Monday, June 3, 2024

Weekly Entertainment News


Federal Investigators Convene Grand Jury in Diddy Case

Diddy's legal troubles are getting even worse as a grand jury has reportedly been empaneled to hear evidence in his federal probe, indicating he could face a possible criminal indictment.

CNN published a story Wednesday morning, saying the Justice Department is moving forward in its investigation of the music mogul by notifying witnesses they could testify before the grand jury in the Southern District of New York, according to two sources familiar with the situation.

Some of the potential witnesses would likely be Diddy's accusers who have filed lawsuits against him for sexual assault, human trafficking and other serious offenses. So far, Diddy has been named in 8 lawsuits, including the most notable one brought by his former girlfriend, Cassie, which they settled quickly.

In case you're in the dark, grand juries -- comprised of average citizens -- often signal that an investigation has moved from the preliminary stage to a new phase in which prosecutors present evidence and witness testimony to the jurors, among other things. The grand jury ultimately votes on whether to criminally charge a defendant.



Cardi B Defends Porn After Candace Owens Calls For All-Out Ban

Cardi B doesn't want any WAP censored on her timeline -- 'cause she's sticking up for XXX content ... this after Candace Owens proposed it should be completely illegal.

Candace recently called for a pornography ban on her X account, arguing its true intentions were to psychologically control and weaken men -- and amid all the pushback, Cardi herself chimed in with her opinion ... and as it turns out, she's very pro-porn.

Cardi's thoughts on the subject came courtesy of an IG comment she left on a blog that published Candace's recent tweet about this ... and it's clear CB wants to keep porn around.

She wrote, "Ommmggg why yall so against porn ? Is it that bad for yall ? I enjoy it but I don't know I guess is like a 6 time a year thing. I personally don't feel no connection or addiction to it just a little quick one two ... NOTHING LIKE REAL INTIMACY!"

Another comment she left shed more light on how she thinks porn is actually helpful -- especially for dudes. From her POV ... it can teach 'em a thing or two about pleasing women.

Of course ... Cardi herself isn't one to shy away from explicit content, either online or in her music. She's got a whole song about her vagina, and another song about her booty/boobs.



Angel Reese Fined By WNBA After Caitlin Clark Cheap Shot Game


Angel Reese has been fined by the WNBA after the Chicago Sky's game against the Indiana Fever ... but, it's not for what most fans might think.

The league announced a fine for the rookie for skipping media obligations postgame ... dinging her $1,000 for not making herself available to reporters. They've also fined the Sky $5k.

Of course, Angel clearly applauded a cheap shot foul her teammate Chennedy Carter hit Clark with during the game Saturday, and some may have thought the league would reprimand her for that ... but, so far, that's not the case.

There's been tension between Angel and Caitlin in recent months, despite AR once assuring the public her beef with Clark existed only within the confines of the court. The loss to the Fever seemed to really upset Reese -- who makes just shy of $74k a year, not including endorsements -- and, she blew off reporters.


Rihanna Humble Brags After Becoming Most Diamond-Certified Female Artist

Rihanna has yet another reason to tack on that "Queen" title in front of her name ... she now holds the record for most Diamond-stamped releases, according to the RIAA.

On Friday, RiRi and Roc Nation were showered with a slew of new plaques -- including Diamond certifications for her Jay-Z-assisted "Umbrella," the Drake-featured "Work," as well as her classic tracks "Needed Me" and "Stay."

Rihanna had previously been tied at 3 Diamond releases with several other female megastars but talked that talk reacting to the news on X ... she declared "Ain’t no back n forth."

In other words, that means EVERYONE is in her rearview mirror -- at least in her view -- no matter who you bring up -- and she's kinda rubbing it in people's faces.



Eminem Jabs Megan Thee Stallion, R. Kelly, Transgenders in 'Houdini' Video

Eminem didn't spare anyone's feelings on his first single which signals the last of his Slim Shady character -- he went after Dr. Dre, his own kids and even Megan Thee Stallion on this one.

On Friday, Em dropped both his newest single "Houdini" and the lyrics/visuals are exactly what you'd expect from hip hop's biggest-selling artist by now -- and so are the jabs that he fired off ... like the one aimed at MTS, which touched on her Tory Lanez shooting. As of today, the video has 32 million views on YouTube.



Snoop Dogg, Wiz Khalifa, DJ Quik Party At Wife's Strip Club Opening

Snoop Dogg's wife officially opened the doors to her new strip club -- the perfect hub for her hubby and his rap buds to live out their fantasies, which they 100% did on night #1.

TMZ Hip Hop obtained footage from inside The Players Club grand opening Wednesday night in L.A. ... Snoop can be seen in his natural element as the life of the party, posing for pictures and making it rain on every dancer that came his way.

The Doggfather was later joined by his longtime tour partner Wiz Khalifa for a VIP smoke session and DJ Quik and JasonMartin, who are currently promoting their upcoming "Chupacabra" album, also pulled up -- clearly, they were out there tryna function!!!

DJ Drama and Sky Hi Baby played music from Sexyy Red, Cardi B and GloRilla and our sources also tell us Tiffany Haddish, Too Short, Real 92.3's Big Boy, Death Row co-president Harry-O, Snoop's son Cordell, Yukmouth, Nhale, L.A. Miles and more were also in the building ... making it hurricane dollar bills all over the place, dancers included.

Snoop's wife, Boss Lady, showed up last night too alongside "P-Valley" actress Brandee Evans to host a contest for the sexiest dancer in the room -- and it was quite a sight.



BOW WOW THREATENS TO EXPOSE RAPPERS WHO OWE HIM MONEY: 'DON'T LET 'LIKE MIKE' FOOL YOU'


Bow Wow has issued a stern warning to his rap peers who owe him money.

On Thursday (May 30), the rapper and actor fired off a strongly-worded post on X (formerly Twitter) threatening to expose those who are in debt to him.

“yo! yall think 50 [Cent] gotta long list of rappers owing hiM MONEY??!!!” he wrote. “IMA START NAMING RAPPERS THAT OWE ME AND BEEN RUNNING OFF WITH THE PAPE FOR 3 yrs!

Referencing the 2002 basketball film he starred in as a teen, Bow Wow added: “Dont let that like mike shit fool you! I WANT MY MONEY!!!! ima start naming u n-ggas.”

Despite his grievances with some of those in the rap game, Bow Wow has been accused of swindling money himself.

Last year, the “Let Me Hold You” hitmaker was sued for $15,000 by a 10-year-old girl whose family claimed she paid for a feature that she never received.

According to court documents obtained by The Neighborhood Talk, the girl in question allegedly paid Bow Wow $3,000 via Cash App for a feature, and while he accepted the money, her family claimed that he never held up his end of the bargain.

“Based on the foregoing and as a direct consequence of Defendant’s actions and failures, Plaintiff’s total damages, including costs and attorney’s fees, amount to $15,000,” the documents read.

Bow Wow denied the claims, writing on social media: “D pippin done got yall again huh? [laughing emoji] i dont conduct business on apps. I do NOT use or have cash app. So if you aint call management and send a wire .. you def was NOT dealing w me.

“Be careful who yall send yalls money to online. This happens everyday to folks. This the 3rd time somebody acting like me catfishing people.”


Snoop Dogg and Master P Sue Walmart and Post Over Alleged Snoop Cereal Sabotage

*A cereal created by Snoop Dogg and Master P is at the center of a lawsuit filed against Walmart and Post. The rappers, who are represented by civil rights attorney Ben Crump, accuse the companies of sabotaging Snoop Cereal by intentionally leaving the breakfast product off shelves and hiding it in stockrooms, NPR reports.

The legal action is a significant barrier to Snoop and P’s objective for Snoop Cereal to add diversity to the food industry while “inspiring and creating opportunities” for minority-owned products and brands. Snoop Cereal is part of a string of products aligned with Snoop and Master P’s company Broadus Foods, which was created in 2022.

Chronicling circumstances leading to the lawsuit, the 34-page lawsuit, filed in February, detailed initial friction when Post Consumer Brands attempted to outright buy Broadus Foods after Snoop and Master P approached the company to gain support for Snoop Cereal. how Post Consumer Brands. The attempt resulted in a thumbs down from the pair who believed accepting Post’s offer would “destroy the whole purpose of leaving the company to their families.”

A partnership promotion agreement with Broadus Foods later happened at the suggestion of Post. Under the agreement, the companies would work together to manufacture, market, distribute, and sell Snoop Cereal in December 2022.

According to the lawsuit, Post would split profits from the venture with Broadus Foods.

Master P and Snoop argue that hopes for the alliance were dashed by Post not honoring the initial agreement. In their eyes, the food manufacturer “pretended to be on board” with their goals and did not treat the cereal like “one of its own brands.”

“…Post entered a false arrangement where they could choke Broadus Foods out of the market, thereby preventing Snoop Cereal from being sold or produced by any competitor,” the lawsuit said.

Going back to 2023, the suit claimed Snoop Cereal was nowhere to be found in “many” Walmart stores across the U.S., months after its launch last July. The product’s disappearance was a stark contrast to the unchallenged availability of other Post-brand cereals.

Despite Snoop Cereal being listed as “sold out” or “out of stock,” the lawsuit alleges several boxes of the cereal were found in stockrooms by store employees. Adding further complication was claims the boxes were “coded to not be put out on the store shelves.”

As a result, Snoop and Master P say Broadus Foods suffered financial losses as well as a damaged reputation considering Walmart and Post‘s decision to halt Snoop Cereal’s availability on a wide scale to customers.




NICKI MINAJ WASN’T ARRESTED BECAUSE OF HER RACE, SAY DUTCH POLICE

Nicki Minaj‘s claim that her recent arrest was racially motivated has been refuted by the Dutch police.

The NOS is reporting that the police issued a statement on Friday (May 30) claiming that the “Starships” rapper’s arrest was routine, and would have been done regardless of her fame or race.

“It’s annoying if she experienced it that way,” a rep for the Amsterdam police department said to the outlet. “We arrested her when we found dozens of joints in her luggage. The lady was released four hours after arrest in consultation with the public prosecutor, and after paying a fine. I think that it all went very smoothly. It’s annoying that she drew that card.”

A spokesperson for the Dutch police also told the BBC: “We just do our job, and it is protocol to search luggage and arrest a person when we find drugs. The arrest was around 5:30 p.m., the release at 9:30 p.m. We stand for a professional organization that treats everybody equal, no matter what.”