Latest news with #LosAngelesCrips
NBC News
16-04-2025
- Entertainment
- NBC News
Serena Williams says Super Bowl dance with Kendrick Lamar 'absolutely not' diss of Drake
Tennis legend Serena Williams is clearing the air on speculation that her viral dance during the Super Bowl halftime show was casting shade against her ex, Drake. During the halftime show by Kendrick Lamar, Williams danced on a podium and crip walked as Lamar was performing 'Not Like Us,' his diss track against Drake. In a new interview with ' Time,' she insists she wasn't dissing Drake by joining the performance. 'Absolutely not,' she said. 'I would never do that. And that was sad, that anyone would ever think that. I respect how they could. Obviously I can see how someone would think that. But absolutely not. I have never had negative feelings towards him. We've known him for so many years.' Her husband, Alexis Ohanian, had also shut down that idea, writing on X on Feb. 10 'Some of y'all have no idea how criticized Serena was for this same dance at Wimbledon 13 years ago and it shows … This is bigger than the music.' He was referencing how she performed that same dance at Wimbledon after winning gold at the 2012 London Olympics. A crip walk is a dance move that originated from the Los Angeles Crips gang. Williams said joining the performance was paying homage to her hometown of Compton, where Lamar is also from. 'Who would have thought that a tennis player from Compton would be regarded as one of the best tennis players of all time?' She said in an interview with TIME. 'It was just putting an exclamation on it.' 'I don't know if I regret it or not,' she said of her decision to perform. 'I don't know the answer to that.' The star athlete explained that she wasn't preoccupied with public perception at the Super Bowl, instead she and her husband were more focused on getting an autograph for their daughter from Taylor Swift, who was at the game supporting her boyfriend Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs. 'My husband and I, we're so in a different space,' she said. 'We're so connected, we're so in love, we're just, like, trying to get our daughter Taylor Swift autographs. And nothing else.' 'We're investing in women and in sports,' she added, as her husband has a stake in National Women's Soccer League team Angel City FC and Williams has become part owner of the WNBA's Toronto Tempo. 'This is literally the last thing on our minds. Come on.'
CBS News
20-03-2025
- CBS News
LA Crips leader who feds say posed as anti-gang activist charged with several federal crimes including racketeering
Federal prosecutors arrested and charged the alleged leader of a Los Angeles Crips gang subset who they claim posed as an anti-gang activist, the U.S. Attorney said. Eugene Henley Jr., 58, also known by the alias "Big U," is the lead defendant named in a criminal complaint that was unsealed Wednesday. The court documents accuse Henley, a prominent leader of the Rollin' 60s chapter of the larger Los Angeles Crips, of running a "mafia-like organization" known as "Big U Enterprise." The Department of Justice said Henley surrendered himself to investigators Wednesday afternoon after the charges were announced. Henley posted a series of videos to the Crenshaw Cougars Instagram, a youth football program he oversees and features his son, Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Daiyan Henley's football camp. The alleged head of the Rollin' 60s denied the allegations stemming from the RICO case. "I'm looking at all these charges in the news. I'm heading back to LA," Henley said. "Ain't going to be no real evidence. Ain't going to be no real nothing ... Now, they're saying all that stuff to assassinate my character." At a news conference Wednesday, Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph McNally said he is being charged with a series of crimes, including racketeering, fraud, extortion, robbery, human trafficking and the murder of an aspiring rap musician in 2021. Two other defendants, Sylvester Robinson, 59, also known as "Vey," and Mark Martin, 50, also known as "Bear Claw," were also named in the complaint. They are accused of being members of Henley's criminal enterprise. McNally said over the past four years federal officials launched an investigation into Henley's criminal enterprise. During the investigation, officials gathered interviews, financial records, phone records and search warrants for social media accounts. Court documents said Henley often used his stature in his gang to partner with his enterprise and intimidate businesses and individuals across LA. Henley founded his charity, Developing Options, in which federal officials claim he embezzled donations and defrauded donors. The court documents said some of Henley's victims include celebrities and well-known athletes. He is also accused of fraudulently securing funding from the LA mayor's office through the Gang Reduction Youth Development Foundation. "I ain't been nothing but help to our community," he said in an Instagram video. "It's crazy, but I'm going to turn myself in, though, because I ain't do nothing." The court documents allege Henley is responsible for the murder of a man only referred to in the complaint as "R.W." in January 2021. The complaint described R.W. as an aspiring musician who was signed to Uneek Music, Henley and Martin's label. R.W. was in Las Vegas at the time of his death recording music at a producer's studio. Court documents said R.W. did not record at a rate that was previously agreed upon and recorded a "diss song" against Henley. Henley and Robinson allegedly drove to Las Vegas to confront R.W. where they fatally shot him. They are accused of leaving R.W.'s body off Interstate 15 in the desert. When the pair returned to LA, they allegedly ordered the studio workers to delete video footage of them at the studio. "In furtherance of the enterprise, Henley allegedly submitted a fraudulent application for a COVID-19 pandemic relief loan in which he claimed that Uneek Music was operating at a $200,000 profit in 2019 despite operating at a $5,000 loss that year, which should have disqualified it from loan eligibility," McNally said. Henley denied the allegations of fraud in the series of Instagram posts. If convicted of the charges, Henley could face a statutory maximum life sentence in federal prison, the U.S. attorney's office said. If Robinson and Martin are convicted of the charges, they could face a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison. "Eliminating gangs and organized crime is the Department of Justice's top priority. Today's charges and arrests target the leadership of this criminal outfit and will make the neighborhoods of Los Angeles safer," McNally said. "I am grateful for the work of our prosecutors and law enforcement partners."
CBS News
19-03-2025
- CBS News
LA Crips leader, anti-gang activist charged with several federal crimes including racketeering
Several federal charges were announced against a Los Angeles Crips gang leader who is also known for his activism in the community and influence in the rap industry, the U.S. Attorney said. Eugene Henley Jr., 58, also known by the alias "Big U," is the lead defendant named in a criminal complaint that was unsealed Wednesday. The court documents accuse Henley, a prominent leader of the Rollin' 60s crip gang of running a "mafia-like organization" known as "Big U Enterprise." At a news conference Wednesday, Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph McNally said he is being charged with a series of crimes including racketeering, fraud, extortion, robbery, human trafficking and the murder of an aspiring rap musician in 2021. He is described as a fugitive. Two other defendants, Sylvester Robinson, 59, also known as "Vey," and Mark Martin, 50, also known as "Bear Claw," were also named in the complaint. They are accused of being members of Henley's criminal enterprise. McNally said over the past four years federal officials launched an investigation into Henley's criminal enterprise. During the investigation, officials gathered interviews, financial records, phone records and search warrants for social media accounts. Court documents said Henley often used his stature in his gang to partner with his enterprise and intimidate businesses and individuals across LA. Henley founded his charity, Developing Options, in which federal officials claim her embezzled donations and defrauded donors. The court documents said some of Henley's victims include celebrities and well-known athletes. He is also accused of fraudulently securing funding from the LA mayor's office through the Gang Reduction Youth Development Foundation. The court documents allege Henley is responsible for the murder of a man only referred to in the complaint as "R.W." in January 2021. The complaint described R.W. as an aspiring musician who was signed to Uneek Music, Henley and Martin's label. R.W. was in Las Vegas at the time of his death recording music at a producer's studio. Court documents said R.W. did not record at a rate that was previously agreed upon and recorded a "diss song" against Henley. Henley and Robinson allegedly drove to Las Vegas to confront R.W. where they fatally shot him. They are accused of leaving R.W.'s body off Interstate 15 in the desert. When the pair returned to LA they allegedly ordered the studio workers to delete video footage of them at the studio. "In furtherance of the enterprise, Henley allegedly submitted a fraudulent application for a COVID-19 pandemic relief loan in which he claimed that Uneek Music was operating at a $200,000 profit in 2019 despite operating at a $5,000 loss that year, which should have disqualified it from loan eligibility," McNally said. If convicted of the charges, Henley could face a statutory maximum life sentence in federal prison, the U.S. attorney's office said. If Robinson and Martin are convicted of the charges, they could face a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison. "Eliminating gangs and organized crime is the Department of Justice's top priority. Today's charges and arrests target the leadership of this criminal outfit and will make the neighborhoods of Los Angeles safer," McNally said. "I am grateful for the work of our prosecutors and law enforcement partners."
Yahoo
10-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Forget Breakup Body. Serena Williams Just Elevated Ex Revenge with Super Bowl Crip Walk
Compton born tennis star and author Serena Williams elevated the ex-dis Sunday night with a surprise cameo during the Super Bowl halftime show with Pulitzer winning rapper Kendrick Lamar, her former boyfriend Drake's rap rival. "That girl just Crip walked on Drake's grave," said Angie Harris, 32, of Venice as she watched the 43-year-old athlete perform the kaleidoscopic dance move created by Los Angeles Crips in the 1970s. "That was epic! The best ex revenge ever. Her face was like Heyyyyyyy Drake."Williams didn't mention Drake, who she briefly dated before the Canadian rapper's infamous feud with Lamar, who also grew up in Compton, exploded this year. In his Grammy-winning dis-track "Not Like Us," Lamar comes hard for Drake with the lyrics: 'Certified Lover Boy? Certified pedophiles,' later followed by ,'Tryna strike a cord and it's probably A Minor.'The lyrics prompted a modern day brawl between the rapper, one fought in a courtroom with a lawsuit Drake filed last month against his own label, UMG Recordings, Inc., accusing the company of defamation in the publishing and promotion of 'Not Like Us.' He is seeking compensatory and punitive damages. The Super Bowl surprise appearance acted as a double-edged revenge sword for Williams — in a blue mini skirt and jacket and matching sneakers — who laughed as she recreated the moves that caused her some controversy back in 2012. When she crip walked after defeating Maria Sharapova at the London Olympics, reporters asked her if she regretted performing a dance connected to L.A. gang life and she pushed back at the time saying: 'First of all. It was just a dance," she replied. "I didn't know that's what it was called. Second, why are you asking me that? If anything, you should be trying to ask me questions to lift me up not bring such things … I'm done with that question."Fellow Angeleno Snoop Dogg applauded Williams' performance while watching the show live. Lamar's half time show is being lauded across social media. Samuel L. Jackson kicked off the gig with a monologue, and continued to narrate it throughout. On stage, Lamar was joined by SZA, his labelmate, and DJ Mustard, the producer of 'Not Like Us." Williams has been married to Reddit founder Alexis Ohanian since 2017. Stay in the Know! Get the top news from Los Angeles Magazine sent to your inbox every day. Sign up for The Daily Brief below or by clicking here.
Yahoo
10-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Serena Williams Has the Last Laugh with Her Surprise Super Bowl Moves as She Claps Back at Past Wimbledon Criticism
Serena Williams is hitting the beat! On Sunday, Feb. 9, the tennis player, 43, made a surprise appearance on stage at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans as part of Kendrick Lamar's halftime performance. She showcased her crip-walking skills as she recreated the energetic dance move famed by the Los Angeles Crips in the 1970s. Related: Taylor Swift Reacts to Getting Booed at Super Bowl 2025 — and Then Gets Support from Serena Williams 'Man I did not crip-walk like that at Wimbledon,' Williams said in a backstage video shared on X. 'Oh, I would've been fined,' she said before adding 'It was all love.' A throwback clip shared on Instagram by Complex Sports shows Williams dancing to Tha Dogg Pound's "Keep It Gangster." Super Bowl halftime show babyyyyyyyyy — Serena Williams (@serenawilliams) February 10, 2025 The tennis player is seen raising her hands above her head as she bounces briefly from side to side before laughing. Back in 2012, Williams found herself at the center of a heated debate for performing moves similar to a crip walk after defeating Maria Sharapova at the London Olympics due to the dance's reported association with gang culture. In a press conference at the time, Williams was asked if she had any regrets performing a crip walk as it's 'not just a dance,' per U.K. newspaper The Guardian. 'First of all. It was just a dance," she replied. "I didn't know that's what it was called. Second, why are you asking me that? If anything, you should be trying to ask me questions to lift me up not bring such things … I'm done with that question.' Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Related: Kendrick Lamar's "A" Necklace at 2025 Super Bowl Nods at His Famous Drake Diss Track After dancing to Lamar's Grammy-winning single 'Not Like Us' — a diss track aimed at rapper Drake, 38, — on Sunday, Feb. 9, Williams shared a video of herself on Instagram practicing the controversial moves. 'Let's go Super Bowl halftime??! I died a little! 💃🏿,' she captioned the post. Williams' decision to dance to Lamar's song came as a surprise as she and Drake dated previously. Read the original article on People
