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03 Oct 2024

Diddy Accuser’s Lawyers Requests Withdrawal From The Case

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An alleged victim suing Diddy for sexual assault has encountered difficulty as her lawyers requested removal from the case.

According to reports, a woman who has accused Diddy of coercing her into having sex with his guests at one of his infamous White Parties will be without her legal team. Ariel Mitchell-Kidd and Steven A. Metcalf, who were representing Adria English, filed a formal request in a Manhattan federal court on Wednesday (Oct. 2) to withdraw from the case, citing “irreconcilable differences,” including receiving conflicting instructions from English on how to proceed with the case. “As a result of a fundamental disagreement between Attorneys and Plaintiff regarding almost every aspect of the litigation,” the filing stated, “including settlement demands, causes of actions in the pleadings and Plaintiff’s undermining behavior and questionable antics an irreconcilable conflict and tension has developed between Plaintiff and Attorneys.”

English, a former adult film star who performed under the name Omunique, filed a police report in Miami, Florida, accusing the embattled music mogul of sexual assault in August. Among those claims includes an allegation that she was “groomed” into sex trafficking by Diddy, aka Sean Combs, with ecstasy-laced liquor and forced to be intimate with guests at his parties in Miami and in the Hamptons. In a phone interview with the New York Times, English confirmed that she was looking for new lawyers and spoke about the conflict she and Mitchell-Kidd had. “I’m the client; you work for me,” she said.

A bone of contention was Mitchell-Kidd’s instructions to English to not talk to the media. When contacted, Mitchell-Kidd responded via text, saying: “I never lost faith in her case, just in her. Her case is great,” she continued. “My issue was with her undermining my work and going behind my back doing things incongruent to advancing her case.”

Diddy is currently being held in a Brooklyn jail after a judge ordered him to be detained until trial. Representatives released a statement on his behalf. “As we’ve said from the start, anyone can file a lawsuit without proof — and this case is a clear example of that,” the statement said. “Adria English escalated things by filing false police reports and making baseless claims, using high-profile events as a backdrop to harm innocent people.” The news comes as lawyers in Texas have reported that they’ve been contacted by other victims alleging sexual abuse by Diddy.

03 Oct 2024

Garth Brooks Accused of Sexual Assault in Lawsuit Filed by Hair & Makeup Artist

Country music star Garth Brooks is facing a lawsuit over allegations that he sexually assaulted an unnamed woman while she worked for him as a hairstylist and makeup artist.

In a lawsuit filed Thursday (Oct. 3) in Los Angeles court, attorneys for the anonymous Jane Roe accuser claim Brooks raped her during a May 2019 stay in a Los Angeles hotel room and also exposed her to “other appalling sexual conduct” during that same year.

The lawsuit claims that the singer took advantage of the accuser’s mounting financial troubles to subject her to “a side of Brooks that he conceals from the public.”

“This side of Brooks believes he is entitled to sexual gratification when he wants it, and using a female employee to get it is fair game,” Roe’s attorneys write.

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Notably, the accuser also alleges that Brooks was behind a mysterious lawsuit filed last month, obtained by Billboard, in which an anonymous “celebrity” plaintiff sued in Mississippi federal court over an an unnamed accuser’s sexual abuse allegations. Calling the accusations false and an “ongoing attempted extortion,” the earlier case asked a judge to stop her from further publicizing them.

“The abusive Mississippi action by Brooks is a blatant attempt to further control and bully his sexual assault victims by utilizing his multimillionaire resources to game the legal system,” Roe’s lawyers write in Thursday’s complaint. “Brooks is desperate to prevent his millions of fans from learning about the horrific things he has said and done to a junior female employee who did nothing to deserve such treatment.”

A representative for Brooks did not immediately return a request for comment.

In her lawsuit, the plaintiff claims she began working in 1999 for Brooks’ wife, Trisha Yearwood, but started to work for Brooks in 2017. When she experienced financial difficulties in 2019, she says Brooks offered to help her by giving her more work.

The first alleged incident occurred earlier in 2019, when Brooks allegedly emerged from the shower naked and forced the accuser to touch his erect penis and said he had fantasized about her performing oral sex on him. She says she denied his advances but continued to work for him.

Months later, in May, Roe claims that when she and Brooks stayed together in a Los Angeles hotel, he booked only a single room for both of them. She claims that during their stay, he violently raped her in the room.

During the months that followed, the plaintiff claims Brooks repeatedly acted inappropriately toward her in other ways, including sending sexually explicit text messages, physically groping her breasts, and making sexually charged remarks toward her.

“We applaud our client’s courage in moving forward with her complaint against Garth Brooks,” said the accuser’s attorneys, from the prominent plaintiff’s firm Wigdor LLP. “The complaint filed today demonstrates that sexual predators exist not only in corporate America, Hollywood and in the rap and rock and roll industries but also in the world of country music.”

Though Brooks has not yet responded to Thursday’s lawsuit, documents filed in the earlier mystery case in Mississippi tell what appears to be his side of the story.

After a former professional associate “encountered financial difficulties” and asked for financial assistance in 2020, the lawsuit says that the unnamed celebrity plaintiff “complied out of loyalty” and offered help. But when he eventually refused her increasing demands, inclduing for salaried employment and medical benefits, the lawsuit says the woman responded with “false and outrageous allegations of sexual misconduct.”

Later, the unnamed woman allegedly “offered to refrain from publicly filing her false and defamatory lawsuit against plaintiff in exchange for a multi-million dollar payment” — a demand that the lawsuit called “extortion.”

“Defendant’s allegations are not true,” the unnamed celebrity wrote in last month’s lawsuit. “Defendant is well aware, however, of the substantial, irreparable damage such false allegations would do to Plaintiff’s well-earned reputation as a decent and caring person, along with the unavoidable damage to his family and the irreparable damage to his career and livelihood that would result if she made good on her
threat to ‘publicly file’ her fabricated lawsuit.”

03 Oct 2024

Clarks Desert Boot Continues Its Reign As a ‘Timeless’ Shoe With Genre-Spanning Ties

All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.

Clarks has become a staple footwear since its start in 1825 as a family-founded slipper company. Over time, they expanded beyond the cozy slip-on, developing the first foot-shaped shoes and making a name as a brand that crafts comfortable footwear that’s also fashion-forward.

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Since their origin, Clarks shoes have been on the feet of British soldiers, rappers and even rock stars. And it’s the Desert Boots that have cemented themselves as a “timeless” shoe with roots in reggae, folk and rock.

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Oasis

Liam and Noel Gallagher of the band Oasis performing for the “Teenage Cancer Trust” concert at Albert Hall in London, England. February 6, 2002.

Dave Hogan/Mission Pictures/Getty Images

It doesn’t take too much digging to find Oasis lead singer Liam Gallagher wearing a pair of Clarks Desert Boots. Throughout the ’90s, he could be seen pairing most of his outfits, on and offstage, with a pair of the boots — most notably when he won a Brit Award in 1996 for best album and on the street in 2020. Bob Dylan is another artist who could be seen wearing the simple boots, in addition to The Beatles, who were known to wear the shoes at times.

Desert Boots’ popularity spans across countries, at one point taking over Jamaican fashion, according to reporting by Vogue. The shoes became a major staple in reggae clubs, and the growth in sales led Clarks to redesign the shoe with a longer, narrow toe in an effort to cater to Caribbean style.

Keep reading to shop the Clarks classic shoe below.

dark brown clarks desert boots

Clarks

Desert Boot – Dark Khaki Suede

Rather than reach for your typical white sneakers, these dark brown boots bring a polished look using a luxurious suede material and matching upper and sole shade. Originally released in the ’50s, the style remains a popular pick and is topped off with “unfussy” laces.

light khaki suede clarks desert boots

Clarks

Desert Boot – Sand Suede

Not only can you see Gallagher wearing a similar shade of the Desert Boot, but the light brown colorway can be paired with everything from jeans to trousers without taking away from your statement shirt. The outer suede material brings a polished yet laid-back look that’ll help complete your outfits in style.

black leather desert boot clarks

Clarks

Desert Boot – Black Polished

Giving off a more dressed up appearance is the Black Polished version of the Clarks boot. It comes with a premium leather material for added comfort and durability. You’ll also find the classic fobs by the laces as well as a rubber crepe sole for additional support.

black and tan croc distressed desert boot

Clarks

Desert Boot – Black Distressed Croc

Clarks’ latest iteration of the Desert Boot is a distressed croc style that represents the brand’s shift towards more modern designs. Taking inspiration from Tokyo’s Urahara fashion scene, the shoe comes in the classic Desert Boot shape with an elevated twist. The upper comes with a distressed leather material paired with flat lacing and the classic crepe sole found in any of the Originals shoes.

Beyond the Desert Boot, Clarks Wallabees have become the shoe to sport in hip-hop, with artists including Tyler, the Creator, Drake and the Wu-Tang Clan seen sporting the everyday shoe on various occasions. The love for the style goes beyond being seen on rapper’s feet, which you can hear in Wu-Tang’s “Gravel Pit” when Method Man raps: “The best thing since stocks in Clark Wallabees.”

For more product recommendations, check out ShopBillboard‘s roundups of the best jelly shoes, platform boots and knee-high boots.

03 Oct 2024

Karol G Adds Third Week at No. 1 on Billboard Argentina Hot 100 With ‘Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido’

Karol G holds strong at No. 1 on the Billboard Argentina Hot 100 chart as “Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido” tops the Oct. 5-dated ranking. The tropical song ties with Los Angeles Azules y Emilia’s “Perdonarte Para Qué?” for the fifth-most weeks at the summit in 2024.

Here’s a review of the songs with the most weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Argentina Hot 100 chart in 2024 so far:

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Weeks at No. 1, Song, Artists
11, “Hoy,” Valentino Merlo & The La Planta
10, “Una Foto (Remix),” Mesita, Nicki Nicole, Tiago PZK & Emilia
5, “Bésame (Remix),” Bhavi, Seven Kayne, Milo j, Tiago PZK, KHEA & Neo Pistea
4, “Hola Perdida (Remix),” Luck Ra & KHEA
3, “Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido,” Karol G
3, “Perdonarte Para Qué?,” Los Angeles Azules & Emilia

Valentino Merlo and The La Planta’s “Hoy” remains at No. 2 for a fourth week, after the song’s 11-week coronation starting the July 6-dated tally.

Paulo Londra bounds back in the top 10 with his Valentino Merlo and Luck Ra collab, “Princesa,” which rallies 20-10 for its new peak. Londra last landed in the upper region with the No. 8-peaking “Party En El Barrio,” featuring Duki, in September 2022.

The Hot Shot Debut of the week goes to Feid and Yandel’s “Háblame Claro,” which launches at No. 57. The pair previously collaborated through “Yandel 150” which peaked at No. 6 in April 2023.

Elsewhere, Cris Mj and FloyyMenor take the weekly Greatest Gainer honors as “Después De La 1” climbs 24 spots, from No. 42 to No. 18. The Chileans also place two other collabs on the current ranking: while “Déjame Pensar” opens at No. 99, “Gata Only” rises 46-45, after the song peaked at No. 3 in March.

03 Oct 2024

Will Ferrell Agrees Charlie Puth ‘Maybe’ Isn’t as Big as Harry Styles in ‘Charlie Puth Show’ Cold Open

Charlie Puth is launching his own comedy show, so having comedy legend Will Ferrell onboard can only be helpful, right? Wrong.

In the upcoming Charlie Puth Show cold open shared exclusively with Billboard on Thursday (Oct. 3), the “See You Again” hitmaker asks the Saturday Night Live alum for advice on how to lead a successful comedy series as the pair follow along with a personal trainer. Ferrell, however, doesn’t offer much useful guidance; for starters, it takes him a while to even understand what Puth’s project actually is.

“So it’s like a reality show?” questions the Elf star. “Like The Masked Singer? You should be a bat, or a seahorse, or a giraffe.”

The pair then argues over whether Puth is a big enough star to make a substantial splash with his Roku show’s first episode. “I’m not as big as like, Harry Styles …,” the singer/songwriter says, to which Ferrell deadpans: “I would say you’re as big as Harry Styles. Well … maybe not.”

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Elsewhere in the clip, Ferrell demonstrates his “perfect pitch” abilities as Puth shakes his head before the actor passes on some sage words of wisdom. “There is only one entity who has final say in television: Judge Judy,” Ferrell says.

The video comes one day ahead of The Charlie Puth Show‘s Oct. 4 premiere on Roku. Spread out across six episodes, the mock reality show finds Puth trying out new things in an effort to maintain his relevance in pop culture while joined by a slew of celebrity friends, including John Legend, Courteney Cox and Dorinda Medley, to name a few.

In an interview with People published Thursday, Puth opened up about the show’s on-the-fly dialogue and self-deprecating humor. “I have no problem making fun of myself because it’s just not that serious,” he told the publication. “There’s so many more serious things in the world right now to worry about. It’s nice to just have some comic relief and not take yourself so seriously.”

Watch the Charlie Puth Show‘s cold open above.

03 Oct 2024

Adria English, One of The Diddy’s Many Accusers Needs A New Attorney

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Diddy Accuser Adria English Loses Attorney, The Rapper Reacts

Source: Shareif Ziyadat / Getty / Diddy

One of Diddy’s accusers is going to need some new legal representation.

Spotted on TMZ, former boom boom flick star Adria English, who accused Diddy of sex trafficking her for one of his legendary white parties, is down an attorney.

According to documents obtained by the celebrity gossip site, Ariel Mitchell-Kidd, English’s attorney, wants off the case because she says her client is making it difficult for her to do her job.

Per TMZ:

Mitchell-Kidd also says there’s been a breakdown in the attorney-client relationship. She claims there are irreconcilable differences between them, and says Adria’s “tone and lack of respect and [her] continued behavior and self-destructive activities” have made it impossible for Mitchell-Kidd to continue representing her.

TMZ initially broke the story of English filing her lawsuit against the disgraced mogul in July, accusing him of sex trafficking and sexual assault.

A week after filing the suit, Mitchell-Kidd joined TMZ Live, revealing an indictment was coming with the Feds arresting Diddy in September, throwing him behind bars where he is currently awaiting trial after he was denied bail twice. 

Diddy Is Using This Moment To Make His Case

A spokesperson for the rapper did reach out to TMZ to comment on the recent developments: 

“Less than three months after filing her lawsuit against Sean Combs, Adria English has been dropped by both of her attorneys after making completely fabricated statements. In papers filed with the court today, her former attorneys cited Ms. English’s ‘questionable antics’ and ‘undermining behavior.’ As we’ve said from the start, anyone can file a lawsuit without proof — and this case is a clear example of that. English escalated things by filing false police reports and making baseless claims, using high-profile events as a backdrop to harm innocent people. No matter how many lawsuits are filed, it won’t change the fact that Mr. Combs has never sexually assaulted or sex trafficked anyone.”

Even though Mitchell-Kidd is done With English, she said she is leaving early enough that her former client still has enough time to hire a new lawyer, so The Diddler is not out of hot water yet.

03 Oct 2024

Reggae/Dancehall Fresh Picks of the Month: Azato, Shenseea, Jahmiel, Vybz Kartel & More

Buju Banton’s viral Afrobeats-lambasting Drink Champs appearance (Aug. 28) previewed a particularly contentious month for reggae and dancehall music, and September did not disappoint.

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After announcing the removal of the reggae recording of the year category from the forthcoming 2025 JUNO Awards, the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS) has reversed its decision, allowing a new crop of competitors to join past winners like Leroy Sibbles, Exco Levi and Kirk Diamond. The news came just a few weeks before an update in the curious removal of Drake‘s “Blue Green Red” from streaming services. The dancehall-inflected track — which peaked at No. 63 on the Billboard Hot 100 as a part of the rapper’s 100 Gigs EP — allegedly lifted elements from Tiger’s “When” (1991) without proper clearance. Later disputes about who actually serves as Tiger’s publishing representative continues to keep the song off streaming services, but producer Boi-1da asserts that the song could “possibly be back up” once those issues are resolved.

In live performance news, R&B icon Usher brought out a pair of Jamaican powerhouses for his Past Present Future Tour: Grammy-nominated reggae star Barrington Levy delivered renditions of “Here I Come,” “Black Roses” and “Tell Them A Ready (Murderer)” at the trek’s final Brooklyn show (Sept. 10), while Caribbean Music Award winner Masicka performed “Fight For Us” at the final Toronto Show (Sept. 3). At the latter stop, Canadian rapper and producer Kardinal Offishall also joined forces with Usher for a special cover of Chaka Demus & Pliers’ “Murder She Wrote.”

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Naturally, Billboard’s monthly Reggae/Dancehall Fresh Picks column will not cover every last track, but our Spotify playlist — which is linked below — will expand on the 10 highlighted songs. So, without any further ado:

Freshest Find: Azato, “Disconnect to Connect”

As a global society, we’re probably past the point of no return when it comes to the unhealthy amount of time and energy we collectively give to technology and social media. With “Disconnect to Connect,” a warm, full-bodied mélange of soulful roots reggae and notes of soft rock and jazz, Hawaiian reggae band Azato deliver something greater than a finger-wagging “get off your phones” anthem. “Are we truly free, or just followers of likes?” he questions us, urging us to detox, if only for a moment. Roots reggae has proven to be rich soil for sociopolitical commentary for decades, and Azato offers up a distinctly 21st-century lens through “Disconnect to Connect.”

Runkus, Royal Blu & Kush Arora, “No Long Talking”

“Life In the Jungle” might be the main attraction, but “No Long Talking” is a much more intriguing offering from Jamaican artists Runkus and Royal Blu and Bay Area producer Kush Arora. A fiery amalgam of drill and dancehall, complete with machine gun sound effects, rapid fire flows, and a promise to get “straight to the action, don’t wanna play.” Built around Kush’s “Desi Cowboy” riddim, both Runkus and Royal Blu embody the lawless spirit of the Wild West with this slinky gun chune.

Morgan & Byron Messia, “Wheel Up”

It’s been over a year since “Talibans” dominated the summer across the Caribbean diaspora, and Byron Messia still stands as one of the biggest dancehall breakout stars in recent memory. On his new collaboration with U.K. pop/R&B arist Morgan, Messia proves himself a surprisingly strong supporting player. A sleek fusion of R&B and dancehall, “Wheel Up” is a sultry ode to Jamaican sound clash culture and the heated nights of passionate dancing and flirting that follow. “One more sin inna mi cup/ Dis ting we affi wheel up,” Morgan croons in the chorus of the Slim Typical-helmed track. Ain’t nothing with rewinding those fleeting moments of connection to make them last a little while longer!

Gyptian, “In the Dark”

Gyptian has been cranking out love and lust-minded dancehall classics for years now, and he’s showing no signs of letting up anytime soon. With his latest single, “In the Dark,” the Billboard chart-topping star zeroes in on the love affairs that thrive when the night falls. “She said, ‘I can come over tonight’/ ‘And do with you whatever’/ Wait till it’s dark outside/ And just make your way over,” he sings over the guitar-inflected reggae-pop beat, painting a thrilling narrative of a secret relationship that can only live in the darkness. It’s a less heartwarming story than the one he tells on “Hold Yuh,” but it’s equally enthralling because of the forbidden spaces it pushes his songwriting to.

Shenseea, “Dating SZN”

It’s wild to think that in 2024, people still (figuratively) clutch their pearls when women speak about balancing different partners, but leave it to Shenseea to render that faux outrage null and void. “You a nuh mi man, mi nah haffi explain/ Mi nuh have no obligation/ Journey might be slow/ But mi haffi sure say you’re the one/ So mi have couple a unuh inna rotation,” she explains in the first verse, letting it be known that she sets the terms of all these arrangements — nobody else. The Supa Dups-produced track references the iconic instrumental hook from TLC’s Hot 100-topping “No Scrubs,” an increasingly rare instance of a newer song referencing a classic track and building on that song’s narrative and concept. These guys are scrubs, why would Shenyeng ever lock herself down like that?

Jahmiel & Minto Play Da Riddim, “Self Worth”

Always good for a poignant, introspective track, Jahmiel delivers yet again with “Self Worth,” a tender collaboration with Minto Play Da Riddim. Emphasizing themes self-empowerment, the track balances somber piano keys, a spoken interlude, and an undercurrent of gospel melodies to create a sonic comforter of hope and reassurance. “A user nah go ever love you like you love yourself,” he croons, reminding us all that our sense of self should always be grounded in an intimate understanding of our own individual self-worth.

Popcaan, “Show Me”

The Unruly Boss is back with a new drop. “Show Me,” the dancehall icon’s latest offering is standard sexed-up dancehall fear, and that’s perfectly fine. Produced by Teejay of TJ records, “Show Me” is as playful as it sensual, with Popcaan begging his prospective lover to “show me what you can do.” His smooth delivery offers a nice complement to the hip-hop-inflected riddim, but there’s just enough fire in his exclamations and ad-libs to make sure the flame never dies.

Vybz Kartel, “The Comet”

As the whole world knows by now, Vybz Kartel is finally free. He’s already dropped off a collection of new bangers since his release and in a wholly characteristic move, he’s given us some more. If anything, “The Comet” feel like a foreboding prelude to a new set of bangers ahead of his highly anticipated return to the stage in Jamaica later this year. “Mi f–k yuh madda thru di prison grill/ Mi f–k yuh gyal thru di prison window/ Wet up ‘e p—y wid mi middle finger/ Then mi dig it out hard wid di timber,” he snarls in trademark badman fashion before chanting, “I thought I told you that the comet is comin’” in the chorus. Who knows what “The Comet” is warning for, and, honestly, it doesn’t even matter — it’s a heater all on its own.

Bamby, “Guyane”

Guyanese dancehall and shatta singer Bamby infuses those two Jamaica-indebted genres with a healthy dose of her own Creole roots. Complete with a video shot in her home country, Bamby sings in both French and Creole as she waxes poetic about the beauty, strength and virtue of Guyana. “Yé ka mandé pou kissa nou fâché (They ask why we are angry)/Babylon pa pé rété (Babylon can’t stay)/ Malè ki zot voyé (This misfortune they sent)/ Lanmè ké fine pa chariél (The sea will no longer carry it),” she croons over a sparkly, thumping dancehall beat.

Amanda Reifer & Sean Paul, “Sweat (Part II)

A sequel to the opening track from her Island Files project earlier this year, “Sweat (Part II)” finds Barbados’ Amanda Reifer joining forces with Jamaica’s Sean Paul for a sexy reggae-pop jam. The new version of the song changes very little from the original, but Sean Paul’s mellow guest verse offers a nice male perspective to complement both Amanda’s POV and her loftier vocal register. “You waan me touch it girl/ Me well conscious me want you trust it girl/ The stars and the moon shine for us girl/ You are my Isis , I am Osiris girl,” he proclaims to close out his verse. Who said the breezy reggae love jams have to stop when the weather gets chillier?

03 Oct 2024

Megan Thee Stallion Teases New Music While Flashing Her New Grill | Billboard News

Megan Thee Stallion tells her Hotties that she’s working on new music while flashing her new icy grill on Instagram.

Tetris Kelly
Megan Thee Stallion may have another gift for her Hotties in the form of a new mixtape. With the calendar turning to October, Megan isn’t taking her foot off the gas pedal to close out the year. She teased a new project and promised it’s the hardest mixtape of ’24. It wasn’t only Meg’s Hotties excited to hear the news, as her “Wanna Be” collaborator GloRilla even chimed in. Glo wrote to X before Thee Stallion obliged, “I just approved your mix.” Megan hinted at new music last weekend when she shared an unreleased snippet while showing off her icy grills courtesy of Houston-based jeweler Johnny Dang. The mixtape doesn’t have a release date, but follows the Houston Hottie’s ‘MEGAN’ album, which arrived in June and launched at No. 1 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop albums chart. And it wouldn’t be October without Meg continuing her Hottieween tradition of kicking off spooky season with a pumpkin head photo shoot. Don’t get scared now, as it’s shaping up to be a busy fourth quarter for the Houston rapper.

03 Oct 2024

Michael Jordan Hits NASCAR With Federal Anti-Trust Lawsuit

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NASCAR Cup Series FireKeepers Casino 400

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NBA legend Michael Jordan has filed an anti-trust lawsuit against NASCAR in federal court in North Carolina.

On Wednesday (Oct. 2), NBA Hall-of-Famer Michael Jordan and his 23XI Racing Team joined Front Row Motorsports in filing a federal anti-trust lawsuit against NASCAR and its chairman, Jim France. The suit was filed in the Western District of North Carolina, where Charlotte is located. Jordan is also a part owner of the NBA’s Charlotte Hornets. “The France family and NASCAR are monopolistic bullies,” the teams said in the filing. “And bullies will continue to impose their will to hurt others until their targets stand up and refuse to be victims. That moment has now arrived.”

The main point of contention lies in the charter system which NASCAR implemented in 2016 which included revenue sharing and 36 guaranteed entries in the league’s Cup Series. Teams complained that they were presented with a last-minute offer 48 hours before the playoffs began. “Faced with a take-it-or-leave-it offer, and no competing opportunity for premier stock car racing in the United States, most of the teams concluded that they had to sign,” the lawsuit states. “One team described its signing as ‘coerced,’ and another said it was ‘under duress.’ 23XI Racing Team and Front Row Motorsports declined to sign the deal.

The lawsuit also disclosed a lack of transparency from France, complaining that NASCAR prevented teams from competing in other stock car races and forced them to buy parts only from NASCAR-approved suppliers. “No other major professional sport in North America is run by a single family that enriches themselves through these kinds of unchecked monopolistic practices,” the lawsuit said.

“Everyone knows that I have always been a fierce competitor and that will to win is what drives me and the entire 23XI team each and every week out on the track,” Jordan said in a statement. “I love the sport of racing and the passion of our fans, but the way NASCAR is run today is unfair to teams, drivers, sponsors, and fans. Today’s action shows I’m willing to fight for a competitive market where everyone wins.” Front Row Motorsports owner Bob Jenkins claimed that he hasn’t made a profit since joining NASCAR in 2005, despite his driver Michael McDowell winning the Daytona 500 in 2021. “We need a more competitive and fair system where teams, drivers, and sponsors can be rewarded for our collective investment by building long-term enterprise value, just like every other successful professional sports league,” he said to ESPN.

03 Oct 2024

Luke Bryan Comments on Beyoncé’s CMA Awards Snub: ‘Come Into Our World & Be Country With Us a Little Bit’

Luke Bryan is sharing his thoughts on Beyoncé not receiving any CMA Award nominations for Cowboy Carter.

The country music singer opened up about the controversy with Andy Cohen on SiriusXM’s Andy Cohen Live, two months before the CMA Awards take place at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee. “It’s a tricky question because, obviously, Beyoncé made a country album and Beyoncé has a lot of fans out there that have her back. And if she doesn’t get something they want, man, they come at you, as fans should do,” Bryan explained, noting that “a lot of great music is overlooked” at the awards ceremony.

“Just because she made one … just ’cause I make one, I don’t get any nominations,” he continued.

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Cowboy Carter not only topped the Billboard 200 for two weeks, but reigned at No. 1 on the Top Country Albums chart for a full month. Plus, lead single “Texas Hold ‘Em” made the 32-time Grammy winner the first Black woman to hit No. 1 on the Hot Country Songs ranking, a position it held for 10 weeks.

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However, country radio didn’t fully embrace the album. The lead single, “Texas Hold ‘Em,” peaked at No. 33 on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart. A follow-up, a reworking of Dolly Parton’s 1974 classic “Jolene,” peaked at No. 56.

“Everybody loved that Beyoncé made a country album. Nobody’s mad about it,” Bryan added. “But where things get a little tricky — if you’re gonna make country albums, come into our world and be country with us a little bit. Like, Beyoncé can do exactly what she wants to. She’s probably the biggest star in music. But come to an award show and high-five us and have fun and get in the family, too. And I’m not saying she didn’t do that … but country music is a lot about family.”

However, Bey may have a reason to keep at arm’s length from the country music family. Back in 2016, Bey performed her country-leaning song “Daddy Lessons” at the 2016 Country Music Association Awards alongside The Chicks.

A pre-show announcement teasing her performance sparked calls for a CMAs boycott on social media, with some people blasting the awards show for including Bey, whose tribute to the Black Panther Party during her performance of “Formation” at the 2016 Super Bowl had also earned pushback. After the performance, there was no mention of her appearance on the CMAs website.

In a March post on Instagram, the “16 Carriages” singer wrote that the album was “born out of an experience” she’d had years prior where she “did not feel welcomed,” which many fans took to be the 2016 controversy.