Los Angeles
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Eugene “Big U” Henley Jr., a notable music executive with ties to the late Nipsey Hussle, is in the crosshairs of federal prosecutors for his alleged role as a gang leader. According to prosecutors, Big U is seeking the assistance of President Donald Trump, whom he reportedly referred to as the “Orange Man.”
The Los Angeles Times reports that Big U, 58, appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge A. Joel Richlin in Los Angeles in a pre-trial hearing on Tuesday (April 22) where it was ruled that the alleged Rollin 60s Crips leader will remain behind bars as he awaits trial. Richlin read off the list of charges Henley faces and considered him a flight risk and a danger to the community, thus why he will remain jailed.
Henley currently faces a 43-count indictment with charges ranging from violating RICO laws, embezzlement of charity donations, tax evasion, and the alleged murder of a rapper that was under his tutelage.
“Even in his short time in custody, he is up to his old tricks, once again trying to use some of those same celebrities for his personal gain,” the government stated in a briefing ahead of the Tuesday hearing. “He has even suggested that he can manipulate the President of the United States into intervening in the case and dropping the charges, even as he simultaneously derisively refers to the President as ‘the orange man’ while in custody. This Court should not be fooled by the good deeds defendant promises to accomplish if only he could close the detention doors behind him.”
A pretrial conference is scheduled for May 9. Big U has pleaded not guilty.
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Photo: Leon Bennett / Getty
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Eugene “Big U” Henley Jr. made headlines after a sweeping 43-count indictment was levied upon the longtime music executive and alleged gang leader. Big U has entered a not guilty plea over racketeering and fraud, among other charges.
Local outlet Fox 11 reports that Eugene “Big U” Henley Jr., 58, pleaded not guilty ahead of a detention hearing set to take place on Thursday (April 10). Henley is accused of being a leading figure in the Rollin’ 60s Crips gang collective and using his “OG” status to extort entertainers and celebrities who visited Los Angeles.
Henley is also accused of running high-stakes and illegal gambling sessions, and is accused of doling out violence, including the alleged murder of an up-and-coming rapper in Las Vegas. Henley’s ties to music were notable, and he is credited with helping jumpstart the career of the late Nipsey Hussle.
Big U turned himself in to the authorities but made an impassioned set of videos explaining how much he’s done for the community and that he’s done work to end the gang violence that grips Southern California.
If convicted, Big U could face hundreds of years behind bars.
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Photo: Leon Bennett / Getty
HipHopWired Featured Video
Eugene “Big U” Henley Jr. made headlines after a sweeping 43-count indictment was levied upon the longtime music executive and alleged gang leader. Big U has entered a not guilty plea over racketeering and fraud, among other charges.
Local outlet Fox 11 reports that Eugene “Big U” Henley Jr., 58, pleaded not guilty ahead of a detention hearing set to take place on Thursday (April 10). Henley is accused of being a leading figure in the Rollin’ 60s Crips gang collective and using his “OG” status to extort entertainers and celebrities who visited Los Angeles.
Henley is also accused of running high-stakes and illegal gambling sessions, and is accused of doling out violence, including the alleged murder of an up-and-coming rapper in Las Vegas. Henley’s ties to music were notable, and he is credited with helping jumpstart the career of the late Nipsey Hussle.
Big U turned himself in to the authorities but made an impassioned set of videos explaining how much he’s done for the community and that he’s done work to end the gang violence that grips Southern California.
If convicted, Big U could face hundreds of years behind bars.
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Photo: Leon Bennett / Getty
HipHopWired Featured Video
Eugene “Big U” Henley Jr. made headlines after a sweeping 43-count indictment was levied upon the longtime music executive and alleged gang leader. Big U has entered a not guilty plea over racketeering and fraud, among other charges.
Local outlet Fox 11 reports that Eugene “Big U” Henley Jr., 58, pleaded not guilty ahead of a detention hearing set to take place on Thursday (April 10). Henley is accused of being a leading figure in the Rollin’ 60s Crips gang collective and using his “OG” status to extort entertainers and celebrities who visited Los Angeles.
Henley is also accused of running high-stakes and illegal gambling sessions, and is accused of doling out violence, including the alleged murder of an up-and-coming rapper in Las Vegas. Henley’s ties to music were notable, and he is credited with helping jumpstart the career of the late Nipsey Hussle.
Big U turned himself in to the authorities but made an impassioned set of videos explaining how much he’s done for the community and that he’s done work to end the gang violence that grips Southern California.
If convicted, Big U could face hundreds of years behind bars.
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Photo: Leon Bennett / Getty
Ben Lovett‘s venue management firm tvg is opening its first venue in Los Angeles, unveiling plans today for the Pacific Electric, a 750-capacity open room in the city’s Chinatown neighborhood.
Located next to popular restaurant Majordomo, the venue is set in an old warehouse that was previously owned by Wasserman Music executive and booking agent Tom Windish. Its name is a nod to the trolley system that once crisscrossed downtown LA and beyond.
“For the last 10 years, I’ve kind of been obsessed with venues and the role that venues have in artists stories,” Lovett tells Billboard. “Everything from the air that you’re breathing, to the floor that you’re standing on that really matters. It’s not just a happenstance — it makes the show and for a lot of people the room can be so good that it can bring out transcendental performances.”
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Lovett said he has been working on the project for several years and adds that Pacific Electric will be managed by venue veteran Stacey Levine, who has managed the Wiltern, the Hollywood Palladium and most recently managed the Theater at the Ace Hotel. Lovett said his goal with Pacific Electric is to great a neighborhood room that combines hospitality with intimate sightlights and state-of-the-art audio and dynamic lighting. The venue will have its own bar and cocktail program, along with culinary offerings from a variety of vendors and chefs.
Pacific Electric
Courtesy of Pacific Electric
Lovett tells us that his company partnered with Live Nation on the project, which “was very much intentional on my behalf, given that it’s in LA and I’ve done a bunch of great work with them over the years.”
Pacific Electric will encourage “artists to choose which promoters they want to work with,” noting the club will be operated as an agnostic, open room.
“Artists should be able to elect who they work with every step of the way, and that keeps everyone honest and doing the best work,” Lovett says.
Lovett, a multi-platinum Grammy-winning recording artist with the group Mumford and Sons, has been in the concert promotion business for a number of years through his firm Communion and operated a number of venues the tvg including Omeara and the Social in London, and the award winning Orion Amphitheater in Huntsville, Alabama.
Lovett said his hope for Pacific Electric is to focus on community engagement and cultural events while cultivating ascendent local talent and ready to grow from 500 cap venues.
“I want it to have some grit under the fingernails. I want patrons to feel our honesty and passion and sweat and hard work. It will not feel like a glossy box by any stretch. It will be matte,” Lovett jokes. “I hope that the moment that the first lyric lands, fans will understand what we are working toward and embrace this spiritual experience in kind of an industrial way.”
Pacific Electric
Courtesy of Pacific Electric
Voting members of the Recording Academy’s Los Angeles chapter are being asked to vote again in the election that determines that chapter’s governors. The problem: Not enough people voted in the election that concluded Wednesday (March 26) for the Academy to consider it a valid election. As a result, a new election will open on April 9 and close on April 16.
Harvey Mason jr., Recording Academy and MusiCares CEO, and Tammy Hurt, chair of the academy’s board of trustees, sent an email to L.A. chapter voting members on Friday (March 28) explaining the situation and asking them to please be sure to vote this time. Members who voted in the initial election must vote again because this is a new election.
In their email, Mason and Hurt expressed sympathy for L.A. voting members, who have been through a lot in the past few months. Even those who weren’t personally affected by the wildfires that devastated the region beginning Jan. 7 were stressed by being part of a community that went through a traumatic event. “We understand that the past few months have been incredibly challenging for our LA members, and that you have had far more pressing matters to navigate,” they wrote. “However, it is critical that our elected leaders reflect the broad and diverse will of our members.”
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The L.A. chapter is the largest of the academy’s 12 chapters. The others are Atlanta, Chicago, Florida, Memphis, Nashville, New York, Pacific Northwest, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Texas and Washington, D.C.
Julia Michels, who won a Grammy five years ago as a music supervisor on Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper‘s A Star Is Born soundtrack, is president of the L.A. chapter, which currently has 31 governors, all of whom are elected by voting members in the chapter. The governors, in turn, elect the national trustees. The L.A. chapter currently has seven trustees (more than any other chapter): Cheche Alara, Evan Bogart, Maria Egan, Sara Gazarek, Mike Knobloch, Ledisi and Jonathan Yip.
Here’s the email from Mason and Hurt, in full:
Dear Los Angeles Voting Members,
Voting in the Recording Academy’s twelve chapter elections concluded Wednesday night. Unfortunately, the Los Angeles chapter election for Voting Member Governor races did not receive the required turnout for a valid election. As a result, we are going to hold a second election. We understand that the past few months have been incredibly challenging for our LA members, and that you have had far more pressing matters to navigate. However, it is critical that our elected leaders reflect the broad and diverse will of our members.
The new election will open on April 9 and close on April 16, and again, it will only be for the Voting Member Governor races. Please note that even if you voted in these recently-concluded races, you must vote again. This is a new election.
We ask that you please make time to participate in this important step and vote. You will determine the next class of Recording Academy elected leaders that will guide the Los Angeles Chapter. Please vote and please encourage others to do the same.
If you are in need of assistance due to the LA wildfires, please visit www.musicares.org/get-help.
Best regards,
Harvey Mason jr.
Recording Academy & MusiCares CEO
Tammy Hurt
Chair, Board of Trustees
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Kendrick Lamar has captured the eyes and ears of many after many believe he handily vanquished his rival, Drake, in their highly publicized audio feud. With Los Angeles announced as the site of the 2028 Summer Olympics, a booking agent for Kendrick Lamar suggested that there might be an appearance from the pgLang honcho at the sporting event.
As seen in an Associated Press report, the 2028 Summer Olympics organizing committee chairman, Casey Wasserman, has the hope that the major sporting event will help revitalize Los Angeles and the region itself. Wasserman spoke at the International Olympic Committee’s annual meeting last Thursday and mentioned how the recent rash of wildfires across California and the impending summer games could help push innovation.
“The rebirth, the rebuild, maybe reimagining LA 2.0 — and the Olympics as a catalyst for all those things — we think is really part of our ethos,” Wasserm. an said to The Associated Press ahead of the IOC gathering.
What also turned heads in the AP’s report was Wasserman suggesting that Kendrick Lamar, a native son of Compton and a potent unifier of the Los Angeles creative scene, could also be involved in the 2028 Summer Olympics. While it wasn’t officially confirmed that Lamar would be involved, Wasserman’s insider status with the rapper is as strong a cosign as any.
“Fortunately in my day job I represent Kendrick Lamar,’ said Wasserman, who heads the Wasserman Media Group and is the booking agent for Lamar. “He is truly an LA icon so I think it would be a pretty fair bet that Kendrick will be involved in the Olympics in Los Angeles in some way.”
The 2028 Summer Olympics will begin on July 14, 2028.
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Adrien Broner, a boxer and former world champion whose career was marred by legal issues, found himself connected to the ongoing matter involving alleged gang leader Eugene “Big U” Henley. In the complaint filed against Big U, Adrien Broner was named in the document and allegedly used trick dice to rob NBA players of $6.5 million in a high-stakes gambling game.
As seen on Total Pro Sports, a user on X highlighted a portion of the federal complaint against Big U that centered on a 2019 dice game and a boxer with the initials “A.B.,” assumed here to be Adrien Broner. The document states that Broner, by way of a cooperating witness, was hosting the high-stakes celebrity dice game where the scheme unfolded.
In a Los Angeles Times report, the cooperating witness alerted authorities about the buy-in dice game that took place in June 2019. Broner and other unnamed individuals were in attendance with known NBA players. Henley became involved because Broner reportedly didn’t “check in” with him and ordered people in his alleged operation to physically harm Broner and return the stolen money from the trick dice.
The witness added that NBA players and other entertainers would need to alert Henley of their visits to make certain no harm would come their way and that any parties or event they attend would be safe to do so. Failure to check in with Henley resulted in retaliation from the alleged “Big U Enterprise.”
The Times added in its reporting that Henley personally confronted Broner after he stole $1.5 million from a current NBA All-Star player and cheated a former NBA All-Star out of $5 million. Authorities oversaw the meeting between Henley and one of Broner’s victims, and in this same meeting, said that he would charge $100,000 to get the money back for the duped NBA players.
Adrien Broner last fought in 2024, losing to Blair Cobbs.
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Big U, an alleged top-ranking Rollin’ 60s Crips gang member and community activist, was arrested and charged with other individuals this week in connection to a RICO case. Big U, who was formerly connected to the late Nipsey Hussle, is accused of running a Mafia-like criminal enterprise by authorities, claims that U say are overblown due to Internet chatter.
In a report from the Los Angeles Times, Eugene “Big U” Henley, 58, was a massive influence on the Hip-Hop scene in Los Angeles, and his involvement with the gang world was notable considering he spent recent times as a community leader looking to quell violence on the streets. Now, Henley is facing charges of murder, kidnapping, robbery, and more.
As the Times notes, Big U was instrumental in boosting the career of Nipsey Hussle, who was also a member of the Rollin’ 60s. His connection with the music scene and his reported position in the Crips operation was framed by federal investigators as that of a mob boss with people visiting Los Angeles being required to “check in” with Henley to move untouched about the city. Henley is alleged to have put the “check in” requirement toward musicians and professional athletes alike.
In the 107-page federal complaint, officials say that Henley ran his self-styled enterprise similarly to how the Mafia operates, using his “stature and long-standing association with the Rollin’ 60s and other street gangs to intimidate businesses and individuals” across the city, according to the complaint.
When authorities first announced their intent to go after Henley, they named him a fugitive in a news conference but Henley eventually turned himself in. As reported by TMZ, Henley recorded a video ahead of turning himself in, stating that he’s done nothing wrong and has contributed heavily to his community. Over a dozen other individuals connected to Henley were also taken into custody.
U.S. Atty. Joseph T. McNally spoke at Wednesday’s news conference and said that Henley’s image as a music executive and community leader was false.
“[Henley] has maintained the image of an entertainment industry entrepreneur running a music label and of somebody who gives back to the community here in Los Angeles,” McNally said. “The facts alleged in the complaint paint a very different picture. It is one of a murderer, a thief, a liar and a cheat and the criminals that enabled him.”
Henley is accused of kidnapping and killing a young rapper and discarding his body in the Las Vegas desert. FBI investigators say that the hit was carried out due to disrespect and ordering a robbery of an unlicensed marijuana dispensary over unpaid extortion payments. Henley is also alleged to have taken charity donations from the likes of Shaquille O’Neal and Draymond Green, only to pocket the money for himself.
Sylvester Robinson, 59, allegedly Henley’s second-in-command, and alleged lieutenant Mark Martin, 50, are both accused of violating the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO). Along with Henley, Termaine Williams, aka “Luce Cannon,” was charged with robbery, Armani Aflleje, aka “Mani,” was charged with transporting an individual to engage in prostitution, and Tiffany Hines was charged with bank fraud.
As seen in the videos above, Big U is claiming innocence.
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Photo: Leon Bennett / Getty
In a new series following the devastating L.A. wildfires of January 2025, Billboard is speaking to impacted members of the music industry about their lives in the wake of the disaster. Affected music professionals who wish to take part in the series can email us at afterthefire@billboard.com.
This installment is with Iyana, an R&B singer, songwriter and instrumentalist who lost her Altadena apartment in the Eaton Fire.
I was at the recording studio when it happened. The power went out and [my neighbor] texted and invited me to over to hang with him and his lady and their dog.
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I wasn’t at home, so I said thank you and passed, and that was it for a few hours. I was doing my thing, hanging out with friends making music in Studio City, which is pretty far from my house. My neighbor checked on me again a few hours later and said “Don’t come back. We’re getting evacuated.” But I had my two cats at home, so I had to go back.
I texted another friend and told him we were getting evacuated and that I was having a lot of anxiety because of the cats at home. I don’t have a car, so he asked if I needed him to come pick me up so we could go rescue the cats. I told him I would love that. He drove all the way from downtown to Studio City to pick me up, then to Altadena.
This was hours after the evacuation notice had gone out, and the power was still off when I came home. It was pitch black and I had to wrangle my two cats. I was using my iPhone flashlight to see, and my brain was just mush. I didn’t really know how to process everything that was going on. I grabbed my laptop and a couple chargers, a little bit of cash that I had stashed away and that was about it. I was there for about 10 minutes.
I could see the fire from my window, but it looked far enough away that if they could get it under control, my place would be fine. I honestly did not think my place was going to burn down, so in my head I just kept telling myself it was going to be okay and that I’d be able to come back tomorrow. It was a crazy feeling to get a message from the property managers the next day telling me that the buildings were destroyed, knowing that I didn’t really get anything out of [my apartment.]
My mom passed away when I was younger, and I had a lot of her artwork and all the things I had left from her. Photos from my childhood, memorabilia from when I was a kid, things I thought I’d share with my future children one day. There were journals that I wanted to keep for my entire life to look back and see where I was at certain times. It’s all gone.
It’s been a lot to process. I feel like I’m doing pretty well accepting that it is what it is. I’m trying my best to practice non-attachment. This is a really huge lesson in non-attachment. It’s kind of crazy not to have anything, but’s a little bit liberating in some ways too, I suppose. I’m trying to see it from that perspective.
My friend who came with me to grab the cats is also a producer, so in the immediate aftermath I went with him to the recording studio and spent two nights there. It wasn’t the most comfortable situation, but I was able to have my cats there, which was really nice. It was a safe place for me to be for a couple of days.
A friend of mine called the next day and asked what I needed. It was just like, “I don’t know what I need. I’m having so many emotions that I can hardly think.” She asked, “Do you need underwear? Do you need toothpaste?” I was like, “Oh my gosh, yes. I actually do need underwear.” These were things that I wasn’t thinking about right after it happened, because I was honestly still in a state of shock. I needed other people to use their brain for me.
I also had a friend who told me I should start a GoFundMe. It’s been helpful. I’m still not sure about insurance, because the insurance company has been wishy-washy and trying to play games with us a bit. Even the FEMA thing, [they said] the National Guard was blocking my area for so long that FEMA wasn’t able to get proof or something. A lot of people have donated stuff to me. I got some clothes and the things I need for hygiene and whatnot. I’m pretty much living out of two suitcases and a duffel bag. I have a friend who’s in India for the month, and she’s letting me stay in her place while she’s gone. Another friend took my cats and she’s willing to [house them] as long as I need her to.
I’ve had a couple studio sessions since it happened, and it’s been really helpful for me to be in the studio and create, just because everything’s so crazy. It gives me a sense of normalcy or just allows me to have a moment of therapy.
I had a whole release schedule before this happened, a whole plan of what I was going to be doing for quarter one, two and three and the singles and projects I was going to release. I love writing love songs, but it feels weird too, because my house just burned down, and then I am going to drop a love song? It just didn’t feel right, so it felt nice to write a song about the situation. I think that will probably be the next song I share with the world.
It’s crazy too, because I’d released a song the day before the fire. I was also planning on this month being a marketing and promotion month for me, but I haven’t really been able to do any promo. It just doesn’t feel right to be like, “Hey guys, listen to my new song” while this is all going on. Instead, it’s been a whirlwind of trying to readjust and figure out how I go back to having a normal life… I typically work at a restaurant, but luckily the donations I’ve gotten are keeping me afloat for now, because to be honest, the idea of smiling in people’s faces and asking them what they want to eat for dinner just does not feel like mentally where I’m at right now.
I feel like I’ve seen this narrative on the internet, from people who aren’t from here and think this only happened to rich people and celebrities, which is silly… If people have the capacity to donate monetarily, that’s helpful for me right now, just in terms of rebuilding.
If people don’t have that capacity, I would love for people to tap into my music and see what I’m doing. It’s hard for me to imagine going back to a regular life after this. Theoretically, it’d be so nice if my music moved and did some numbers. It’s definitely my dream to be able to make money and start a life with music being the foundation, so having people support me on my journey and see my growth would be more than I could ask for. If people are willing to listen to my tunes and share them, that would warm my heart.