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Source: handout / Department of Justice
Federal authorities have made a significant dent within the counterfeit industry. Over $1 billion dollars worth of fake goods were seized in New York City.
Raw Story is reporting that a national task force has made into the record books when it comes to the black market. On Wednesday, November 15 prosecutors announced their biggest bust in history stating that their work has resulted in the “largest ever seizure of counterfeit goods in US history”. Over 200,000 items were hauled during the bust which roughly translates to over a billion dollars in retail value. The items ranged from knockoff purses, shoes, hats, belts, smell goods and other accessories.
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “As alleged, the defendants used a Manhattan storage facility as a distribution center for massive amounts of knock-off designer goods. The seizures announced today consist of merchandise with over a billion dollars in estimated retail value, the largest-ever seizure of counterfeit goods in U.S. history. This is a testament to the commitment of this Office and its law enforcement partners to combat counterfeit trafficking in New York City.”
New York Police Department Commissioner made it clear that the counterfeit industry is a plague to the safety of citizens and those work in this underworld alike. “The trafficking of counterfeit goods is anything but a victimless crime because it harms legitimate businesses, governments, and consumers” he said in a statement according to the Department Of Justice. “Today’s indictments show how seriously the NYPD and our federal partners take this offense. And we will continue to work hard to hold accountable anyone who seeks to benefit by selling such items on the black market.”
Adama Sow and Abdulai Jalloh a/k/a “Troy Banks” are alleged to be running this operation. Both have been arrested and charged for trafficking the fake items which carries a maximum sentence of ten years in prison.
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Keefe D’s opportunity to defend his name has been set. His murder trial has been scheduled for next summer.
KTNV Las Vegas is reporting that the Compton, California native will get his day in court. On Tuesday, November 7 Clark County Judge Carli Kearney hosted a hearing and scheduled the murder trial to commence on June 3, 2024. The man born Keith Duane Davis faces charges relating to the murder of Tupac Shakur. On Thursday, November 2 Davis pled not guilty to the crime even though he has conducted several interviews where he admitted to being in the vehicle that fatally shot the “All Eyez On Me” rapper.
During an 2018 interview with BET he gave further details behind that tragic evening. “When we pulled up, I was in the front seat,” Davis said. When asked by the interviewer “Who shot Tupac?” he responded “Going to keep it for the code of the streets,” Davis said. “It just came from the backseat, bro.” He also spoke about the incident in his memoir Compton Street Legend. “Tupac made an erratic move and began to reach down beneath his seat,” Keefe wrote in the book. “It was the first and only time in my life that I could relate to the police command, ‘Keep your hands where I can see them.’ Instead, Pac pulled out a strap, and that’s when the fireworks started. One of my guys from the back seat grabbed the Glock and started bustin’ back.”
Keefe D will not face the death penalty if convicted.
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Source: Prince Williams / Getty
Akon is threatening to sue Suge Knight over wild allegations that he committed sexual violence against underage girls while in the studio.
TMZ reported that during the first episode of Knight’s new Collect Call podcast, which he launched from behind bars last month, he accused Akon and producer Detail of raping two teenage girls, which Akon vehemently denies.
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Way back in 2009, Knight caught a beatdown by Akon’s business manager, Robert Carnes, Jr., who was charged with one count of felony aggravated assault. In 2020, Akon said the confrontation began over a business dispute between himself, Suge and Detail, but he told TMZ he hasn’t had any recent contact with the former Death Row CEO who is currently serving 28 years in prison for voluntary manslaughter.
From TMZ:
Akon tells TMZ Hip Hop … the claims are false, and he’s not standing for the slander. He says, “I need to make it very clear that I absolutely deny these outrageous false and disgusting claims Suge Knight made on his podcast about me.”
“I’ve never called, received, or had any contact with Suge Knight since he has been incarcerated. My voice you heard on his podcast was as a soundbite previously recorded from an interview I did with DJ Vlad 3 years ago regarding Suge Knight in 2009.”
He continues, “I’ve never been a guest on Suge Knight’s podcast. I always believe in building positivity into the world and my actions and legacy have spoken to that.”
“It’s unfortunate that I have to defend myself from these lies and I will be involving my legal team in filing a defamation lawsuit against Mr. Knight, my prayers for him will still continue.”
Knight recently declared that he will never testify against Duane “Keefe D” Davis has been arrested in connection with the 1996 murder of Tupac Shakur, or anyone else involved in the case. Apparently, he’s far less tight-lipped when it comes to using his platform to air out alleged offenses about other artists and celebs.
As for Akon, the “Locked Up,” singer also addressed the allegations on X last week tweeting, “The world knows a lie when they hear it. It’s unfortunate that this man is going out like this. It’s sad and seriously embarrassing. Regardless of our history, I’m still going to be praying for him.”
https://twitter.com/Akon/status/1718640169232769174
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Source: MF DOOM Estate / MF DOOM Estate
We lost MF DOOM aka Zev Love X aka Daniel Dumile way too soon. The late, great MC’s estate is teaming with Rhymesayers Entertainment to celebrate the third annual DOOMSDAY with plenty of merchandise and music for fans of the Supervillian.
The collection includes hoodies and sweats, tees, slides, skatedecks and even socks. The hoodies run for $100 while the the tees are $45. The entire apparel line is available right now at gasdrawls.com, where DOOM’s catalog of music is also available for sale.
DOOM passed away in 2020, but fans weren’t made aware of his passing (reportedly on October 31), until his wife, Jasmin Thompson, revealed news of his death (he was 49) at the end of the year. Despite the renown he had gathered via his critically acclaimed, game-changing projects like Madvillainy, MM…Food and Operation: Doomsday, as well as his early work with KMD, DOOM was living in the UK and unable to return to the United States due to immigration issues.
Controversy has continued after his death with his wife calling out the suspect care he received before his untimely death (the facility actually apologized) and his one-time business partner allegedly stealing his rhymebooks. In regards to the latter, the estate has filed a lawsuit against Eothen “Egon” Alapatt, the former Stones Throw Records who is accused of possessing 31 of MF DOOM’s former notebooks. Madvillainy, the collab between between DOOM and Madlib, was released via Stones Thrown.
Rest in powerful piece MF DOOM.
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Source: Paras Griffin / Getty / Megan Thee Stallion
Free from the shackles of 1501 Certified Entertainment, Megan Thee Stallion isn’t wasting any time delivering new music to the Hotties.
Following the news that she and her former label 1501 Certified Entertainment settled their issues, Thee Stallion shares details of “Cobra,” the first single off her Hot Girls Productions, the rapper’s “independent music and entertainment entity,” according to a press release.
Megan Thee Stallion has been methodically teasing the single set to arrive on November 3 across music streaming platforms, and based on the IG posts, there will be a video featuring the Hip-Hop star donning fangs and snake eyes.
Thee Stallion also shared a photo of the single artwork that solely features the rapper showing off her well-defined curves while rocking nothing but a costume bikini.
The same photo will also live on merchandise if you need a t-shirt of an oiled-up Megan Thee Stallion in the middle of a jungle in your life; we don’t blame you if you do.
Megan Thee Stallion Is BOOKED & BUSY
The single arrives right after Halloween, which is clearly the rapper’s favorite time of the year. She just recently held her annual Hottieween party in Atlanta.
This year’s edition of the bash was Tim Burton-themed and saw Megan Thee Stallion dressed as a flower. Other notable guests include Victoria Monet, GloRilla, Kash Doll, and more.
She also got into the celebrity Halloween spirit and recently shared her costume on the gram.
Mega Thee Stallion and her knees also hit the One MusicFest stage over the weekend in Atlanta, where she reminded attendees of all the hits she got in the stash.
We can’t wait to hear what “Cobra” sounds like, which is only part one of her rollout under the Hot Girls Productions imprint.
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Photo: Paras Griffin / Getty
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Source: Prince Williams / Getty
Forever-embattled R&B legend Chris Brown just can’t seem to stay out of the news for allegedly doing something aggressive and/or violent out of anger. Now, a man has filed a lawsuit accusing the “Look At Me Now” singer of beating the hell out of him at a nightclub in London back in February, according to TMZ.
Abe Diaw, a man who is claiming to have known Brown for at least seven years, said he spotted the recording artist at TAPE nightclub in England and, when Diaw saw Chris come his way, he thought he was doing so to give him a hug, but instead, Brown smashed him over the head with a bottle of Don Julio 1942 tequila. The lawsuit claims Brown repeatedly beat Diaw over the head with “crushing blows” from the bottle.
From TMZ:
The guy claims he was knocked unconscious but says that didn’t stop Chris from continuing the attack … he says CB ruthlessly stomped on him as he lay passed out on the club floor.
In the docs, Diaw claims he had to be hospitalized as a result of his alleged injuries … which he says include cuts on his head and torn ligaments in his leg.
Chris’ accuser says there’s surveillance footage of the whole thing … and he says cops in London have the alleged beatdown video. Diaw claims he can identify Chris in the footage and claims CB is a fugitive in the United Kingdom as a result of the alleged incident.
It’s unclear what led up to the alleged confrontation. Even given Brown’s history of violent outbursts, it’s difficult to imagine he would just up and repeatedly beat a person over the head with a liquor bottle for no discernable reason while the unsuspecting victim was waiting for a greeting from a years-long friend. TMZ reported that the news site reached out to Brown’s representatives, but has not heard back from them.
At any rate, Diaw is suing for unspecified damages, and he claims he’s suffered emotional distress and trauma after enduring what he says might be permanent injuries.
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Source: Paras Griffin / Getty
Singer, songwriter and actress Keri Hilson hasn’t had much of a presence on the music scene in more than a decade. Sure, the “Pretty Girl Rock” singer has been in the news in recent years for things you really don’t want to be in the news for—such as caping for Donald Trump and spreading COVID-19 misinformation—but fans haven’t been getting the news they really want, which is the release date for a new album.
Well, apparently, that may be changing soon as she renewed hope for her loyal fans during a new episode of Tank and J. Valentine’s R&B Money podcast.
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Now, earlier this year, Hilson teased fans with a promise of a third studio album during an appearance on the Behind the Mask podcast. She also talked a little about what was taking so long.
“I can say that [the new album] answers questions,” Hilson said, Hi Hop DX reported. “I can say that I’m proud of it. And I can say that there were a couple of false starts. They were not all me! There was some like, I don’t know, fake PR or like fans would craft fake press releases and tweets.
“But there have been false starts and right before my dad died, that was definitely one that I was responsible for because that’s what I was planning to do and then that happened,” she continued. “But I feel like I’m closer now.”
Yeah—so that was back in February. During the R&B Money episode, which aired Saturday, Hilson was still pretty vague about when her first album since 2010’s No Boys Allowed would be available and about why there’s been so many delays, but she did make it clear her and her team has every intention of releasing a new project.
“It took a second; a lot of things happened that prevented it,” she said. “I blame it on one thing, but really it was years of a struggle. I fought through that, but I’m free, and I’m ready.”
“We’re starting to take meetings to figure out how we want to do this thing [and] where we want to do this thing,” she added.
Welp, we’ll see what happens, but hopefully, Hilson and her people have gotten it together and we can expect the talented R&B songstress to hit us with some new work very soon.
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Kid Cudi is set to add his creative talent to the Black comic book world with Moon Man, which HipHopDX describes as “a superhero saga being marketed as a contemporary reimagining of Miracleman.”
Over the weekend, the Cleveland rapper unveiled the project, which is set for release on Jan. 31, 2024, at New York Comic Con. For Moon Man, Kid Cudi, born Scott Ramon Seguro Mescudi, teamed up with artist and director Kyle Higgins.
“I’ve been secretly workin on this for over a year and it’s finally happening,” the “Day ‘n’ Nite” rapper posted on Instagram. I’m so f*ckin hype for u all to dive in. If you’re into comics, my hope is that this will be your new obsession. Lot of love and hard work went into this, I am so proud to finally reveal my baby to the world.
Told y’all I was cookin up something special, in a world you’ve never seen me in,” he continued. “MAD SOLAR taken over mane!! Love to IMAGE Comics team for riding (with) me on this one and believing in my vision.”
Listen: In an industry that is still hurting for more Black writers and illustrators, witnessing the launch of a comic series by a prominent Black creative has to warm the hearts of blerds everywhere. But it’s not the only new move the “Cudi Zone” artist is making with fellow creatives.
From HipHopDX:
In more music adjacent news, Cudi teamed up with friend and longtime collaborator NIGO to create a new clothing line earlier this month.
In the beginning of October, the Cleveland rapper took to Instagram to announce WZRD CWBY, “a new brand by Scott Ramon Seguro Mescudi, in collaboration with @nigo,” which he said would be “coming soon,” though no date was given.
He added that it was “Made in Tokyo,” though whether that was referring to the products themselves or the location of the brand’s headquarters is unclear.
This is Cudi’s second clothing line of 2023. He launched Members of the Rage this past summer at a department store in London. Billed as “90s grunge with the soul of hip hop and elements from a distant future,” Cudi originally planned to debut the line in Paris in 2022.
Recording artist, actor, comic book author, fashion designer—is there anything Kid Cudi doesn’t do, besides suffer the homophobic nonsense of fools?
Salute!
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Source: @JustInMyView / R1 Digital
Tekashi 6ix9ine was arrested in the Dominican Republic Sunday after the rapper, who suffered a beatdown at an LA Fitness in Florida earlier this year, allegedly dished out a beatdown of his own on music producers who were apparently in the company of his girlfriend.
According to TMZ, 6ix9ine, born Daniel Hernandez, was taken into custody Sunday night at the Hotel Balcones del Atlántico in Sánchez in the province of Samaná by La Vega prosecutor Aura Luv Garcia, who is leading the investigation into the case. Video footage circling around social media shows the chaotic scene that erupted when the “GOOBA” rapper arrived at the DR jail.
From TMZ:
Tekashi’s reportedly been accused of beating up music producers in the country with a handful of other men … after allegedly getting into it over his new girlfriend, Yailin.
Reports say Yailin was in the studio when 6ix9ine showed up with his crew — and the rapper was allegedly jealous of the producers spending time with his girl.Tekashi reportedly tried flying out of the country after the incident, but the charter company followed protocol and checked with immigration for any outstanding warrants — resulting in the rapper bailing on the plane idea.
This is 6ix9ine’s second arrest in the last few months as he was also arrested in Florida in August for skipping a court date.
It’s worth pointing out that someone who can’t stop getting into legal trouble and is known for snitching in order to get himself out of legal trouble should probably be steered clear from if one happens to be a friend of his who dabbles in illegal activity. Just saying.
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Apparently, actress and model Julia Fox just can’t stop spilling the beans about her short-lived relationship with forever-embattled Hip-Hop icon Ye aka Kanye West. Fox has already blabbed about how she only dated Ye to keep him from harassing Kim Kardashian and about how their relationship lacked sex.
Now, Julia Fox has revealed in a memoir released Tuesday (Oct. 10), that during their brief fling, Ye once casually offered to pay for her to get a “boob job.”
From HuffPost:
She said the moment happened while the pair were hanging out in a hotel room and playing a card game.
“We spend the day playing Uno and a game that involves highlighting positive words in the dictionary,” Fox wrote in her book, titled “Down the Drain.”
That’s when the Grammy-winning rapper allegedly told her out of the blue, “I’ll get you a boob job if you want.”
But Fox wasn’t feeling the offer.
“His words stick to me like a piece of lint on my clothes, and I can’t shake off the uncomfortable feeling,” she wrote.
Last month, Fox told the Los Angeles Times she felt “weaponized” by Ye against Kardashian, who was dating comedian Pete Davidson at the time, and we all remember how that mostly one-sided feud went.
“I just felt like his little puppet,” Fox said.
Well, now, the “puppet” is pulling her own strings and acting as her own very chatty ventriloquist. Apparently, a lot happened (and didn’t happen) during the Ye and Fox romance that lasted less than two months.
Of course, it wouldn’t be terribly surprising if Ye did up and offer to buy his then-girlfriend new boobs out of the blue. This is the guy who, last year, was accused of inappropriately showing pornographic photos to employees at adidas, a company the “Jesus Walks” rapper had a very public falling out with last year.
Apparently, there are few things in this world that are more shaky than a relationship with Ye, be it business or personal.
Just—wow.