Category: News

After being hit with informal threats of litigation, French Montana may actually see a courtroom after his video shoot for the single “Igloo” ended in a shooting. According to TMZ, the rapper and the video’s director, Rob49, have now at the center of a $50,000 lawsuit.

Carl Leon, the plaintiff named in the case, and his lawyer have submitted documentation outlining that he, along with nearly 80 other extras and crew members, were present at the time of the shouting. Leon also alleged that the Miami Gardens Police Department’s investigation into Montana proved that the rapper failed to get the necessary permits required by the city to “ensure the set was safe and secure with proper police protection.”

According to Complex, the shooting was not the only harmful act that occurred during the filming. In fact, Leon alleged that the filming was held in another location prior to ending up in The Licking in Miami Gardens. However, it was moved after a production staff member was supposedly robbed. While it isn’t clear if Leon was one of the gunshot victims, he is seeking $50,000 in damages.

Ted Anastasiou, French Montana’s legal representative, shared a statement exclusively with TMZ regarding Leon’s claims. Anastasiou said, “Carl Leon was never invited to the restaurant at the night of the incident. His interest in the litigation is solely to exploit and benefit financially from it, and his re-imagining of his invitation and current statements are simply an egregious profit play and publicity stunt.”

Anastasiou closed with, “Beyond rejecting Mr. Leon and his counsel’s claims, we implore them to take a good, long look in the mirror and ask whether their loved ones would respect them for trying to make a buck by blatantly lying.”

Following the incident, French Montana did issue a statement sending his thoughts and prayers to the victims, but he hasn’t spoken on the matter since.

03 Greedo made his triumphant return last week with the release of the song “Bacc Like I Never Left.” It followed the rapper’s five years in prison. In February, he revealed how much music he’d worked on behind bars: “50 songs in my first 5 nights in the studio after 5 years in prison…and they all bang,” he wrote on Instagram,. “You peoples ain’t got no excuse.”

Now the video for “Bacc Like I Never Left” is out and he’s announced where that new material went: A new album called Halfway There, arriving as soon as this Friday (March 24). It has producers like Lex Luger, Harry Fraud, and Sledgren, plus features from artists such as Ty Dolla Sign, Babyface Ray, Maxo Kream, and Rich The Kid.

In January, Greedo shared an update on his situation: “For anyone confused I am in a halfway house for up to 6 months with a five minute phone call a week,” he wrote. “Where I am I just want to see my daughter and record music. I wish I could have released alot more music while I was away. So, I have this chip on my shoulder to just go record n drop at least 12 tapes before my major album and I honestly just don’t want to talk to alot of people yet.”

Watch the video for “Bacc Like I Never Left” above.

Halfway There is out 3/24.

Gwyneth Paltrow may be an Oscar-winning thespian, but when was the last time she played Marvel’s Pepper Potts (or herself, as she did in last year’s She Said)? Fun fact: It’s the 2015 comedy Mortdecai. She’s mostly about Goop nowadays, where she peddles things like a “vagina candle” that once almost blew up and hurt someone. Speaking of, you may remember that time in 2016 when she was involved in a skiing incident that allegedly left a retired optometrist ailing. Now, some seven years later, the trial over it is set to kick off on Tuesday. And it is complicated.

As per The New York Post, Paltrow may or may not take the stand in a Park City, Utah courtroom, where she may defend herself from accusations of seriously injuring one Terry Sanderson. He’s claimed that Paltrow was skiing “out of control” on the Park City slopes and knocked right into him. Sanderson says he was left with a traumatic brain injury, broken ribs, and a loss in enjoyment of life.

But Paltrow and her lawyers are calling bull. For one thing, Paltrow claims it was Sanderson who ran into her with a “full-body blow.” What’s more, they’re calling into question Sanderson’s claims that he developed medical issues due to her. He had 15 other chronic issues, they say, and brain tests done afterwards didn’t show “any deficits in his cognitive functioning.”

She also says Sanderson simply doesn’t accurately recall what went down.

“Ms. Paltrow remembers what happened very clearly,” read Paltrow’s counter-claim. “She was enjoying skiing with her family on vacation in Utah, when Plaintiff — who was uphill from Ms. Paltrow — plowed into her back … Ms. Paltrow was angry with Plaintiff, and said so. Plaintiff apologized.”

The two will duke it out to convince a jury their side of the story is the correct one. Whatever happens, neither side will receive a huge pay day. Sanderson had asked for $3.1 million, but a judge ruled he cannot seek punitive damages, and therefore can only seek $300,000. Paltrow, meanwhile, is seeking a mere $1, which is $74 shy of what one needs to purchase a “vagina candle” on Goop, not including taxes and shipping.

(Via NY Post)

The highly anticipated, Ticketmaster-busting Taylor Swift Eras Tour has officially begun. And it’s looking like the pop star is pulling out all the stops to deliver a heap of spectacle.

Case in point—a video from the “Anti-Hero” pop star’s kick-off concert that’s making quite the splash online.

In a mesmerizing blend of live performance and hologram wizardry, audiences saw Swift, clad in a flowy red dress, dive into a pool built into the stage. She then swam across to emerge through waves in a shimmery jumpsuit, just before climbing a ladder and disappearing into a cloud.

Basically, it was like a romantic fairy tale brought to life.

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Fans went absolutely wild after seeing the clip on Youtube. The Eras Tour promised an epic 44-song show, and people seemed to agree that Swift made good on her promise.

“This was not just a concert it’s a FAIRYLAND A DREAMLAND IT’S WONDERLAND,” one person gushed.

Another added, “When you combine IMAX screen, musical concert, and broadway level of storytelling, you got the greatest, most ambitious concert of all time.”

Even non-Swifties were impressed.

“I’m not gonna lie…I’ve never been the biggest Taylor Swift fan BHHHHUT, I have to say- this is one hell of a stage set up,” commented one person.

“Wow! I’ve never been to a Taylor Swift concert, never been interested.. but now I think I need to go! That was mind blowing!!” another seconded.

Watch below:

You don’t have to listen to Swift’s music to appreciate the amount of joy she brings to others. We all want to escape into the wonderful and whimsical from time to time. Bless the artists who give us that.

Rick Ross is the self-proclaimed biggest boss that music has seen thus far, but his over-the-top lifestyle is becoming a hindrance for some. The “God Did” rapper has racked up quite a few complaints from his Atlanta suburb neighbors but not for what you might expect. As one of the key figures in southern rap, maybe a few lavish parties or loud music complaints could be expected. However, none of his neighbors expected to wake up to fully-gown buffaloes rummaging through their yards.

Ross’ mansion has been the center of social media discussions, but this time, the properties adjacent to the megamansion are making headlines. According to TMZ, outside of Ross’ Promise Land ranch, two of his buffaloes (named Timbuktu weighing in at 2,000 pounds and Thor weighing in at 700 pounds) have become a pain in the neighborhood. In the list of grievances shared with the outlet, when the buffaloes escape beyond the designated ranch boundaries of Ross’ property, they have caused damage not only to their landscaping but the other common areas.

Last year, the musician was gifted the buffaloes from the clothing brand Ethika to commemorate their collaboration. He also has other animals on his ranch, including horse. Since the complaint was filed, the rapper hasn’t issued any statement.

Rick Ross is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

Ron DeSantis hasn’t even formally thrown his hat in the ring yet. Why would he? He just got re-elected governor of Florida. But his beef with probably 2024 rival Donald Trump has kicked up a notch, with both sides now trading pissy barbs. Things have escalated to the point where it’s Don Jr.’s time to start making unhinged videos where he can’t control the tenor of his voice.

In one of those rants he swears aren’t fueled by Bolivian marching powder, the former president’s eldest son slammed the one not called “Meatball Ron” for, he said, being “owned by the billionaire donors” and being “100%-controlled opposition.” He also called DeSantis’ return fire on his father a “milquetoast response,” allegedly dictated by the GOP gate-keepers who have turned on the still popular Trump.

Moreover, he echoed charges, usually made by those on the other side of the political spectrum, that DeSantis simply “isn’t ready for the big league” and that it’s “not your time.” And he should know.

“I’ve spent a lot of time with Desantis personally,” Jr. said. “The image created online by the paid influencers? Guys, unfortunately, one-on-one, it doesn’t exist.”

Thoughout his rant, Jr.’s already wackadoodle voice weaved drunkenly about. Sometimes it turned nasal, as though he was accidentally channeling a Muppet. The fury continued as he moved onto Manhattan district attorney Alvin Bragg, who it’s suspected is close to indicting the 45th president.

“This prosecution isn’t based on facts or the law or anything that even resembles that,” Jr. charged. Instead it’s “pure Bolshevik-style witch-huntery,” trying to make the Democrats sound

Jr. also tore apart the theory that his Democratic enemies want him indicted so he’ll be the nominee. “This was the hot, stupid take on Twitter over the weekend, like the dumbest take ever,” he said. “Like they weren’t trying to put him in jail for the last eight years. Like they didn’t accuse me and the rest of my family of treason and other things.”

As usual, rather than refer to his father as “my father” or “my dad,” he called him simply “Trump.” Because that’s how close they are.

Killer Mike had a big 2020 with the release of the new Run The Jewels album RTJ4. Now, it looks like he’s stepping out on his own for a new solo record titled Michael.

“Yesterday I got the chance to sit and listen to @killermike new solo project ‘Michael,’” DJ Kenny Perez, a Milwaukee radio host, wrote in an Instagram post on March 16, during SXSW. “Without a doubt, RUN and embrace it when it drops. The project is a journey through his life, and he doesn’t hold back. Collabs with Andre 3000, Lil Wayne, Dave Chappelle, and more.”

Meanwhile, Killer Mike unveiled the song “Talk’n That Sh!t” in October of last year. “The song is self-explanatory,” he said in a statement. “With the video, I wanted to show the freedom and beauty in being able to turn up in spite of all the f*ck-sh*t. That upsets the bourgeoisie even more — in spite of all your criticisms, we’re gonna live free and stay lit.”

He also revealed nearly a year ago that a new Run The Jewels album was in the works. “I say this with a smile, and a wink — me and El-P were in the studio together,” he said. “We may have messed around and started Run the Jewels 5. So we’ll see what happens.”

Ben Affleck and Matt Damon are aggressively promoting their upcoming Air movie about Michael Jordan’s courtship with Nike. Of course, that is a normal thing for the centerpieces of a movie to do but, given the subject matter, the promotional tour is also taking the stars to interesting, sports-related places. Affleck recently told Bill Walton about a time when he and Damon visited the home of Larry Bird in French Lick, Indiana, and he also revealed that Jordan had a specific opinion about who should play his mother in the upcoming film.

This week, Affleck spoke to another prominent basketball personality when he sat down with ESPN’s Kendrick Perkins. This time, Perkins teed up Affleck to dive into his beloved Celtics by asking for his top-10 Celtics of all-time — with Perk joking this list would be excluding himself. Affleck turned the tables by then insisting without Perk there is no list, as it’s just 10 Kendrick Perkins from the 2009-10 season.
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Of course, Affleck handled this like the pro that he is, praising Perkins in a delightful way and showing off his Celtics bonafides by even referencing a specific season in which his fandom of Perkins seemed to grow. It also makes for perfect internet fodder in that Affleck gave a completely unserious answer and also avoided anything more specific. In short, it’s great stuff, and Perkins got to be praised by a movie star on the air, which clearly delighted the big fella.

France’s National Assembly has passed a new law that could seriously impact parents’ ability to share photos of their children online. If passed by the Senate and signed by the president, it would give courts the power to ban parents from posting pictures of their children online.

The bill is controversial because it takes away parents’ rights and puts them in the hands of the government. But supporters believe there are more than a few good reasons for the potential ban.

First, it keeps the child’s image out of the hands of unsavory characters. Member of Parliament Bruno Studer, who proposed the bill, told Le Monde, “’A 13-year-old child has an average of 1,300 images of themselves circulating on the internet. These are photos that can be misused for child pornography or that can lead to bullying in the school environment.”

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According to Le Monde, 50% of all imagery of children shared on child pornography forums was first posted online by the child’s parents. The bill would also give both parents the right to the child’s image, so if one parent thinks the other is posting inappropriate images, they have the right to stop it.

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“The first two articles aim to establish the protection of privacy as one of the responsibilities of parents as holders of parental authority, for which they must obviously involve the child,” Struder continued. “In the most extreme cases, it is provided that the family judge may, if necessary, make a forced partial delegation of parental authority for the specific case of an exercise of image rights.”

Opponents of the bill believe that the legislation would strike a blow to parents’ rights. But doesn’t a child have a right to choose how their image is used, especially in a world where the photos could remain visible for the foreseeable future? As the old saying goes, online is forever and photos taken of someone as a child could follow them around well into adulthood.

Further, as the first generation of children who grew up in influencer families are becoming adults, we’re starting to realize the damage the lifestyle can have on young people. Aren’t these kids entitled to some protection from being exploited by their parents?

“We talk a lot about image rights, but not about children’s dignity,” Thomas Rohmer, Director and founder of l’Observatoire de la Parentalité et de l’Education Numérique, told Le Monde.

The bill has struck up a much-needed debate online and some parents are adamant that it’s their business what they do with photos of their children and no one else’s.

Don’t think it’s necessarily a bad move, but it should be left at the behest of the parent and not the State.

— Joel (@JoelEveretMusic) March 20, 2023

This is a step too far..

— Walking_Each_Other_Home ♱ (@SouvlakiStud) March 20, 2023

Others joked that bills like this would help end the annoying “sharenting” trend.

A significant percentage of American moms might have nothing to do if banned in the US.

— Lee (@timshel_lee) March 20, 2023

Some applaud the idea.

THANK GOODNESS

— Antikythera (@RealAntikythera) March 20, 2023

Not a bad idea.

— harry webb (@harrywe26805243) March 20, 2023

Once you put your child on social media facial recognition follows them for life . There is no escape no privacy . It is not fair to your child to make such an important decision for them.

— A Conservative Environmentalist (@SUITE911) March 20, 2023

The debate is interesting because it involves three rightfully interested parties—parents, their children, and a state entrusted to protect children’s rights. Whether or not the law is passed, the debate should serve as a way for people to confront this serious idea and to give parents a reason to think twice before posting photos of their children online.

Saweetie‘s debut album Pretty B*tch Music has been anticipated for years.

“When you get signed, the label wants a hit,” she explained in a February 2022 interview. “They want a return on their investment, which I understand. But it’s important for artists to understand themselves before they start seeking for hits.” She offered an estimated release date of the summer of that year, which obviously didn’t happen.

In a new interview with E! News, the rapper shared another update on the LP. “I feel like a debut album is not something you just put out,” she said. “It’s not something you play with. I’m a Cancer, so I like to overthink sometimes, but I think you have to be really careful with that, and I take my art really serious.”

“I’ve been through a lot of interesting experiences,” she added. “So, I wanna put that all into my album in the most artistic and organic way.”

In June of last year, she shared more on her Instagram Story about the process. “These past couple of years have been a growing experience for me as an artist, human, but most importantly, a woman,” she wrote. “I have realized my purpose with the platform God has given me, which is why I have taken my time with releasing music this time around. Through hours of self-reflection, I have realized that Pretty B.*.T.C.H. music is not an album — it’s a movement. It’s a culture. It’s a language. It’s a lifestyle. We not rushing art. We taking our time! This ain’t no microwave sh*t! It’s baking & it will definitely be worth the taste.”

Saweetie is a Warner Music Artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.