Author: alaskaadmin

The Gathering for Justice, the social justice organization founded by the late Harry Belafonte, celebrated its 20th Anniversary Gala, 20 Years of Impact, last night (Oct. 13) in New York City, honoring some of the most influential voices in activism, art and community building.

Hosted by an uncharacteristically hilarious, rhyme reciting Dr. Michael Eric Dyson, the sold-out evening paid tribute to Belafonte’s enduring legacy and also celebrated two decades of movement-building under the leadership of President and CEO Carmen Perez-Jordan. Jordan is stepping away from her role at the organization. So it was fitting that he event also mobilized support for the organization’s next phase of advocacy centered on racial equality, youth empowerment and systemic reform.

Among the honorees were Desiree Perez, CEO of Roc Nation, who received the Harry Belafonte Social Justice Award; legendary actor and activist Danny Glover, recipient of the Legacy of Justice Award; and Zakiyah Shaakir-Ansari, Co-Executive Director of the Alliance for Quality Education, who accepted the Gathering in Community Award. The latter was a distinction first bestowed upon The Exonerated Five.

This year’s gala coincided with Indigenous Peoples’ Day, symbolizing the organization’s commitment to truth, accountability and inclusion across all communities.

Desiree Perez received a standing ovation after she delivered a stirring acceptance speech that reflected on purpose, perseverance and the legacy of Harry Belafonte.

“When I received this humbling request to accept this award, I was in a moment of questioning my purpose in social justice work,” Perez said. “I was asking myself: Am I truly making a difference? Does my work have any impact? Do people understand my intent — or is it simply not enough? Do I even have the time? Talk about divinity — you saved my spirit.”

She continued, “This isn’t just about a 9-to-5 or raising funds. It’s about everything we do daily… how I run my company, how I conduct business, and the essence and principles behind my choices and words. Everything counts, regardless of its size.”

Perez reflected on her organization’s collaboration with the NFL, the creation of the United Justice Coalition, and her pride in winning an Emmy for Outstanding Variety Special (Live) alongside the first Black rapper (Kendrick Lamar) to ever headline a Super Bowl halftime show produced by a Black- and Brown-led team.

READ ALSO: Kendrick Lamar Snags Second Emmy For Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show Performance

“Then I learned that Harry Belafonte was the first Black performer to win an Emmy and it was for his variety special, bringing everything full circle for me,” she said. “This work isn’t about being invited to the table or how you get there. It’s much bigger than any one of us. However you show up, as long as you do, we will weaken the walls of injustice.”

Perez closed with a quote from Belafonte that encapsulated the evening’s spirit:

“I’m not quite sure precisely when social and political activism became a visible brand of my DNA, but it seems to me that I was born into it. It is hard to be born into the experience in the world of poverty and not develop some instinct for survival and resistance to those things that oppress you.”

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20 Years of Impact

Founded in 2005 after Belafonte witnessed the handcuffing of a five-year-old Black girl in a Florida classroom, The Gathering for Justice continues to unite communities, influence policy, and hold law enforcement accountable. Through mentorship and strategic advocacy, the organization empowers youth to become agents of change in their own communities.

“Our work is rooted in the belief that we must act collectively to influence change and hold institutions accountable,” Perez-Jordan said. “From mobilizing young people to challenging inequities in the justice system, our movement continues to honor Mr. Belafonte’s vision of justice grounded in love, courage, and unity.”

Despite ongoing challenges, from funding cuts to political intimidation, The Gathering for Justice remains steadfast. As Perez-Jordan emphasized, “In these moments of uncertainty, we do what we know best: we fight back.”

Click here for more information or to support: https://www.gatheringforjustice.org

Here are some images provided by AllHipHop CEO Chuck “Jigsaw” Creekmur, who was in attendance.

​AllHipHop

Rod Wave Responds to Lawsuit With Bribery Allegations

Rod Wave is pushing back against a $27 million lawsuit by accusing concert promoter Grizzly Touring of bribery, breach of contract and mismanagement tied to his 2024 “Last Lap” tour. The Florida-based rapper, whose legal name is Rodarius Green, filed a formal response in court denying all claims and alleging the promoter tried to manipulate him into what he described as “indentured servitude.”

At the core of the dispute is a failed arena tour deal that collapsed after Wave canceled 9 of the 35 scheduled shows. Grizzly claims it advanced more than $57 million to cover the tour’s costs, including a $40.25 million guarantee to the rapper. The company says it’s now owed over $27 million in damages.

“Rod Wave refuses to pay Grizzly a single penny of the more than $27 million he owes,” Grizzly’s attorney Pravin Patel said in court documents, as reported by AllHipHop.

Promoter Claims Tour Losses and Contract Violations

Grizzly Touring alleges that Rod Wave used a portion of the advance to fund luxury purchases, including real estate and private flights, while failing to fulfill his full tour obligations. The company also accuses Wave of violating an exclusivity clause by announcing new solo performances through his own company, Hit House Entertainment, which they say directly breached their agreement.

In addition to seeking financial damages, Grizzly wants a court order to prevent Wave from launching future tours without their involvement.

Rod Wave Says Promoter Sabotaged Tour

Rod Wave’s legal team paints a different picture. In his filing, the rapper says Grizzly and its production partner, 360 Production, rescheduled shows without his input, leading to logistical issues and harming his reputation. He argues that those decisions—not his cancellations—caused the tour to unravel.

He also disputes the $27 million figure, stating it’s inflated and not supported by the contract. According to his side, he earned nearly $30 million from the shows he did perform and has no obligation to return unused funds.

Wave further argues that the exclusivity and “right of first refusal” clauses in the agreement are legally unenforceable under Florida law, especially since Grizzly allegedly failed to meet its responsibilities.

Bribery Claim at Center of Legal Counterattack

The most serious charge in Rod Wave’s response involves an alleged bribery attempt. He claims Grizzly tried to sneak unauthorized terms into the contract by offering secret payments to his agent. According to the filing, that effort failed, and the current lawsuit is retaliation for his refusal to accept the altered terms.

Wave and Hit House Entertainment are now asking the court to void the contract entirely and eliminate any remaining obligations tied to the failed tour.

​AllHipHop

Beyoncé honored the legacy of late R&B luminary D’Angelo with a heartfelt tribute on Tuesday following news of his death, calling him a trailblazer whose artistry reshaped modern soul music.

The Houston-born superstar shared a message on her website praising the four-time Grammy winner’s influence on rhythm and blues. “We thank you for your beautiful music, your voice, your proficiency on the piano, your artistry,” she wrote. “You were the pioneer of neo-soul and that changed and transformed rhythm & blues forever. We will never forget you.”

D’Angelo, born Michael Eugene Archer, died Tuesday, though no cause of death has been publicly confirmed. He was 50.

Tributes flooded social media as artists and entertainers paid their respects to the “Untitled (How Does It Feel)” singer, whose impact on the neo-soul movement of the late ’90s and early 2000s remains undeniable.

Missy Elliott urged followers to keep D’Angelo’s son, Michael Archer Jr., in their thoughts.

Rest Peacefully D’Angelo
No parent want to see their children go but it’s painful for children to see their parents go to so send prayers up for his son who also lost his mom this year for strength pic.twitter.com/XDIRSskF08

— Missy Elliott (@MissyElliott) October 14, 2025

The child also lost his mother, singer Angie Stone, earlier this year. “No parent want to see their children go but it’s painful for children to see their parents go,” Elliott wrote. “So send prayers up for his son who also lost his mom this year for strength. Rest Peacefully D’Angelo.”

Jamie Foxx shared his grief on Instagram, reflecting on D’Angelo’s musical genius and his signature presence. “God doesn’t make mistakes, but this hurts like hell. Rest up my friend,” Foxx wrote. “I was graciously envious of your style and your swag… I was also in pure awe of your talents… roaming around on each instrument, displaying your expertise in every note and every song… That’s why today real tears run down my face.”

D’Angelo’s 1995 debut album Brown Sugar helped define the neo-soul genre, blending classic soul with modern Hip-Hop production. His follow-up, Voodoo, earned him critical acclaim and a Grammy for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance in 2001.

He had largely stayed out of the public eye in recent years, but his influence remained embedded in the DNA of contemporary R&B.

​AllHipHop

Busta Rhymes Pushes Back In Court

Busta Rhymes has filed a defamation countersuit against his former assistant in Brooklyn federal court, denying claims of assault, harassment and wage theft. The Hip-Hop veteran, born Trevor Smith Jr., called the allegations “false” and retaliatory in a response submitted October 13.

The legal dispute stems from a lawsuit filed by Dashiel Gables, who worked for Smith between July 2024 and January 2025. Gables alleged that Smith physically attacked him, underpaid him and damaged his career in the Hip-Hop industry after he spoke out.

Assault Claim Called Fabricated

Smith’s legal team admitted Gables was employed by Starbus LLC and earned $1,500 per week, but denied all accusations of violence or abuse. The most serious charge—that Smith punched Gables in a Brooklyn lobby in January—was flatly rejected.

According to the filing, “The two were present, but the alleged assault never occurred.”

Defamation Countersuit Targets Public Statements

Smith’s attorneys, led by J. Patrick Butler, filed a countersuit accusing Gables of spreading falsehoods to the press and at a public press conference. The countersuit highlights several claims made by Gables, including that Smith spat on employees, made threats and once forced an assistant to unclog a toilet with his bare hands.

“The foregoing statements are statements of purported fact, not opinion or protected rhetorical hyperbole, and they are false,” Butler wrote. “Smith did not assault or batter Gables, did not ‘routinely assault’ or spit on employees, did not make the alleged threats, and did not commit the other wrongful acts asserted as facts by Gables.”

Smith is seeking compensatory and punitive damages, attorney’s fees and a full retraction of the statements.

@joy.of.everything After the 2025 Grammy’s, we witnessed hip-hop legend Busta Rhymes come undone. At times he was jovial and gracious and at other times aggressive and unhinged. At one point he even smacked my phone. #bustarhymes #grammys ♬ Creepy simple horror ambient(1270589) – howlingindicator

Gables Alleges Toxic Work Environment

Gables’ original complaint, filed August 4 in the Eastern District of New York, paints a grim picture of his time working for the rapper. He described long hours, verbal abuse and humiliating tasks, including the now-infamous toilet incident.

He also claimed he worked 15 to 18 hours a day, seven days a week, for a flat $200 daily rate—without overtime or proper wage documentation.

The complaint alleges that tensions escalated in January 2025, when Smith allegedly punched Gables multiple times for texting his daughter and failing to retrieve food quickly. Gables said he sought medical treatment for facial injuries and filed a police report.

Criminal Charge Followed Police Report

According to NBC News, Smith later surrendered to authorities and was charged with third-degree assault. Gables claims he was blacklisted from the Hip-Hop industry after reporting the incident and is seeking between $6 million and $7 million in damages.

Smith’s countersuit argues that Gables acted with “actual malice” and either knew his statements were false or ignored evidence to the contrary.

“At a minimum, Gables acted negligently in ascertaining the truth,” Butler wrote.

The case is currently assigned to Judge Margo M. Horan in the Eastern District of New York. Both parties are preparing for the discovery phase, which is expected to unfold in the coming months.

​AllHipHop

Kylie Jenner Debuts “Fourth Strike” With Terror Jr

Kylie Jenner entered the music scene from Los Angeles on Monday night with her first official single “Fourth Strike,” a collaboration with Terror Jr that also marked the return of her King Kylie persona. The track premiered on her YouTube channel and reignited years-old rumors about her interest in recording music.

The 28-year-old mogul contributed a whispered “King Kylie” near the end of the song and delivered spoken vocals during the third verse. The mid-tempo R&B; track features lyrics like, “One strike, two strike, let me get the mood right,” and “Touch me, baby, tell me I’m your baby / Write your name all over my body / Cross the line, I might do it again / Do it on purpose just to see how it ends.”

@nssmagazine Kylie Jenner aka King Kylie has finally made her music debut singing the second verse of Terror Jr’s Fourth Strike. What do you think? #kingkylie #kyliejenner #musicdebut #fourthstrike #terrorjr ♬ suono originale – nss magazine

Online Reactions Were Immediate And Divided

The release of “Fourth Strike” triggered a wave of commentary across social media. While some praised Jenner’s surprise drop, others criticized the production and vocals. One user on X, @stargirlhoursx2 , wrote, “How embarrassing King AutoTune.” Another commented, “I think you’re out after 3,” referencing the song’s title.

Jenner teased the track earlier that day on Instagram, posting the cover art and prompting speculation among her followers. The move came as part of a broader return to her 2014-era aesthetic, which included the re-release of several Kylie Cosmetics products from that time.

Jenner’s History With Terror Jr Resurfaces

Jenner’s connection to Terror Jr — the duo of Lisa Vitale and David “Campa” Benjamin Singer-Vine — dates back to 2016. At the time, rumors swirled that she was the mystery vocalist behind their debut single “Three Strikes.” Jenner denied the claims, but the theory never completely faded from public conversation.

With “Fourth Strike,” Jenner appears to lean into the speculation rather than avoid it. The song’s title and her vocal contribution seem to nod at the past without offering a direct confirmation.

The revival of Jenner’s “King Kylie” identity has been building in recent weeks. The term, which references her more experimental and edgy style from nearly a decade ago, has reappeared across her social platforms. Her new music and cosmetics reissues both reflect that nostalgic branding.

​AllHipHop

Grammy-winning rapper Cardi B is speaking out about her fierce protective instincts as a mother, describing herself as a “lioness” when it comes to defending her children in a new interview with Paper Magazine.

“This week I showed the world that I will get the most nasty about mine…I never had to get that nasty for my kids. But I did, and I really feel like a lioness,” Cardi B told Paper Magazine in a recent cover story.

“I will really take it to hell for mines: mentally, physically, anything. And I wouldn’t care,” Cardi B stated, referring to her children Kulture, 6, Wave, 3 and Blossom, whom she shares with estranged husband Offset.

The Bronx-born artist’s comments come amid a renewed public feud with fellow rapper Nicki Minaj that escalated in recent weeks when both artists made personal attacks involving each other’s children.

Nicki Minaj made derogatory comments about Cardi’s daughter, Kulture, calling her “ugly” and a “vulture.”

In response, Cardi B fired back with equally harsh words, calling Nicki Minaj a “sick pathetic loser” and making claims about Minaj’s son’s intellect.

The feud between Cardi B and Nicki Minaj dates back several years, with tensions first becoming public around 2017.

The rivalry reached a physical confrontation at a New York Fashion Week party in 2018, where Cardi B threw a shoe at Minaj. Since then, the two have engaged in periodic social media battles and subtle diss tracks.

The current dispute represents one of the most personal exchanges between the artists, with both crossing traditional boundaries by involving their children in the conflict.

“B####, you don’t move me. You don’t move my thoughts, and you don’t move my f###### day,” Cardi B declared in the Paper Magazine interview, demonstrating the defiant attitude that has defined her public persona.

​AllHipHop

Judge Tossed Lawsuit Over “Country Grammar” Contributions

Nelly secured a legal win in Missouri after a federal judge dismissed a lawsuit filed by Ali of the St. Lunatics and sanctioned his attorneys for pursuing what the court called a baseless case.

Ali Jones, a longtime collaborator and member of Nelly’s Hip-Hop group, sued the rapper for copyright infringement and unjust enrichment. He claimed he was denied credit and compensation for work on Nelly’s 2000 debut album, “Country Grammar.” But U.S. District Judge Audrey G. Fleissig shut down the case, ruling that the claims were either invalid under the law, filed too late or both.

Court Cited Missed Deadline and Bad Faith Filing

The court found that Ali received a letter from Nelly’s legal team in June 2021 clearly stating he was not considered an author and would not be paid. That communication, the judge said, triggered the three-year statute of limitations for a copyright claim. Ali didn’t file his lawsuit until after that window closed.

“Ali’s claims are barred by the statute of limitations,” Judge Fleissig wrote. “He was clearly and expressly informed in June 2021 that he was not considered an author and would not be paid.”

Ali’s attorneys tried to sidestep the timing issue by modifying the complaint and omitting key dates. The court said that tactic showed bad faith.

“The Court finds that Plaintiffs’ counsel acted unreasonably and vexatiously in continuing to pursue claims that were clearly time-barred and preempted,” the ruling stated.

Judge Sanctioned Ali’s Attorneys Over Meritless Case

The court also rejected Ali’s unjust enrichment argument, stating it was essentially a duplicate of the copyright claim, which is not allowed under federal law.

Because the case lacked legal merit, the judge ordered Ali’s lawyers to pay a $1,000 penalty and reimburse Nelly for legal expenses incurred after the original complaint. Ali himself was not fined, but the judge criticized both him and his legal team for pushing forward without a valid basis.

“The Court finds that sanctions are warranted,” the ruling said. “Counsel should have recognized early on that the claims lacked merit.”

Final Ruling Ends Two-Decade Dispute

The judge emphasized that Nelly’s 2021 response left no uncertainty about Ali’s lack of rights to the music in question. The ruling, filed in late April, officially ends Ali’s attempt to claim authorship on songs from “Country Grammar” more than 20 years after its release.

​AllHipHop

Bia dismissed Cardi B’s latest lyrical jab during a Hot 97 interview, telling the Bronx rapper to “go enjoy your pregnancy” and redirecting the spotlight to her debut album, “BIANCA,” dropping October 10.

Bia Responds To Cardi B’s “Pretty & Petty” Verse

During her sit-down with Nessa, Bia addressed Cardi’s pointed lyrics on “Pretty & Petty,” a track from the 2024 album “Am I the Drama?” that reignited their long-running dispute. Bia didn’t mince words.

“Girl, go enjoy your pregnancy,” she said. “I don’t want to get on your ass again, or say something that’s going to hurt your feelings, make me look like the bad guy, because I’m talking about somebody with a baby. Like, no, that’s not the energy I’m on, you know? I don’t want that to come back to me. My mother didn’t raise me to be dragging a pregnant lady.”

A Feud That Started With A Tweet

The tension between the two artists dates back to 2023, when Bia liked a tweet suggesting Cardi had copied her creative style. What had once been mutual admiration quickly unraveled.

“It started on the phone, and she called me screaming like 15 times back-to-back. So that respect is out the window,” Bia said. “The yelling was because I liked a tweet for the similarities between the creative. You bully them out of how they feel or the creative that you stealing. You can’t bully everybody you know I’m saying there’s a real truth to what’s going on.”

Cardi later fired back through music, including a verse on the “Wanna Be” remix and more recently on “Pretty & Petty,” where she took aim at Bia’s appearance and career.

@tprmediagroup #BIA finally addressed being the topic of #CardiB’s song “Pretty & Petty” during a new interview with Nessa of Hot 97! BIA also shared she’s releasing her album ‘Bianca’ Friday! Classmates are you here for it?!? #TheProgressReport #TPRMediaGroup ♬ original sound – TPRMediaGroup

Bia Says She’s Done With The Drama

Bia responded with her own diss track “Sue Me” but said she’s not interested in continuing the back-and-forth.

“I’m glad she got that. I’m glad she felt like she could get that off,” Bia said. “But, but overall, like for real, I knew it was coming. Cause like, this is rap, I’m competitive. So like, I diss you, you diss me, but you diss me, I diss you. It’s like, it was like a thing that, that we know, we know what the reasons were and why it was all happening. So I just, I like, it’s part of the game. I’m not gonna keep going back and forth with you and the writer, this is a year later.”

Cardi has claimed her response was triggered by Bia referencing her children, but Bia pushed back on that claim.

“I didn’t speak about her kids. I didn’t speak negatively about her kids,” she said. “I spoke negatively about her, but I used their names because that’s rap. It’s wordplay. It’s a metaphor. Even if those weren’t her kids’ names, the bars would have still worked. So like, okay, noted. That’s the only part that I see. But we see when people talking about people’s kids online all week. That wasn’t that.”

“BIANCA” Dropped October 10

Instead of dwelling on the feud, Bia is focusing on her first full-length album, “BIANCA,” which she describes as her most personal work. The project features 16 tracks, including “DADE” with Key Glock, which landed on the Madden NFL 26 soundtrack, and “Birthday Behavior” featuring Young Miko. Another track, “WE ON GO,” was used during the WNBA playoffs and appears in NBA 2K26.

“This album is really the best parts of me,” Bia said. “It’s poured from the heart and made with people I love.”

“BIANCA” follows a trio of EPs: “Nice Girls Finish Last: Cuidado” (2018), “For Certain” (2020), and “Really Her” (2023). She told Nessa the album represents her evolution as an artist.

Bia Says The Issue Is Bigger Than Cardi

While the Cardi B feud has drawn headlines, Bia said it speaks to a larger issue in the music industry.

“You have to know that this happens to artists every single day,” she said. “It’s not even about her. It’s about that you have smaller artists or artists who don’t have as big of a platform and their creative gets reworked by bigger artists. And instead of those bigger artists being like, ‘oh, yes, I did rework that creative’ or ‘yes, oh, I didn’t know that we stole that creative.’ Because it’s happened numerous times. It’s not just me. I can pull out five songs that she did it to. So it’s like, let’s just be real about that. The issue for me is a creative issue.”

​AllHipHop

Lauryn Hill mourned the loss of D’Angelo with a deeply personal message following the announcement that the neo-soul trailblazer died from pancreatic cancer at age 51.

The Grammy-winning singer remembered her longtime collaborator with a heartfelt post on Instagram Tuesday night (October 14), calling him “a presence not of this world” and reflecting on the bond they shared through music.

“I regret not having more time with you,” Hill wrote. “Your undeniable beauty and talent were not of this world, and a presence not of this world needs protection in a world that covets light and the anointing of God.”

The two famously teamed up on “Nothing Even Matters,” a standout track from Hill’s 1998 debut album The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill. The song, which showcased their vocal chemistry, earned a Grammy nomination for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group.

Lauyrn Hill, D’Angelo – Nothing Even Matters

D’Angelo, born Michael Eugene Archer, rose to prominence in the mid-1990s with his debut album Brown Sugar, which helped define the neo-soul genre. His 2000 follow-up, Voodoo, won the Grammy for best R&B album and cemented his place as one of the most influential voices in modern soul.

After a lengthy hiatus, he returned in 2014 with Black Messiah, credited to D’Angelo and The Vanguard. The album won another Grammy for best R&B album, and the single “Really Love” took home the award for best R&B song.

Over the course of his career, D’Angelo earned four Grammy Awards from 14 nominations. His impact on R&B and soul music was profound, inspiring peers like Erykah Badu, Maxwell and Angie Stone, all of whom emerged from the same creative wave.

Hill’s tribute went beyond admiration, touching on D’Angelo’s influence on culture and identity. “You sir, moved us, stirred us, inspired and even intimidated others to action with your genius,” she wrote. “Thank you for being a beacon of light to a generation and beyond who had no remembrance of the legacy that preceded us.”

She also praised him for redefining masculinity in music. “You showed a unity of strength and sensitivity in Black manhood to a generation that only saw itself as having to be one or the other.”

Hill ended her message with a prayer for his peace and protection. “It is my earnest prayer that you are in peace, far away from selfishness, fear and/or controlling interests,” she wrote. “I Love you and I miss you. May God grant peace and shelter to your family, true friends and genuine appreciators, Brother, King.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Ms. Lauryn Hill (@mslaurynhill)

D’Angelo’s family confirmed his passing on Tuesday. He was 51.

​AllHipHop