Ice Cube, Snoop Dogg, Westside Merchandise, Burdensome

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

October 22, 2025

Snoop Dogg And Ice Cube Fight Deposition Request In ‘Burdensome’ $1.3M Fraud Lawsuit

Lawyers for the rappers call the demand "harassing, oppressive, and burdensome."

Lawyers for Snoop Dogg and Ice Cube are fighting hard to avoid having the hip-hop moguls deposed in a $1.3 million fraud lawsuit.

Newly released court documents show that in August, both rappers petitioned a judge to avoid the rap legends appearing for an October deposition tied to a lawsuit filed by Westside Merchandise, Us Weekly reports. The apparel company is seeking the return of $1.37 million it claims to have advanced to the defendants.

Westside Merchandise said Snoop and Cube directed the company to handle the matter with its associate, Tony Draper. Westside Merchandise refuses to do so until both artists sit for depositions.

Lawyers for the rappers say that demand is “harassing, oppressive, and burdensome,” especially for “high-profile individuals who keep busy schedules with firm commitments.” In addition, the push for depositions is a “clear tactic” to force Snoop and Cube into a settlement. At the time of filing, Ice Cube was managing his Big3 basketball league and preparing for his current tour. Snoop was filming a movie.

Both rappers asked to testify virtually with a two-hour limit on their depositions. Westside Merchandise countered by seeking court sanctions, demanding Snoop and Ice Cube pay $11,000 in fees for stalling the case.

The deposition request stems from a lawsuit filed by Westside Merchandise in November 2024 against Snoop, Ice Cube, E-40, Too Short, and their group, Mount Westmore LLC, alleging breach of contract, fraud, and conversion.

Westside claims it signed a 2022 deal to be the group’s exclusive merchandise vendor, paying $1.375 million in advances and royalties based on promises of a 60-date U.S. and European tour. The company says the tour never happened and the rappers failed to fulfill their contractual obligations.

The company further claims Snoop and Cube failed to create the agreed-to promotional videos required to market the merchandise. Westside is seeking the return of its $1.375 million advance and punitive damages, alleging that the defendants have refused to repay the funds.

Snoop and Cube have denied any wrongdoing. Too Short and E-40 maintain they were never part of the agreement.

“The defendants have no real legal defenses to the case, and their strategy has been simply to delay the inevitable,” said John Fowler, an attorney for Westside Merchandise. “Defendant Too Short has publicly stated that they were just ‘too rich and busy’ to focus on Mount Westmore, which is obviously not a legitimate defense in a court of law. We look forward to trying this case.”

by Sharelle B. McNair

October 22, 2025

Karine Jean-Pierre Reflects On Biden, Democrats, And Whether Kamala Harris Ever Had A Shot

In her new book, 'Independent,' Jean-Pierre criticizes the Democratic Party for abandoning Biden when he needed support.

Former White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre is opening up during her book tour on why, after serving under the Biden administration, she decided to leave the Democratic Party to become an Independent, NPR reports.

In her new book, “Independent: A Look Inside a Broken White House, Outside the Party Lines,” Jean-Pierre discussed being disappointed by how the party abandoned then-President Joe Biden in his time of need, opening the door to the party’s defeat in the 2024 presidential election. In fact, she partly blames Democrats’ not being unified for President Donald Trump’s chaotic return to the White House. “Joe Biden, objectively, had a very successful four years,” she said.

“And here we are on the cusp of an election of a lifetime that we all need to get behind our person, and we couldn’t do it. Republicans are able to do it … and we weren’t able to do it.”

She highlighted political dignitaries and Hollywood figures like Nancy Pelosi and George Clooney for pushing the narrative that Biden couldn’t carry on. “All of it contributed to a perception of disunity,” Jean-Pierre continued.

Jean-Pierre made history as the first Black person and openly LGBTQ+ community member to serve as press secretary. Her impressive résumé, which includes serving as deputy press secretary under Jen Psaki and chief of staff for Kamala Harris’ 2020 presidential campaign, also made her a target of scrutiny, exposing the deep biases she faced because of her race and heritage.

She reminisced on being scrutinized for her alleged lack of policy depth and being “too wooden.” While that didn’t stop her from getting the job done, Jean-Pierre saw that “as a Black woman, things are just different for people who look like me.”

She reassessed her outlook when Harris entered the 2024 presidential race, believing the fellow historymaker faced an uphill battle to win the White House. But she says she felt a deep sting the morning after Election Day when Harris fell short — though, as the former press secretary admits, the outcome didn’t shock her. “The truth was, I never really believed Harris could win,” she said, according to The Hill.

“I’d been in the body of a Black woman all my life. I’d stood at the podium in the White House briefing room, traveled in my chocolate skin through rural towns, and all my experiences of blistering stares and racist assumptions left me unable to see this country electing a president who looked like me.”

Despite pinpointing Democrats’ mistakes through the book, published Oct. 21, Jean-Pierre isn’t shy about highlighting that the Republican Party–taken over by MAGA loyalists–is far worse this time around. “It has become an extremist, authoritarian, right-wing movement,” she writes about the red-sided party in her take on where politics is heading.

Even without holding a title, Jean-Pierre still catches heat from members of the current Trump administration. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt lashed out at her after learning her predecessor called her “deplorable.” Leavitt then labeled Jean-Pierre as a culprit in “the greatest cover-up scandal in American history.”

“She took the podium every day and lied to the press about the incompetence of her boss—and on this book tour she continues to lie,” Leavitt said.

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

October 22, 2025

Rep. Ayanna Pressley Joins Girl Scouts In Mock Senate Session For ‘Girls Leading Government’ Event

The Girl Scouts became senators for the day and learned how government works.

Over the weekend, the Girl Scouts visited the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for a “Girls Leading Government” event, hosted by the congresswoman’s Ayana Presley office, where they enjoyed the expertise of a surprise guest.

Pressley (D-MA) joined the 40 Girl Scouts on their day of learning about civic engagement.

The girls became mock senators for the day while they learned the ins and out of policymaking. As the institute has a replica of the Senate floor, each girl participated in a swearing-in ceremony. They then made policies, compromised, and delivered speeches.

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“Our girls are limitless. It was an amazing, fulfilling day. I’m inspired and encouraged by our Girl Scouts and their leadership,” said Pressley, who represents Massachusetts’ 7th District, in a news release. “I’m grateful to the Edward M. Kennedy Institute team for their partnership, and for their commitment to educating the public. Their curriculum offers a powerful sightline into a day in Congress, encourages civic engagement, and inspires our young leaders to step in to their power.”

Throughout her career in public service, Pressley has been an advocate for women and young girls’ empowerment. In 2023, she secured $250,000 in funding for Greater Boston’s Big Sister chapter and its educational and mentorship programming. Prior to taking office, she served as a mentor for the girls’ organization, leading to her own “Ayanna’s Big Challenge” to sign up new mentors for Boston youth.

Her additional policy wins also include the 2021 introduction of the STRONG Support For Children Act to address and educate on childhood trauma. That same year, she also pushed for the reintroduction of the ENDING Pushout Act to eliminate punitive punishment of diverse girls in schools.

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

October 22, 2025

Rihanna Does Numbers On Spotify Despite Not Having New Music In Almost A Decade

The Barbadian singer just celebrated 20 years in music.

Although her last album release was nearly a decade ago, Rihanna is still drawing listeners.

Over 20 years into her music career, Hot97 reports that Rihanna reigns as the top Black female artist on Spotify with over 101 million monthly listeners.

Her most popular songs on the music streaming platform includes with over a billion streams themselves, including the 2011 Calvin Harris collaboration, “We Found Love,” and the 2007 hit single, “Umbrella.” With eight studio albums, Rihanna saw monumental success with multiple chart-topping singles and awards.

The singer already reigns as the third most chart-topping artist on the Billboard Hot 100, having 14 No. 1 singles on the chart. With this nod from Spotify, she stands alongside top artists such as Taylor Swift and The Weeknd. Considering how Rihanna has stepped back from music over the years, her place in this exclusive club is a remarkable feat.

In August, the mother of three took to Instagram to reflect on her 20-year artistic journey.

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“20 years ago, i left my country, my culture, my food, and family to embark on a journey that started with the release of my very first body of music,” began Rihanna.

She continued, “Thank you for the greatest first 20 years ever! 20 years of the most loyal, die-hard fans that don’t play about me whatsoever…20 years of hard work and hardworking teams around me, 20 years of lessons, 20 years of unforgettable experiences and accomplishments. 20 years of my family being my number one support system. And to all the people who said yes to me and gave me a chance before it was “cool” to…”

Rihanna is now a business mogul. The founder of Fenty Beauty revolutionized the makeup industry with her inclusive makeup brand. Its success resulted in expansions to skincare, haircare, and a billion dollar net worth. She also runs a lingerie brand, Savage X Fenty.

Her original claim to fame still has fans asking about her next album. While that remains under wraps by the singer, her musical impact is undeniable. And it’s not going anywhere.

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

October 22, 2025

Black Man Shot To Death After Honking His Horn At Woman Idling At A Green Light

Kentrell Settles, 21, died on Oct. 17.

A 23-year-old Indianapolis woman allegedly killed a 21-year-old man on Oct. 17 after he honked his horn to alert her that a traffic light had turned green.

According to a Facebook post by the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office, Deborah Benefiel has been charged with murder and criminal recklessness.

“The shooting occurred at approximately 2 p.m. and is alleged to have occurred after the victim honked at the defendant to alert them that a traffic signal had turned green. It’s further alleged the defendant followed the victim while yelling and throwing her hands at them before shooting into his vehicle, striking him in the chest.”

When the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department arrived on the scene, Kentrell Settles was found inside a 2006 Chevrolet Malibu with a gunshot wound.

According to an affidavit, Settles’ girlfriend was with him during the incident. She claimed the couple was stopped at a red light, and when the light turned green, Benefiel, who was driving a car ahead, didn’t move. Settles honked his horn and drove around.

As he did so, his girlfriend said Benefiel was “yelling, screaming and throwing her hands around while inside the vehicle.”

Settles’ girlfriend said as he tried to turn a corner, Benefiel fired into the vehicle, hitting him in the chest. She then hopped onto his boyfriend’s lap and drove about a half mile. Benefiel left the scene.

Settles was taken to Eskenazi Health in critical condition and was pronounced dead at 2:43 p.m., according to People. An autopsy done by the Marion County Coroner’s Office revealed a bullet struck Settles on the right side of his torso. It hit his lung and heart before exiting his chest.

Benefiel was arrested later that day after police officers obtained her information through license plate readers, which led them to her home. It was there that Benefiel told a SWAT officer that “the gun was in the apartment in a bag.”

Police retrieved a .40 caliber Glock handgun in her purse.

Benefiel was scheduled to appear in court on Oct. 21.

by Sharelle B. McNair

October 22, 2025

Uber Offering ‘Digital Tasks’ For Idle Drivers As A Way To Make Extra Money

The digital tasks rollout will start in India with plans to expand to other markets in need including the U.S. “before the end of the year.”

Uber is offering “digital tasks” as a new way for drivers to make extra income without having to make deliveries or take trips, Newsweek reports.

In a new pilot program, Uber gives drivers and couriers in small cities in India the chance to complete “simple, quick tasks,” including document uploads or responding to inquiries in their native languages. CEO Dara Khosrowshahi revealed the new program during the Only on Uber 2025 conference in Washington, D.C. Supported by Chief Product Officer Sachin Kansal, the leadership team came up with the idea by listening to feedback from drivers interested in being able to earn more — even when they aren’t on the road. “Whether it’s digital tasks with doc uploads or audio uploads, or catering orders, we want to make sure that you have as many earning opportunities on our platform as possible, suitable to your situation and your requirements,” Kansal said.

“We have heard from you loud and clear that you want more ways to earn, and we are listening.”

The tasks come with a collaborative effort with AI companies, utilizing drivers to train and refine AI models, in an effort to add to the data-labelling platform, Uber AI Solutions. “Uber AI Solutions is piloting a program in 12 cities across India that allows drivers to boost their earnings by completing digital tasks directly in the Uber app,” Uber AI Solutions’ global head Megha Yethadka said, according to Economic Times.

“Until now, in India and other countries, these tasks, such as labelling work, text classification, object counting, and receipt digitisation, were completed by independent contractors outside the app.”

By definition, data labelling is a process that adds purposeful tags or descriptions to raw data such as images, text, or audio. The data is used to train AI models in order for them to make accurate and real-world predictions. For example, the platform is used to identify a stop sign on the road or understand a customer’s request in the app. Other tasks include sorting through items priced over $50 in a shopping invoice shared with the drivers.

The digital tasks rollout will start in India with plans to expand to other markets in need, including the U.S., “before the end of the year.” The company specified that available tasks would only depend on “clients’ needs” for the time being. “Each task takes only a few minutes,” the company said in a statement.

“Over time, you’ll see a wider variety of tasks, giving you more opportunities to earn.”

Wayne Brady, Financial Literacy Month, pay progress forward, host, let's make a deal, Chime

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

October 22, 2025

Wayne Brady Scores Global Publishing Deal For Afrofuturist Thriller, ‘Hard Times’

Wayne Brady and Maurice Broaddus are set to bring their time-bending Afrofuturist thriller to readers around the world.

Wayne Brady has secured a global publishing deal for his debut Afrofuturist science fiction novel, Hard Times, co-authored with Maurice Broaddus.

Announced on Oct. 20, Brady’s deal with Erewhon Books, an imprint of Kensington Publishing Corp., includes two Hard Times novels: the first set for early 2027, followed by a sequel in 2028, Broadway World reports. The time-bending sci-fi thriller follows an estranged father and son whose fractured relationship complicates their escape from “The Farm,” a for-profit prison outside of time.

“This is what happens when H.G. Wells meets Huey Newton—a time-bending sci-fi epic that tears through the past, present, and future to confront one of America’s greatest sins: the systemic incarceration of Black bodies,” Brady said in a statement. “It’s my answer to every story that left Blackness out of the future. At its heart, Hard Times is a reclamation—for anyone who’s ever felt erased from the narrative.”

Written in collaboration by Brady, an Emmy-winning actor, and Broaddus, an acclaimed author, Afrofuturist, and community organizer, the novel draws inspiration from Ava DuVernay’s award-winning documentary 13th. Fans of Chain Gang All-Stars by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah and Octavia Butler’s Kindred will enjoy how the time-traveling adventure explores parallels between Jim Crow-era policies and today’s school-to-prison pipeline, confronting systemic injustices in the U.S. prison system.

“Wayne and I wanted to tell a story that centers Black fatherhood, explores generational pain and healing, and goes up against the systems that seek to break those bonds. Hard Times is the romp I wish I’d grown up reading,” Broaddus said.

The global publishing deal was secured through negotiations led by Anthony Mattero at CAA and Thomas Hoberman for Brady, and Bridget Smith at JABberwocky Literary Agency for Broaddus, with Diana Pho, editorial director at Erewhon Books, also involved.

“I’m not surprised that Maurice and Wayne connected on their shared love of speculative fiction, social justice, and authentic representation of the Black experience through storytelling,” Pho said. “Erewhon Books is immensely excited to publish Hard Times: an opportunity to address the timely and universal issue of incarceration and the oft-buried history of America in the guise of this thrilling time-travel adventure.”

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

October 22, 2025

Paid In Full Foundation Celebrates Hip-Hop Legends

Kool G Rap, Grand Puba (Brand Nubian), George Clinton (Parliament), Kool Rock Ski (Fat Boys), and Jalil Hutchins (Whodini) were honored.

A hip-hop took celebration place Oct. 18 at the third annual Paid In Full Foundation Hip-Hop Grandmaster Awards in Las Vegas.

Grand Puba, Kool G Rap, real funk master, George Clinton, The Fat Boys’ Kool Rock Ski, and Whodini’s Jalil Hutchins were acknowledged for their contributions to the culture at The Bellagio Resort & Casino.

Hip-hop luminaries in attendance to support the honorees included Nas, Fab 5 Freddy, and Dr. Dre.

Per Instagram:

“The 3rd Annual @PaidInFullFoundation Hip-Hop Grandmaster Awards honored the legendary @kgrfilms and @therealgrandpuba , while the iconic @yolikegeorge received the Quincy Jones Award for a lifetime of influence.

“Hosted by the Board of Directors — Ben Horowitz, Felicia Horowitz, @stevestoute, @m_ebanksapollo , and @therealqd3 — with support from Advisory Board members @nas, @fab5freddy, and @videomusicbox , the night celebrated the pioneers, legends, and the beats that laid the foundation for Hip-Hop.

“We’re so grateful to everyone who joined us to honor the culture, share the energy, and make this night unforgettable. 🔥💯

#HipHopGrandmasterAwards #LegendsOnly #HipHopHistory #VegasNights #PaidInFullFoundation #LegendsLiveOn #HipHopVibes #paidinfullfoundation“

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The Paid in Full Foundation was started to annually honor artists and provide grants to older (and frequently overlooked) hip-hop artists. The organization was founded in 2022 by Ben and Felicia Horowitz.

“Unfortunately, many of the most impactful original artists never received recognition proportional with their exceptional contributions to arts and culture,” the organization’s mission statement reads in part. “The Paid in Full Foundation aims to rectify that through its grantmaking program, by both honoring the people who built Hip Hop and enabling them to pursue their creative and intellectual pursuits for the benefit of society.”

This year, Kool G Rap and Grand Puba received the Hip-Hop Grandmaster Award. George Clinton was presented with the inaugural Quincy Jones Award. Kool Rock-Ski and WHutchins were honored with the inaugural Contributor Award.

Performers at the event included Ludacris, Mobb Deep’s Havoc, Babyface, Nas, Rakim, and Kool Moe Dee.

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

October 22, 2025

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Launches Leadership Institute At Founding Place Of Cornell University

The institute will also house students of all backgrounds, a privilege the fraternity's founders were excluded from.

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity has launched a new leadership institute and student residence at its founding school, Cornell University.

The Ivy League institution in Ithaca, New York, announced the news on Oct. 20, according to the Cornell Chronicle. Also known as the birthplace of the first fraternity for Black men, Cornell’s ties to the pillar of Black history are further ingrained in this new building.

Deemed the House of Alpha Leadership Institute, it sits within the Cornell Heights Historic District. Since its founding in 1906, Alpha Phi Alpha has expanded to multiple chapters across various colleges and communities. Now, it extends its presence at Cornell. The home even features the fraternity’s colors, black and gold.

The building came to life through the support of alumni members and the Alpha Light Fund, its social impact nonprofit. Any student can live in the residence. Its main requirement is that residents uphold values of leadership, justice, and equity, core pillars of the fraternity.

A major donor for the project was fellow member Robert F. Smith, billionaire investor and founder of Vista Equity Partners. Smith bought the 9,000-square-foot home in 2023 for $1.3 million. He then donated the property to the fund and paid $9 million toward its renovations. At its Oct. 18 dedication ceremony, Smith recalled how joining Alpha Phi Alpha shaped his experience at Cornell.

Smith shared, “These brothers welcomed me, in so many ways, to a new reality of opportunity, and that’s what the Alpha Phi Alpha, Alpha chapter, is all about.”

The building will offer student housing as well as programming dedicated to uplifting the community and sparking diverse dialogue.

“We’re here to celebrate a vision of empowered leadership and active community building,” shared Dr. Dennis Mitchell, fellow alumni member and founding president of Alpha Light Fund. “It’s a vision rooted in cultural legacy, in collaboration and in sustainable impact.”

Alpha Phi Alpha was formed as a pathway for Black Cornell students to forge community on campus. Unable to live on campus due to segregation, Black students banded together to create a literary society.

It has since grown into the renowned fraternity known worldwide. Mitchell recalled this quest by its founders, who went on to build a legacy within and beyond the university’s halls.

“They created something new. Out of exclusion, they built belonging. Out of invisibility, they built visibility,” Mitchell said. “… There’s a reason that that spark is lit right here at Cornell University and not anywhere else, and more than a century later, that spark continues to burn.”

The fraternity also remembers its esteemed history on Cornell’s campus. The two parties continue to build upon this relationship as beacons of academic excellence. While challenges of academia and diversity appear greater than ever, Alpha Phi Alpha continues its founders’ legacy of equitable education and upliftment.

“Over the years, it’s a commitment that’s been questioned and tested many times,” said Cornell President Michael Kotlikoff. “Those founding values continue to guide us and ensure that Cornell remains committed to building a more just and equitable society through the education of the next generation of scholars and leaders. Alpha Phi Alpha’s founding at Cornell in 1906 is a critical part of that history, and its legacy is part of our identity today.”

Inaugural HBCU Film Festival, Black Filmmakers, Detroit

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

October 22, 2025

TDE Films Selects Five LA-Based Filmmakers For Inaugural Short Film Fund

TDE has selected five LA-based filmmakers with diverse stories to tell as part of its inaugural Short Film Fund.

TDE Films, the film division of Grammy-winning Top Dawg Entertainment, has announced five Los Angeles-based filmmakers as recipients of its inaugural Short Film Fund.

On Oct. 22, rising filmmakers Diamond Batiste, Ciara Boniface, Jeremy Hsing, Alejandra López, and Brittany Alexia Young were named the inaugural cohort for TDE’s first-ever Short Film Fund. The initiative, launched by the media powerhouse behind Grammy-winning artists Kendrick Lamar, SZA, and Doechii, will provide the filmmakers with full resources to produce short films exploring issues affecting their communities.

“Our goal with TDE Films’ Short Film Fund is to assemble a roster of filmmakers who have powerful stories to tell and support them with the financing, tools, resources, and mentorship they need to thrive in TV and film,” TDE Founder and CEO Anthony “Top Dawg” Tiffith said in a press release.

Among the upcoming shorts, Diamond Batiste’s The Art of Deception follows a struggling freelance artist who becomes the sugar baby of a world-renowned artist and collector in her pursuit of fame and fortune. Her quest takes a dark turn when she discovers the artist is a serial killer who turns victims into macabre works of art. Jeremy Hsing’s Big Baller Boy explores the story of an anxious 15-year-old trying to impress his former basketball-phenom father by making the school team, only for both father and son to learn there’s more to life than basketball.

Brittany Young’s Bossanova follows a washed-up WWE star who receives an unexpected lesson in self-acceptance after confronting his drag queen son for using his stage name. Alejandra López’s Salmon Run tells the story of a desperate Puerto Rican mother who takes a job at a salmon factory in urban Los Angeles, only to uncover a sinister plot after her best friend mysteriously disappears. Ciara Boniface’s Sweet Vincent centers on a professional jazz musician and her former lover, both haunted by grief as they struggle to reconcile on the day of a life-changing performance.

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Launched in March 2025, TDE Films continues the brand’s legacy of masterful storytelling by amplifying diverse stories that reflect bold, authentic, and provocative narratives that challenge and inspire culture. Following its initial foray into film with the December 2024 premiere of writer/director Britt Banks’ short, We Are Not Okay, the company was inspired by the positive reception and created the Short Film Fund to provide emerging filmmakers with the resources needed to bring their unique visions to life.

“We have a track record of creating the biggest artists in the world who are known for their fearless storytelling,” Tiffith said. “I believe this fund will help us discover a new generation of behind-the-camera talent whose stories are ready to be seen.”