The estate of MF Doom has failed in its first attempt to hold Temu liable for selling counterfeit versions of the late hip-hop legend’s merchandise.
A Tuesday (Dec. 9) ruling out of California federal court grants the e-commerce giant’s motion to dismiss trademark infringement claims brought by MF Doom’s heirs earlier this year. The estate of the British-born rapper, who died in 2020, accused Temu of selling dozens of knock-off t-shirts, hats and posters bearing his name and signature mask.
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Judge Stanley Blumenfeld Jr. says the lawsuit is legally deficient because Temu is not the maker of this merch but rather a marketplace where independent Chinese merchants can sell their own low-priced goods to American customers.
“Plaintiff alleges no facts supporting an inference of joint ownership or control over the infringing products or suggesting that Temu’s role is anything other than a transactional intermediary and fulfiller,” wrote the judge.
It’s not the end of the road for MF Doom’s heirs, though. Judge Blumenfeld is allowing the estate to try again with an amended complaint as long as “it has a good-faith factual and legal basis to do so.” The reworked lawsuit is due by Dec. 19.
Reps for Temu and the MF Doom estate did not immediately return requests for comment on Tuesday.
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The music industry is increasingly using the legal system to crack down on counterfeiting as phony merch sales have skyrocketed in recent years. Artists like Harry Styles have brought lawsuits against online bootleggers, while the official merch partners for Benson Boone and Tate McRae went to court this summer to stop parking lot t-shirt sellers at the singers’ live shows.
In its August lawsuit, the MF Doom estate tried a new tack by going after a hosting platform, Temu, rather than individual sellers. A month later, the same lawyers brought a similar counterfeiting suit against Temu on behalf of Twenty One Pilots.
Tuesday’s ruling is a sign that artists could face a tough road ahead in holding hosting platforms like Temu liable for the counterfeiting activities of its independent users. There’s a high bar under trademark law to plead the theory known as vicarious or contributory infringement, and it remains to be seen whether the MF Doom estate and Twenty One Pilots will be able to clear that hurdle.
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.pngYveto2025-12-10 02:12:262025-12-10 02:12:26MF Doom Estate’s Temu Counterfeit Merch Lawsuit Thrown Out — For Now
Gene Simmons, co-founder and bass player of the band KISS, told a Senate Judiciary subcommittee on Tuesday (Dec. 9) that paying recording artists for broadcast radio performances isn’t just a matter of fairness; it’s a matter of patriotism. “If you are against this bill, you are un-American,” said Simmons, who veered from typical Congressional hearing practice by making his introductory remarks without notes.
Simmons appeared at a hearing before the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Intellectual Property titled Balancing the Interests of Local Radio, Songwriters, and Performers in the Digital Age, which hosted various industry professionals’ viewpoints on the American Music Fairness Act (AMFA), a bill that would require broadcast radio companies to pay for the performance of sound recordings. Radio stations pay for the performance of musical works through licenses with performance rights organizations such as ASCAP and BMI, as well as for any performances of sound recordings on the internet. But they do not pay record labels or performing artists when they play music over the air — something the music industry has fruitlessly combated for years.
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“I’m here to kindly ask all of you, both Republicans and Democrats, to help us remedy a situation, an injustice,” Simmons said with his wife, Shannon Tweed, son Nick and daughter Sophie seated in the gallery behind him. “Let’s call it for what it is, an injustice that’s been ongoing for many, many decades.” The 76-year-old rocker conceded that he doesn’t need radio royalties — “I’ve done well thanks to the American dream,” he said — but underscored the importance of supporting young artists during their financially precarious early years. “This is for our children and for our children’s children,” he said. “We can’t just let them out in the cold and not have a way to get paid for their hard work.”
Elsewhere at the hearing, Henry Hinton, president and CEO of Inner Banks Media, a small broadcast radio company that serves Eastern North Carolina, took the opposing view. “Radio is free to our listeners, but it is not free to those of us who provide it,” he said. “Radio stations pay countless fees, including annual FCC regulatory fees, copyright royalties to performing rights organizations like ASCAP, BMI, CSAC, GMR and streaming collectives like SoundExchange. Local broadcasters today compete against tech giants and global streaming services, some of whom ironically are now trying to emulate the essence of radio on their platforms. Streaming services are able to recoup costs through subscriptions and fees that they charge to their users. We cannot.”
Simmons seemed to relish playing a good-natured foil to Hinton’s business case against the AMFA. “I’m not here to demonize Mr. Hinton or the radio stations,” he said. “We need each other. Performers need radio; radio needs performers. But for God’s sake, equitable doesn’t mean you get zero and radio makes $14 billion just this last year. That’s not equitable — I know it’s a big word, like gymnasium, but come on, Hinton, let’s get with it. Let’s become American.”
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The pros and cons voiced during Tuesday’s AMFA hearing echoed those from one held about the bill in 2024 before a House Judiciary subcommittee. During that earlier hearing, chairman Darrell Issa (R-OH) suggested that lawmakers had grown impatient and warned broadcasters that Congressional intervention would be more painful than a rate they negotiated with record labels. “And if you don’t take that, [then] quite frankly you have to live with the consequences,” Issa told Curtis LeGeyt, president/CEO of the National Association of Broadcasters, at the time.
On Tuesday, Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) often took a combative stance toward Hinton, telling him that his station is “causing harm” to musicians by not paying a performance royalty. “You’ve got an oldies station,” Blackburn told Hinton. “You’ve never paid Sam Moore’s estate a dime for ‘Soul Man.’” Sen. Adam Schiff (D-CA), who painted himself as a frequent radio listener, was more conciliatory toward radio stations’ financial state. “I just want to let you know I acknowledge all the concerns that you’ve raised,” Schiff said to Hinton.” I think we’ve tried to strike a fair balance in this, but I am mindful of the financial pressure you describe, and I don’t want to act as if we’re not aware of that.”
Michael Huppe, president and CEO of SoundExchange, urged the senators not to pay heed to broadcasters’ talking points that have sunk previous efforts to create a performance right. A performance right is not a tax, he said, because the bill would simply require businesses to pay for content just as they pay for other services. Radio broadcasters have long argued that compensation for performances isn’t merited because radio promotes artists’ work, but Huppe contested that claim. “I doubt broadcasters even believe it — 72% of the music they play on the radio is not current and therefore not promoting new music at all,” he said.
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.pngYveto2025-12-10 01:58:302025-12-10 01:58:30Gene Simmons Testifies on Bill to Pay Artists for Radio Play: ‘If You Are Against This Bill, You Are Un-American’
Kehlani achieves a first No. 1 as lead artist on Billboard’s Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart as “Folded” crowns the listed Dec. 13. The single, released and promoted through Atlantic Records, ascends from the runner-up spot after becoming the most-played song on U.S. panel-contributing mainstream R&B/hip-hop radio stations for the tracking week of Nov. 28 – Dec. 4, according to Luminate. For its coronation week, “Folded” improved 2% in plays compared to the prior frame.
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As “Folded” enters the summit, it unseats Chris Brown’s “It Depends,” featuring Bryson Tiller, from the top after a nine-week reign. The former champ slips one rung after shedding 2% in weekly plays.
Prior to “Folded,” Kehlani landed in the Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay penthouse via a feature on Cardi B’s “Ring,” which ruled for one week in November 2018. As a lead artist, Kehlani’s previous best showing was a No. 2 result for “Beautiful Lies,” a collaboration with Yung Bleu, in March 2022.
In addition to “Folded,” Kehlani claims two more songs on this week’s Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart. They once again support Cardi B, but this time on the rapper’s “Safe,” which slides 7-8 on the chart (down 11%) after it peaked at No. 3 last month. Plus, Kehlani’s own “Folded” follow-up, “Out the Window” pushes 32-30 in its third week on the chart thanks to a 9% jump in weekly plays.
Elsewhere, “Folded” continues to make impact across a slate of airplay charts. It earns a fifth frame at its No. 2 high on the audience-based R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart, where, despite settling for a silver medal again, it increased 1% to 21.1 million in audience listenership for the week. A former Rhythmic Airplay champ – it headed the list for a week in October – “Folded” backtracks 7-8 at that format (down 2%), but improved in plays on Adult R&B Airplay (up 13% for a 23-21 rise) and Pop Airplay (up 1%, though it reverses 30-31 in rank).
With its combination of leading support from the mainstream R&B/hip-hop and rhythmic sectors, plus the building results from adult R&B and mainstream top-40 pop stations, “Folded” repeats at its No. 9 best on the all-genre Radio Songs chart. There, it added 2% more in audience impressions for the tracking week, up to 36.1 million.
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.pngYveto2025-12-10 01:16:232025-12-10 01:16:23With ‘Folded,’ Kehlani Picks Up First Lead No. 1 on Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay Chart
Morgan Wallen‘s Sand in My Boots Festival in Gulf Shores, Alabama, will not return in 2026, according to city officials and executives at AEG.
The mayor of Gulf Shores originally told the City Council that the 2026 version of the festival was canceled due to a lack of available artists, according to People. During a public meeting, Mayor Robert Craft said, “We will refuse to let them go back to the acts we’ve had before, so they couldn’t do it,” adding, “So they canceled the 2026 event but they’ve got time now to pursue the type of talent we want on our beaches, to invite the right audience that we want on our beaches.”
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Craft later clarified his comments, issuing a written statement that read: “The city’s initial 10-year franchise agreement for the Hangout Music Festival was scheduled to conclude following the 2025 event. The city elected to defer consideration of the requested extension until the festival’s outcomes could be evaluated, with input from our residents.”
The country music festival began as Hangout Music Festival, created by A.J. Niland, Shaul Zislin and Lilly Zislin in 2009. In 2015, AEG-owned Goldenvoice entered a partnership to produce the festival and programmed the 40,000-person festival and continued operating the event through 2024 with headliners Lana Del Rey, Zach Bryan and ODESZA. Last year, the festival was rebranded with Morgan Wallen as the title artist, with support from Post Malone, Brooks & Dunn, Hardy, T-Pain, Diplo, The War on Drugs, 3 Doors Down and Future Islands.
Craft added that “this year’s festival received overwhelming community support, and in late July, the City Council approved a two‑year extension” for the festival to return in May 2026. “However, the compressed timeline created by this decision did not provide organizers sufficient runway to produce a successful festival in 2026. As a result, the producers have elected not to proceed with a 2026 event.”
Officials with AEG issued their own statement about the festival, telling Billboard, “The decision to not move forward with a festival for 2026 was tied to Hangout Festival and the permitting approval timeline for the site. We will share news about future events at the site at the appropriate time.”
Craft noted that Gulf Shores officials expected the festival to return in 2027, noting, “We appreciate that they are being thoughtful in creating a lineup that will be impactful to our local economy. All parties are focused on planning a strong and well‑executed music festival, and we look forward to welcoming them back in 2027.”
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.pngYveto2025-12-10 00:00:312025-12-10 00:00:31Morgan Wallen’s Sand in My Boots Festival Not Returning in 2026
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.
It’s never too early to start planning your holiday shopping. With the holiday season quickly approaching, finding thoughtful gifts that won’t break the bank can feel like a challenge. To make your gift-giving stress-free and budget-friendly, we’ve put together a list of 17 gifts that are worth adding to your shopping list, all priced $10 or under.
From Rihanna-approved accessories to ear-safe headphones, this gift guide has something special for everyone, even music lovers. Whether you’re shopping for family, friends or colleagues, these affordable options are sure to bring a smile to someone’s face, without breaking the bank in turn. Keep in mind: Some of these gifts also make great stocking stuffers or white elephant gifts, like the Jessica Simpson Heart Ring set, theTonymoly Head to Toe Superstars Mask Set and the E.l.f Reviver Lip Oil. From big gifts to dainty items, there is something for everyone on your list.
Scroll down and select one or more of your favorite gifts under $10. With this list, you’ll be sure to find something that’s both budget-friendly and special.
This Polaroid Go camera clip is a physical accessory that attaches to your Polaroid Go camera, making your camera extremely portable. The clip is in red, black and white. With this clip, you can attach your camera to your bag, like a bag charm, keeping it at arm’s length every time for snapping key moments.
There’s nothing worse than your phone dying out on you when you’re busy or in a rush. Gifting a fast charger like this two-pack from Walmart is perfectly practical and can save you or your loved one in a pinch. This charger is compatible with multiple iPhone models, specifically the 14, 13, 12 and 11.
Onn Eight Inch Tabletop RGB LED Ring Light with Tripod
Snapping a selfie or taking a video for TikTok has never been so easy with this Eight Inch Tabletop Ringlight from Walmart. Retailing for $9, the ringlight flashes in rainbow hues or a clear, bright light that illuminates your videos or photos, making them look like they were taken professionally. The ring light comes equipped with a built-in tripod that gives stability to filming or snapping photos. It’s safe to say this will step up your content game tenfold.
20000 mAh Portable Charger Power Bank Dual USB Battery Pack
This 20000 mAh Portable Charger Power Bank Dual USB Battery Pack is yet another charging item that you can take with you in a pinch. The brick is fast-charging and comes with a cable compatible with tons of tech, including the iPhone, iPad, Galaxy, Android, Pixel and Tablet. For $9.99, this charging bank is a no-brainer and a small item that would make an amazing stocking stuffer for the techie in your life.
ZOHAN Noise Cancelling Over Ear Headphones with Velvet Bag, Blue
These noise-canceling headphones are just $10, and they’re on-par with some of the more pricey models we’ve seen. The ZOHAN wireless style comes in four total colors and sits over-the-ear. They offer effective noise-canceling to protect delicate ears from loud noises, ensuring safety. We’d recommend buying these for your little ones, but adults can partake too, obviously.
Aolcev USB C Cable 66W Fast USB A to USB C Charging Cord 3.3FT
Who said tech had to be boring? This beaded charging cord is 3.3 feet, giving you a wide range of movement once your phone is plugged in. This is a USB-C Cable, meaning it is compatible with any device with a USB-C port. It’s also fast-charging, meaning you won’t have to spend too long plugged in. With all the colorful beaded accents, you’ll never mistake your charger for someone else’s ever again.
Logitech – M196 Lightweight Bluetooth Wireless Optical Mouse
This wireless mouse from Logitech is comparable to styles we’ve seen from top brands. The difference? This mouse is only $9.74. The wireless style is portable due to its compact size and pairs with your laptop or tablet in seconds via Bluetooth, eliminating the need for a dongle or port. It also comes in a cute pastel pink hue if you’re looking to make your gaming setup a little more fun.
Socks as gifts can get a bad rep, but these ones from Lululemon will never leave you disappointed. The Quarter ankle-length sock currently retails for $9 and comes in a slew of stylish pastel hues, although our favorite has to be the white with pink stripes. The fabric used to make these socks is stretchy and breathable, meaning you won’t have to suffer the dreaded foot sweat for style.
Mugs are a cozy and reliable gift that virtually everyone loves. They’re very useful and look great, especially when smattered with a ton of bows like this one from Walmart. This one’s made of ceramic, giving it durability, and comes with a large bow handle in a festive red hue.
If you or someone you love is a homebody, you have to gift them these ultra-cozy slippers from Target. The Auden Arbor Plush Scuff style comes in an array of colors, although we’re partial to the pink, and retails for just $10. The body of the slipper is made of a plush, heat-wicking faux-fur material and fixed with a velvet bow. The soles are non-slip, a much-needed touch for when you’re walking around the house.
Hello Kitty And Friends Sweetheart Blind Box Mini Tumbler
Blind boxes were all the rage this year. The mystery boxes are still likely on wishlists for kids and adults alike. If you’ve been tasked with gifting a trinket lover, then they’re sure to love this Hello Kitty And Friends Sweetheart Blind Box Mini Tumbler. The whimsical blind box is inspired by Hello Kitty and all her pals. You’ll have the option to pull one of six tumblers featuring all the beloved Sanrio characters on the front. The collectible is a unique keepsake and one we can see our readers decorating desks or shelves with.
Like the blind box mentioned earlier, this Ulta Beauty x Mini Brands Pops Plush Keychains blind box comes with a collectible item, but with a twist. You’ll pull a keychain that can be attached to your bag or keys. The figure you pick will be holding a mini version of an Ulta Beauty product, a fun beauty lover-approved touch.
If you’re too busy to treat yourself or your loved one to a spa day, or you don’t want to shell out on expensive treatments, may we present you with Tony Moly’s Head to Toe Superstars Mask Set? Retailing for $10, the mask set comes with everything you’ll need to feel pampered, down to the soles of your feet. These masks are all scented and work to hydrate the skin.
Flat hair clips have been utilized by the likes of Solange, Rihanna and more to add a stylish touch to their updos, or to keep their hair back while makeup is being applied. These $10 clips from Urban Outfitters are uniquely suited for both purposes thanks to the bow detailing. They also won’t put creases in your hair, leaving your updo dent-free. These make a cute stocking stuffer for the beauty and fashion-obsessed person in your life.
If you’re on the hunt for a stocking stuffer, this pocket-sized mirror is a must-add to your cart. It’s the ultimate makeup essential for on-the-go touch-ups. With its built-in lighting, it provides just the right amount of light for flawless results.
If you’re looking for a dainty yet meaningful gift, consider adding this Jessica Simpson Heart Ring set to your cart. This versatile set allows you to layer the rings for a personalized, stylish look., featuring designs ranging from heart-shaped to star-shaped.
Looking for a stocking stuffer beauty gift? This e.l.f Glow Reviver Lip Oil gives you an ultra-glossy look with a non-sticky formula. This lip oil glides effortlessly with its plush cushion applicator, giving your lips a luscious and hydrated shine. Plus, it’s 100% vegan and cruelty-free, making it a feel-good choice for your beauty routine.
Start your holiday shopping off right by adding one (or a few) of these affordable finds to your cart. You can also get creative and put together your own custom gift basket with all your favorite items. This is a great opportunity to craft a one-of-a-kind gift that’s both meaningful and personal, giving it that extra special touch — whether they’re a Swiftie or a Sabrina Carpenter fan.
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.pngYveto2025-12-09 23:30:562025-12-09 23:30:56Stocking Stuffers, Celeb-Approved Beauty, Tech Items & More – Our Favorite 17 Gifts for $10 or Under
Smokey Robinson alleges in a new court filing that one of the housekeepers suing him for sexual assault recently stole thousands of dollars’ worth of property from his family’s storage unit — claims the woman in question denies.
The Monday (Dec. 8) filing in Los Angeles court represents a bizarre new twist in the civil sexual abuse litigation being waged against the 85-year-old Motown legend by six anonymous ex-household employees. Robinson says the claims are extortionate falsehoods and has countersued his accusers for defamation and elder abuse.
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Monday’s motion focuses on the plaintiff known as Jane Doe 4, who alleges Robinson raped her repeatedly while she worked as the singer’s housekeeper between 2007 and 2024. According to Robinson’s attorney, Christopher Frost, this former employee kept her key to the family’s storage unit and has now used it for a “blatantly criminal act.”
“On December 8, 2025, while visiting the storage unit, [Smokey’s wife] Frances Robinson was informed by a facility employee that approximately two weeks earlier, on November 22, 2025, an individual — joined by two others — had accessed the storage unit and left with the Robinsons’ personal property,” wrote Frost. “Ms. Robinson was then shown security footage depicting three individuals at or inside the storage unit for approximately 40 minutes, including one whom she immediately recognized as Jane Doe 4, seen removing boxes and other property of the Robinsons into a vehicle.”
The motion claims Jane Doe 4 took thousands of dollars’ worth of personal property from the storage unit. Robinson’s team is now seeking a restraining order to stop the woman from taking more items, including potential evidence in the sexual abuse litigation.
In a statement to Billboard on Tuesday (Dec. 9), Frost said his team is “taking swift action to ensure that Jane Doe 4 and those assisting her cannot go near the Robinsons, a couple in their 70s and 80s, because there seem to be no limits on what they are willing to do.”
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“As absurd as this turn of events might seem, it is yet another example of how Jane Doe 4 and her group of accusers are motivated by greed — even the pettiest kind,” added Frost. “We are already suing them for financial elder abuse, conversion and invasion of privacy. Beyond absurdity, it is also alarming that she has retained and is exploiting access to the Robinsons’ property.”
However, the plaintiffs’ attorney, John W. Harris, said in a statement of his own on Tuesday that Jane Doe 4 “vehemently denies ever having visited that unit at any time since leaving her employment with the Robinsons.”
“We have not been provided the video the Robinsons claim to rely upon, but we look forward to obtaining it so the truth can be exposed,” said Harris. “It is deeply troubling that the Robinsons would resort to this kind of inflammatory accusation, which plays into longstanding racist tropes and is clearly designed to smear and discredit a survivor who bravely came forward. We are confident that once the evidence is produced, these claims will be revealed for what they are — another baseless attempt to intimidate and retaliate against a victim.”
This is just the latest skirmish to break out in the case, which began with $50 million claims from four female housekeepers in May and grew last month to include a fifth female housekeeper and a male car mechanic who worked for Robinson. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department is also conducting a parallel criminal investigation, though no charges have been filed to date.
Robinson’s lawyers have repeatedly accused the plaintiffs of slow-walking the discovery process to avoid scrutiny of what they say are demonstrably false allegations. In another Monday motion, Frost argued that Jane Doe 4 walked out of a recent deposition because she was “desperate to avoid” tough questions and evidence that contradicted her claims.
Harris quickly responded on Monday that his team ended Jane Doe 4’s deposition early because Frost “repeatedly raised his voice in a hostile manner” and “launched unsupported personal attacks” on the witness. He said they’re willing to participate in further depositions, but only if a different lawyer conducts the questioning.
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.
Fresh off his first MLS Cup win and second-straight MVP title, Lionel Messi and Stanley 1913 are back with another limited-edition collaboration. Featuring a lineup of popular Stanley products, including the Quencher tumbler and the IceFlow bottle, the collection gets a “GOAT” makeover with an all-black design with premium gold finishes.
“Emotional connection and authenticity is everything. We want to make sure that Stanley 1913 is there for the full journey of a football fan. Whenever food and beverage is important to you at that particular moment during your football ritual – whether you’re hydrating, libating, or caffeinating – we want to be right there.”
Fans can now shop Stanley’s popular leakproof Quencher tumbler, which has become a fan-favorite thanks to its many recording artist and athlete co-signs, including Post Malone, Tyla and Olivia Rodrigo. Shop the “GOAT” Messi tumbler for $60 on Stanley1913.com.
Messi x Stanley Quencher ProTour Flip Straw Tumbler
“With this iteration of the Messi x Stanley 1913 partnership, we’re continuing to push the boundaries of what performance drinkware can mean with athletes powering the brand,” shared Matt Navarro, Global President of PMI WW Brands, LLC in a press release. “It’s product with purpose. The new collection, spanning our hydration and café categories, honors the mindset that drives elite athletes and everyday achievers alike – and we couldn’t be more proud to do this alongside a partner like Messi.”
Want even more Messi? His previous Argentina-inspired collection is still available on Stanley’s website. With the World Cup coming up next year, this is the best time to gear up on your countries merch. Shop the full collection below.
Messi x Stanley 1913 Quencher ProTour Flip Straw Tumbler
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.pngYveto2025-12-09 23:10:332025-12-09 23:10:33Celebrate Lionel Messi’s MLS Cup Win With New Stanley Collab: Shop Here Before It Sells Out
Just weeks after spending time in jail for charging at Ariana Grande on a red carpet in Singapore, Johnson Wen was kicked out of a Lady Gaga concert in his native Australia.
In videos posted to X and Instagram by other fans at the Mayhem Ball show, the 26-year-old prankster speaks to security personnel before being escorted out of Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane. The concert had not yet started at the time of his forced exit.
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In the clips, fans audibly shout, “Get him out of here!” and, “That’s the guy that tackled Ariana!”
“Got kicked out of Lady Gaga concert!” Wen wrote on his Instagram Story shortly afterward. “The show doesn’t start till 8 p.m.! The early fans were booing me.”
It’s uncertain what his plans were for the Mayhem show, but in the past, Wen has made his name as a serial stage-crasher who’s rushed the stages of stars such as The Chainsmokers and The Weeknd. This summer, he was arrested for doing the same to Katy Perry on one of her Lifetimes Tour stops.
In November, he made headlines for jumping the barricade at the Singapore premiere of Wicked: For Good and charging headfirst toward Grande — who is good friends with Gaga and has collaborated with her on the Billboard Hot 100 chart-topper “Rain on Me.” Wen was quickly pinned to the floor and escorted off the premises by security personnel, but only after he made contact with the singer-actress by wrapping an arm around her neck and grabbing hold of her shoulder. Cynthia Erivo was the first person to interfere, with videos capturing her prying Wen off her castmate.
In the aftermath, Wen was sentenced to nine days in Singapore jail, after which he was banned from ever returning to the Asian city-state.
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THE BIG STORY: As 2025 winds to a close, Billboard is recapping all the biggest music biz stories of the last year — and on the legal front, it was relentless.
In January, Drake stunned everyone by suing his own record label over Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us.” In May, Sean “Diddy” Combs went to trial over heinous sexual abuse allegations. In August, an AI artists signed a record deal that raised thorny legal questions. In November, the major labels raised even more by inking settlements with AI firms Suno and Udio. And in between, we got copyright cases galore, a Mariah Carey ruling, and plenty of litigation over Taylor Swift‘s Eras Tour.
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Before the calendar turns to 2026 — and a fresh batch of game-changing legal battles crop up — go read our 2025 year-in-review and get all caught up on the year that was.
You’re reading The Legal Beat, a weekly newsletter about music law from Billboard Pro, offering you a one-stop cheat sheet of big new cases, important rulings and all the fun stuff in between. To get the newsletter in your inbox every Tuesday, go subscribe here.
Other top stories this week…
THAT WAS QUICK – President Donald Trump pardoned Tim Leiweke, an Oak View Group exec charged in June (by Trump’s own DOJ) over accusations that he rigged the bidding for an Austin arena.
SHAKE IT OFF – Taylor Swift’s attorneys asked a judge to dismiss an “absurd” lawsuit over claims she stole lyrics from a self-published Florida poet, saying the litigation must end “once and for all.”
RICO CASE – Daddy Yankee filed a blockbuster lawsuit accusing his ex-manager Raphy Pina and estranged wife Mireddys González of stealing royalties over a decade-long racketeering scheme.
NO NEW TRIAL – A judge denied a new trial to Emani Ellis, the security guard who unsuccessfully sued Cardi B for assault over a 2018 altercation at a doctor’s office.
SAMPLE SPAT – WWE superstar John Cena is facing a lawsuit over the iconic horn riff from his entrance theme song – a case that shines a light on the track’s bizarre backstory of samples and credits.
BEHIND THE SCENES – A federal appeals court says Adidas didn’t violate securities laws by failing to warn shareholders about offensive behavior from Ye (formerly Kanye West) before his 2022 downfall.
BACK TO PRISON – Tekashi 6ix9ine was sentenced to three months in prison violating his probation from a 2018 racketeering case by possessing cocaine and MDMA and assaulting a man.
SETTLEMENT REACHED – The years-long legal battle between Ultra Records founder Patrick Moxey and Sony Music has finally come to an end.
GUILTY VERDICT – DJ Quik’s son, David Marvin Blake Jr., was convicted of second-degree murder over a 2022 incident in which he shot and killed a 33-year-old man.
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Another year, another run at No. 1 or Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You.” The seasonal staple has topped the Billboard Hot 100 for at least one week around the holidays every year since 2019, and it resumes its run for 2025 atop this week’s chart (dated Dec. 13).
This latest week at No. 1 is a historic one for Carey, as it makes it 19 total for “All I Want” — tying the holiday classic with Lil Nas X’s Billy Ray Cyrus-featuring “Old Town Road” and Shaboozey’s “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” for the longest-reigning No. 1 in Hot 100 history. And just below it, another holiday classic hits a new benchmark, as Wham!’s “Last Christmas” reaches the runner-up spot for the firs ttime.
Will “Last Christmas” eventually pass “All I Want” on the seasonal rankings? And what else are we finding notable among the Hot 100’s holiday titles this week? Billboard staffers answer these questions and more below.
1. Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You” notches a record-tying 19th frame at No. 1 on the Hot 100 this week. On a scale from 1-10, how big an achievement is this for Carey?
Katie Atkinson: 10! The fact that she held this very record for more than two decades with her Boyz II Men collab “One Sweet Day,” lost it, and now is within one week of reclaiming it is an exceptional feat. She first set the record in 1996 alongside Boyz II Men, and almost 30 years later she’s getting it back? Seriously, who does that?! It’s an unprecedented chart achievement that I doubt could ever be re-created. Not to mention, Mariah could break the record next week, but then the weeks at No. 1 she could have in the holiday seasons to come are endless. The Hot 100’s No. 1 is officially Mariah’s personal chart penthouse, which she lets everyone else rent out the other 48 weeks of the year.
Kyle Denis: 8.5. It might be just as big as “Christmas” reaching No. 1 on the Hot 100 the first time around! Snatching back the all-time record from two absolute behemoths is no easy feat, but of course if anyone could pull it off, it’d be Mariah Carey.
Jason Lipshutz: A 9. That will bump up to a 10 next week, if “All I Want for Christmas is You” ends the three-way tie with “Old Town Road” and “A Bar Song (Tipsy),” but for now, Carey notching a 19th week at No. 1 demonstrates just how enduring her holiday classic has become. Even when other holiday fare floods the top 10, or a song like Brenda Lee’s “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” sneaks in for a week atop the Hot 100 in a different year, “All I Want for Christmas is You” remains the 800-pound gorilla of the season. The fact that it now shares a piece of Hot 100 history speaks to that dominance, which has no end in sight.
Andrew Unterberger: A 10. Next week might be an 11.
Denise Warner: 10, for sure. Mariah has 19 no. 1 hits on the Hot 100 – and multiple chart toppers that reigned for more than 10 weeks. But creating a song so iconic that its ascendency to the top becomes an inevitable holiday tradition? That’s incredible.
2. Wham!’s “Last Christmas” reaches a new peak of No. 2 on the Hot 100 this week — marking the fifth holiday season this decade in which the song has bettered its previous chart peak. What about the song has made it such a still-growing perennial over 40 years later?
Katie Atkinson: The thing that separates “Last Christmas” from pretty much every other holiday song is that it’s a perfect pop song that just happens to be Christmas-themed. I wouldn’t mind hearing this song on the radio in January or even July, really. George Michael crafted a great Wham! breakup song set at Christmastime that gets its much-deserved flowers poinsettias every December.
Kyle Denis: I think “Last Christmas” really benefits from the downcast gloom that hovers over most of Gen Z. If we’re not latching onto sexy Christmastime songs like Ariana Grande’s “Santa Tell Me” or Destiny’s Child’s “8 Days of Christmas,” we’re leaning into the songs that capture melancholy winter blues. Think Phoebe Bridgers’ intimate “If We Make It Through December” or Sabrina Carpenter’s “Santa Doesn’t Know You Like I Do.”
Jason Lipshutz: I suspect that part of the reason why “Last Christmas” has grown in stature recently has to do with its singularity amidst the holiday perennials — there are no other Christmas smashes that function quite like it, its whimsical melancholy standing apart from the wholesome energy of “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” and “Jingle Bell Rock,” as well as the new-school cheeriness of hits by Mariah Carey, Ariana Grande and Kelly Clarkson. Within a culture that now consumes lots of holiday music in playlist form, “Last Christmas” bounces nicely off of any other Christmas song around it, and as a result, Wham! keep climbing higher and higher each year.
Andrew Unterberger: We love an exquisitely sad holiday song, don’t we? Especially one with synths that twinkle like a perfect snowflake. The better question might be: Why isn’t The Pretenders’ similarly incandescent “2000 Miles” right behind it in the yearly rankings?
Denise Warner: I think “Last Christmas” really benefits from the downcast gloom that hovers over most of Gen Z. If we’re not latching onto sexy Christmastime songs like Ariana Grande’s “Santa Tell Me” or Destiny’s Child’s “8 Days of Christmas,” we’re leaning into the songs that capture melancholy winter blues. Think Phoebe Bridgers’ intimate rendition of “If We Make It Through December” or Sabrina Carpenter’s “Santa Doesn’t Know You Like I Do.”
Outside of the song itself, Wham! also remains one of pop’s coolest duos, thanks, in large part, to George Michael’s legacy. Last year, the late pop icon’s “Father Figure” saw a streaming revival thanks to a key Babygirl sync, and Taylor Swift interpolated the song on her Life of a Showgirl track of the same name the following year. All roads lead back to Wham!
3. Do you think “Last Christmas” will ultimately pass “All I Want” for the No. 1 spot one of these holiday seasons? If so, how long do you think it’ll likely take?
Katie Atkinson: It took until 2021 for “Last Christmas” to hit No. 1 in Wham!’s native U.K. (and then it’s bounced back to the top the last two years as well, à la Mariah), so I wouldn’t rule it out. But I think it would take something special – like a buzzy new music video or placement in a big TV show or film – to move the needle. Maybe there will be a big push for the song’s 50th anniversary in 2034, like when Brenda Lee’s “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” ducked past Mariah during its 65th anniversary in 2023.
Kyle Denis: It definitely has the potential to! Realistically, a lot of stops have already been pulled for “All I Want.” Depending on how serious Andrew Ridgeley and Michael’s estate are about securing that No. 1 spot, they could probably reach the pole position by next holiday season with the right combination of promo moves. From remixes and music videos (performance, claymation, etc.) to live specials and performances, there are countless ways to life “Last Christmas” to the top of the Hot 100.
Jason Lipshutz: Maybe there’s a concerted effort to finally get “Last Christmas” to No. 1 for a week this year or next, in the same way that Brenda Lee successfully went all-out to push “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” into the top spot in 2023. Otherwise, “All I Want for Christmas is You” remains the de facto holiday chart-topper. Wagering on another holiday song to supplant it as the go-to No. 1 during the holidays remains a foolish bet.
Andrew Unterberger: Next year will be the year! With the 10 year anniversary of George Michael’s death (which happened on Christmas Day, 2016) approaching, sentimentality over “Last Christmas” should be at an all-time high, while Mariah should already have the Hot 100 record well in hand. From there it might only take a small move or two to get Wham! over the top on the chart.
Denise Warner: It definitely has the potential to! Realistically, a lot of stops have already been pulled for “All I Want.” Depending on how serious Andrew Ridgeley and Michael’s estate are about securing that No. 1 spot, they could probably reach the pole position by next holiday season with the right combination of promo moves. From remixes and music videos (performance, claymation, etc.) to live specials and performances, there are countless ways to life “Last Christmas” to the top of the Hot 100.
4. Are there any holiday songs lower on the Hot 100 you have your eye on to potentially reach new heights on the chart this holiday season?
Katie Atkinson: I love seeing my favorite holiday classic, Nat King Cole’s “The Christmas Song (Merry Christmas to You),” already hitting its previous peak of No. 9. Knowing that there are still three non-Christmas songs in the top 10 means that as early as next week, this 1961 recording could climb higher than ever before.
Kyle Denis: I imagine “Santa Tell Me” will match its No. 5 peak from last holiday season, but the combination of Christmas, awards season and Wicked: For Good might boost it even higher. Nat “King” Cole’s “The Christmas Song” has already matched its Hot 100 peak this season (No. 9), and Michael Bublé’s “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas” is now within three spots of surpassing its all-time peak, so I’m keeping my eye on those two tracks as well.
Jason Lipshutz: Jonas Brothers’ “Like It’s Christmas” re-enters at No. 35 this week, and while it has to compete with a lot more time-honored holiday songs, I could see it pushing higher in the coming years. Not only do the JoBros have a ton of goodwill as their reunion continues through stadium audiences, but “Like It’s Christmas” represents a solid distillation of their pop appeal. I’d bookmark that one to become a top 20 hit in the near future.
Andrew Unterberger: It’s literally called “The Christmas Song” — it should’ve been at least a top five Christmas-season hit by now. This may be the year.
Denise Warner: I imagine “Santa Tell Me” will match its No. 5 peak from last holiday season, but the combination of Christmas, awards season and Wicked: For Good might boost it even higher. Nat “King” Cole’s “The Christmas Song” has already matched its Hot 100 peak this season (No. 9), and Michael Bublé’s “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas” is now within three spots of surpassing its all-time peak, so I’m keeping my eye on those two tracks as well.
5. Is there any chance Mariah doesn’t break the all-time Hot 100 No. 1 record next week with “All I Want”?
Katie Atkinson: I suppose anything is possible — there are still three days left in the chart tracking week — but I’m expecting Mariah to take back her rightful crown by Monday.
Kyle Denis: I think we’d need a surprise launch of the official lead single for a new Adele or Rihanna album to keep Mariah from breaking the all-time Hot 100 No. 1 record next week.
Jason Lipshutz: Nope. Lil Nas X and Shaboozey should enjoy the next few days — they will very likely be their last as the co-owners of the all-time Hot 100 longevity record.
Andrew Unterberger: Not really, no.
Denise Warner: This late in the tracking period? Barring an unexpected Wham! surge, I don’t see Mariah failing in this matter. (Although all I want for Christmas is an “Opalite” music video, which could potentially spoil future weeks for Carey. But not this one.)
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