(Photos) Universal Music Group Coughs Up 11.5M to Artists for Digital Royalties

The era of the online purchase, digital download, and streaming service definitely threw the music business for a loop and looks like there’s still hiccups in the system. Now Universal Music Group Coughs Up 11.5M to Artists for Digital Royalties Dispute and will forever change the royalty structure for artists from now on. How the money’s getting split and who else was behind the lawsuit besides Hip Hop’s own Chuck D is one thing, but exactly what changes???


Timbaland & Jay Z’s “Big Pimpin'” Lawsuit Is Headed To Court After 8 Years!

After 8 long years, it looks like Timbaland and Jay Z’s lawsuit for “Big Pimpin’” will finally be heading to court. Back in 2006, Egyptian singer Abdel Halim Hafez, who was popular in the 1960s, sued Timbaland and Hov for allegedly stealing his song, “Khosara Khosara,” which was featured on a 1960 film titled Fata Ahlami. “They used it with a song that even by Jay Z’s own admission is very vulgar and base,” explained Fahmy’s lawyer, Keith Wesley. “That’s really why this is so significant to my client. They not only took music without paying. They’re using it in a song that is, frankly, disgusting.” Everyone on behalf of Hafez’ estate is furious because they feel that Jay Z made the song loose it’s value and meaning by adding his degrading lyrics to it. “This case is a perfect example of the importance of the requirement that a copyright owner be afforded the opportunity to consider any potential sublicense of his copyright.” The most ironic part about the entire lawsuit is that back in 2011 when Hov appeared on “Decoded,” even he himself admitted that he’s disgusted by his extreme vulgar lyrics in “Big Pimpin’” track. “It was like, ‘I can’t believe I said that. And kept saying it. What kind of animal would say this sort of thing? Reading it is really harsh’.”


DMX’s Lawyer Responds To Robbery Allegations

Police in Newark, New Jersey are currently looking for rapper DMX in connection with a robbery on Easter Sunday. A 21-year-old man alleges that after he approached X at a gas station to show him some love as a fan, X’s goons ran up on him with guns and got him for $3200 cash…but X’s lawyer is calling bullsh*t. “He was leaving a show, a very successful show, and he stopped for gas,” his lawyer said in a statement to Complex. “Four young men approached him for a photo. They took photos and they offered [DMX] drugs. He said no and told them to go…They had an argument and next thing you know, they are accusing him of robbery. Just nonsense.” He went on to refer to the allegations as “completely absurd” and that “anyone who believes it makes no sense at all.”


UPDATED: Lil Wayne Drops The $51 Million Lawsuit Against Birdman and Cash Money

*Scroll to the bottom for an update* Earlier this year, Lil Wayne filed a $51 million lawsuit against Birdman and Cash Money, attempting to get out of his deal, get the money owed from his contract for completing Tha Carter V, and get the rights to all of Nicki Minaj and Drake’s music. At the time, sources close to Wayne said he’d be willing to drop the lawsuit if he was paid the $8 million advance he was owed when he began C5, as well as the $2 million he was to be paid for its completion. The Jasmine Brand has revealed that Tune officially filed documents in the case yesterday, stating he wishes to voluntarily dismiss the lawsuit “without prejudice” – which means he could re-file at any time. Hopefully this is a sign that some sort of agreement has happened behind-the-scenes!


Sports: The LAPD Cop The Game Punched Is Now Suing Him Claiming It May Have Caused Brain Damage!

The twists in this story just keep coming.  Rapper The Game was caught on tape punching an opposing player during a Pro-Am game claiming the player struck first and threatened to get his gun.  It was later revealed that the player was an off-duty LAPD officer.  Both Game and the officer are under investigation.  Now the officer is hitting The Game with a lawsuit, claiming the punch screwed up his brain.


NBA: Instagram Related Lawsuit Against Shaq Gets Dismissed, Judge Still Isn’t Happy With Him

Shaq is getting off scott free from what some might call a frivolous lawsuit to begin with, but the judge in the court was not a fan of him regardless. In case you forgot, Jahmel Binion sued Shaq and Waka Flocka after they made fun of his face on Instagram. Binion has a disorder that causes facial deformities and limited hair growth. Shaq thought he squashed things when he called Binion to personally apologize, but he got dragged into court anyway.


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