Music
Diddy Wants to Drop Producer’s Lawsuit, Says It’s Full of ‘Blatant Lies’
Sean “Diddy” Combs asked a federal judge on Monday to dismiss a lawsuit filed by a music producer that accused the music mogul of broad sexual abuse and other inappropriate conduct.
The February lawsuit filed by Rodney “Lil Rod” Jones — one of several filed against Combs up to now yr — is riddled with “extraordinary tales,” “blatant theatrics,” “legally meaningless allegations” and “blatant lies” intended only to “generate a media frenzy and use it to force a settlement,” according to a motion to dismiss filed in federal court in New York.
According to the motion, the case fails to show that Jones has legal standing to bring the lawsuit, lacks essential details equivalent to the time and site of the events described, and “fails to state a single viable claim.”
When Jones filed his lawsuit in February, several lawsuits had already been filed accusing Combs of sexual harassment and other forms of abuse, however the circumstances surrounding the hip-hop star have since turn out to be even grimmer.
In March, simultaneous raids on Combs’ homes in Florida and California led to the revelation that he was the topic of an ongoing federal sex trafficking investigation.
And in May, CNN aired a 2016 hotel security video showing him punching, kicking and dragging R&B singer Cassie, who was his protégé and longtime girlfriend on the time. The incident closely matched the outline in a lawsuit she filed in November that was settled the subsequent day but drew intense scrutiny of Combs.
Days after the video aired, Combs posted an apology video on social media, saying he was “truly sorry” and that his behavior was “inexplicable.”
Featured Stories
Jones’s sprawling lawsuit, which also names Combs’ son and several other of his associates as defendants, describes a yr Jones spent in Los Angeles and Miami as a music mogul preparing to release an album due in 2022 and 2023.
Jones says he witnessed — and in lots of cases audiotaped — lots of of hours of illegal drug and sexual intercourse by Combs and people around him. Combs’ Monday filing says it’s “replete with incredible tales of impropriety” but “contains very few allegations about Jones other than the allegation that Combs failed to pay a producer for his work.”
Combs alleges that the lawsuit is an attempt to portray the trade dispute as a broad criminal conspiracy led by Combs without presenting any substantial evidence.
Jones also claims Combs tried to solicit sex from him, groped him, forced him to use prostitutes and pressured him to have sex with them.
However, the motion filed by Combs’ attorneys says that “Jones failed to state the most basic facts, such as the location and time the alleged assault occurred or what allegedly happened,” and failed to present evidence that Jones was coerced in a way that made him a victim.
The Associated Press doesn’t typically name individuals who say they’ve been sexually assaulted unless they admit it publicly, as Jones and Cassie did.
Other than what was captured on hotel security footage of Cassie, Combs has completely denied the allegations made within the lawsuits against him.
“Let’s be clear. I did not do any of the horrible things that have been accused of me,” he said in a post in December.
Music
Mariah Carey wasn’t always sure about making a Christmas album. “Merry Christmas” turns 30 this month
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Mariah Carey is comfortable that it has grow to be culturally synonymous with Christmas — thanks partly to its longevity her iconic song “All I Want for Christmas Is You” and its ubiquity yearly when the vacations come around.
However, the Grammy Award winner admits that she was initially unsure about recording a Christmas album when her label approached her. “I was a little apprehensive,” she says, reflecting on her album “Merry Christmas,” which saw her turn 30 this month.
Ahead of her performance at Sunday’s American Music Awards and her upcoming holiday tour, which begins in November, Carey spoke to The Associated Press about the recommendation she would give to young artists rising to fame and using her song “Always Be My Baby, Ari Aster Horror comedy 2023, “Beau’s scared.”
The interview has been edited for clarity and brevity.
AP: What was it like celebrating the just about twentieth anniversary of “The Emancipation of Mimi” and reflecting on the legacy of the album?
CAREY: I believe “The Emancipation of Mimi” is certainly one of my albums that pushed some boundaries, and I used to be really comfortable about that because obviously I had to return back. And yes, it was a comeback. But it’s certainly one of my favorite albums. Celebrating it this 12 months and celebrating “Mimi” was really fun because I had never done those songs. I never do them. And this time I did it.
AP: Because of this type of underdog feeling, did you are feeling a creative freedom and strength that you could not have felt before?
CAREY: Yes, I feel like people were able to embrace me again. And you realize how I felt about it? I mean, I feel just like the album “Charmbracelet” was also a excellent album, though not everyone knew it. Well, you realize, when “We Belong Together” got here out after “It’s Like That,” which didn’t do as well, but still did pretty much. Whatever.
AP: “It’s Like That” is a great song.
CAREY: It’s a good song. And I really like doing it. You know, I am going through different stages with these albums. That’s interesting.
AP: Your first Christmas album, “Merry Christmas,” turns 30 this month. This was obviously a formative record for you and your profession. Do you remember anything from its beginnings?
CAREY: So the record company said, (*30*) And I said, “I don’t know if I should at this point.” Because, you realize, I used to be very young, I used to be just starting out, and I felt that folks made Christmas albums later in life. But now people have began doing it at any time, like at the height of their profession. I mean, how did I feel? I used to be a little concerned, after which I said, “I love it.” And I arrange a studio and just had a great time.
AP: Chappell Roan made headlines when she talked about how she was battling sudden fame. As someone who has been in the general public eye for therefore long, do you’ve gotten any advice for young artists who’re battling this issue?
CAREY: Well, I’ve been through a lot of drama, and it is not fun since you grow up pondering, “I want to be famous.” I mean, it was really always like, “I want to be a singer. I want to write songs.” But “I Want to Be Famous” was right up my alley. I believe it was probably because I didn’t feel like I used to be ok due to the things I went through growing up. And that is not a good technique to feel, you realize?
But my advice is this: try as hard as you may to enter this industry with love to your talent and what is actually real for you. You know, if it’s like, “I would like to be famous. I would like to run with these people, whoever they’re, famous people,” that is probably not the most effective idea.
AP: Have you seen “Beau Is Afraid” by Ari Aster? with Joaquin Phoenix?
CAREY: Yes. I needed to approve it. I assumed it was an interesting way they used my song “Always Be My Baby.” It was interesting. I mean, it didn’t really fit the movie, but you realize, I got nervous, like, “You know, OK, that’s fine.” This was completely different. I mean, I wasn’t reluctant, but I assumed, “This is something completely different than I’ve ever experienced.”
Music
Whitney Houston’s Epic 1994 South Africa Performance to Be Released as Concert Film
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Whitney Houston The epic South African concert, which took place on the heels of President Nelson Mandela’s groundbreaking election, will hit cinemas this fall.
Houston’s 1994 performance was fully remastered and released in cinemas under the title “The Concert for a New South Africa (Durban)” according to a press release released Tuesday by several associates, including Houston’s heirs, Sony Music Entertainment and Trafalgar Releasing.
The limited theatrical release will begin on October 23 and can include: a never-before-seen performance by the late singer from Durban, South Africa. The project will precede a brand new live album, The Concert for a New South Africa (Durban) , which will probably be released on November 8.
“She loved South Africa, she loved the people and she loved Nelson Mandela,” he said. Pat HoustonThe singer’s sister-in-law and executor of her estate in Houston, who’s executive producing the concert film. “This concert is one of the most important concerts of her career. On this important 30th anniversary, we are thrilled to be able to share this film not only with her fans, but also with the people of South Africa and their next generation.”
In 1994, Houston performed three concert events in South Africa, including Durban at Kings Park Stadium, Johannesburg and Cape Town. Her performances took place within the newly unified post-apartheid country following Mandela’s historic election victory.
Music
The concert events attracted over 200,000 attendees in a show crammed with celebrations of freedom, hope and unity. Proceeds from her concert events went to quite a few local kid’s charities in South Africa through her foundation.
Houston’s performance has been remastered in 4K for the film, together with enhanced audio. The concert film will probably be shown in nearly 900 theaters in greater than 25 countries.
“It was my first time in South Africa, and I don’t think I was really prepared for how this trip would change me forever,” said Rickey Minor, a three-time Emmy Award winner who served as Houston’s musical director for 25 years. “The energy was electric and the audience was incredible as we celebrated the end of apartheid. Whitney shared her love and shone her light.”
Earlier that yr, Houston won three Grammy Awards, including album of the yr for the soundtrack to “The Bodyguard.” She won record of the yr and best female pop vocal performance for the smash hit “ I will always love you.”
Houston was certainly one of the world’s best-selling artists thanks to her effortless, powerful vocals rooted within the black church but made palatable to the masses by her pop persona. She sold greater than 200 million records worldwide over her 25-year profession and won six Grammy Awards, 16 Billboard Music Awards and two Emmys before her death in 2012.
Houston’s live album will feature a few of her biggest hits from ” I need to dance with someone (who loves me)” How will I do know?” I even have nothing “And” The greatest love of all It will also feature the unreleased song “Love Is”.
“The message of hope and unity from the performance in Durban, South Africa, is still as relevant today as it was 30 years ago,” said Marc Allenby, CEO of Trafalgar Releasing. “Fans will be thrilled to see how powerful it is on the big screen.”
Music
Yolanda Adams is still dealing with the blessing with ‘Sunny Days,’ her first studio album in almost 13 years
NEW YORK (AP) — If happiness is a journey, not a destination, then Yolanda Adams has used her faith and smiles to sustain her spirits through life’s ups and downs.
“I think I was born with that happiness gene that people talk about,” the gospel star said. “I want people to leave here feeling like they’re better than they are… I’ve had days when I’ve been up, I’ve had days when I’ve been down. But at the end of the day, the one lesson I’ve learned in every single one of those scenarios is that this too shall pass.”
That theme continues throughout her latest album, “Sunny Days,” her first studio project in nearly 13 years.
“The way you look at anything has a lot to do with how you deal with it,” said the booming-voiced four-time Grammy Award winner.
The 15-track project was six years in the making, delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic and her role in the television series “Kingdom Business”.
“Sunny Days” is a piece written and produced by gospel music giant Donald Lawrence and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame members Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewiswhose work on Babyface also contributed to the delay. The album is promoted by the song “Church Doors”, which after only one week reached number 9 on Billboard magazine’s Hot Gospel Songs chart.
As he has throughout his profession, Adams uses his musical gift of encouragement on songs like the title track “Blessings” and “Powerful,” which has a spoken-word intro: (*13*)
“I try to be the best cheerleader I can be for everyone in my life,” the former elementary school teacher said. “You know how The Lion King says, ‘Simba, remember who you are.’ That’s what it’s all about: You are powerful.”
“When We Pray” – Produced by Jam and Lewis, who rose to fame after working with stars including Janet Jackson, Babyface, Usher and Mary J. Blige — it’s about putting faith into motion. Adams says she has a “lifelong bond” with the duo.
“We write together. We laugh, we cry,” said Adams, 63. “We talk about the problems of the world together and how we can create great music that can make people not only aware of the blessings of their lives but aware of the space they’re in right now.”
Named the #1 Gospel Artist of the 2000s by Billboard, Adams has produced iconic hits resembling “The Battle is the Lord’s,” “I’m Gonna Be Ready,” “In the Midst of It All” and “Be Blessed,” in addition to hits with Jam and Lewis: “Never Give Up” and “Open My Heart,” the latter from her Grammy Award-winning 1999 album Mountain High … Valley Low.
“Open My Heart,” which the late Luther Vandross privately championed when his record company desired to release a special single, reached unprecedented heights, crossing over to R&B radio and peaking at No. 57 on Billboard’s Hot 100.
“I was in the middle of making a business decision that didn’t just affect my family. It affected everyone on the road with me,” Adams said, reflecting on the inspiration for the song. “I’m sitting here today because I made the right decision.”
The Texas Southern graduate starred in the BET+ drama Kingdom Business, currently in its second season, as Denita, a gospel star and music executive determined to guard her family’s secrets. While Adams enjoys playing a personality who is very different from herself, she says it’s been a challenge for some fans.
“I lost a couple of fans who were like, ‘You didn’t have to swear,’” she explained that while she had no input into the script, her character is believable because churchgoers aren’t perfect. “When people are dealing with life, it can make you say things you wouldn’t normally say. And I really hope people take away from ‘Kingdom Business’ this: If you were the person you were trying to judge… how would you feel?”
Adams is currently on the 33-date Kirk Franklin Reunion Tour, which features fellow gospel titans Fred Hammond, Marvin Sapp and The Clark Sisters. While gospel has all the time been her passion, she is open to performing a secular R&B song and has spoken to Stevie Wonder a few duet and helping him with a possible gospel project.
For now, nonetheless, she is focused on getting the message of her book “Sunny Days” across, but she won’t measure its success by the variety of copies sold, but by the variety of hearts touched.
“When I hear your testimony and hear how music was a part of your life, it just makes me more accountable: ‘Yes, I have to keep making this music! I have to keep making good music! OK God, give me some good things so I can keep blessing people.'”
Featured Stories
-
Press Release6 months ago
CEO of 360WiSE Launches Mentorship Program in Overtown Miami FL
-
Business and Finance4 months ago
The Importance of Owning Your Distribution Media Platform
-
Press Release6 months ago
U.S.-Africa Chamber of Commerce Appoints Robert Alexander of 360WiseMedia as Board Director
-
Business and Finance7 months ago
360Wise Media and McDonald’s NY Tri-State Owner Operators Celebrate Success of “Faces of Black History” Campaign with Over 2 Million Event Visits
-
Ben Crump7 months ago
The families of George Floyd and Daunte Wright hold an emotional press conference in Minneapolis
-
Ben Crump7 months ago
Henrietta’s family does not plan to sue pharmaceutical companies that claim to profit from her cancer cells
-
Theater6 months ago
Applications open for the 2020-2021 Soul Producing National Black Theater residency – Black Theater Matters
-
Ben Crump7 months ago
Henrietta Lacks’ family members reach an agreement after her cells undergo advanced medical tests