Latest news with #DefJamRecords
USA Today
13 hours ago
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Logic explains how therapy and J.J. Abrams led to his directorial debut 'Paradise Records'
Logic explains how therapy and J.J. Abrams led to his directorial debut 'Paradise Records' Show Caption Hide Caption Logic makes directorial debut with 'Paradise Records' The Rapper Logic sat down with Ralphie Aversa to talk about his directorial debut in new semi-autobiographical film, 'Paradise Records.' NEW YORK – What do J.J. Abrams, Seth MacFarlane and Kevin Smith have in common? They all endorsed Logic, the multi-platinum hip hop star, in his application to join the Directors Guild of America. Now the artist, born Sir Robert Bryson Hall II, makes his directorial debut in the Tribeca Film Festival with "Paradise Records," a workplace comedy that pays homage to movies like Smith's 1994 cult classic "Clerks." It was a big undertaking for Logic: He wrote, directed and starred in the movie. But besides the literal co-signings from established names in film and television, Logic's journey from the stage to the silver screen wouldn't have been possible without a series of events that took place almost five years ago. In July 2020, at the height of his career and in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic, the hip hop star decided to "retire" from music. Logic wanted to focus on his family. He also went to therapy. "It's been such an incredible internal and spiritual journey," Logic, 35, tells USA TODAY. "I've learned things like the power of no, literally just how to say 'no.' I used to not do that because I wanted to people-please." Through conversations with his therapist, Logic also came to the realization that he should stay off social media. The artist says he hasn't been on any network in "almost eight years." What started as a personal journey also turned into a professional revelation. Logic parted ways with Def Jam Records, the label on which he recorded seven albums with including the Grammy-nominated single, "1-800-273-8255." The artist now releases music independently and no, he wouldn't divulge a date for his tenth LP "Sidequest." After Smith cast Logic in his 2024 semi-autobiographical film "The 4:30 Movie," he urged Logic to pursue filmmaking. Smith also presented an offer: he would serve as executive producer, editor and reprise his role of Silent Bob alongside Jason Mewes' Jay. Logic stars in the film with his real life best friend, Tremayne Hudson. Other actors who make cameos include Ron Perlman, Rainn Wilson and Joseph Gordon-Levitt in addition to rapper Juicy J and comedian Donnell Rawlings. Logic's family, including his father, oldest son and wife Brittney also appear in the project. The artist credits his wife with supporting his latest endeavor. The advice he received from Abrams helped too. The "Star Wars" director reminded Logic that he's "literally making a movie," so the top priority should be to have fun. "(Abrams) said, 'The second thing is you're gonna have every (department) coming to you, all these people constantly asking you for stuff,'" Logic recalls. "'At times it's going to feel overwhelming. Never forget that you're a human being and you have the power to say, "Give me five minutes," walk around your set and figure it out.'" That's what Logic did whenever there was an issue, from an actor getting COVID to an equipment malfunction. He took a break, walked and figured it out. Turns out Abrams was right after all.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Russell Simmons sues HBO for $20 million over doc alleging sexual misconduct
NEW YORK — Russell Simmons has filed a lawsuit against HBO and the makers of the 2020 documentary 'On the Record,' claiming defamation for their allegations of sexual assault and misconduct. The record executive, who's seeking $20 million in damages, is also accusing them of ignoring or suppressing evidence from witnesses who 'refuted and rebutted the accusations falsely made' against Simmons, according to lawsuit filed in New York. 'Despite voluminous support for Mr. Simmons in the form of credible information, persuasive evidence, witness statements and calls for further investigation by notable members of the media, politics and the civil rights movement, the defendants simply disregarded it, and released, and continue to re-release globally, a film that tremendously disparaged and damaged Mr. Simmons with salacious and defamatory accusations that he vehemently denies,' his attorneys, Imran Ansari and Carla DiMare, said in a written statement to Variety. In the complaint, Ansari claims the streamer ignored multiple polygraph tests that 'would have been discovered with due diligence and adherence to accepted journalistic standards.' The documentary made its debut at the Sundance Film Festival in January of 2020 and detailed sexual assault and misconduct allegations against the Def Jam Records founder from multiple women. The project was originally to be produced as a part of Oprah Winfrey's deal with Apple TV, but the media mogul later withdrew from the film and it ultimately landed at HBO Max. Along with the $20 million, Simmons is requesting a court order to have the title removed from all of HBO's platforms. Simmons has faced multiple lawsuits accusing him of misconduct. More than 20 women have come forward alleging sexual assault, many of whom participated in the documentary. A spokesperson for Warner Bros., the parent of HBO, told TMZ the company 'stand[s] by the filmmakers and their process, and will vigorously defend ourselves against these unfounded allegations.'
Express Tribune
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Pusha T and Malice pay seven figures to exit Def Jam and sign with Roc Nation
Pusha T and Malice, known collectively as Clipse, have exited their deal with Def Jam Records after paying a substantial seven-figure buyout, according to manager Steven Victor in an interview with Billboard published on June 3, 2025. Victor explained that the departure followed creative tensions between Clipse and Def Jam's parent company, UMG, particularly over an upcoming track with Kendrick Lamar. 'They didn't drop us,' Victor said. 'They were like, 'Pay us this money'—an exorbitant amount—and we'll let you out of the deal.' He emphasized that it was a large sum for any artist to afford, but said, 'Insane… but doable… so it got done.' The conflict traces back to Pusha T's high-profile feud with Drake in 2018. Since then, Victor claims, the label has tried to censor Push's verses, including removing lyrics from collaborations with Rick Ross and Pop Smoke. The label reportedly repeated that approach with Clipse's upcoming Lamar collaboration, "Chains & Whips," objecting to a line they deemed controversial. Victor said, 'We're not going to ask [Kendrick] to change the verse. You guys are wrong.' Following the standoff, Victor quickly reached out to JAY-Z, who responded within hours. 'You just made my day,' JAY-Z reportedly told Victor, before offering a new artist-friendly deal through Roc Nation that included ownership of their masters. The entire agreement was finalized within 24 hours. Pusha T now owns his previously released music under Mass Appeal and G.O.O.D. Music. Despite personal tensions, he recently thanked Kanye West for returning his masters. Under Roc Nation Distribution, Clipse's new album Let God Sort Em Out is set to release on July 11.
CNN
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- CNN
Live updates: Sean ‘Diddy' Combs trial continues after Cassie Ventura and Kid Cudi's testimony
Update: Date: Title: Combs' former assistant says he threatened her on her first day Content: On her first day working for Sean 'Diddy' Combs in 2004, Capricorn Clark said he took her to Central Park with his security guard some time after 9 p.m. ET. There, he brought up her former employment with Death Row Records, which was founded by Combs' rival Marion 'Suge' Knight. 'He told me that he didn't know that I had anything to do with Suge Knight and if anything happened, he would have to kill me,' Clark testified. The security guard stood by silently while Combs threatened her, Clark said. She said she told Combs at the time, 'we'll just have to see.' She testified that she felt she couldn't convince him that she was trustworthy at the time and said could've been more transparent about her employment background. Update: Date: Title: Former Combs employee began music career at Def Jam Records Content: Capricorn Clark, the former director of marketing for Sean 'Diddy' Combs, said she has been involved in the music industry since shortly after graduating from high school, when she landed an internship with Def Jam Records. She said both of her parents died shortly after that, which meant she had to 'start life a lot earlier.' After Def Jam, she worked for Death Row Records, which Suge Knight then managed. Around 2004, she started working for Combs at Bad Boy Entertainment as his personal assistant, she said. After briefly leaving in 2006, she returned to work for Combs in 2007 as the director of marketing for Sean John Women's. She said she became a global brand director in 2008 before being terminated in 2012. She then worked as Cassie Ventura's creative director from 2016 to 2018. Update: Date: Title: Former Combs employee Capricorn Clark called to the stand Content: The jury has entered, and prosecutors have called Capricorn Clark, a former director of marketing for Sean 'Diddy' Combs, to the stand. Clark is the 17th witness called by the prosecution. Assistant US Attorney Mitzi Steiner will question her. Clark came up in last week's testimony by rapper Kid Cudi. Update: Date: Title: Prosecutors still have work to do to prove case against "Diddy," legal analyst says Content: As jurors head into a third week of testimony in the Sean 'Diddy' Combs federal criminal case, prosecutors are still working to prove Combs was involved in a criminal enterprise, engaged in arson, kidnapping and other illegal acts. But have they done enough? Not yet, according to CNN legal analyst and criminal defense attorney, Joey Jackson. Prosecutors are attempting to lay the foundation for the racketeering conspiracy charge Combs faces through witnesses who spoke about Combs' alleged involvement with arson and extortion, Jackson told CNN's Sara Sidner. Rapper Kid Cudi, who dated Combs' ex-girlfriend and key witness in trial, Cassie Ventura, testified and accused Combs of setting his Porsche on fire with a Molotov cocktail while he was dating Ventura. Last week, Ventura's mother testified about taking a home equity loan to get $20,000 to pay Combs, asked for to 'recoup money he had spent' on her daughter 'because he was angry that she had been in a relationship' with Kid Cudi. In order to further prove the racketeering charge, prosecutors need to establish 'continuous use of the enterprise over a significant period of time, not just these one-off activities, and sexual exploitation and trafficking would lead to that.' Prosecutors 'have to show more coercion and forced activity,' Jackson said. Update: Date: Title: Los Angeles fire investigator to testify today about fire set to Kid Cudi's car Content: The Los Angeles Fire Department investigator who led the investigation into the fire set to Kid Cudi's Porsche at his home in January 2012 is expected to testify today. The investigator is expected to say that he concluded that the fire was deliberately set and caused by a Molotov cocktail dropped into the Porsche. Over an objection from prosecutors, Judge Arun Subramanian said the defense can ask the investigator about his report that says partial female DNA was recovered from the glass bottle used to create the explosive. Update: Date: Title: Judge takes the bench as Sean "Diddy" Combs trial enters week 3 of testimony Content: Court has resumed in the sex-trafficking trial of Sean 'Diddy' Combs as it enters its third week of testimony. Judge Arun Subramanian is on the bench. Prosecutors and defense attorneys are discussing some issues before the jury enters. Former Combs' employee Capricorn Clark is expected to testify today followed by witnesses from the Los Angeles Police Department and the Los Angeles Fire Department, according to prosecutor Maurene Comey. The jury has already heard from two other former assistants for Combs, George Kaplan, and David James. The government has called sixteen witnesses so far. Combs has pleaded not guilty to charges that include racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking. If convicted on all counts, he could face up to life in prison. This post has been updated with additional information. Update: Date: Title: "Victim-3" is not expected to testify in Combs' federal criminal trial, source says Content: A woman identified as Victim-3 in Sean 'Diddy' Combs' federal criminal case is not expected to take the stand in the trial, according to a source familiar with the case. 'She didn't want to testify,' the source said, not providing any further details. Victim-3 was referenced in the government's superseding indictment as part of the racketeering conspiracy count. The indictment states that Combs and his associates wielded his power through his business empire to 'intimidate, threaten and lure' at least three female victims – 'Victim-1,' 'Victim-2' and 'Victim-3' – under the pretense of a romantic relationship and coerced them into engaging in commercial sex acts. Prosecutors allege some of these sex acts, known as 'Freak Offs,' involved male sex workers who were transported across state lines. Three sources familiar with the case told CNN that Victim-3 is the woman who has been referred to as 'Gina' throughout the trial. Gina has been described in testimony as an ex-girlfriend of Combs. CNN has reached out directly to Victim-3, regarding her participation in the case. Last week, Combs' former assistant George Kaplan testified that he once witnessed Combs throwing apples at Gina at his home in Miami. Cassie Ventura, the case's star witness and another former girlfriend of Combs, testified that Combs was unfaithful to her by continuously dating Gina during their 11-year relationship. And Ventura's former best friend, Kerry Morgan, corroborated Ventura's account in her own testimony, saying on the stand that Gina was a problem in Ventura and Combs' relationship. Prior to the start of testimony at the trial, prosecutors indicated in early May that they may not call Victim-3 as a part of their case. Assistant US Attorney Maurene Comey said they 'may' try to call her, but said that while she's under subpoena to testify, 'she may not show up.' Comey noted that it's been difficult to get in touch with Victim 3's lawyer. In court on Wednesday, outside the presence of the jury, defense attorney Marc Agnifilo said that Gina 'is out of the case. Gina is not coming.' Assistant US Attorney Christy Slavik said that Gina was 'very much a part of this case,' adding that she was identified in the indictment. CNN has reached out to the prosecutor's office for comment. 'My point is not an indictment issue. The government can call Gina if it wants to,' Agnifilo responded. 'It might be difficult. It might be hard to do. They are the United States of America. They can get Gina into this courtroom if that is what they want to do.' CNN has reached out to a representative for Combs for comment. CNN's Kara Scannell and Nicki Brown contributed to this post. Update: Date: Title: Catch up on what happened in Combs' trial before court recessed for Memorial Day Content: The trial of Sean 'Diddy' Combs resumes today after court took a break for the Memorial Day holiday weekend. As the second week of Sean 'Diddy' Combs' racketeering trial wrapped up on Thursday, all eyes turned to another entertainer, Scott 'Kid Cudi' Mescudi, whose explosive testimony about Combs included allegations of a burned-out Porsche and a frightened dog. CNN entertainment correspondent Elizabeth Wagmeister joined Laura Coates to break it all down on the latest episode of the 'Trial By Jury: Diddy' podcast. You can listen to it here. Update: Date: Title: Another one of Combs' former assistants will take the stand today Content: Prosecutor Maurene Comey on Thursday said the first witness they'll call today will be former Sean 'Diddy' Combs' employee Capricorn Clark. After Clark, prosecutors plan to have witnesses from the Los Angeles Police Department and Los Angeles Fire Department. Comey said the prosecution's case is running on time. The jury has already heard from two other former assistants for Combs, George Kaplan and David James. Update: Date: Title: These are the witnesses who have testified so far in Sean "Diddy" Combs' trial Content: The third week of testimony in Sean 'Diddy' Combs' criminal sex trafficking trial begins today. Over the past two weeks, the jury has heard from 16 witnesses, including Cassie Ventura — the prosecution's star witness who testified for several days about the abuse she said she endured during her relationship with Combs. Here's a look at who else has taken the stand so far:
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Express Tribune
25-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Justin Bieber travels abroad to finish long-awaited album, first since 2021's "Justice"
Pop superstar Justin Bieber is nearing completion of his highly anticipated new album, his first major release since 2021's Justice. Sources confirm to The Hollywood Reporter that Bieber is traveling abroad, possibly to a Nordic country, to find inspiration and "vibe out" with a team of musical collaborators. Bieber has been deeply immersed in music creation at his Los Angeles home, hosting jam sessions with longtime associates such as DJ Tay James, musical director HARV, and producer Carter Lang. Rising talents, including U.K. singer-songwriter Sekou and producer Dylan Wiggins, have also contributed to the project. Bieber has reportedly discovered several new collaborators through social media, inviting them to join the album's creative process. Despite no official comment from Bieber's representatives, insiders say he is in "great spirits" and eager to craft music that reflects his current artistic vision. A trip to a remote and colder destination, reminiscent of his past getaways like Aspen, fits his pattern for creative retreats. The new album comes at a crucial time, as Bieber's recording deal with Def Jam Records, a subsidiary of Universal Music Group, requires four more albums. Since debuting in 2009, Bieber has sold approximately 24 million albums in the U.S., with multiple billion-stream hits on Spotify and eight No. 1 singles on the Billboard Hot 100. This project also marks a new chapter for Bieber following his professional split from longtime manager Scooter Braun.
