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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