Monday, January 6, 2025
Keefe D Seeks Dismissal in Tupac Shakur Case, Alleging Prosecution Missteps
The motion, filed Monday by attorney Carl Arnold, argues that the 27-year delay in prosecution undermines Davis’ ability to mount a fair defense. Arnold contends the delay resulted in missing witnesses, untraceable evidence, and failure to produce the gun or vehicle used in the shooting.
Additionally, the filing claims Davis received immunity in exchange for cooperating with federal and local authorities in prior investigations.
“The prosecution’s failure to honor immunity agreements and justify this decades-long delay undermines the integrity of the criminal justice system,” Arnold said in the filing.
Davis, arrested in September 2023 near Las Vegas, pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder. Prosecutors allege he orchestrated the fatal shooting of Shakur and the wounding of rap mogul Marion “Suge” Knight after a brawl at a Las Vegas casino involving Davis’ nephew, Orlando “Baby Lane” Anderson.
Shakur died a week later at 25. Knight survived, but Anderson, who denied involvement, was killed in 1998.
Clark County District Attorney Steve Wolfson has maintained the evidence against Davis is strong, citing Davis’ own admissions in interviews and his 2019 memoir. Wolfson did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
A judge is expected to consider the motion in the coming weeks.
For more details, the full motion can be accessed here.
Drake Leads U.S. Sales for 10th Year as Kendrick Lamar’s Diss Tracks Dominate
But Kendrick Lamar has ensured the numbers aren’t the whole story. The two hip-hop titans spent much of 2024 locked in a heated lyrical exchange that captivated the industry, sparked fan debates, and had the culture glued to every bar.
.@Drake was the best selling rapper by total album units in the US in 2024 with over 8 million sold. pic.twitter.com/5V6soQS10e
— chart data (@chartdata) January 5, 2025
It ignited with Lamar’s verse on “Like That” with Future and Metro Boomin, a direct shot that set social media ablaze and left fans eagerly awaiting Drake’s response. The Toronto rapper fired back with tracks like “Push Ups” and “Taylor Made Freestyle,” blending slick wordplay with subtle digs aimed squarely at Lamar.
Lamar’s counterpunch, “Not Like Us,” wasn’t just a response — it was a statement. The track debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, marking one of the year’s biggest releases and landing on Pitchfork's list of the 100 best songs of 2024. The song's sharp lyricism and infectious beat transformed it into an anthem, with many crowning it the defining moment of the feud.
Drake is the most streamed artist in Spotify history.
— Drake Charts ⁶𓅓 (@DrakeChart) January 2, 2025
He enters January, 2025 with 107,209,899,444 streams.
Among those:
• 73,722,931,130 are lead credit
• 40,581,375,812 are solo
• 33,486,968,314 as a feature
Drake is currently gaining 37,683,091 streams daily. pic.twitter.com/V60PlfTFcE
As the battle escalated, Drake dropped “Fighting Irish Freestyle,” packed with cryptic basketball metaphors and layered subliminals. Fans and critics dissected each line, turning Twitter timelines and Reddit threads into virtual war rooms, debating who held the upper hand.
The feud hasn’t just dominated the charts — it’s reshaped the narrative around both artists. For Drake, the commercial crown remains firmly in place. But for Lamar, the victory lies in the art. His pen has once again proven to be one of the sharpest in the game, challenging Drake’s dominance with raw lyricism and cultural impact.
Billboard predict that Kendrick Lamar's 'Not Like Us' will win "Record of The Year" at the upcoming 2025 GRAMMY awards 🔥🏆
— Hip Hop All Day (@HipHopAllDayy) January 6, 2025
It would be only the second hip hop song ever to win the category. pic.twitter.com/8Jf8r6Rxpj
As 2025 begins, the rivalry shows no signs of cooling. One thing is certain — Drake may own the charts, but Lamar’s words are cutting deeper than ever.
Friday, January 3, 2025
Legendary Soul Artist Brenton Wood Dies at 83
Born Alfred Jesse Smith in Shreveport, Louisiana, Wood moved with his family to San Pedro, California, and later to Compton, where he excelled as a member of the Compton High School track team, earning several athletic awards. He began his music career at East Los Angeles College, adopting the stage name Brenton Wood as a nod to his hometown.
Brenton Wood wrote The Oogum Boogum song because he desperately needed a hit.
— Danny Deraney (@DannyDeraney) January 3, 2025
The meaning of the song was another way to say Abracadabra to those he believed were against him.
Rest in Power So Cal legend. pic.twitter.com/eg0R8U2WKt
Inspired by artists such as Jesse Belvin and Sam Cooke, Wood honed his songwriting skills and became a proficient pianist. His early singles with Brent Records and Wand Records did not achieve commercial success, but his breakthrough came with the novelty song "The Oogum Boogum Song," which reached No. 19 on the US Billboard R&B chart and No. 34 on the Billboard Hot 100 in spring 1967. The song sold over one million copies and was awarded a gold disc.
Wood's subsequent single, "Gimme Little Sign," climbed to No. 9 on the pop chart, No. 19 on the R&B chart, No. 2 on KHJ, and No. 8 in the UK Singles Chart. His follow-up hit, "Baby You Got It," peaked at No. 34 on the Hot 100 during the last week of 1967.
Throughout the late 1960s and 1970s, Wood continued to release music, forming his own label, Prophesy Records, in 1972. Under the label, he released and co-produced tracks such as "Sticky Boom Boom [Too Cold] Part I and II." His backing band during this period was Kent And The Candidates, led by famed drummer Kent Sprague.
Over his career, Wood released nine studio albums and worked with notable collaborators, including George Semper and Al McKay of Earth, Wind & Fire. In recent years, his music found renewed popularity through placements in television shows and films. "The Oogum Boogum Song" was featured in "The Umbrella Academy," "Almost Famous," and "Don't Worry Darling," while "Great Big Bundle of Love" appeared in the second season of "Big Little Lies."
Earlier this year, Wood launched his farewell tour, "Catch You on the Rebound: The Last Tour," but it was paused in May 2024 after he was hospitalized.