Monday, June 10, 2024

High Tension in YSL Trial: Young Thug's Lawyer Held in Contempt

The racketeering trial against rapper Young Thug, whose real name is Jeffery Williams, took a dramatic turn on Monday when his attorney, Brian Steel, was held in contempt of court. This development stemmed from Steel's revelation of a private meeting allegedly held between Judge Ural Glanville, prosecutors, and key witness Kenneth Copeland.

The situation unfolded when Steel informed the court of his knowledge of the unauthorized conversation. Judge Glanville, visibly upset, demanded to know how Steel obtained this information. Refusing to disclose his source, Steel argued that the meeting violated protocol.

"You're not supposed to have communication with a sworn witness," Steel declared, referencing the potential ethical concerns surrounding such an ex parte communication.

The tense exchange escalated when Judge Glanville threatened Steel with contempt if he didn't reveal his source. Despite the heated exchange, Steel wasn't immediately removed from the courtroom. However, the judge emphasized his seriousness, giving Steel a deadline to reveal his source or face further consequences. The back-and-forth continued, with Steel maintaining his stance and Judge Glanville demanding answers before the lawyer was removed from the courtroom.

Lead prosecutor Adriane Love requested that Steel be allowed to return for the remainder of the day's proceedings. The judge ultimately relented, allowing Steel back into the courtroom but reiterating that the contempt charge remained.

This incident adds complexity to the already lengthy YSL trial. Jury selection began in January 2023, a process that took ten months. Since opening statements in late November, the trial has faced repeated delays and is expected to continue into next year.

Prosecutors allege Young Thug is the leader of "Young Slime Life," a criminal street gang responsible for violent crimes. The defense maintains YSL is simply a record label.

Megan Thee Stallion Unveils Striking New Art After AI Fiasco

The alternate cover for Megan Thee Statllion's upcoming eponymously named album.
Grammy-winning rapper Megan Thee Stallion sparked renewed interest in her upcoming album "Megan" by unveiling striking new artwork over the weekend.

The visuals depict her shedding her skin like a serpent, symbolizing themes of transformation and renewal, offering a fresh perspective on her musical journey. This follows a previous artwork reveal showing her emerging from a butterfly chrysalis, which garnered mixed reactions from fans online.

Set for release on June 28 via her independent label, Hot Girl Productions, "Megan" is a significant milestone for the 29-year-old Houston native, marking her first full-length studio album under her own banner.

However, amid the excitement, Megan faced online harassment after a sex tape reportedly produced by AI went viral. Fans rallied behind her with the hashtag “WELOVEYOUMEGAN,” expressing solidarity and outrage at the attack.

In response, Megan addressed her assailants in a defiant tweet, condemning their actions and asserting her resilience. She wrote, "It’s really sick how y’all go out of the way to hurt me when you see me winning. Y’all going too far, Fake a$$ sh##. Just know today was your last day playing with me and I mean it."

The emotional toll of the cyber attack was evident during her recent performance at Tampa's Amalie Arena, where footage showed her visibly distraught while performing her hit track "Cobra."

This latest ordeal adds to the challenges Megan has faced, including public scrutiny following the 2020 Tory Lanez shooting incident.

The anticipation for "Megan" has been steadily building, fueled by snake-themed singles like "Cobra," "Hiss," and the chart-topping "Boa." Collaborations with artists like ReneΓ© Rapp for the upcoming "Mean Girls" movie and a remix featuring Cardi B have also contributed to the buzz surrounding the album.

In a recent interview with L'Officiel magazine, Megan discussed the album's thematic underpinnings, citing her fascination with snakes as symbols of renewal and spirituality. "We started with the snake because...snakes represent rebirth, spirituality," she explained. "I'm not really a person that's like, Oh my God, sunshine and just super bubbly, happy. I like darker things. I like things that are a little scary. I like things that are unique."

Friday, June 7, 2024

Clean Break: Howard U. Revokes Combs' Degree, Disbands Scholarship, Returns $1 Million

Photo Credit: Facebook/Diddy
In a decisive move, the Howard University Board of Trustees unanimously voted to accept the return of Sean Combs' honorary degree awarded in 2014. This action effectively revokes all associated honors and removes his name from the university's listing of honorary degree recipients.

A statement released by a Howard University spokesperson following a board meeting on Friday cited "behavior, as captured in a recently released video," as fundamentally incompatible with the university's core values. The statement did not specify the nature of the video but emphasized the university's unwavering opposition to interpersonal violence.
Combs, also known as Diddy, reportedly faced recent allegations and a lawsuit concerning assault. These developments likely influenced the board's decision.

The university's actions extend beyond the honorary degree. The board also directed the administration to terminate a 2016 gift agreement with Combs, disband the scholarship program established in his name, and return his $1 million contribution.

An additional $1 million pledge agreement from the Sean Combs Foundation in 2023 was also terminated as no payments towards it had been received.

The Howard University Board of Trustees and administration declined further comment on the matter.

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