#MAGFAB: Travis Kelce for WWD - 1st September 2026
Nice!
#RHUGT Gizelle Bryant confronted NeNe Leakes about a past comment on RHUGT.
Many “Real Housewives of Atlanta” fans were happy to learn that NeNe Leakes filmed when the current RHUGT cast made a stop in Atlanta. Interestingly, Gizelle Bryant used the moment to confront NeNe. Gizelle took issue with NeNe telling Karen Huger to beat her up when they saw each other in person.
In a green screen interview, Gizelle says, “NeNe was the success of Atlanta. I’ve always given NeNe her flowers, but she has said some things about me. You want to talk to me about that?”
Gizelle says to NeNe, “Can I say something? You ran into Karen.”
She continues, “And you told her to beat up Gizelle.”
Gizelle tells producers that she had to address this as soon as she saw NeNe.
“Now you may be Linethia Leakes, but I’ma come for you,” she says in a confessional.
Porsha says Gizelle is doing what she does best.
“Gizelle is just Gizelling, okay? So, welcome back, NeNe! You gon have to figure this one out, girl!”
NeNe says, “You know, we were drinking and we were just talking ****. No hard feelings. Honestly, no hard feelings.”
#MusicNews from Jodeci Announces 35th Anniversary ‘Forever My Lady’ Tour Dates
Jodeci is hitting the road. The legendary R&B group has announced the dates for their U.S. tour in honor of the 35th anniversary of their debut album, Forever My Lady.
The 35-city tour launches Oct. 24 at The Masonic in San Francisco. From there, the crooners will visit Las Vegas, Detroit, Chicago, Baltimore and Atlanta. They will close out the tour on Dec. 19 in their hometown, Charlotte.
“Thirty-five years ago, Forever My Lady changed our lives,” said K-Ci Hailey and Mr. Dalvin of Jodeci said in a joint statement. “The love and connection we share with our fans is unmatched and this tour is for them — the people who stood by us from day one. Get ready, we’re going to leave everything on the stage for you.”
Tickets for the anniversary tour are on sale now.
Forever My Lady was released May 28, 1991, via Uptown Records. It spent two weeks at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.
Written and produced by Jodeci’s DeVante Swing, Forever My Lady, included hits such as “Come & Talk To Me,” “Stay” and the title track. All three singles reached No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.
Meanwhile, “Come & Talk To Me” also led the R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart for seven weeks. On the Hot 100, the latter song peaked at No. 11, while the title track was a top 25 hit.
Forever My Lady paved the way for Jodeci’s groundbreaking ‘90s run — a trio of albums that would inspire generations to come, rounded out by Diary Of A Mad Band (1993) and The Show, The After Party, The Hotel (1995).
In 2015, Jodeci returned with their long-awaited fourth album, The Past, the Present, the Future. It debuted at No. 2 on Billboard’s Top R&B Albums, and included the No. 1 hit “Every Moment,” which spent two weeks atop the Adult R&B Airplay chart.
Earlier this year, Forever My Lady was reissued on 2LP vinyl to commemorate its 35th anniversary. The expanded edition includes bonus tracks and a never-before-released a cappella version of “Stay.”
See Jodeci’s tour dates below.
Jodeci’s 35th Anniversary Forever My Lady Tour Dates
Oct 24 – San Francisco, CA @ The Masonic
Oct 25 – Inglewood, CA @ YouTube Theatre
Oct 27 – Ontario, CA @ Toyota Arena
Oct 29 – El Cajon, CA @ The Magnolia
Oct 30 – Phoenix, AZ @ Arizona Financial Theatre
Oct 31 – Las Vegas, NV @ Palms Casino
Nov 4 – St. Louis, MO @ Stifel Theatre
Nov 6 – Detroit, MI @ Fox Theatre
Nov 7 – Chicago, IL @ Arie Crown Theater
Nov 8 – Indianapolis, IN @ Murat Theatre at Old National Centre
Nov 10 – Cincinnati, OH @ The Andrew J. Brady Music Center
Nov 11 – Pittsburgh, PA @ Citizens Live at The Wylie
Nov 12 – Oxon Hill, MD @ MGM National Harbor
Nov 14 – Cleveland, OH @ KeyBank State Theatre at Playhouse Square
Nov 15 – Bristol, VA @ Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Bristol
Nov 18 – Jersey City, NJ @ Loew’s Jersey Theatre
Nov 19 – Bensalem, PA @ Parx Casino
Nov 20 – Baltimore, MD @ The Paramount Baltimore
Nov 22 – Louisville, KY @ The Louisville Palace
Nov 24 – Memphis, TN @ Orpheum Theatre
Nov 28 – Norman, OK @ Riverwind Casino
Nov 29 – Houston, TX @ Arena Theater
Dec 1 – N. Little Rock, AR @ Simmons Bank Arena
Dec 2 – New Orleans, LA @ Saenger Theatre
Dec 3 – Birmingham, AL @ BJCC Concert Hall
Dec 5 – Lake Charles, LA @ Lake Charles Event Center
Dec 6 – Mobile, AL @ Saenger Theatre
Dec 8 – Savannah, GA @ Johnny Mercer Theater
Dec 10 – Nashville, TN @ The Truth
Dec 11 – Columbia, SC @ Township Auditorium
Dec 13 – St. Petersburg, FL @ Duke Energy Center for the Arts
Dec 15 – Jacksonville, FL @ Florida Theatre
Dec 16 – Miami, FL @ The Fillmore Miami Beach
Dec 18 – Atlanta, GA @ [venue TBA]
Dec 19 – Charlotte, NC @ Ovens Auditorium
Get them tix!
#HipHopNews: Nas Honored as BMI Icon at 2026 R&B/Hip-Hop Awards
Some awards recognize what an artist accomplished during a particular year. Others recognize what they have meant to the culture over the course of a lifetime. Wednesday night at the Fairmont Century Plaza, the 2026 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards managed to do both.
BMI brought together generations of artists, songwriters, producers and music executives for its annual celebration of the most-performed music of the previous year. Kendrick Lamar was named R&B/Hip-Hop Songwriter of the Year, “luther” earned Song of the Year, O Lil Angel was named Producer of the Year and Sony Music Publishing took home Publisher of the Year. But the night’s biggest honor belonged to Nas, who received the BMI Icon Award in recognition of a career and catalog that have helped shape hip-hop for more than three decades. As someone who grew up on hip-hop, seeing Nas honored in this way felt especially fitting. His influence stretches far beyond the records that made him one of the genre’s most respected lyricists. From Illmatic through the many chapters that followed, Nas has represented longevity, storytelling and the ability to evolve without losing the qualities that made listeners connect with him in the first place. The tribute reflected that history while also showing just how far his influence reaches.
The ceremony also made room for the next generation of performers. Belly Gang Kushington and YKNiece opened with “Friend Do Remix,” “Take Me Thru Dere” and “WTF Goin,” while Real Boston Richey performed “Help Me.” Miles Caton showcased his baritone with “Lean On,” Tone Stith brought a smoother R&B moment with “Fly,” and Tiana Major9 performed “Collide” and “Heaven.”
Evelyn “Champagne” King brought the room to its feet with “I’m In Love” and “Love Come Down,” the latter of which was sampled on Capone-N-Noreaga’s 1997 track “Calm Down” featuring Nas. Babyface, himself a BMI Icon honoree in 2024, followed by recognizing Nas as a pioneer, trailblazer, poet and philosopher. Large Professor then helped close out the musical portion of the tribute with a DJ mix highlighting some of Nas’ greatest records. When Nas finally took the stage to accept the award, his speech brought the moment full circle. He recalled being a young music fan staring at vinyl records and repeatedly seeing the letters BMI, never imagining that one day he would become a partner of the organization, much less stand onstage receiving its highest honor. “It just shows you that the things you dream about could really happen,” Nas told the crowd.
He also turned the attention back toward the other creators in the room, explaining that their work continues to inspire him. It was an appropriate sentiment on a night designed not only to celebrate established legends, but also the writers and producers responsible for where R&B and hip-hop are headed next. Nas now joins a BMI Icon class that includes James Brown, Al Green, Isaac Hayes, Janet Jackson, Patti LaBelle, Nile Rodgers, Snoop Dogg, The Jacksons, Busta Rhymes, Lil Wayne and Babyface. That bridge between generations remained one of the strongest themes throughout the evening.
Kendrick Lamar continued his remarkable run by earning BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Songwriter of the Year after co-writing six of the previous year’s most-performed songs: “30 For 30,” “hey now,” “peekaboo,” “squabble up,” “tv off” and “luther.” The SZA-assisted “luther” also earned BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Song of the Year. The record spent 23 weeks at No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, breaking the previous 22-week record held by Lamar’s own “Not Like Us.”
The recognition extended well beyond the night’s headline awards, with BMI celebrating the songwriters and producers behind 35 of the previous year’s most-performed R&B and hip-hop songs in the United States. Among them were familiar names including Sounwave, Sean Momberger, J. White Did It, Cardo, RIOTUSA, D.K. the Punisher, Bandplay, D Phelps, Bizzy Crook, A1, TURBO, and Eric Hudson. The group also reflected a generation making its mark behind the scenes, with 63 creators earning their first BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Award.
With the ceremony taking place in Los Angeles, it was also great to see several hometown names represented among the winners. Fellow LA natives AZ Chike and Dody6 earned recognition through two of Lamar’s biggest records from the past year, with AZ Chike featured on “peekaboo” and Dody6 appearing on “hey now.” Both records have become part of a period in which Los Angeles rap has once again found itself at the center of the larger hip-hop conversation. Seeing artists from the city share in that success made their recognition feel even more fitting with the awards being held at the Century Plaza. Another LA native, Khris Riddick-Tynes, was recognized for his work as a writer and producer on Kehlani’s “Folded.” Riddick-Tynes has quietly built an impressive résumé behind the boards and with his songwriting, and his recognition was another reminder that some of Los Angeles’ biggest contributions to music are coming from both sides of the microphone.
Los Angeles songwriter and producer Matthew “MTech” Bernard also had plenty to celebrate, earning BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Song of the Year as a co-writer of Kendrick Lamar and SZA’s “luther.” The honor continued a strong 2026 for MTech, who was also recognized as a co-writer when “luther” earned BMI Pop Song of the Year earlier this year, with his MTech Music publishing company receiving additional recognition at the BMI Pop Awards.
Producer O Lil Angel was another major winner, receiving Producer of the Year for a body of work that included collaborations with Drake and PARTYNEXTDOOR. D’Mile, Michael “Finatik” Mulé and Isaac “Zac” De Boni of FNZ, and Jahaan Sweet were also recognized among BMI’s top producers. Sony Music Publishing earned Publisher of the Year after representing 27 of the previous year’s most-performed songs, including “Timeless,” “Like Him,” “Yukon,” “25” and “luther.” In total, BMI honored the songwriters and producers behind the 35 most-performed R&B and hip-hop songs in the United States, with 63 creators becoming first-time BMI Award winners.
One of the evening’s more reflective moments came when BMI remembered the late Tay Keith, describing the songwriter and producer as a friend, mentor and brother to many in the room. His family came onstage to accept his 2025 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Songwriter of the Year award on his behalf after the honor was announced at last year’s ceremony.
Before Wednesday’s ceremony, songwriter and producer Rijah Banerjee was also presented with the inaugural BMI Foundation Babyface Award, a grant and mentorship program created for emerging creators working across R&B, hip-hop, soul and music of the African diaspora.
For genres that have spent much of its history fighting to have its artistry, songwriting and cultural impact fully recognized, there was something meaningful about watching one room celebrate so many different stages of the journey.
There were emerging artists getting their moment, current hitmakers being recognized for the records dominating today and hometown talent continuing to show why Los Angeles remains such an important part of the R&B and hip-hop landscape. At the center of it all was the New Yorker Nas, receiving his flowers while he could stand onstage and appreciate them. More than 30 years after introducing the world to Queensbridge through his music, Nas is still here, still creating and still inspiring the generations that followed him. On Wednesday night in Los Angeles, hip-hop had another opportunity to tell him what his work has meant in return.
Chico and James DeBarge Arrested on Possession of Controlled Substance
Chico DeBarge is once again arrested. This time, Chico was arrested alongside James DeBarge on suspicion of possession of a controlled substance Friday in Burbank, California.
According to NBC 4 Los Angeles, the two were arrested after a traffic stop. The stop was initiated after a Chevy Tahoe was spotted towing a Nissan SUV at 1:30 a.m. on Friday. No license plates were on each vehicle.
James was driving the Chevy, Chico was behind the wheel of the Nissan. Both men were arrested after narcotics were found at the scene.
In 2021, Chico DeBarge was arrested for possession of methamphetamine. TMZ reports DeBarge was inside a motorhome that the police received a call about.
When officers responded to the motorhome, police noticed the registration was expired for six months. The vehicle was impounded and in addition to the meth, other drug paraphernalia was inside.
DeBarge was booked for possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was previously arrested for drug possession in 2007, late 2019, and early 2021.
Prosecutors In Sydney Starr’s Child Molestation Case Seek To Keep The Teen’s Sexual History Inadmissible In Court
Prosecutors in the criminal case against reality television personality Sidney Starr are asking a Fulton County judge to prevent the sexual history of her 13-year-old accuser from being introduced in court as Starr prepares for her arraignment later this week.
According to court documents obtained by TMZ, prosecutors filed a rape-shield motion Thursday, August 27, seeking to keep evidence concerning the alleged victim’s prior sexual activity out of the proceedings unless it falls within an exception permitted under Georgia law.
The filing is an evidentiary request from prosecutors and does not mean Starr’s defense team has already attempted to introduce the teenager’s sexual history.
Starr, whose legal name is Sidney Favors, was arrested August 2 following an alleged encounter involving the 13-year-old at an Embassy Suites on International Boulevard in Hapeville, Georgia.
The 37-year-old Love & Hip Hop: New York personality faces felony charges of aggravated child molestation, sodomy and sexual battery against a child under 16. She remains in the Fulton County Jail and has denied the allegations against her.
More details surrounding the prosecution’s case emerged during Starr’s August 25 bond hearing.
Prosecutors told the court that the teenager was in the hotel lobby before eventually accompanying Starr to her room, where authorities allege sexual contact occurred. Starr told investigators that the teen represented himself to her as being 18 years old.
That remains Starr’s account of the encounter and should not be confused with an established finding about what the teenager told her.
Authorities and the boy’s family say he is 13.
Starr’s attorneys argued for her release on bond, pointing to her lack of a significant criminal history, her previous court appearances and what they described as her cooperation with investigators.
They argued that Starr’s lifelong residence in Chicago and limited ties to Georgia created a flight risk. The state also raised concerns that her television profile and substantial social-media following could potentially be used to influence or intimidate witnesses.
The judge ultimately sided with prosecutors and denied bond, finding that Starr posed a flight risk and that concerns existed regarding potential interference with witnesses.
The teenager’s mother also addressed the court during the hearing, telling the judge that her son has required extensive therapy since the alleged encounter and asking that Starr remain in custody.
Starr has maintained her innocence.
The latest rape-shield filing now turns attention toward what evidence may eventually be permitted if the case reaches trial.
Georgia’s rape-shield protections generally restrict the introduction of evidence concerning an alleged victim’s previous sexual behavior in prosecutions involving certain sexual offenses, subject to exceptions and a judge’s determination of admissibility. Prosecutors are asking the court to apply those protections to the 13-year-old in Starr’s case.
The state also filed a certificate of discovery and a notice of prosecution’s intent on August 27, according to the court records reviewed by TMZ.
Those filings come as the case moves beyond Starr’s arrest and bond proceedings and into the next phase of the prosecution.
Starr remains jailed without bond and is scheduled to return to Fulton County court Thursday, September 3, for her plea and arraignment.
She has not been convicted of any crime, and the allegations against her remain to be proven in court.
Lizzo Says “Truth Has Prevailed” After Judge Ends Stylist’s Case
Federal judge closes Asha Daniels’ case as Lizzo vows to keep contesting every accusation without offering a settlement.
Lizzo claimed total courtroom victory Tuesday after a federal judge ended Asha Daniels’ lawsuit against Big Grrrl Big Touring, nearly two years after dismissing Lizzo personally.
U.S. District Judge Fernando L. Aenlle-Rocha granted summary judgment, dismissing every remaining claim before trial.
Daniels accused the company of harassment, discrimination and retaliation during three weeks on Lizzo’s European tour, although she never met the performer. The complaint’s only assault count targeted wardrobe manager Amanda Nomura, whom Daniels voluntarily dismissed in April 2024.
“Today I am relieved to announce that I have won the case against me and my touring company Big Grrrl Touring. All the ridiculous claims by a wardrobe assistant who worked on tour for less than 3 weeks (including a claim they broke an acrylic nail) have been dismissed,” Lizzo stated.
“I prayed for the truth to come out and thanks to my incredible lawyers, the truth has prevailed. That truth matters more to me than anything and I told y’all I will not settle and will continue to fight every vicious claim that has been made against me and my businesses.”
“I’m grateful to God and my team for another victory. I will continue to use my platform to spread positivity and light to the world.”
Aenlle-Rocha found no evidence showing broad bias against women or worse treatment for women than men. Daniels’ claims described rude conduct, he said, but not abuse that was severe or widespread enough to break federal law.
Daniels said Nomura injured her foot with a rolling clothes rack, then shoved her and rejected her request for medical care. The judge found her foot and ankle injuries did not qualify for federal disability protections, despite her pain.
That outcome follows a narrower AllHipHop-reported victory in the separate case filed by dancers Arianna Davis, Crystal Williams and Noelle Rodriguez. In December 2025, the dancers abandoned their appeal over fat-shaming claims after a judge found Davis’ secret recording justified her firing.
However, the dancers’ sexual-harassment, assault and false-imprisonment allegations remain active, so Lizzo has not been completely cleared across both disputes.
Daniels’ attorney Ron Zambrano said the court improperly weighed evidence a jury should consider, and his team is weighing its next steps.
Beyoncé’s BeyGOOD Foundation Donates $200,000 to Indiana Flood Relief
Beyoncé's BeyGOOD Foundation is providing an additional $200,000 to help victims of the historic flooding that destroyed infrastructure in Indiana and left more than 1,000 people homeless.
The money will support City Life Center and Angel by Nature, two charitable organizations working with the most affected communities after the derecho storm.
"The fund will immediately support critical relief and recovery efforts in the neediest areas, including the city of Gary," the foundation said, "providing food, household supplies, and other essential resources to individuals and families impacted by the flooding."
The foundation announced the grant through a social media post on Monday. While Angel by Nature charity is headquartered in Texas, its main operations center is in Gary.
Houston rapper Trae tha Truth created the organization to uplift people struggling with hardship and poverty, especially children. City Life Center operates out of Gary.
The storm system came from Illinois, moving into northwest and north-central Indiana on the morning of Aug. 11 and was initially considered a derecho storm by the Storm Prediction Center. It produced extremely strong straight-line winds, tornadoes, hail, and flash flooding before moving south and east over central Indiana. The strongest wind gust of 99 mph was recorded at Gary/Chicago International Airport, and surveyors estimated the wind speeds of 100 to 110 mph in northwestern Lake and Porter counties. Up to 6 to 9 inches of rain fell, and it continued over the following days. Several major rivers flooded in the region, causing road closures and evacuations.
At least seven deaths have been reported.
Gary became the most heavily affected community. Mayor Eddie Melton declared a local disaster state due to downed trees and power lines, flooding, property damage, and infrastructure damage.
NIPSCO, the utility company serving northern Indiana, estimated that over 347,500 customers lost power. Most of Gary's 69,000 residents got their electricity back only on Aug. 26, more than two weeks after the storm.
A major disaster declaration for Indiana was approved by President Donald Trump on Aug. 25 at the request of Governor Mike Braun.
Individuals in 21 affected counties, including Lake County where Gary is located, could file applications for disaster assistance for temporary housing, home repair and uninsured property losses. More than 13,000 applications were submitted to the Federal Emergency Management Agency shortly after the declaration, and further assessments continued in several additional counties. The current Indiana disaster relief effort follows other disasters BeyGOOD has helped with since Beyoncé initiated the foundation in 2013.
BeyGOOD set up a $2.5 million fund for the LA wildfire relief in January 2025, and Beyoncé pledged her own $1 million donation for earthquake relief in Colombia in early August.
Those interested in assisting the disaster victims can donate via beygood.org.
Colin Kaepernick Says NFL Is Still Blackballing Him A Decade After Kneeling Protest
The #NFL allegedly still feels some type of way about Colin Kaepernick’s peaceful protest.
Ten years after Kaepernick first took a knee during the national anthem to protest police brutality and racial inequality, the former #49ers quarterback says he still believes the NFL pushed him out of the league for good. Speaking to NBC News, Kaepernick said, “I’m not gonna support an organization that one, is actively blackballing me, but two, has targeted my brothers who have been protesting as part of this as well.” He noted he can’t point to one specific moment that proves it, but believes that once his political stance became public knowledge as a free agent in 2017, no team was willing to take the risk, despite his on-field résumé.
#Kaepernick went on to file a collusion grievance against NFL owners in 2017, which he and former teammate #EricReid settled in 2019. He also described a strange, informal support network of coaches and general managers who reportedly told him they wanted to sign him but were “getting shut down above” them, including then-Ravens coach John Harbaugh.
For its part, the NFL claimed that the issues Kaepernick raised remain important and pointed to more than $575 million in contributions through its Inspire Change initiative since 2017. Now 38, Kaep says he still trains as though he could return to the field, while also working on outside business ventures. He’s set to receive the Muhammad Ali Center’s Humanitarian of the Year Award on Nov. 7 for his work on racial justice and underserved communities. He is also releasing his memoir, “The Perilous Fight,” on September 15.
Tiger Woods Loses Driver’s License For 5 Years After Accepting Plea Deal In Florida DUI Case
Tiger Woods will be off the road for the next five years after reaching a plea deal stemming from his rollover crash in Florida earlier this year.
The 50-year-old golf legend appeared in a Martin County courtroom Wednesday (Sept. 2), where he pleaded guilty to a reduced reckless driving charge after initially facing a DUI charge. A judge ordered Woods’ driver’s license suspended for five years. He was also ordered to pay a $1,000 fine on the reckless driving charge.
The case stems from Woods’ March 27 crash near his Jupiter Island home. Authorities said his Land Rover clipped a truck before rolling onto its side. Woods, who was not injured, reportedly told a deputy he had been looking at his phone and changing the radio station before the collision. A Breathalyzer showed no alcohol, though authorities said he refused a urine test.
Following the crash, Woods announced he was stepping away to seek treatment. “I know and understand the seriousness of the situation I find myself in today,” he said at the time, adding, “I am stepping away for a period of time to seek treatment and focus on my health.” He later said he was committed to returning “healthier, stronger, and more focused” personally and professionally.
Woods appeared in court alongside his girlfriend, Vanessa Trump. The plea agreement resolves the criminal case connected to the March crash.
Cowboys Legend Emmitt Smith Accused of Diverting $2.5M in ‘Ponzi-Like’ Scheme
Emmitt Smith and his business partners secured a $2.5 million loan from Kituwah LLC for a Texas solar farm, but Kituwah alleges they diverted the money to repay an earlier investor.
Kituwah says the defendants sold Project Exodus through a “steady stream of lies” and operated “essentially, like a Ponzi scheme,” leaving the company with no repayment and an outstanding balance above $3 million.
The lawsuit accuses the Cowboys legend and his co-defendants of fraudulent inducement, breach of fiduciary duty, and breach of contract, while their representatives have not commented.
Dallas Cowboys legend Emmitt Smith is accused of helping divert $2.5 million from a Native American-owned investment company to pay another investor—money that was allegedly supposed to finance a Texas solar project.
According to court documents obtained by Front Office Sports, Kituwah LLC, the investment and economic development arm of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, made the allegations in Delaware Chancery Court on Monday, August 31. The company claims Smith, longtime business partner David Mosley, and their commercial real estate company, 4 13 Solutions Inc., secured the $2.5 million loan for a planned solar farm called Project Exodus.
Instead, the suit alleges, the money was secretly earmarked to “improperly pay” Wilson Holdings, another company that had previously invested with Smith and his partners.
Kituwah claims it was sold on Project Exodus through a “steady stream of lies.” According to the complaint, the company was told it would become a partner in the solar farm, that the U.S. Department of Energy would eventually provide permanent financing and that the project would be “up and running” by the end of 2024.
Kituwah also alleges that the defendants used “false projections and data” and overstated interest from other potential investors. The $2.5 million, it says, was supposed to come back “in a matter of months.”
It never did. The loan came due on February 1, 2024, and Kituwah says it has “not recovered a penny.” After its attempts to collect allegedly yielded no results, the company launched an investigation into what happened to its money.
That investigation, according to the lawsuit, uncovered conduct Kituwah described as “essentially, like a Ponzi scheme”—with its investment allegedly used to satisfy an obligation to an earlier investor rather than to the solar project it had agreed to fund.
“Kituwah poured substantial time, efforts, and resources in the purported joint venture,” the lawsuit states. “Not only has Kituwah not seen any returns on its investment,” the company alleges, but it has incurred additional expenses simply trying to determine where the money went.
Kituwah also claims it has seen no evidence that Project Exodus has made “any meaningful progress towards completion.” Nearly $600,000 in interest has allegedly accumulated, bringing the outstanding balance above $3 million.
Kituwah is asserting six causes of action against Smith and his co-defendants, including fraudulent inducement, breach of fiduciary duty, and breach of contract. It is seeking at least $2.5 million, interest, attorneys’ fees, and additional damages.
The company says it even offered to waive the accumulated interest if the principal was repaid by August 31, 2025, but that attempt to resolve the dispute was “effectively ignored.”
Representatives for Smith and the other defendants could not immediately be reached for comment.
The lawsuit puts Smith’s extensive business career under scrutiny decades after he became one of the biggest names in Dallas Cowboys history. The Hall of Fame running back won three Super Bowls with Dallas and remains the NFL’s career leader with 18,355 rushing yards and 164 rushing touchdowns.
Bad Bunny Scores Huge Win as Judge Reverses Ruling in Historic Reggaeton Lawsuit
Bad Bunny’s attorneys convinced Judge André Birotte Jr. to reject Steely & Clevie’s claim that copyright protects the dembow arrangement at the heart of nearly 2,000 reggaeton songs.
The judge ruled that the duo built its case from an “abstract amalgamation” of elements across three recordings rather than a clearly identified copyrighted work.
The decision protects more than 150 artists, including Karol G, Daddy Yankee, J Balvin and Drake, though narrower claims involving direct samples can continue.
Bad Bunny just helped blow a massive hole in the copyright lawsuit that threatened nearly 2,000 reggaeton songs.
In a striking reversal, U.S. District Judge André Birotte Jr. has tossed the central claim brought by Jamaican production duo Steely & Clevie, ruling that they cannot claim copyright protection over the dembow rhythm used throughout reggaeton. Per Billboard, the decision comes just two months after Birotte ruled that a jury should decide whether the musical arrangement was protected by copyright.
The defense zeroed in on a major problem with Steely & Clevie’s argument: the complete musical arrangement they claimed to own could not be found in any one copyrighted song. Instead, attorneys argued, the plaintiffs had assembled elements from three separate recordings to construct what Bad Bunny lawyer Kenneth D. Freundlich previously described as a “Frankenstein” copyright.
Birotte agreed. “Upon further review of the record, the court concludes that plaintiffs have not clearly identified what copyrighted work contains the allegedly protectable selection and arrangement they seek to enforce,” he wrote in his opinion.
The reversal delivers a major victory not only for Bad Bunny but for more than 150 artists targeted by the reggaeton lawsuit. Karol G, Daddy Yankee, J Balvin, Drake, Pitbull, Luis Fonsi and Justin Bieber are among the defendants accused of using a rhythm Steely & Clevie say originated with their work.
Cleveland “Clevie” Browne and the heirs of Wycliffe “Steely” Johnson filed a sprawling case, claiming that their 1989 recording “Fish Market” helped establish the dembow rhythm that would become a cornerstone of reggaeton. Their claims eventually reached nearly 2,000 songs, turning a dispute over several recordings into a copyright battle with implications across an entire genre.
Until this week, that argument appeared headed toward a jury.
Birotte ruled in July that dueling expert testimony created legitimate factual questions over whether Steely & Clevie had created a copyrightable musical arrangement.
But after reconsidering the case, the judge found the plaintiffs had a more basic legal problem: copyright protection cannot be built from what he called “an abstract amalgamation of elements extracted from multiple independently existing works.”
Freundlich put the defense victory more plainly.
“You cannot copyright a rhythm by reverse-engineering it from three different songs once you’re already in court,” he told Billboard. “Copyright protects what an artist actually created, not a collage assembled in litigation.”
The ruling guts the broadest—and potentially most consequential—part of the case. Steely & Clevie can no longer pursue their current theory that thousands of songs infringed their work simply by incorporating the disputed dembow arrangement.
Some of the lawsuit survives, however. Narrower claims involving songs accused of directly sampling Steely & Clevie recordings can continue.
Lionel Richie Being Tested for Cardiac-Related Issues, Remains Hospitalized (Report)
Lionel Richie has been in the hospital since Saturday and now there’s a new update on his condition.
The legendary entertainer, 77, was admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) after performing a concert in St. Louis, Missouri on Saturday night. TMZ reported Lionel was hospitalized “to have some tests run” after he fell ill during the show.
A source has opened up saying that Lionel is “doing okay,” but now another source says that he’s remaining hospitalized while more tests are run.
TMZ reported on September 1 that Lionel is “undergoing testing for cardiac-related issues” and it’s expected that he’ll be released on Wednesday.
The news comes after it was previously assumed that he would be released on Tuesday. The initial belief was that Lionel was dealing with dehydration amid his tour.
During his Saturday night show, Lionel reportedly needed to sit down for his final song, “All Night Long.” His team brought him a chair on stage after he appeared to be struggling, according to TMZ.
Thankfully Lionel will have some time to recover before he heads back on the road because his website lists his next show as September 26.
Back in June, Lionel was hospitalized after he got sick on stage at another show. He told the crowd at that performance that he was feeling “dizzy” while performing and he had to sit down. He was reportedly met with paramedics backstage and taken by ambulance to a hospital as a precautionary measure.
Lionel recently took a jab at two popular entertainers who are currently on tour together.
Pierre Damas Bel, Haitian who just graduated high school dies by suicide after losing TPS status, advocacy group says
A 20-year-old Haitian who had just graduated high school and had recently lost temporary protected status died by suicide Monday, according to an advocacy group representing his family.
Pierre Damas Bel, who arrived in the U.S. in 2024 to reunite with his parents who had fled Haiti, got out of his vehicle on an interstate in Springfield, Ohio, and walked into traffic, law enforcement officials told local news outlets.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol told ABC News it is investigating Bel's death. In a statement, the agency confirmed that Bel parked on Interstate 70, exited his Toyota and entered the westbound lanes of the highway.
Bel was one of the more than 350,000 Haitian immigrants who lost TPS status after the Supreme Court in June cleared the way for the Trump administration to end the program, which provides work authorization and protection from deportation to migrants fleeing countries that are deemed unsafe due to armed conflicts or natural disasters.
He had recently been fitted with a GPS ankle monitor by the Department of Homeland Security as part of the department's effort to track former TPS holders, according to posts on his social media account.
"I came to this country to pursue my education, I didn't come here to commit a crime or hurt anyone," Bel posted in July. "Yet now I'm walking through the streets of the United States with a GPS monitor on my leg, carrying a feeling of shame and humiliation that I never imagined I would experience."
During a press conference Tuesday, Pastor Carl Ruby read a statement on behalf of Bel's father in which the elder Bel said, "After my son was outfitted with the ankle monitor, he felt like he was treated like an animal."
"He took two trips to Cincinnati and Westerville to plead with the officers to remove the bracelet, since he's a soccer player, and he felt embarrassed and humiliated," said the statement from Bel's father, Pierre Ronal Bel. "He called me at 8:03 on a video call, and he said, 'Dad, I'm not feeling OK. I'm not thinking right.' And I told him, 'Come, come home so that we can talk.' Around 11 o'clock, police showed up at my door to report that my son had thrown himself under a truck."
Guerline Jozef, the executive director of Haitian Bridge Alliance, a nonprofit organization that provides aid to Haitian immigrants, told ABC News that Bel was afraid of being deported to Haiti. The group said it was supporting the family before Bel's death.
"This is our worst fear and nightmare come true," said Jozef, who told ABC News Bel was depressed after losing his TPS status.
"Our government, our system, our Supreme Court -- they're all complicit in the death of this young man," Jozef said.
"It's our immigration policy that took his life," Ruby said at Tuesday's press briefing. "We do not want to politicize this, but this is a political problem, and the only solution is a political solution."
In a statement to ABC News, a DHS spokesperson confirmed the death of Bel and said the agency will "not comment on the cause of death while that investigation is pending, and we will not speculate about unverified claims regarding other individuals."
Bel was a member of the varsity soccer team at Springfield High School, received a rank of lieutenant for the Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps, and had plans to attend Wright State University in Ohio this fall, according to letters posted on Bel's Instagram account that had been written this month by his high school teachers, JROTC military leader, and employers at Texas Roadhouse to a judge who was overseeing his immigration case as Bel sought U.S. citizenship.
"Mr. Bel has made strides and garnered achievements in a relatively short amount of time despite having to navigate an unfamiliar environment," wrote his senior Marine instructor for the JROTC. "Mr. Bel exhibits the type of individual character that makes our society great. He has my highest endorsement and utmost character that he will make us proud and be value added to our nation."
The Trump administration has sent two deportation flights to Haiti since it ended TPS for Haitians as part of its ongoing immigration crackdown. The flight last week included U.S.-born children, Jozef told ABC News.
Advocates like Jozef have called on the administration to halt deportations to Haiti because of ongoing violence there due to criminal gangs. Last week, at least 47 people were killed and more than 50 others were kidnapped when armed men attacked a community near Haiti's capital, the United Nations said.
"From the moment Pierre came to Springfield, he has done everything needed to be a valuable, upstanding member of American society. He not only attended school, but utilized all its opportunities to better prepare for his future," a Springfield High School teacher wrote in a letter to an immigration judge.
"He has adhered to all rules and legal requirements under TPS in good faith that, in proving he is an asset and not a detriment to this city and country, he may be able to continue to succeed and give back to the country that helped not only save him from the threat of violence, but also supported him and helped him realize his fullest potential," the teacher wrote.
AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES
Customer goes to Sleep 💤 in front of the customer service counter without a pillow
Can’t lay there
HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND ALL!!!
EFREM
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