Women of Alaska docu-series.
This marks Octavia‘s first Emmy win, after previously being nominated for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Minseries or Movie for Self Made in 2020 and Outstanding Narrator for Lost Women of Highway 20 in 2024.
Her latest award also brings her closer to achieving an EGOT – Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony.
In 2012, Octavia won the Oscar Award for Best Supporting Actress for The Help. Now, she just needs a Grammy and a Tony to join the coveted list of EGOT winners, who have won all four major awards.
At the Creative Arts Emmys, Octavia was seen posing on the red carpet with Lost Women in Alaska executive producer Matt Robins.
In case you missed it, see the full list of winners from night one of the Creative Arts Emmys, which focused primarily on unscripted programs, including documentaries, reality and game shows, variety specials, and short form series.
Night two will take place on Sunday (September 6) with the remaining categories, including scripted programming.
Both nights will be edited into one broadcast, airing on Saturday, September 12 on FXX at 8pm ET and will be available for streaming on Hulu the next day.
Octavia Spencer just got closer to an EGOT!
The 56-year-old actress picked up a win on night one of the 2026 Creative Arts Emmy Awards on Saturday night (September 5) at Peacock Theater in Los Angeles.
Octavia won the award for Outstanding Narrator for her work on the Lost Women of Alaska docu-series.
This marks Octavia‘s first Emmy win, after previously being nominated for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Minseries or Movie for Self Made in 2020 and Outstanding Narrator for Lost Women of Highway 20 in 2024.
Her latest award also brings her closer to achieving an EGOT – Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony.
In 2012, Octavia won the Oscar Award for Best Supporting Actress for The Help. Now, she just needs a Grammy and a Tony to join the coveted list of EGOT winners, who have won all four major awards.
At the Creative Arts Emmys, Octavia was seen posing on the red carpet with Lost Women in Alaska executive producer Matt Robins.
In case you missed it, see the full list of winners from night one of the Creative Arts Emmys, which focused primarily on unscripted programs, including documentaries, reality and game shows, variety specials, and short form series.
Night two will take place on Sunday (September 6) with the remaining categories, including scripted programming.
Both nights will be edited into one broadcast, airing on Saturday, September 12 on FXX at 8pm ET and will be available for streaming on Hulu the next day.
Judge blocks X rival from using Twitter name, but allows ‘Tweet’ for now
A federal court in Delaware has ruled on a trademark fight between Elon Musk’s X and a startup trying to launch a rival social network. The startup, Operation Bluebird, originally launched under the name Twitter.now, but the court barred it from using that name, siding with X on the core “Twitter” trademark. However, the court also found that X had likely abandoned two other, related trademarks: the word “tweet” and the Twitter bird logo, making them available to use. Operation Bluebird has since rebranded its website as Tweet.app, using the freed-up “tweet” name, and launched to the public.
The story of the Virginia-based startup isn’t really about building something unique; it’s about a company trying to get its hands on abandoned trademarks that X relinquished. Even the homepage for the company clearly states its purpose is to go back and pick up what Elon Musk dropped when he renamed the town square as X, and “threw the bird away on his way out,” it says.
The effort is headed up by two lawyers, including founder Michael Peroff, based in Illinois, and Stephen Coates, previously a trademark lawyer at Twitter. Given their legal backgrounds, their assertion that they’re interested in building a new social network seems dubious. It’s more likely they want to acquire Twitter’s trademarks, which have value of their own.
Still, Tweet.app is at least going through the motions and opening up to users in early testing. The company told TechCrunch that more than 172,000 people requested a handle on the site before launch. This was likely in large part due to the affinity people still have for the brand name “Twitter” — a name the company now can’t use.
Notably, the startup is charging users $20 to reserve their handle and join the social network, which likely helps cover its legal bills.
The court’s decision on the matter is not final, we should note. U.S. District Court Judge Colm F. Connolly issued a split ruling on X’s request for a preliminary injunction that sought to stop Operation Bluebird from using a series of Twitter trademarks that the startup says X had abandoned since its rebrand.
The judge granted X’s motion for a preliminary injunction regarding eight Twitter-related marks, but denied it when it came to the Tweet mark and the Twitter bird logo.
In the judge’s opinion, he wrote that Bluebird was “likely to succeed in proving both that X Corp. discontinued the bona fide use of the Tweet mark and Bird logo and that it intends not to resume the use of the marks.”
The case will proceed to determine whether or not X ultimately still retains rights to any of the Twitter marks, given that the company now goes by X in most places.
“They kept the word. They let go of the bird, and they let go of the tweet,” wrote Coates, who is president of Operation Bluebird, in an announcement about the rebrand shared via email with TechCrunch. “A tweet was never a corporation. It’s one person saying something. That word survived three years of a company trying to replace it, because the public declined to stop using it. We think that tells you who it belongs to,” he said.
The story of the Virginia-based startup isn’t really about building something unique; it’s about a company trying to get its hands on abandoned trademarks that X relinquished. Even the homepage for the company clearly states its purpose is to go back and pick up what Elon Musk dropped when he renamed the town square as X, and “threw the bird away on his way out,” it says.
The effort is headed up by two lawyers, including founder Michael Peroff, based in Illinois, and Stephen Coates, previously a trademark lawyer at Twitter. Given their legal backgrounds, their assertion that they’re interested in building a new social network seems dubious. It’s more likely they want to acquire Twitter’s trademarks, which have value of their own.
Still, Tweet.app is at least going through the motions and opening up to users in early testing. The company told TechCrunch that more than 172,000 people requested a handle on the site before launch. This was likely in large part due to the affinity people still have for the brand name “Twitter” — a name the company now can’t use.
Notably, the startup is charging users $20 to reserve their handle and join the social network, which likely helps cover its legal bills.
The court’s decision on the matter is not final, we should note. U.S. District Court Judge Colm F. Connolly issued a split ruling on X’s request for a preliminary injunction that sought to stop Operation Bluebird from using a series of Twitter trademarks that the startup says X had abandoned since its rebrand.
The judge granted X’s motion for a preliminary injunction regarding eight Twitter-related marks, but denied it when it came to the Tweet mark and the Twitter bird logo.
In the judge’s opinion, he wrote that Bluebird was “likely to succeed in proving both that X Corp. discontinued the bona fide use of the Tweet mark and Bird logo and that it intends not to resume the use of the marks.”
The case will proceed to determine whether or not X ultimately still retains rights to any of the Twitter marks, given that the company now goes by X in most places.
“They kept the word. They let go of the bird, and they let go of the tweet,” wrote Coates, who is president of Operation Bluebird, in an announcement about the rebrand shared via email with TechCrunch. “A tweet was never a corporation. It’s one person saying something. That word survived three years of a company trying to replace it, because the public declined to stop using it. We think that tells you who it belongs to,” he said.
AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES
Seems like bringing your bird to Walmart is common
Birb gotta shop too. Walmart has good deals on seeb.
HAVE A GREAT WEEK AHEAD ALL!!!
EFREM
