BigXthaPlug is revealing more of the star-studded collaborations set for his upcoming album, as the Texas musician unveiled the full tracklist for his forthcoming Aug. 22 albumI Hope You’re Happy.
The set will feature collabs with Darius Rucker, Jelly Roll, Ink, Tucker Wetmore, Luke Combs and Thomas Rhett.
“There’s a lot of special features on this project, man,” BigXthaPlug said in an interview with Apple Music at the company’s new Los Angeles studio, listing off the collaborators on his album and adding, “I’m here to tell you, I’ve got my bag with this one.”
He’s already steadily rolling out new music from the album, including the Billboard Hot 100 top five hit “All the Way” with Bailey Zimmerman (which also topped the Hot Country Songs chart), as well as “Home” with Shaboozey and his latest, “Hell at Night” with Ella Langley.
In June, BigXthaPlug was named the innovator of the year at Billboard’s Country Power Players event, held in Nashville.
“I wouldn’t say my version of country music is country music. It’s kind of mixing the two sounds,” he previously told Billboard. “I’m rapping on a bunch of country-style beats, but it’s not just country. I’m not on there sounding like no cowboy; I’m rapping. I’m just doing it from a country standpoint. I’m not saying it was easy — it definitely was a challenge.”
See the full track list for BigXthaPlug’s I Hope You’re Happy below:
https://i0.wp.com/neztelinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/station.nez_png.png?fit=943%2C511&ssl=1511943Yvetohttps://neztelinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/nez_png.pngYveto2025-08-13 01:59:502025-08-13 01:59:50BigXthaPlug Reveals Collaborations With Luke Combs, Darius Rucker, Jelly Roll & Thomas Rhett on Upcoming Album
Bad Bunny earns a fourth No. 1 on Billboard’s Latin Airplay chart from his album Debí Tirar Más Fotos to No. 1, as “EoO” lifts 3-1 on the chart dated Aug. 16. The Puerto Rican reaches a historic milestone, becoming the first to have at least four albums each generate four or more No. 1 hits on the overall Latin radio ranking.
Related
‘No Me Quiero Ir De Aquí’: Bad Bunny Brings Pride, Power & Puerto Rican Excellence to Historic Residency Premiere at Coliseo
The Life of a Prolific Pop Star: ‘Showgirl’ Will Be Taylor Swift’s Ninth Full-Length Album of the 2020s
How Preston Cooper Went From ‘The Singing Mailman’ to Writing His First Country Hit With The Warren Brothers
“EoO” lands at the summit on Latin Airplay with 8.6 million in audience impressions (up 14%), earned in the United States during the Aug. 1-7 tracking week, according to Luminate. With the new win, his 29th total leader, Benito breaks from a tie with Daddy Yankee for the fourth-most No. 1s since the chart launched in 1994. He trails J Balvin with 38 No. 1s, the most overall, Ozuna with 35 champs, and Enrique Iglesias with 32.
“EoO” joins Debí Tirar Más Fotos’ previous chart-toppers – all earned since February (following the album’s Jan. 5 release): “EL ClúB,” “Baile Inolvidable” and “DtMF.” The feat mirrors Benito’s prior triumphs, as his 2023 album Nadie Sabe Lo Que Va a Pasar Mañana and 2020’s YHLQMDLG generated four No. 1s each, while 2022’s Un Verano Sin Ti delivered five.
Bad Bunny makes history as the first artist to have four albums each produce four or more No. 1 hits on the Latin Airplay chart. The Puerto Rican surpasses Romeo Santos, who previously earned three albums reaching this benchmark.
Here’s a breakdown of the artists (in alphabetical order) who have had at least one album produce four or more No. 1 hits on the Latin Airplay chart:
Artist, Album, No. 1s (Years the Songs Went to No. 1) Bad Bunny, Un Verano Sin Ti, five, (2019-23) Bad Bunny, YHLQMDLG, four, (2020) Bad Bunny, Nadie Sabe Lo Que Va a Pasar Mañana, four, (2023-34) Bad Bunny, Debí Tirar Más Fotos, four, (2025) Enrique Iglesias, Enrique Iglesias, five, (1995-96) Enrique Iglesias, Final (Vol. 1), five, (2015-21) J Balvin, Vibras, four, (2017-18) J Balvin, José, four, (2020-22) Karol G, KG0516, five, (2020-21) Maluma, Don Juan, four, (2021-23) Prince Royce, Llamada Perdida, four, (2021-24) Romeo Santos, Fórmula, Vol. 1, five, (2011-13) Romeo Santos, Fórmula, Vol. 2, five, (2013-15) Romeo Santos, Golden, four, (2017-18) Shakira, Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran, seven, (2022-24) Wisin, Victory, four, (2016-18) Wisin & Yandel, La Historia De El Dúo, 1, four, (2006-09)
Beyond its Latin Airplay coronation, “EoO” also jumps 3-1 on the Latin Rhythm Airplay chart, for Benito’s 29th ruler there.
https://i0.wp.com/neztelinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/station.nez_png.png?fit=943%2C511&ssl=1511943Yvetohttps://neztelinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/nez_png.pngYveto2025-08-13 00:12:532025-08-13 00:12:53Bad Bunny Carves Out a New Piece of Chart History With Latest Latin Airplay No. 1 ‘EoO’
Reneé Rapp scores her first No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Album Sales chart as her new project, BITE ME, bows atop the list dated Aug. 16. It’s her second top 10 on the tally, following the No. 10-peaking Snow Angel in 2023. BITE ME launches with Rapp’s best sales week ever, 47,000 copies sold in the United States in the week ending Aug. 7, according to Luminate.
Related
Reneé Rapp Earns Her First U.K. No. 1 Album With ‘Bite Me’
The Life of a Prolific Pop Star: ‘Showgirl’ Will Be Taylor Swift’s Ninth Full-Length Album of the 2020s
How Preston Cooper Went From ‘The Singing Mailman’ to Writing His First Country Hit With The Warren Brothers
BITE ME’s first-week sales were bolstered by its availability across 11 vinyl variants (including signed editions) and five CD variants (including signed editions). Vinyl purchases accounted for 63% of the album’s first-week sales (30,000 of 47,000) and the set launches at No. 1 on the Vinyl Albums chart.
BITE ME also starts at No. 3 on the overall Billboard 200, marking Rapp’s first top 10 on that list.
Also in the new top 10 of Top Album Sales, $uicidBoy$ land their highest charting album yet with the No. 2 bow of THY KINGDOM COME, Yeat nabs his third top 10-charted project with DANGEROUS SUMMER’s start at No. 3, and the live album from Billy Strings and Bryan Sutton, Live at the Legion, debuts at No. 7.
Billboard’s Top Album Sales chart ranks the top-selling albums of the week based only on traditional album sales. The chart’s history dates back to May 25, 1991, the first week Billboard began tabulating charts with electronically monitored piece count information from SoundScan, now Luminate. Pure album sales were the sole measurement utilized by the Billboard 200 albums chart through the list dated Dec. 6, 2014, after which that chart switched to a methodology that blends album sales with track equivalent album (TEA) units and streaming equivalent album (SEA) units. The new Aug. 16, 2025-dated Top Album Sales chart will be posted in full on Billboard‘s website on Aug. 13.
Back on the Top Album Sales ranking, $uicideBoy$ scores their highest-charting set ever as THY KINGDOM COME debuts at No. 2 with 23,000 copies sold. Vinyl purchases fueled the set’s first-week, with 83% of its sales owed to vinyl (19,000 of 23,000), garnering the hip-hop act its best week ever on vinyl. The project debuts at No. 2 on the Vinyl Albums chart, boosted by its availability across six vinyl variants.
Yeat clocks his third top 10-charted effort on Top Album Sales as DANGEROUS SUMMER starts at No. 3 with 16,000 sold (aided by its availability across three CD variants, all signed, exclusive to his webstore).
TOMORROW X TOGETHER’s chart-topping The Star Chapter: TOGETHER falls to No. 4 (15,000 sold, down 76%) after premiering at No. 1 a week ago. Clipse’s Let God Sort Em Out rises 8-5 (11,000, though down 5%) and TWICE’s THIS IS FOR steps 10-6 (8,000, down 6%).
Billy Strings and Bryan Sutton’s Live at the Legion enters at No. 7 on Top Album Sales, following its physical release on CD and vinyl on Aug. 1. It sold nearly 6,000 copies in the latest tracking week, up from a negligible sum in the previous week. (It was previously available to purchase only as a digital download, upon its initial release on April 7.) The set captures the pair’s concert at Nashville’s American Legion Post #82 on April 7, 2024.
Vinyl purchases make up the majority of Live at the Legion’s sales for the week, with 88% of its sales (a little over 5,000) coming from vinyl purchases. Assisted by its availability across three variants, the set starts at No. 4 on Vinyl Albums.
Live at the Legion also reenters the Bluegrass Albums chart at No. 1, for its first week atop the tally, with 6,000 equivalent album units earned. It’s the ninth No. 1 for Strings and first for Sutton.
Rounding out the rest of the top 10 on the latest Top Album Sales chart: Freddie Gibbs & The Alchemist’s Alfredo 2 falls 5-8 in its second week (nearly 6,000, down 62%), Tyler Childers’ Snipe Hunter drops 2-9 in its second frame (a little over 5,000, down 80%) and ENHYPEN’s chart-topping DESIRE : UNLEASH rises 14-10 (5,000, up 5%).
https://i0.wp.com/neztelinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/station.nez_png.png?fit=943%2C511&ssl=1511943Yvetohttps://neztelinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/nez_png.pngYveto2025-08-13 00:12:532025-08-13 00:12:53Reneé Rapp Scores First No. 1 on Top Album Sales Chart With ‘BITE ME’
My Morning Jacket will release a deluxe edition of their 2005 album Z this fall to commemorate the LP’s 20-year anniversary.
Out Oct. 3 via ATO Records, Z‘s expanded edition will include 14 musical and video outtakes, previously unreleased demos and more. The announcement comes in tandem with the release of “Where to Begin,” out Tuesday (Aug. 12) and originally written for and included on the soundtrack to the 2005 Cameron Crowe film Elizabethtown. Listen to the song below.
The project also comes with newly written liner notes by veteran music journalist David Fricke. The deluxe edition will be available digitally, on CD, and as a three album set on pink, coral and blue-colored vinyl. Pre-orders are available now.
As part of the anniversary, the band is also doing a run of shows where they’re playing Z in its entirety. These performances begin this week at Red Rocks Amphitheater in Colorado on Aug. 15, at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles on Aug. 19, at Brooklyn Paramount on Oct. 16, at The Salt Shed in Chicago on Oct. 26 and at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta on Nov. 1. These shows are happening amid My Morning Jacket’s wider tour for its most recent album, is, released in March.
“October 4 is the 20th anniversary of our album Z, It’s pretty wild to think about that,” James says in a statement. “To celebrate two decades of it being out in the ether, we’re excited to be turning five of our shows into special Z anniversary shows, where we’ll play that album – and some other songs, don’t worry – front to back.”
The Kentucky-born band’s fourth studio album, Z spent six weeks on the Billboard 200, where it reached No. 67.
Cam’ron just upped the ante in his ongoing feud with actor Omar Gooding.
The rapper-turned-host recently took to Instagram to reveal that he pranked Gooding by hiring him as an actor for a fake movie.
Related
Cam’ron Announces Six-Figure Book Deal to Write His Memoir: ‘I’m Happy to Have This Deal Done’
The Life of a Prolific Pop Star: ‘Showgirl’ Will Be Taylor Swift’s Ninth Full-Length Album of the 2020s
How Preston Cooper Went From ‘The Singing Mailman’ to Writing His First Country Hit With The Warren Brothers
“I booked the n—a to do a movie that’s never coming out like three weeks ago,” Cam told his followers. “Yeah, Omar. That movie that you flew down to Miami for? It ain’t no movie coming out. I booked you. And I was laughing at you behind the scenes. I was there. I was sitting there laughing at you. And you know what? Now you’re coming on Revolt tonight because you signed the paperwork. I could do whatever with the footage.”
He then finished the video by saying he wanted to hire Gooding for a baby shower and claimed that he’s going to start booking his enemies. “Now do another record; I’ma book you for my goddaughter’s baby shower,” he said. “Her sh– is in October and we’ll book you to do all the diss records. I’ll pay you for that too because what I’ma start doing is paying n—as just to laugh at them. It cost me $3,500 to do everything to book you — the hotel, your flight, all that sh–. It costs me $12,000 to $13,000 to go to the NBA game. I’d just rather laugh at you for $3,500.”
He added: “Be careful. This is my new sh–. It’s called, ‘Book My Opps.’”
Gooding then responded with his own video on Instagram saying that he wanted to apologize for what he was about to do to Cam in yet another diss record, saying, “It’s gon’ be diabolical,” before also thanking the Harlem rapper for the free trip to Miami and asked him to book him again.
“Keep booking, I’ma keep spendin’ it,” he said before ending the clip.
The back and forth between Gooding and Killa dates back to a December 2024 episode of Talk With Flee when Cam’ron mistakenly confused Omar Gooding with his older brother Cuba Gooding Jr. by adding the Jr. suffix after the younger Gooding’s name during a conversation with 50 Cent about certain Black actors not having consistent work unless someone like 50 hires them.
“No disrespect to nobody I’m talking about,” Cam said to the Queens filmmaker. “Like Ving Rhames, you sitting around, or Omar Gooding Jr., y’all n—as sitting around — I would have saved my money and shot my own sh– by now — but the Black actor has to sit around for a 50 Cent or somebody in your lane to come pick them up to put them in something.”
Omar Gooding has released three diss records (and counting) aimed at Cam’ron.
https://i0.wp.com/neztelinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/station.nez_png.png?fit=943%2C511&ssl=1511943Yvetohttps://neztelinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/nez_png.pngYveto2025-08-12 23:16:362025-08-12 23:16:36Cam’ron Pranks Omar Gooding by Hiring Actor for Fake Film: ‘Ain’t No Movie Coming Out’
Drake’s lawyers are trying to get their hands on emails and text messages that Universal Music Group (UMG) chief executive Lucian Grainge allegedly sent about the chart-topping Kendrick Lamar diss track “Not Like Us.”
Attorneys for the Canadian superstar (Aubrey Drake Graham) want to make Grainge a key witness in their lawsuit accusing UMG of plotting to boost the popularity of “Not Like Us,” Lamar’s hit 2024 Interscope Records track that called Drake a “certified pedophile.” Interscope is a subsidiary of UMG, as is Drake’s label, Republic Records.
Related
Drake’s Legal Team Names Possible Witnesses in UMG Lawsuit Over ‘Not Like Us’: See the List
Soulja Boy Released From Jail After Prosecutors Decline to Bring Gun Charges
SiriusXM Kicks Off Multi-Channel Artist Residency Initiative With Maroon 5 and Bailey Zimmerman
The case is now in the discovery phase of litigation, in which each side sifts through its documents and turns over relevant files to the other. But UMG has refused to produce Grainge’s emails and texts to Drake’s lawyers, insisting that its CEO had “no meaningful involvement” in the release or promotion of “Not Like Us.”
Now, Drake’s team is seeking a court order that would force UMG to turn over Grainge’s files. In a motion filed Tuesday (Aug. 12), attorney Michael Gottlieb says the company’s refusal “is unsupported by law and would prejudice plaintiff’s ability to test and prove his claims.”
“Plaintiff’s amended complaint contains numerous allegations specific to Grainge, including his role in and knowledge of the scheme to defame and harass plaintiff, and UMG’s use of deceptive business practices regarding the same,” writes Gottlieb. “UMG’s insistence on shielding Grainge from document discovery is unfair, unwarranted and inconsistent with fundamental principles of discovery.”
Gottlieb says in the motion that Grainge holds a “position of control” over artists like Lamar and that, as CEO, he approved the release and promotion of “Not Like Us.” As for Grainge’s supposed motivation for defaming Drake, Gottlieb says the executive is “well known for the encouragement of competition between the UMG record labels” and that the company had an incentive to devalue Drake’s brand in order to gain negotiating leverage ahead of upcoming contract extension talks.
Related
Drake Can Seek Kendrick Lamar’s Record Deal & Other Docs in ‘Not Like Us’ Lawsuit, Judge Says
“If, as UMG claims, Grainge had ‘no meaningful involvement in the matters and decisions at issue in this litigation,’ then UMG will have little, if anything, to produce to plaintiff from his files, and the review process would impose minimal burden on UMG,” adds Gottlieb.
A rep for UMG did not immediately return a request for comment on the motion.
UMG has vehemently denied that it defamed Drake or did anything untoward in its promotion of “Not Like Us.” The company says Drake is just embarrassed after losing his very public rap battle with Lamar and is now trying to “save face” and “salve his wounds” with misguided litigation.
Judge Jeannette A. Vargas in New York federal court is currently weighing UMG’s motion to dismiss the case outright as legally invalid. The judge held a hearing earlier this summer, and her ruling could come any day now.
https://i0.wp.com/neztelinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/station.nez_png.png?fit=943%2C511&ssl=1511943Yvetohttps://neztelinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/nez_png.pngYveto2025-08-12 23:02:352025-08-12 23:02:35Drake Wants UMG CEO Lucian Grainge’s Emails, Texts in ‘Not Like Us’ Lawsuit
The Only Murders in the Building crew are keeping their friends close, and their murder suspects closer. In a Tuesday (Aug. 12) trailer for the show’s highly anticipated fifth season, Selena Gomez, Martin Short and Steve Martin’s characters find themselves in the middle of a modern-day Godfather situation, with the trio having to get cozy with members of the New York City mafia to solve their latest mysteries.
Related
Selena Gomez Gets Emotional After Wrapping ‘Only Murders’ Season 5: ‘You All Have Seen My Best & My Worst’
Selena Gomez Recalls How She & Taylor Swift First ‘Bonded’ Over Their Jonas Brother Breakups
Kelly Clarkson Pens Love Song Inspired by Meryl Streep & Martin Short’s ‘Only Murders’ Romance
The two-and-a-half-minute teaser opens with the death of doorman Lester, who is found in an outdoor fountain pooling with his blood. After the cops rule the shocking situation an “accident,” the Arconia mystery solvers must “go face to face with the mob” — as Martin’s character puts it — to find clarity.
“This isn’t the mob, this is the new mob of New York” says a distressed Short after meeting a group of gangster brothers in the trailer.
Elsewhere in the video, the gang crashes Lester’s funeral to get answers — and at one point, Martin unceremoniously checks the doorman’s casket to see if the body still has all 10 fingers. As mourners start yelling at him for defiling the corpse, the Rare Beauty founder says hilariously, “We’re all going to Hell.”
The new trailer comes about two months after Gomez revealed that she and her fellow cast and crew had wrapped filming for the fifth season of Only Murders. Sharing an emotional video of her last day on set, the star wrote on Instagram, “To my only murders family, the past 5 years you all have seen my best and my worst.”
“I hope [you’re] reading this because I deeply appreciate each and every one of you,” she added at the time. “Words can’t describe how much I love what we’ve all created and we wouldn’t be here without you all!”
In addition to the core trio behind Only Murders, Meryl Streep will also return for the fifth season, which will premiere on Hulu on Sept. 9. The new installment also stars Renée Zellweger, Logan Lerman, Christoph Waltz, Keegan-Michael Key, Beanie Feldstein and more fresh faces.
Watch the trailer for season 5 of Only Murders in the Building above.
https://i0.wp.com/neztelinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/station.nez_png.png?fit=943%2C511&ssl=1511943Yvetohttps://neztelinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/nez_png.pngYveto2025-08-12 23:02:342025-08-12 23:02:34‘We’re All Going to Hell’: Selena Gomez & Company Go Full ‘Godfather’ in ‘Only Murders’ Season 5 Trailer
All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.
Back-to-school season is almost upon us, which means you’ll need to start the process of shopping around for durable and stylish backpacks.
The process of back-to-school shopping can be a pain, especially for your wallet, but it doesn’t have to be. To help you along your shopping journey, we’ve compiled a list of backpacks retailing for under $50 that we’re sure you’ll love.
Whether you’re looking for something trendy, tech-friendly, or simply practical, this list contains a wide range of backpacks to fit every need and preference. From sporty and trendy designs to Bluey and Minecraft-themed options, we’ve scoured retailers like Target, Urban Outfitters, Amazon and Walmart to find the best of the best backpacks for all ages, making back-to-school shopping easy and fun.
Who doesn’t love Bluey? The character is lovable and loyal, making a great role model for adults and kids alike. This 10.2-inch bag retails for $16 at Target and features an all-over Bluey print set atop a salmon pink background. The bag also comes equipped with a front zipper pocket to hold whatever you need throughout your school day, from pencils and markers to calculators. The main compartment is wide enough to hold books and binders with ease. For a more comfortable fit, the straps are also adjustable.
Cat & Jack is bringing cottagecore back to school. Retailing for $14 at Target, this 16-inch backpack is fitted with two wide pockets and tons of personality. The bag features an all-over white bow print set atop a quilted denim fabric. Additional features include a laptop sleeve, a nifty water bottle holder and adjustable straps.
Why not have fun with your accessories? This All In Motion Sporty backpack from Target comes in a sunshine yellow hue that’s sure to brighten up your school day. You’ve also got a whopping two bottle holders, a laptop sleeve and large zip-up compartments along with ergonomic adjustable straps and a loop handle, making the backpack easy to carry on your back or in your hand. If the lemon-esque hue isn’t doing it for you, this bag also comes in five other colorways.
If you’re looking for a simple but effective backpack with no nonsense, you’ve come to the right place. Retailing for $24.99 on Amazon, this SUPACOOL unisex backpack comes in monochrome black with a simplistic design. The bag contains a large zip-up compartment for books, laptops and anything else you want to take with you on the go. While the majority of this backpack is pretty standard, it has a hidden USB charger outside and a built-in charging cable inside that sets it apart from the rest.
Kids Minecraft Backpack 4-Piece Combo School Supplies
With the success of the Minecraft movie this year, we’re seeing tons of Minecraft-themed styles that are great for the back-to-school season. Stylish and full of personality, this one from Walmart is $36.99 and is designed to look like the dreaded Creeper, a Mob in the video game. The bag itself is pretty standard, just your one-compartment style with a zipper closure. When you buy this backpack, you’ll also be getting a Minecraft-themed lunch kit, water bottle and a charm that comes with it. That’s four pieces in total for the price of one.
Nintendo Boys’ “Game Time” Mario, Yoshi, and Luigi 17″ Graphic Backpack
Speaking of video games, this Super Mario Bros-themed backpack is a hit in our books. Retailing for $14.97 at Walmart, this backpack is equipped with motifs of your favorite plumbers, Mario and Luigi, along with their favorite dinosaur companion, Yoshi. The animated graphics give way to one main compartment, one front pocket and a padded laptop pocket to keep all your belongings. The bag also has two foam mesh pockets to hold your water bottle. Additionally, this backpack features reflective portions that’ll keep your little ones seen and safe if they’re ever out late.
JanSport SuperBreak Plus Laptop Backpack in Misty Rose
Pretty in pink and affordable to boot. This JanSport backpack comes in a Misty Rose colorway and retails for $40 at Urban Outfitters. The bag has all the right details, including a large main compartment and front pocket along with an inner laptop sleeve, water bottle compartment and adjustable sleeves. The style also features a padded back panel that allows the bag to lie comfortably on your back after those long days in class.
https://i0.wp.com/neztelinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/station.nez_png.png?fit=943%2C511&ssl=1511943Yvetohttps://neztelinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/nez_png.pngYveto2025-08-12 22:27:212025-08-12 22:27:21Make Back-to-School Season Stress-Free With These Backpacks Under $50 from Target, Walmart & More
Metro Boomin’s civil rape lawsuit is slated to go to trial in September after “unsuccessful” settlement negotiations between the superstar producer and a woman who alleges he assaulted and impregnated her in 2016.
Vanessa LeMaistre’s 2024 lawsuit claims she blacked out after ingesting Xanax and alcohol in Metro Boomin’s studio during a recording session and later woke up to the producer (Leland Wayne) raping her. The producer denies sexually assaulting LeMaistre, and his lawyers have called the case a “pure shakedown.”
Related
Metro Boomin Faces Rape Lawsuit by Woman Who Says Assault Was Referenced in Song Lyrics
Soulja Boy Released From Jail After Prosecutors Decline to Bring Gun Charges
SiriusXM Kicks Off Multi-Channel Artist Residency Initiative With Maroon 5 and Bailey Zimmerman
The lawsuit is scheduled to go to trial in Los Angeles federal court starting Sept. 23. According to a court filing from Monday (Aug. 11), attorneys for Metro and LeMaistre attempted to avert a trial by holding a mediation session with a retired judge in July but were unable to agree on a deal.
“After the mediation, the parties have continued limited settlement discussions, which have proven unsuccessful,” says the joint status report. “The parties are currently preparing the matter for trial.”
L.A. jurors will now be tasked with deciding whether Metro raped LeMaistre, who claims she met the producer in Las Vegas in the spring of 2016. LeMaistre says she confided in Metro about the recent death of her 9-month-old son, and that they “bonded over the ability of music to help people in their darkest moments.”
But LeMaistre’s belief about her bond with Metro allegedly “shattered” the following September, when the producer invited her to watch him work in his California recording studio. LeMaistre says she had a shot of alcohol and half a bar of Xanax, then blacked out, waking up on a bed in a different location “completely unable to move or make a sound” while Metro raped her.
Related
Steven Tyler Accuser Says Age-of-Consent Argument Won’t Save Him From Child Sexual Assault Trial
LeMaistre alleges she became pregnant as a result of the assault and had an abortion in November 2016. Notably, the lawsuit claims the attack is referenced in Metro’s 2017 song “Rap Saved Me” with Offset, 21 Savage and Quavo.
The lyrics in question, rapped by 21 Savage and Offset in the chorus, are: “She took a Xanny, then she fainted/ I’m from the gutter, ain’t no changing/ From the gutter, rap saved me/ She drive me crazy, have my baby.”
The lyrical reference in LeMaistre’s lawsuit is surprising, since Metro is a music producer and songwriter but does not typically write lyrics or rap himself. Metro has denied writing the “Rap Saved Me” lyrics, as well as the rest of LeMaistre’s allegations.
Metro’s attorneys say in court filings that the producer and LeMaistre had fully consensual sex in 2016, and that the plaintiff concocted an “elaborate and grandiose plan” to fabricate assault allegations and demand millions of dollars from Metro while under the influence of ayahuasca eight years later.
Related
LA Reid’s Sex Assault Trial to Include Claims He Blocked Accuser From Signing Ye, John Legend in Retaliation
Reached for comment on Tuesday (Aug. 12), Metro’s lawyer Lawrence Hinkle referred Billboard to his statement last year, in which he called the lawsuit “a pure shakedown.”
“These are false accusations,” said Hinkle when the lawsuit was filed in October. “Mr. Wayne refused to pay her months ago, and he refuses to pay her now. Mr. Wayne will defend himself in court. He will file a claim for malicious prosecution once he prevails.”
LeMaistre’s attorney, Michael Willemin, said in his own Tuesday statement that Metro “has failed to comply with basic discovery obligations” since the case began.
“Meanwhile, we and Ms. LeMaistre have pushed the case forward aggressively, and, because of that, we are headed towards trial on September 23, 2025,” says Willemin. “We look forward to holding Mr. Wayne accountable in front of a jury of his peers.”
Taylor Swift announced her brand-new album, ‘The Life of a Showgirl,’ through a teaser for an upcoming episode of Travis and Jason Kelce’s ‘New Heights’ podcast, where she appears as a guest. We’re breaking down everything we know about TS12!
Jason Lipshutz:
This episode is gonna break every podcast streaming record known to man.
Tetris Kelly:
Taylor Swift just announced her brand-new album ‘The Life of a Showgirl.’ But when is it coming out? October 13th??? And what will it sound like? Max Martin? We’re diving into everything we know!
Jason Lipshutz:
It’s funny because, as a longtime Taylor Swift fan, I’m still used to the every other year album releases. ‘The Tortured Poets Department’ was April 2024, I’m mentally like, “All right, see you 2025, maybe 2026.” The fact that we’re getting a new album this year is pretty remarkable.
Tetris Kelly:
Well, with one Swift countdown clock and a teaser from her man Travis Kelce’s podcast, we’re officially in a new era. And her website listed the ship-by date for ‘The Life of a Showgirl’ as October 13th, so when can we expect it?
Jason Lipshutz:
Obviously, vinyl is gonna need some time to be produced and shipped and all that stuff. So maybe the album comes out in October. Maybe the album comes out on Friday. Who knows? Like, maybe we get a single on Friday and an album in September. You know, one thing that is worth noting is the deadline for Grammy eligibility is the end of August. So look, if we get a Taylor Swift album coming out this month, then it will be eligible at the 2026 Grammy Awards.
Tetris Kelly:
She also dropped a playlist featuring songs produced by her ‘1989’ hitmaker Max Martin.
https://i0.wp.com/neztelinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/station.nez_png.png?fit=943%2C511&ssl=1511943Yvetohttps://neztelinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/nez_png.pngYveto2025-08-12 21:40:562025-08-12 21:40:56Everything We Know About Taylor Swift’s ‘The Life of a Showgirl’ | Billboard News