Thursday, November 23, 2023

Oscar-Winning Actor Jamie Foxx Under Fire in Alleged 2015 Assault at Rooftop Bar

John Bauld, via Wikimedia Commons

Oscar-winning actor Jamie Foxx is facing a legal challenge as he was accused of sexual assault in a lawsuit filed on Wednesday in New York City. The plaintiff, identified as Jane Doe, alleges that the incident occurred in August 2015 at the Catch NYC rooftop lounge, where Foxx allegedly groped her against her will.

The lawsuit, filed under New York’s Adult Survivors Act, claims that the assault took place in a secluded corner of the rooftop after the plaintiff and her friend approached Foxx for a photo opportunity. According to the complaint, Foxx's behavior escalated from compliments to unwanted physical advances, including groping the plaintiff's breasts and violating her under her pants.

Foxx's representatives have not yet responded to the allegations outlined in the lawsuit, which seeks unspecified damages. The lawsuit also names Mark Birnbaum, the owner of Catch NYC, and the establishment itself as defendants, asserting that they enabled the assault and failed to adequately supervise their employees.

The plaintiff's legal team argues that the incident caused the woman pain, suffering, emotional distress, anxiety, and humiliation, prompting her to seek medical treatment. The lawsuit is one of many filed under the Adult Survivors Act, taking advantage of a one-year window allowing victims to pursue sexual abuse claims that would otherwise be barred by the statute of limitations.

This legal action adds Foxx to the list of high-profile figures facing accusations of sexual misconduct under the Adult Survivors Act, including music industry veteran Jimmy Iovine, actors Russell Brand and Bill Cosby, former movie producer Harvey Weinstein, and hip-hop mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs. As the deadline for filing such claims approaches, these lawsuits are part of a broader movement seeking accountability and justice for survivors of sexual abuse.

Concrete Homage: Eazy-E's Legacy Lives on in Compton Street Rename

Compton, California, paid homage to late rap legend and native son, Eazy-E, on Wednesday by renaming the 100 block of Auto Drive South as Eazy Street. The heartfelt tribute commemorates the artist's profound impact on hip-hop and the city.

Born Eric Wright, Eazy-E soared to fame as a pivotal member of the groundbreaking hip-hop group N.W.A., standing alongside influential artists such as Ice Cube, Dr. Dre, MC Ren, DJ Yella and Arabian Prince.

Beyond his contributions to N.W.A., Eazy-E found success as the founder and owner of Ruthless Records and as a solo artist. Tragically, he succumbed to AIDS-induced pneumonia in 1995 at the age of 30.
The decision to rename the street received unanimous support from key figures, including Compton Mayor Emma Shariff, L.A. County Supervisor Holly Mitchell, state Sen. Steve Bradford, D-Gardena and Assemblyman Mike Gipson, D-Gardena.

Alonzo Williams, president of the Compton Entertainment Chamber of Commerce, played a pivotal role in championing the street renaming. Inspired by former Compton Mayor Omar Bradley's past efforts, Williams seized the opportunity this year, the 50th anniversary of hip-hop, to honor Eazy-E's lasting influence successfully.

"Compton has a lot of history, but nobody knows about it. I figured the most recent history is hip-hop history," Williams explained. "Being this is the 50th anniversary of hip-hop, I thought it'd be a great idea to approach the City Council, talk about possibly doing this, and they loved the idea."
The renaming ceremony featured a performance by Eazy-E's son, Eric Darnell Wright, known as "Lil Eazy-E," alongside DJ Yella of N.W.A. Compton native DJ Joe Cooley, from Rodney-O and Joe Cooley, also graced the stage.

Lil Eazy-E, who lost his father at the age of 10, expressed gratitude for the recognition, stating, "The street renaming serves as a symbol of recognition and commemoration, ensuring that our father, Eric Wright, has a legacy that will be remembered and celebrated for generations to come."

He added, "It is a wonderful way for the city of Compton to honor his influence and the cultural significance that he brought to the community. I am truly grateful and honored to see my dad’s legacy continue to be remembered in my hometown, Compton, on Eazy Street."

Wright's daughters, Erica and Ebie, actively participated in the ceremony. Erica established the Eric Wright Family Foundation, dedicated to community service, while Ebie, known for her appearances on MTV's "Sweet Sixteen" and "Exiled," emphasized her father's global impact on hip-hop and social change.
In attendance was original N.W.A. member DJ Yella, though the absence of surviving members Dr. Dre, Ice Cube, and MC Ren was noted. Lil Eazy-E, in an interview with TMZ, expressed understanding, citing DJ Yella's past support during Eazy-E's funeral.

Looking ahead, Lil Eazy-E revealed plans for a biographical film about his father, a testament to Eazy-E's enduring influence on both Compton and the music industry.

For now, the newly minted Eazy Street, branching off Alameda Street into the Gateway Towne Center shopping plaza, stands as a symbolic testament to Eazy-E's enduring legacy.

Tuesday, November 21, 2023

Legal Drama and Fashion Triumph: A$AP Rocky and Rihanna in the Headlines

Courtesy Photo
In a captivating fusion of legal scrutiny and creative triumph, the dynamic music and fashion power couple, A$AP Rocky and Rihanna, take center stage as Thanksgiving approaches.

A Los Angeles judge's ruling on Monday determined that there is sufficient evidence for A$AP Rocky to stand trial on charges related to an alleged 2021 incident where he fired a gun at a former friend and collaborator near a Hollywood hotel. The decision followed a preliminary hearing featuring two witnesses. Rocky, who pleaded not guilty to two felony counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm, faces a potential 24-year prison sentence if convicted.
The 35-year-old artist, fashion mogul, and two-time Grammy nominee is currently in a high-profile relationship with Rihanna, with whom he shares two young sons. The legal proceedings raise questions about the potential impact on both Rocky's personal life and career.
While Rocky navigates the uncertainty of his future, global icon Rihanna introduces a lighter note into the news cycle.

She unveiled the Creeper Phatty, the latest iteration of her iconic Creeper sneaker. Originally launched in September 2015, the Creeper became a cultural phenomenon, earning the title of Shoe of the Year by Footwear News in 2016. Rihanna's vision for the Creeper Phatty aims to reinvent the classic silhouette with an oversized design, a stacked gum sole, and vibrant pops of color.

Designed and named by the star herself, the Creeper Phatty features suede wrapping, a padded and debossed formstrip, a debossed Fenty logo on the tongue, laces with gold aglets, and a stacked gum sole. This reintroduction of the Creeper follows Rihanna's return as Creative Director for PUMA, marked by the introduction of their football-inspired Avanti sneaker in September.

The Creeper Phatty will be available worldwide on puma.com and at global retailers, including Foot Locker, starting November 30.

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