Judge Rules Jay-Z’s Defamation Suit Against Lawyer Tony Buzbee Can Proceed

The legal battle between Jay-Z and Houston attorney Tony Buzbee has escalated, as a California judge ruled that the rapper’s defamation lawsuit against Buzbee has enough merit to proceed to trial. The ruling follows a now-dismissed sexual assault lawsuit in which Jay-Z was accused alongside Sean "Diddy" Combs.

Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Mark H. Epstein determined that Buzbee’s public statements, including social media posts, could be considered defamatory and raised "serious questions" about whether he acted with actual malice — an essential standard in defamation cases involving public figures. The decision represents a significant legal turn in the high-profile case that has entangled some of the biggest names in the music industry.

Buzbee initially filed a lawsuit on behalf of an anonymous woman who claimed she was raped at a 2000 MTV Video Music Awards afterparty. While the original filing did not name Jay-Z, a subsequent amended complaint, submitted in December, identified him directly. The lawsuit was dismissed with prejudice earlier this month, barring it from being refiled. However, Jay-Z has argued that Buzbee’s handling of the case inflicted severe reputational harm.

According to the court, one of the key points of contention is Buzbee’s social media activity. Judge Epstein specifically cited Buzbee’s decision to "like" a post on X (formerly Twitter) that identified Jay-Z as the unnamed defendant in the case, prior to him being formally named. "It’s hard to say that when somebody states, ‘Doe is Carter,’ and your client likes it, it’s not reasonable to infer that your client has affirmed they’re right," Epstein said. He ruled that this, along with Buzbee’s direct statements, constituted grounds for a defamation claim.

The judge also allowed claims to proceed against Buzbee for publicly referring to the plaintiff as a "sexual assault survivor," despite the lack of evidence supporting her allegations, and for remarks made during interviews with outlets such as TMZ and Piers Morgan. In a televised interview, Buzbee suggested his case against Jay-Z was part of a broader legal strategy, stating, "It may not be big names at first, but we have a long list of names." He also told TMZ that his client might take Jay-Z’s advice and "file a criminal complaint" against him, further fueling speculation.

Jay Z release this statement through Roc Nation after the dismissal of the  sexual assault lawsuit filed against him by Houston lawyer Tony Buzbee.

Judge Epstein has not yet ruled on Jay-Z’s extortion claim but left open the possibility of reconsidering it if new evidence is presented. He advised Jay-Z’s legal team to submit additional documentation that might substantiate their argument that Buzbee made settlement demands without his clients’ consent or intention to sue.

The ruling marks a rare legal setback for Buzbee, a high-profile Texas attorney known for taking on powerful figures. His legal battles against Combs have included multiple lawsuits alleging sexual misconduct. However, the dismissal of the Jane Doe case against Jay-Z has now raised questions about his handling of such claims.

Jay-Z also addressed the personal toll of the allegations in his filing, stating that it was "incredibly painful" to explain the situation to his children, particularly his eldest daughter, whose friends could see the headlines and ask questions. "I mourn this loss of innocence for my children, including one who is around the age that the female minor claims to have been when she falsely claims that these heinous acts happened," he wrote.

BigXthaPlug Arrested for Misdemeanor Drug Charge After Traffic Stop

Arlington Police Department

Dallas rapper BigXthaPlug, a rising star in hip-hop, was arrested early Wednesday on a misdemeanor marijuana charge after police pulled him over for expired registration, authorities said.

BigXthaPlug, whose real name is Xavier Landum, was driving on North Collins Street just after midnight when an Arlington, Texas, police officer stopped his vehicle. As the officer approached, they reported smelling marijuana coming from the car.

According to police, Landum and his passenger, 22-year-old Cleodist Landum, were ordered to step out of the vehicle. A search of the car uncovered cigarettes, a green leafy substance in the center console, and a handgun in the passenger-side door pocket.

Passenger Had Outstanding Felony Warrant

Further investigation revealed Cleodist Landum had an active felony warrant out of Bexar County for failing to appear in court. He was taken into custody on the warrant, as well as additional charges of possession of marijuana and unlawful carrying of a weapon, after officers found cannabis on him.

Xavier Landum was also arrested and booked into Arlington City Jail on a misdemeanor charge of possession of less than two ounces of marijuana. He was later released.

Wouldn’t Have Faced Arrest in Dallas

The location of the arrest played a significant role in the outcome. While Arlington police arrested Landum, Dallas law enforcement does not detain or issue citations for marijuana possession under four ounces. Had the traffic stop taken place just a few miles away in Dallas, BigXthaPlug likely wouldn’t have been taken into custody.

From Viral Stardom to Legal Troubles

BigXthaPlug has emerged as one of Texas’ most talked-about artists, with his breakout hit "Texas" amassing more than 200 million streams across Spotify and YouTube.

His 2024 album "Take Care" was named one of NPR’s 50 Best Albums of the Year, and he was honored as a XXL Freshman, solidifying his national recognition. His music is a staple at Texas sports venues, with franchises like the Texas Rangers frequently playing his songs during games.

The arrest comes at a critical moment for the Dallas-based rapper, who is set to join Lil Baby’s WHAM World Tour this June. The second stop of the tour is at Dallas’ American Airlines Center, making it a highly anticipated homecoming performance.

‘Killing Me Softly’ Singer Roberta Flack Dies at 88, Leaves Behind Timeless Legacy

Roberta Flack in 1976.

Roberta Flack, the Grammy-winning singer known for classics like "Killing Me Softly With His Song" and "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face," has died at 88, her representatives confirmed Monday.

Flack passed away peacefully at her home, surrounded by family, according to a statement from her longtime publicist Elaine Schock. The legendary vocalist had been battling amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, which she revealed in 2022 had made singing impossible.

Flack’s musical career was defined by a unique blend of soul, jazz, pop, and folk influences, carried by a voice that was both intimate and powerful. Though largely unknown before her early 30s, she became an overnight star when Clint Eastwood featured her rendition of "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" in his 1971 directorial debut, "Play Misty for Me." The ballad soared to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 the following year and won the Grammy for Record of the Year in 1973.

Born Feb. 10, 1937, in Black Mountain, North Carolina, Flack was a musical prodigy who won a scholarship to Howard University at just 15 years old. Though she initially aspired to be a concert pianist, she eventually shifted to singing, drawing inspiration from gospel, jazz, and R&B. Discovered by jazz musician Les McCann while performing at a Washington, D.C. nightclub, she was signed to Atlantic Records, where she recorded First Take in 1969, an album that would later catapult her to stardom.

Her success continued throughout the 1970s with a string of hits, including "Killing Me Softly With His Song," which became her signature track and won her a second consecutive Grammy for Record of the Year in 1974 — a feat no other solo artist had achieved at the time. She followed with "Feel Like Makin' Love," which became her third No. 1 single.

Flack also formed a celebrated musical partnership with fellow Howard University alumnus Donny Hathaway. The duo released beloved duets such as "Where Is the Love" and "The Closer I Get to You." Their collaboration ended tragically in 1979 when Hathaway died after a fall from a New York hotel room.

In the 1980s, Flack reinvented herself by teaming up with Peabo Bryson, scoring another hit with "Tonight, I Celebrate My Love." She later found renewed success in the 1990s when the Fugees’ Lauryn Hill-led cover of "Killing Me Softly" became a global sensation.

Her influence extended beyond music. In 1999, Flack received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and later performed for Nelson Mandela in South Africa. Throughout her career, she remained an advocate for music education, mentoring young artists and supporting various educational initiatives.

Flack’s impact on popular music and her ability to convey deep emotion through song cemented her place as one of the most revered vocalists of all time. In a statement, her longtime manager Suzanne Koga reflected on her legacy: “Roberta broke boundaries and records. She was also a proud educator.”

Flack is survived by her family, close friends, and generations of artists inspired by her work.