Episodes – Page 1389

Report: The Weeknd sued for allegedly stealing idea for “Starboy” comic book

Image Group LA/ABCThe Weeknd has been accused of stealing the idea for his Starboy comic book.

Eymun Talasazan is suing the Toronto singer, claiming that after he pitched The Weeknd his idea for a comic book about hip-hop and R&B super heroes, his concept was then used without his permission for production of the book earlier this year, according The Blast.

Talasazan is demanding the profits from the comic book, plus damages. He’s also calling for The Weeknd to cease sales of the book. Earlier this year, the “Call Out My Name” singer demanded that Talasazan’s trademark application for the Starboy comic book be denied. The case is still pending.

Starboy is also the name of The Weeknd’s most recent album, released in 2016.

Meek Mill dropping new album November 30; forming criminal justice group to free one million people from prison

Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for BETMeek Mill just announced he’s dropping his new, as-yet untitled album on November 30, his first post-prison release. In that same vein, he’s also forming a new organization to bring about criminal justice reform.

With help from JAY-Z, Philadelphia 76ers co-owner Michael Rubin and Robert Kraft, owner of the New England Patriots. Mill is dedicating himself to freeing a million people in prison, on probation, or on parole.

“Trying to help reform the criminal justice system,” Meek tells Vogue. “Now its being publicized on another level. I thought it was just funny that it had to happen to like a celebrity. Somebody with a known face to America for it to be like a real deal issue. It been crazy.”

The Philadelphia rapper is now free on bail and fighting for a new trial to prove that his 2008 conviction on gun and drug charges should be overturned. He initially served an eight-month sentence ,followed by probation, but then in November 2017, he was sentenced to two to four years in prison for parole violations, resulting in a wide public outcry. In April of this year, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court granted his release on bail.

“I represent people on the inside because I am one of the people on the inside,” Mill says. “I am actually on probation right now. I’m actually on bail. I actually have an open case and I just came from the inside of a penitentiary so the things I speak on is the only actual truth.”

“We have plans on doing any and everything possible to help change the situation of the criminal justice system on all levels,” Meek adds. “We just trying to make a big change.”

Gucci Mane debuts “I’m Not Goin’” single and video featuring Kevin Gates

Atlantic RecordsGucci Mane released his new single and video, “I’m Not Goin’” today featuring Kevin Gates.

The track is the fourth single from Gucci’s upcoming Evil Genius album, following “Solitaire” featuringMigos and Lil Yachty, “Wake Up in the Sky” featuring Bruno Mars and Kodak Black, and “Kept Back,” featuring Lil Pump.

Gucci will release Evil Genius on December 7. The 17-track album also features YoungBoy Never Broke Again, 21 Savage, and Lil Skies. Evil Genius is the follow-up to Gucci’s twelfth studio album, El Gato: The Human Glacier, which was released in December 2017.

Guwop will hit the road with Smokepurpp on the “Unusual Suspects Tour,” which kicks off November 16 in New York City.

LeBron James tops Wilt Chamberlain on NBA all-time scoring list

Allen Berezovsky/Getty Images(LOS ANGELES) — LeBron James is now fifth on the NBA’s all-time scoring list after passing basketball legend Wilt Chamberlain for the spot in Wednesday night’s game against the Portland Trail Blazers.

The Los Angeles Lakers forward topped Chamberlain’s place on the list with a free throw late in the fourth quarter.

The and-1 that put @KingJames ahead of Wilt Chamberlain on the all-time NBA scoring list. pic.twitter.com/5IBqiv4Cli
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) November 15, 2018

James went on to finish the game with 44 points, helping his team beat the Trail Blazers, 126-117. He now has 31,425 points in his career.

“When I’m able to do what I love to do, and do it at this level — and even being mentioned with the greats that have ever played this game — it just always brings me back to my hometown of Akron, [Ohio],” James told ESPN after the game.

“And knowing where I come from, knowing how hard it was to get to this point — it’s just never being in satisfied mode,” he added.

Scoreboard roundup — 11/14/18

iStock/Thinkstock(NEW YORK) — Here are the scores from Wednesday’s sports events:

NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION
Orlando 111, Philadelphia 106
Washington 119, Cleveland 95
Miami 120, Brooklyn 107
Boston 111, Chicago 82
Detroit 106, Toronto 104
Oklahoma City, 128 N.Y. Knicks 103
Minnesota 107, New Orleans 100
Memphis 116, Milwaukee 113
Dallas 118, Utah 68
Phoenix 116, San Antonio 96
L.A. Lakers 126 Portland 117

NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE
Winnipeg 3, Washington 1
Chicago 1, St. Louis 0
Colorado 6, Boston 3
Vegas 5, Anaheim 0

TOP-25 COLLEGE BASKETBALL
(1) Duke 84, E. Michigan 46
(18) Michigan 73, (8) Villanova 46
(9) Auburn 103, Mississippi College 52
(10) Kentucky 96, North Dakota 58
(11) Michigan St. 80, Louisiana-Monroe 59
(19) Clemson 74, Sam Houston St. 59
Indiana 96, (24) Marquette 73

Keith Sweat is proud to have created “New Jack Swing” with Teddy Riley: “It’s still relevant musically after all of these years”

KDS EntertainmentKeith Sweat’s new album, Playing For Keeps, features Teddy Riley, and 31 years after the two created the New Jack Swing sound, Sweat is proud of their legacy.

“It’s still relevant musically after all of these years,” the American Music Award winner tells Singersroom.com. “It’s truly a blessing. It’s a gift from God Above.”

New Jack Swing — a blend of hip-hop, dance/pop and R&B — was prominent in the ’80s hits Riley produced with Sweat, and the ones he did for Bobby Brown, Guy and Heavy D & the Boyz.

With number one hits like “I Want Her,” “Make You Sweat” and “I’ll Give All My Love to You,” Sweat was one of the hottest R&B artists of the ’80s and ’90s. He’s also recorded with rappers like LL Cool J and Snoop Dogg, while Drake and Kendrick Lamar have shouted him out in their songs. Sweat believes that’s helped him win new fans.

“When you have hip-hop artists talk about you in their song, the young kids will ask and say, ‘Who is Keith Sweat?’ They’re going to research the music and the name,” the 57-year old singer says.

“People understand the history behind my name. Fortunately, I had records that crossed over in a major way,” he continues. “People still mess with me because the parents are playing my music and then the kids start listening to me too. That’s what makes me relevant, too.”

Sweat and Riley are returning to their hometown of New York City, for the Kings and Queens of New Jack Swing concert on December 9 at the Apollo Theater. The show will also feature Guy, members of Blackstreet, Doug E. Fresh, Kool Moe Dee and MC Lyte.

Birdman wants to marry Toni Braxton before the end of the year

Craig Barritt/Getty Images for LifetimeToni Braxton announced in February that she was engaged to Birdman, and now it appears they will be married very soon.

They’ve been dating for two years, and the “Breathe Again” singer says the Cash Money Records co-founder told her that he wants them to tie the knot before the end of the year.

“That’s what he told me. ‘O.K. Michelle’ — ‘cause he calls me Michelle — ‘O.K. Michelle. That’s enough. Come on. Before this year is out,’” she told People Now. ”He’s talking about crazy things. Let’s just go to Vegas.”

Speaking to Vegas, when asked what are the odds are that they’ll get married this year, Toni said, “Well, to him it would be 100. Like now. Mine is maybe 70/30.”

As for why she’s not eager to rush into matrimony, the seven-time Grammy-winner explained that she’s busy preparing for her As Long As I Love tour, which kicks off January 19 in Columbia, SC.

By the way, if you’re wondering why Birdman calls Toni “Michelle,” it happens to be her middle name.

Young Thug scheduled to be released from Atlanta jail Wednesday

DeKalb County Sheriffs Office via Getty ImagesFollowing a week in an Atlanta jail, Young Thug was scheduled to be released Wednesday.

Judge Gregory Adams granted a request from the rapper’s attorney to be released on the condition that he submit to frequent drug testing and enter a drug treatment program, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Young Thug, born Jeffery Lamar Williams, told the judge, “I just want to be home with my family and be right. This is real life … I’ve got a son 10, 11 years old…They look up to me.”

Williams has six children, ages four to 11.

“I’m sorry, and I won’t disobey again,” he added.

Judge Adams showed compassion for Williams. “Today,” he told the rapper, “you get the benefit of the doubt.”

The Atlanta rapper was arrested last week after testing positive for marijuana and prescription drugs. At the time of his arrest, he was free on bail, having been indicted in August on eight felony charges.

In August, the “Slime Language” rapper was charged with possession and intent to distribute crystal meth, hydrocodone and marijuana, as well as possession of amphetamine, Alprazolam and coedine, plus possession of a firearm, all stemming from an arrest in 2017.

Kendrick Lamar and Pharrell featured on new single from the Creed II soundtrack

Image Group LA/ABCKendrick Lamar and Pharrell Williams are featured on “Mantra,” the second single from the Creed IIsoundtrack, which was released Wednesday.

Producer Mike WILL Made-It debuted the song on Instagram and commented, “Pharrell & Kendrick. Why not. Y’all been waiting so patiently.” The first single from the album, “Kill ’Em With Success” by WILL Made-It, ScHoolboy Q, 2 Chainz & Eearz, was released November 2.

WILL Made-It previously worked with Lamar on his 2017 Damn album. He produced the seven times-platinum single “Humble,” which won Grammy Awards for Best Rap Performance, Best Rap Song, and Best Music Video.

The Creed II soundtrack will be released on November 21, the same day the film opens. In addition to Lamar and Pharrell, the album also features Lil Wayne, Nicki Minaj, Rae Sremmurd, Rick Ross, 2 Chainz, Young Thug, Gucci Mane, Nas, J. Cole, Ella Mai and many more.

Lil Wayne and DJ Khaled join Drake on stage in Miami

Republic RecordsIt was a Young Money Entertainment reunion Tuesday night in Miami as Lil Wayne and DJ Khaled joined Drake onstage in Miami.

As reported by Billboard, at the show, Drizzy expressed his gratitude for Wayne launching his recording career. He told the crowd, “Miami, make some mother***ing noise for my brother: the reason any of this s**t is possible and the greatest rapper of all time. He goes by the name of Lil Wayne.”

Weezy performed his 2009 hit, “We Be Steady Mobbin,” followed by “Uproar” from his latest album, Tha Carter V.

Khaled and Drake collaborated on “I’m The One,” and the Toronto rapper also performed “Mia” live for the first time as Bad Bunny joined him on stage.

Drake’s Aubrey and the Three Migos tour wraps up this weekend with three shows in Atlanta.