PROSECUTORS RESPOND TO TORY LANEZ'S NEW TRIAL IN THE SHOOTING OF MEGAN THEE STALLION: According to XXL, Los Angeles prosecutors say the evidence of rapper Tory Lanez's guilt in the 2020 shooting of Megan Thee Stallion is “overwhelming” and his lawyers’ arguments that he deserves a new trial are baseless. The 16 page opposition to Lanez' motion for a new trial stated, “The defendant’s brief is replete with colorful rhetoric and conclusory statements, but it lacks substance. Despite being nearly 80 pages long, the defendant has failed to cite a single instance of error in the trial court.” Prosecutors say the evidence against Lanez includes “multiple eyewitnesses identifying him as the shooter, the gun used in the assault found at his feet, and recorded apologies for the shooting.” The opposition emphasizes that Lanez’s trial lawyer didn’t object to the DNA evidence his new lawyers argue shouldn’t have been evidence in the trial. It calls the argument “perplexing” and another argument about Lanez’s change in counsel “inaccurate, misleading, and unethical.” Lanez has been in jail without bond since a jury on December 23rd convicted him of felony assault with a semi-automatic firearm, discharge of a firearm with gross negligence and having a concealed and unregistered firearm in a vehicle for firing five rounds at Megan on July 12th, 2020.
JOE BUDDEN RESPONDS TO RORY AND MAL OVER COMPLEX HIP HOP MEDIA LIST PLACEMENT: Joe Budden has responded to his former co-hosts Rory and Mal over being ranked number one on Complex's hip hop media power ranking list. During the latest episode of the New Rory and Mal podcast. Mal said, “The thief! The cat burglar. Big integrity … look at the cat burglar staring off into the next house he wants to run in. That’s big cat! Quiet as a mouse.” Budden responded, calling his former colleagues the “bare minimum” boys. He said, “To whom this may concern. This is not even on page one of the manual, ’cause you n***as ain’t in the bookstore. Instead of critiquing people’s placement on this list, we need more critiquing on why you’re not on it. To everyone not on it, shut the f*ck up. There’s some steps that you n***as have missed.” Budden continued, “To whom it may concern, stop holding a microphone. I’m just giving out podcast advice. It’s certain n***as, y’all can’t speak to me, y’all didn’t do the work yet. You didn’t go to the bookstore. Hire the editors. Get people to help. Invest in the staff. Pay the staff. Get more staff. Stop check chasing. Stop doing the bare minimum and expecting that to yield results. You n***as are the bare minimum boys.”
TRINA PAYS TRIBUTE TO HER MOM ON NPR'S 'TINY DESK': Trina performed some of her biggest hits during an appearance on NPR's Tiny Desk. To open her 15 minute performance, Trina performed "Mama." She said, “This first song is dedicated to my mom. Without her, there would be no me, and she’s the reason that I’m standing here right now for you guys. So I want you to just enjoy.” She added, “It’s a very personal song to me and if anybody has ever lost their mom or somebody special in their life, I dedicate this song to you.” Trina later performed "Da Baddest B*tch," "Single Again," "Here We Go" and "Nann N*gga."
WEBBIE GOES VIRAL AFTER SEEMINGLY WEARING A CROP TOP IN A PHOTO: On Saturday (April 8th), Webbie shared a photo of himself on his Instagram account wearing a fur-lined fedora hat, a black mint coat, matching denim jeans, Dolce & Gabbana underwear, white spiked sneakers and what looked like a crop top. After fans had a lot to say about Webbie's choice of fashion, Webbie addressed his look. He said, "I just wanna know why y'all don't repost, double post s**t when I tell the kids to stay in school and you can be what you wanna be. The positive things about life…'cause that's what I represent. Savage Life 'cause I have been through it all, ya heard?" He added, "Quit playin'. Quit playin' and elevate man, before s**t get crazy, man, for real." One fan revealed what Webbie was actually doing in the photo, saying, "He lifted up his wife beater so you can see his tattoos lol y'all so funny but this does look funny tho."