Lil Durk says his lawyers have been unfairly “kept in the dark” about death threats that were called in to a judge and the lead prosecutor in his murder-for-hire case.

Attorneys for the Chicago drill star argue in a Thursday (Nov. 13) court filing that they just learned about a seven-month-long FBI investigation into these threats, and that this concealment has severely prejudiced the rapper (Durk Banks) as the clock ticks towards a January trial date. Durk is accused of ordering members of his Only the Family (OTF) crew to shoot his rival, Quando Rondo, in 2022.

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The case is being prosecuted in Los Angeles federal court and chiefly overseen by U.S. District Judge Michael Fitzgerald, though Magistrate Judge Patricia Donahue handled Durk’s failed attempt to be released on bail this spring. According to Thursday’s filing, a Durk supporter left four voicemails for Judge Donahue in February with “explicit death threats” related to the charges against him and other OTF members.

The caller allegedly mimicked the sound of gunfire in his messages and said in one message, “If they get life, I’m going to burn this [expletive] down. I’m talking ’bout the world, and I’m going to burn it, burn it to the ground.”

Durk’s lawyers say that in April, a separate caller phoned the case’s lead prosecutor, Ian Yanniello, with more death threats. This person also allegedly threatened courthouse staff and other prosecutors in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California.

According to Thursday’s filing, prosecutors and court staff conferred about these death threats, and the FBI investigated the matter extensively. But the defense lawyers say they weren’t clued in until just last month, which they claim is a huge problem.

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“This prolonged nondisclosure — compounded by undisclosed ex parte communications between the prosecution team and the bench about these threats — has irreparably compromised the structural integrity of these proceedings,” reads the filing.

Durk’s lawyers say these death threats could have improperly influenced prosecutors’ decision-making, as well as Judge Donahue’s May ruling that Durk would be a danger to the community if released from jail.

“To state the obvious, Judge Donahue was in no position to consider whether Mr. Banks was too dangerous to be released while having been both personally threatened by someone purporting to act on Mr. Banks’ behalf, and having had her entire workplace physically and violently threatened by the same,” write the rapper’s attorneys.

Durk’s team says the situation has “fatally compromised” his right to a fair trial, which is just two months out. They’re asking that the entire case be dismissed, or at the very least, that the trial be pushed back and reassigned to both a different court and a separate branch of the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

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A spokesperson for the prosecution declined to comment on the matter. Reps for the Los Angeles federal courthouse did not immediately return a request for comment.

Durk was arrested last year for allegedly putting a bounty on Rondo’s head. A 2022 shooting at a Los Angeles gas station left Rondo (Tyquian Bowman) unscathed, but Rondo’s friend Lul Pab (Saviay’a Robinson) was killed in the crossfire.

The Chicago rapper denies ordering the hit and says there’s no real evidence against him. The case’s first indictment included lyrics from Durk’s song “Wonderful Wayne & Jackie Boy,” but those were later removed after defense lawyers noted that the song was written months before the Rondo attack.


Billboard VIP Pass

The Country Music Association has revealed six individuals it is celebrating as the 2025 CMA International Awards winners, honoring their significant contributions to the global growth of country music.

The honorees will be celebrated during a special reception on Nov. 19 in downtown Nashville and will be recognized onstage that same evening during the pre-telecast ceremony for the 2025 CMA Awards.

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Morgan Wallen is the recipient of the International Artist Achievement Award, which recognizes a U.S. artist who has made the most significant creative growth, development and promotion of the country music industry outside of the United States during the eligibility period. His fourth album, I’m the Problem, debuted at No. 1 in seven countries, while he continues to elevate country music on a global stage with sold-out stadium shows and a growing international fanbase.

Canadian artist Cameron Whitcomb is the recipient of the Jeff Walker Global Country Artist Award, for international artists. Whitcomb recently won breakthrough artist of the year and fans’ choice award honors at the CCMAs, while his Hundred Mile High Tour has spanned Canada, Australia and Europe.

Lynette Garbonola, vp of International at BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville, will be honored with the Jo Walker Meador International Award for leadership in expanding country music in areas including Europe, Australia, and Asia. The honor recognizes achievements in supporting country music’s marketing development in territories beyond the United States.

Shannon Saunders, agent and head of Nashville International at WME, will be honored with the Rob Potts International Live Music Advancement Award for impact on international touring. Saunders has spearheaded expanding the reach and revenue of WME’s global touring division, driving record-breaking tours for Luke Combs, Zach Bryan, Lainey Wilson, and Jordan Davis.

Justin Thomson, national content director for iHeartCountry Australia, is being celebrated with the Wesley Rose International Media Achievement Award for his role in promoting country music through global media. With over twenty years in media, Thomson produces original programming and travels more than 100,000 miles annually to broadcast from international events including CMA Fest, Canadian Country Music Association Awards (CCMAs), C2C and CMC Rocks.

Mattias Hansson of P4 Country on Sveriges Radio will be honored with the international country broadcaster award. As host and producer of P4 Country, Hansson has played a key role in growing country music’s audience in Scandinavia, hosting the region’s largest weekly country program.

“This year’s honorees embody the extraordinary ways Country Music continues to transcend borders,” Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer, said in a statement. “Whether through radio, touring, media, or artist development, each has helped share the genre with audiences around the world. Their work not only broadens Country Music’s reach, it deepens its impact, reminding us that this community truly is global.”

The 59th annual CMA Awards broadcasts live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday, Nov. 19, from 8 to 11 p.m. ET on ABC and next day on Hulu.

Nathy Peluso chatted with Billboard’s Jessica Roiz on the red carpet of the 2025 Latin Grammys.

Ca7riel & Paco Amoroso, the Argentine duo that happily marries hip-hop with soul, electronica and stylized pop for a genre-defying blend of sounds and irreverent lyrics, lead the early wins for the 2025 Latin Grammy Awards with five trophies: best short form music video for “#tetas,” best long form music video for “Papota,” best alternative music album for Papota, best alternative song for “#tetas” and best pop song for “El dia del amigo.”

In addition, the producers of their winning album – Rafa Arcaute and Federico Vindver — won producer of the year, tying with Nico Cotton for the honor.

The early wins, announced during the untelevised Latin Grammy Premiere Ceremony, herald a strong night for the duo signed to Sony Music Latin imprint 5020 Records. Ca7riel & Paco Amoroso became broadly known just last year, but they’re big contenders at this year’s awards, having landed 10 nominations, only behind Bad Bunny with 12.

Both acts will compete in the album, record and song of the year categories, with two nominations each in the song and record categories. But in the early categories, it was the Argentine duo who prevailed over Bunny in the two video categories.

Ca7riel & Paco Amoroso (real names Catriel Guerreiro and Ulises Guerriero, no relation) went onstage at the Premiere Ceremony to pick up their best alternative song Latin Grammy, both wearing silk print separates (and, in Paco Amoroso’s case, carrying a little black purse in hand). “We’ve made a superhuman effort to win this beautiful object. It’s so superhuman, that we no longer perceive ourselves as human, but as enterprise,” said a deadpan Ca7riel, staying faithful to the duo’s irony-laced music and image.

Paco Amoroso allowed himself more emotion, thanking Ca7riel, his label and his mom, and adding: “I started singing at 25 years old, so it’s never too late. If you want to do something, get started,” he said.

As the night marched on and the awards added up, the duo softened up. By the time they picked up their award for best alternative song, Ca7riel relented. “To our moms, Estrella and Andrea, who are responsible for all this,” he said.

“Truth is, we’re surprised to get awards, to get these things,” added Paco Amoroso. “Thanks to the team who’s allowed us to do these things. We’re so happy. Thanks to the people from Argentina.”

Following in sheer number of wins was Brazil’s Liniker, who took three awards, for best Portoguese language album for Caju; best Portuguese language urban performance for the song “Caju”; and best Portuguese language song for “Veludo Marrom.”

The night’s favored artist, Bad Bunny, was no slouch in the early awards either. He won two Latin Grammys: best urban/urban music performance for his song “DtMF” and best reggaetón performance for “Voy a llevarte pa PR.”

Also winning two awards each was Edgar Barrera, who won songwriter of the year for the third consecutive year in addition to taking a Latin Grammy for best tropical song, where he has writing credits in Karol G’s winning “Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido.”  

Veteran rocker Fito Páez also won two awards, for best rock album and best rock song for his cinematic album Novela and the song “Sale el Sol.”

All told, it was an excellent afternoon for Argentine music. In addition to Ca7riel & Paco Amoroso’s five victories, the tied producer of the year award split between three Argentine producers and Páez’s two wins, rapper Trueno — who also performed at the Premiere — collected a Latin Grammy for best rap/hip-hop song for “Fresh.”

“Argentine trap is in the house!” he said with a smile — but clearly, it was more than trap.

Other notable wins in the Premiere included veteran norteño band Los Tigres del Norte, who won best norteño album for La Lotería, while songwriter Luciano Luna collected the Latin Grammy for best norteño song for the track of the same name.

The remainder of the Latin Grammy Awards will be given out Thursday night during the live telecast.

Billboard and Billboard Español will be updating the list of winners live as they are announced throughout the evening. The full list of nominees and already announced winners, marked and bolded, are below:

GENERAL FIELD

Record of the Year

“Baile Inolvidable,” Bad Bunny; Big Jay, Elikai, Julito Gaston, La Paciencia & Mag, record producers; Antonio Caraballo, Luis Amed Irizarry, Armando López & Roberto Rosado, recording engineers; Josh Gudwin, mixer; Colin Leonard, mastering engineer

“DTmF,” Bad Bunny; Scotty Dittrich, Hydra Hitz, La Paciencia, Julia Lewis, Mag & Tyler Spry, record producers; Antonio Caraballo, Roberto Rosado & Tyler Spry, recording engineers; Josh Gudwin, mixer; Colin Leonard, mastering engineer

“El Día Del Amigo,” CA7RIEL & Paco Amoroso; Rafa Arcaute & Federico Vindver, record producers; Rafa Arcaute, Luis Tomás La Madrid & Federico Vindver, recording engineers; Rafa Arcaute, Felipe Bernal, Lewis Pickett & Federico Vindver, mixers; Lewis Pickett, mastering engineer

“#Tetas,” CA7RIEL & Paco Amoroso; Rafa Arcaute & Federico Vindver, record producers; Rafa Arcaute, Luis Tomás La Madrid & Federico Vindver, recording engineers; Rafa Arcaute, Felipe Bernal, Lewis Pickett & Federico Vindver, mixers; Lewis Pickett, mastering engineer

“Desastres Fabulosos,” Jorge Drexler & Conociendo Rusia; Nico Cotton, record producer; Nico Cotton & Julio Gómez Núñez, recording engineers; Nico Cotton, mixer; Fred Kevorkian, mastering engineer

“Lara,” Zoe Gotusso; Cachorro López & Diego Mema, record producers; Demián Nava, recording engineer; César Sogbe, mixer; Javier Fracchia, mastering engineer

“Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido,” Karol G; Edgar Barrera, Karol G & Sky Rompiendo, record producers; Joel Iglesias, recording engineer; Luis Barrera Jr., mixer; Luis Barrera Jr., mastering engineer

“Cancionera,” Natalia Lafourcade; Adán Jodorowsky & Natalia Lafourcade, record producers; Jack Lahana, recording engineer; Jack Lahana, mixer; Bernie Grundman, mastering engineer

“Ao Teu Lado,” (Liniker); Julio César Gonçalves De Souza, Liniker & Gustavo Ruiz Chagas, record producers; Ricado Camera, Adonias Farias De Souza Júnior, Daniel Mariano Gonçalves, Julio César Gonçalves De Souza, André Malaquias, João Milliet, Gabriel Pinheiro Machado Milliet & Gustavo Ruiz Chagas, recording engineers; João Milliet, mixer; Felipe Tichauer, mastering engineer

“Palmeras En El Jardín,” Alejandro Sanz; Luis Miguel Gómez Castaño, Alfonso Pérez Arias & Spread Lof, record producers; Frank Lozano, Alfonso Pérez & Felipe Trujillo, recording engineers; Lewis Pickett, mixer; David Kutch, mastering engineer

Album of the Year

Cosa Nuestra, Rauw Alejandro; Rauw Alejandro, Jorge Pizarro & Nino Karlo Segarra, album producers; Jorge Pizarro, album recording engineer; Josh Gudwin, album mixer; Rauw Alejandro, Christhian Daniel Mojica, Jorge Pizarro & Nino Karlo Segarra, songwriters

DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS, Bad Bunny; La Paciencia, Mag & Tainy, album producers; Antonio Caraballo & Roberto José Rosado Torres, album recording engineers; Josh Gudwin, album mixer; Bad Bunny, Marco Daniel Borrero, Marcos Efraín Masis & Roberto José Rosado Torres, songwriters

Papota, CA7RIEL & Paco Amoroso; Rafa Arcaute, Ignacio Cruz, Danny Flores, Jean Rodriguez & Federico Vindver, album producers; Rafa Arcaute, Luis Tomás La Madrid, Josh Newell & Federico Vindver, album recording engineers; Rafa Arcaute, Felipe Bernal, Josh Newell, Lewis Pickett & Federico Vindver, album mixers; Rafa Arcaute, Gino Borri, CA7RIEL, Ulises Guerriero, Vicente Jiménez & Federico Vindver, songwriters

Raíces, Gloria Estefan; Emilio Estefan, Jr., album producer; Carlos Alvarez, Dave Poler & Andres Varona, album recording engineers; Carlos Alvarez, album mixer; Emilio Estefan, Jr., songwriter; Mike Fuller, album mastering engineer

Puñito De Yocahú, Vicente García; Eduardo Cabra & Vicente García, album producers; Eduardo Cabra, Vicente García & Harbey Marín, album recording engineers; Harold Wendell Sanders, album mixer; Vicente García, songwriter

al romper la burbuja, Joaquina; Joaquina & Julio Reyes Copello, album producers; Santiago Borja, Joaquina, Natalia Ramirez, Robin Reumers, Julio Reyes Copello, Daniel Riaño Restrepo & Natalia Schesinger, album recording engineers; Lee Smith, album mixer; Joaquina, songwriter; Ted Jensen, album mastering engineer

Cancionera, Natalia Lafourcade; Adán Jodorowsky & Natalia Lafourcade, album producers; Jack Lahana, album recording engineer; Jack Lahana, album mixer; Natalia Lafourcade, songwriter; Bernie Grundman, album mastering engineer

Palabra De To’s (Seca), Carín León; Alberto De Jesús Medina Velásquez & Antonio De Jesús Zepeda Rivera, album producers; Alberto De Jesús Medina Velásquez, album recording engineer; Alberto De Jesús Medina Velásquez, album mixer; Carín León, songwriter; Alberto Medina, mastering engineer

Caju, Liniker; Marcio Arantes, José Henrique Castanho De Godoy Pinheiro, Julio Fejuca, Liniker, André Murilo Da Silva, Nave Beats, Filipe Pampuri, Iuri Rio Branco, Gustavo Ruiz, Seko Bass & Joel Souza Silva, album producers; Marcio Arantes, Ricado Camera, Julio Fejuca, Adonias Junior, André Malaquias, Dani Mariano, Gabriel Milliet, João Milliet, Nave Beats, Pedro Quiriku, Iuri Rio Branco, Gustavo Ruiz, Vitor Vaughan & Dalton Luiz Vicente, album recording engineers; Rafael Fadul de Assumpção & João Milliet, album mixers; Marcio Arantes, Roberto Dalcom Bastos Barreto, Henrique Castanho De Godoy Pinheiro, Amaro João De Freitas Neto, Julio Fejuca, Liniker, Vinicius Leonard Moreira, André Murilo Da Silva, Roosevelt Ribeiro De Carvalho, Iuri Rio Branco & Gustavo Ruiz, songwriters; Mike Bozzi & Felipe Tichauer, album mastering engineers

En Las Nubes – Con Mis Panas, Elena Rose; Héctor Mazzarri & Rafael Rodriguez, album producers; Rafferty Santiago, album mixer; Hector Mazzarri, Daniel Rondon & Elena Rose, songwriters; Orlando Ferrer, mastering engineer

¿Y Ahora Qué?, Alejandro Sanz; Luis Miguel Gómez Castaño & Richi López, album producers; Richi López, Frank Lozano, Alfonso Pérez & Felipe Trujillo, album recording engineers; Lewis Pickett, album mixer; Manuel Lorente Freire, Luis Miguel Gómez Castaño, Ricardo López & Alejandro Sanz, songwriters

Song of the Year

“Baile Inolvidable,” Marco Daniel Borrero, Antonio Caraballo, Kaled Elikai Rivera Cordova, Julio Gaston, Armando Josue Lopez, Jay Anthony Nuñez, Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio & Roberto Jose Rosado Torres, songwriters (Bad Bunny)

“Bogotá,” Andres Cepeda, Mauricio Rengifo & Andres Torres, songwriters (Andrés Cepeda)

“Cancionera,” Natalia Lafourcade, songwriter (Natalia Lafourcade)

“DtMF,” Bad Bunny, Marco Daniel Borrero, Scott Dittrich, Benjamin Falik, Roberto José Rosado Torres, Hugo René Sención Sanabria & Tyler Spry, songwriters (Bad Bunny)

“El Día Del Amigo,” Rafa Arcaute, Gino Borri, Catriel Guerreiro, Ulises Guerriero, Amanda Ibanez, Vicente Jiménez & Federico Vindver, songwriters (Ca7riel & Paco Amoroso)

“Otra Noche De Llorar,” Mon Laferte, songwriter (Mon Laferte)

“Palmeras En El Jardín,” Manuel Lorente Freire, Luis Miguel Gómez Castaño, Elena Rose & Alejandro Sanz, songwriters (Alejandro Sanz)

“Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido,” Edgar Barrera, Andres Jael Correa Rios & Karol G, songwriters (Karol G)

“#Tetas,” Rafa Arcaute, Gino Borri, CA7RIEL, Gale, Ulises Guerriero, Vicente Jiménez & Federico Vindver, songwriters (CA7RIEL & Paco Amoroso)

“Veludo Marrom,” Liniker, songwriter (Liniker)

Best New Artist

Alleh

Annasofia

Yerai Cortés

Juliane Gamboa

Camila Guevara

Isadora

Alex Luna

Paloma Morphy

Sued Nunes

Ruzzi

POP

Best Contemporary Pop Album

Cuarto Azul, Aitana

Palacio, Elsa y Elmar

al romper la burbuja, Joaquina

En Las Nubes – Con Mis Panas, Elena Rose

WINNER: ¿Y Ahora Qué?, Alejandro Sanz

Best Traditional Pop Album

WINNER: Bogotá, Andrés Cepeda

Cursi, Zoe Gotusso

Lo Que Nos Falto Decir, Jesse & Joy

Natalia Lafourcade Live At Carnegie Hall, Natalia Lafourcade

Después De Los 30, Raquel Sofía

Best Pop Song

“Bogotá,” Andres Cepeda, Mauricio Rengifo & Andres Torres, songwriters (Andrés Cepeda)

WINNER: “El Día Del Amigo,” Rafa Arcaute, Gino Borri, CA7RIEL, Ulises Guerriero, Amanda Ibanez, Vicente Jiménez & Federico Vindver, songwriters (CA7RIEL & Paco Amoroso)

“Querida Yo,” Camilo Echeverry, Gonzalo Ferreyra, Nicolas Ramirez & Yamila Safdie, songwriters (Yami Safdie Featuring Camilo)

“Soltera,” Edgar Barrera, Bizarrap, Kevyn Mauricio Cruz Moreno & Shakira, songwriters (Shakira)

“Te Quiero,” Juan Ariza, Covi Quintana & Nicole Zignago, songwriters (Nicole Zignago)

ELECTRONIC

Best Latin Electronic Music Performance

“Orión”, Sistek Remix Boza, Elena Rose, Sistek

“Ella Quiere Techno”, Imanbek & Taichu

“Qqqq”, Ela Minus

“Rulay En Dubai (Extended)”, Mr. Pauer, Villa Electronika & Dj Polin

WINNER: “Veneka”, Rawayana Featuring Akapellah

URBAN

Best Urban/Urban Fusion Performance

“Capaz (Merenguetón),” Alleh, Yorghaki

WINNER: “DtMF,” Bad Bunny

“De Maravisha,” Tokischa Featuring Nathy Peluso

“La Plena – W Sound 05,” W Sound Featuring Beele & Ovy On The Drums

“Roma,” Jay Wheeler

Best Reggaeton Performance

“Baja Pa’ Acá,” Rauw Alejandro Featuring Alexis & Fido

WINNER: “Voy A Llevarte Pa PR,” Bad Bunny

“Dile A Él,” Nicky Jam

“Brillar,” Lenny Tavárez

“Reggaetón Malandro,” Yandel Featuring Tego Calderón

Best Urban Music Album

DeBí TiRAR MáS FOToS, Bad Bunny

Underwater, Fariana

Nicki, Nicki Nicole

MPC (Música Popular Carioca), Papatinho

Elyte, Yandel

Best Rap/Hip Hop Song

“El Favorito De Mami,” Noah Assad, José Carabaño, Eladio Carrión, Gustavo Rafael Guerrero Soto, Samuel David Jiménez, Adam Moralejo & Albert Packness, songwriters (Big Soto Featuring Eladio Carrion)

WINNER: “Fresh,” Trueno, songwriter (Trueno)

“Parriba,” Pedro Elias Aquino, Jesus Fuenmayor & Mateo Palacios Corazzina, songwriters (Akapellah Featuring Trueno)

“Sudor y Tinta,” Samuel Wilfredo Dilone Castillo, Nohelys Jimenez “J Noa” & Manuel Varet “Vakero”, songwriters (J Noa & Vakero)

“Thc,” Arcángel, songwriter (Arcángel)

Best Urban Song

“Cosas Pendientes,” Édgar Barrera, Kevyn Mauricio Cruz Moreno, Luis Miguel Gómez Castaño, Manuel Lorente Freire & Maluma, songwriters (Maluma)

“DtMF,” Bad Bunny, Marco Daniel Borrero, Scott Dittrich, Benjamin Falik, Roberto Jose Rosado Torres, Hugo Rene Sencion Sanabria & Tyler Spry, songwriters (Bad Bunny)

“En La City,” Young Miko & Trueno, songwriters (Trueno Featuring Young Miko)

“LA MuDANZA,” Luis Amed Irizarry, Marcos Efrain Masis, Jay Anthony Nuñez, Benito Antonio Martinez Ocasio & Roberto Jose Rosado Torres, songwriters (Bad Bunny)

“Xq Eres Así,” Alejandro Avila, Jorge Alvaro Díaz, Manuel Lara, Nathy Peluso & Joyce Francue Santana Febres, songwriters (Alvaro Diaz Featuring Nathy Peluso)

ROCK

Best Rock Album

Legado, A.N.I.M.A.L

Luna En Obras (En Vivo), Marilina Bertoldi

A TRES DÍAS DE LA TIERRA, Eruca Sativa

Gigante, Leiva

WINNER: Novela, Fito Páez

Best Rock Song

WINNER: “La Torre,” RENEE, songwriter (RENEE)

“Legado,” Andrés Giménez, songwriter (A.N.I.M.A.L)

WINNER: “Sale El Sol,” Fito Páez, songwriter (Fito Páez)

“TRNA,” Ali Stone, songwriter (Ali Stone)

“VOLARTE,” Eruca Sativa, songwriters (Eruca Sativa)

Best Pop/Rock Album

Vándalos, Bandalos Chinos

Malhablado, Diamante Eléctrico

Malcriado, Lasso

El Último Día De Nuestras Vidas, Dani Martín

WINNER: Ya Es Mañana, Morat

R, RENEE

Best Pop/Rock Song

“Ángulo Muerto,” Leiva, songwriter (Leiva)

WINNER: “Desastres Fabulosos,” Conociendo Rusia, Jorge Drexler & Pablo Drexler, songwriters (Jorge Drexler & Conociendo Rusia)

“Lucifer,” Renzo Bravo, Lasso & Orlando Vitto, songwriters (Lasso)

“no llames lo mio nuestro,” Joaquina & Andry Kiddos, songwriters (Joaquina)

“Tu Manera De Amar,” Julián Bernal & Debi Nova, songwriters (Debi Nova)

“Un último vals,” Leiva, Benjamín Prado & Joaquín Sabina, songwriters (Joaquín Sabina)

ALTERNATIVE

Best Alternative Music Album

PARA QUIEN TRABAJAS Vol. I, Marilina Bertoldi

WINNER: Papota, CA7RIEL & Paco Amoroso

Bodhiria, Judeline

TODOS LOS DÍAS TODO EL DÍA, Latin Mafia

DAISY, Rusowsky

Best Alternative Song

“El Ritmo,” Salvador Colombo, songwriter (Bandalos Chinos)

“Joropo,” Javier Fernández Blanco, Pablo Gómez Cano, Roberto Gutierrez Acosta, Andrés De Las Heras, Judeline & Pablo López García, songwriters (Judeline)

“Siento Que Merezco Más,” Latin Mafia, songwriters (Latin Mafia)

“(Sola),” Paloma Morphy, songwriter (Paloma Morphy)

WINNER: “#Tetas,” Paco Amoroso, Rafa Arcaute, Gino Borri, CA7RIEL, Gale, Vicente Jiménez “Vibarco” & Federico Vindver, songwriters (CA7RIEL & Paco Amoroso)

TROPICAL

Best Salsa Album

Big Swing, José Alberto “El Canario”

WINNER: Fotografías, Rubén Blades y Roberto Delgado & Orquesta

Mira Como Vengo, Issac Delgado

Infinito Positivo, Los Hermanos Rosario

Debut y Segunda Tanda, Vol. II Gilberto Santa Rosa

Best Cumbia/Vallenato Album

SON 30, Checo Acosta

WINNER: El Último Baile, Silvestre Dangond & Juancho De La Espriella

De Amor Nadie Se Muere, Karen Lizarazo

Baila Kolombia, Los Cumbia Stars

La Jerarquía, Peter Manjarrés & Luis José Villa

Best Merengue/Bachata Album

El Más Completo, Alex Bueno

WINNER: Novato Apostador, Eddy Herrera

Milly Quezada – Live Vol. 1 Desde El Teatro Nacional De República Dominicana, Milly Quezada

Best Traditional Tropical Album

Malena Burke Canta A Meme Solís, Vol. 1, Malena Burke & Meme Solís

Raíces, Gloria Estefan

Caminando Piango Piango, Orquesta Failde

Best Contemporary Tropical Album

Calidosa, Mike Bahía

WINNER: Puñito De Yocahú, Vicente García

Ilusión Óptica, Pedrito Martínez

Bingo, Alain Pérez

Fiesta Candelaria, Puerto Candelaria

Best Tropical Song

“Ahora O Nunca,” Juan José Hernandez, songwriter (Gilberto Santa Rosa)

“Cariñito,” Techy Fatule, songwriter (Techy Fatule)

“La Foto,” Larry Coll, Luis Enrique & Marcos Sánchez, songwriters (Luis Enrique)

“Nunca Me Fui,” Rubén Blades, Andy Clay, Fonseca, Felipe González Abad & Yoel Henríquez, songwriters (Fonseca & Rubén Blades)

WINNER: “Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido,” Edgar Barrera, Andres Jael Correa Rios & Karol G, songwriters (Karol G)

“Si Volviera Jesús,” Jorge Luis Piloto, songwriter (Víctor Manuelle)

“Venga Lo Que Venga,” Andy Clay, Fonseca & Alberto Montenegro, songwriters (Fonseca, Rawayana)

SINGER-SONGWRITER

Best Singer-Songwriter Album

Dos Hemisferios, Alejandro y María Laura

el cuerpo después de todo, Valeria Castro

WINNER: Cancionera, Natalia Lafourcade

Cosas Que Sorprenden A La Audiencia, Vivir Quintana

Relatos, Ale Zéguer

Best Singer-Songwriter Song

“aeropuerto”, Joaquina, songwriter (Joaquina)

“Amarte sin que quieras irte”, Camilú, songwriter (Camilú)

WINNER: “Cancionera”, Natalia Lafourcade, songwriter (Natalia Lafourcade)

“Como Un Pájaro”, Silvana Estrada, songwriter (Silvana Estrada)

“Quisqueya”, Vicente García, songwriter (Vicente García)

REGIONAL MEXICAN


Best Ranchero/Mariachi Album

Mi Suerte Es Ser Mexicano, Pepe Aguilar

Alma De Reyna 30 Aniversario, Mariachi Reyna De Los Ángeles

¿Quién + Como Yo?, Christian Nodal

Best Banda Album

WINNER: 4218, Julión Álvarez y su Norteño Banda

25 Aniversario (Deluxe), Luis Ángel “El Flaco”

Edición Limitada, Banda Ms De Sergio Lizárraga

Best Tejano Album

Imperfecto, Vol. 2, El Plan

Yo No Te Perdí, Gabriella

Reflexiones, Grupo Cultura

El Siguiente Paso (Live Session), Marian y Mariel

WINNER: Bobby Pulido & Friends Una Tuya y Una Mía (Vol.1/En Vivo), Bobby Pulido

6, Juan Treviño

Best Norteño Album

El Plan & Manuel Alejandro, El Plan & Manuel Alejandro

Pasado, Presente, Futuro, La Energía Norteña

WINNER: La Lotería, Los Tigres Del Norte

“V1V0”, Alfredo Olivas

Frente A Frente, Pesado

Best Contemporary Mexican Music Album

Mirada, Ivan Cornejo

Leyenda, DannyLux

Evolución, Grupo Firme

Palabra De To’s (Seca), Carín León

Incómodo, Tito Double P

Best Regional Song

“Hecha Pa’ Mí,” Edgar Barrera, Iván Gamez, Alex Hernandez & Adelaido Solis, songwriters (Grupo Frontera)

WINNER: “La Lotería,” Luciano Luna, songwriter (Los Tigres Del Norte)

“Me Jalo,” Miguel Armenta, Edgar Barrera & Jesús Ortiz Paz, songwriters (Fuerza Regida, Grupo Frontera)

“¿Seguimos o No?,” Fernanda Díaz, Daniela García Rosso, Lupita Infante & Mauro Muñoz, songwriters (Lupita Infante)

“Si Tú Me Vieras,” Edgar Barrera, Kevin Mauricio Cruz Moreno, Carín León & Maluma, songwriters (Carín León, Maluma)

“Tierra Trágame,” César Gonzales & Kakalo, songwriters (Kakalo, Carín León)

INSTRUMENTAL

Best Instrumental Album

Alma En Cuba, Ariel Brínguez & Iván “Melon” Lewis

Saga, Yamandu Costa, Martín Sued e Orquestra Assintomática

Ida e Volta, Yamandu Costa

Havana Meets Harlem, Harlem Quartet Featuring Aldo López Gavilán

WINNER: Y El Canto De Todas, Rafael Serrallet Featuring Lviv Philharmonic

TRADITIONAL

Best Folk Album

Conjuros, Susana Baca

WINNER: Joropango, Kerreke, Daniela Padrón

Lentamente, Sílvia Pérez Cruz & Juan Falú

Candombe, Julieta Rada

#Anonimas&Resilientes, Voces del Bullerengue

Best Tango Album

Colángelo… Tango, José Colángelo

Piazzolla Para Orquesta Típica, Orquesta Típica Daniel Ruggiero

Milonguín, Giovanni Parra Quinteto

Shin-Urayasu, Richard Scofano, Alfredo Minetti

La Inevitable Tentación De Ir A Contramano, Sexteto Fantasma

WINNER: En Vivo 20 Años, Tanghetto

Best Flamenco Album

KM.0, Andrés Barrios

WINNER: Flamencas, Las Migas

Azabache, Kiki Morente

Sangre Sucia, Ángeles Toledano

Best Roots Song

WINNER: “Aguacero,” Luis Enrique Mejía, Fernando Osorio & Rodner Padilla, songwriters (Luis Enrique, C4 Trío)

“Cómo Quisiera Quererte,” El David Aguilar & Natalia Lafourcade, songwriters (Natalia Lafourcade Featuring El David Aguilar)

“El Palomo y La Negra,” El David Aguilar & Natalia Lafourcade, songwriters (Natalia Lafourcade)

“Ella,” Tato Marenco, songwriter (Anita Vergara, Tato Marenco)

“Jardín del Paraíso,” Catalina García Barahona, William Martínez, Juan Carlos Mindinero Satizabal & Julio Reyes Copello, songwriters (Monsieur Periné Featuring Bejuco)

“Lo Que Le Pasó A Hawaii,” Bad Bunny, Marco Daniel Borrero, Luis Amed Irizarry, Marcos Efrain Masis, Flor Morales Ramos, Jay Anthony Nuñez & Roberto Jose Rosado Torres, songwriters (Bad Bunny)

JAZZ

Best Latin Jazz/Jazz Album

WINNER: Hamilton De Holanda Trio – Live In NYC, Hamilton De Holanda

La Fleur De Cayenne, Paquito D’Rivera & Madrid-New York Connection Band

Luces y Sombras, Iván “Melon” Lewis Trio

WINNER: Cuba & Beyond, Chucho Valdés & Royal Quartet

Golden City, Miguel Zenón

CHRISTIAN

Best Christian Album (Spanish Language)

Exaltado, Marco Barrientos

La Novia, Christine D’clario

Coritos Vol. 1, (Israel & New Breed)

Aquí Estamos, Marcos Vidal

WINNER: Legado, Marcos Witt

Best Portuguese Language Christian Album

Ton Carfi 20 Anos (Ao Vivo), Ton Carfi

Razão Da Esperança, Paloma Possi

Onde Guardamos As Flores?, Resgate

WINNER: Memóri4s (Ao Vivo), Eli Soares

A Maior Honra, Julliany Souza

PORTUGUESE LANGUAGE


Best Portuguese Language Contemporary Pop Album

No Escuro, Quem É Você?, Carol Biazin

Fugacidade, Janeiro

WINNER: Caju, Liniker

Maravilhosamente Bem, Julia Mestre

Coisas Naturais, Marina Sena

Best Portuguese Language Rock or Alternative Album

WINNER: O Mundo Dá Voltas, Baianasystem

Colinho, Maria Beraldo

Reações Adversas / Ao Persistirem Os Sintomas, Tó Brandileone

Quanto Mais Eu Como, Mais Fome Eu Sinto!, Djonga

Big Buraco, Jadsa

Best Portuguese Language Urban Performance

“Só Quero Ver,” BK’ & Evinha

“Demoro A Dormir,” Djonga Featuring Milton Nascimento

WINNER: “Caju,” Liniker

“A Dança (Ao Vivo),” Mc Hariel & Gilberto Gil

“Barbie,” Mc Tuto Featuring Dj Glenner

Best Samba/Pagode Album

Alcione, Alcione

Manual Prático Do Novo Samba Tradicional, Vol. 2: Tia Darci, Marcelo D2

Pagode Da Mart’nália, Mart’nália

Zeca Pagodinho – 40 Anos (Ao Vivo), Zeca Pagodinho

WINNER: Sorriso Eu Gosto No Pagode Vol.3 – Homenagem Ao Fundo De Quintal (Gravado Em Londres), Sorriso Maroto

Best MPB (Musica Popular Brasileira)/MAPB (Música Afro Portuguesa Brasileira) Album

Sentido, 5 A Seco

WINNER: Um Mar Pra Cada Um, Luedji Luna

Pique, Dora Morelenbaum

Divina Casca, Rachel Reis

Beleza. Mas Agora A Gente Faz O Que Com Isso?, Rubel

Best Sertaneja Music Album

Let’s Go Rodeo, Ana Castela

WINNER: José & Durval, Chitãozinho & Xororó

Obrigado Deus, Léo Foguete

Transcende (Ao Vivo / Deluxe), Lauana Prado

Do Velho Testamento, Tierry

Best Portuguese Language Roots Album

Casa Coração, Joyce Alane

Ao Vivo No Ccb: Homenagem A José Mário Branco, Camané

Universo De Paixão, Natascha Falcão

Transespacial, Fitti

WINNER: Dominguinho, João Gomes, Mestrinho e Jota.pê

Best Portuguese Language Song

“Maravilhosamente Bem,” Julia Mestre, songwriter (Julia Mestre)

“Ouro De Tolo,” Marina Sena, songwriter (Marina Sena)

“Transe,” Zé Ibarra, songwriter (Zé Ibarra)

“Um Vento Passou (Para Paul Simon),” Marcio Borges & Milton Nascimento, songwriters (Milton Nascimento & Esperanza Spalding Featuring Paul Simon)

WINNER: “Veludo Marrom,” Liniker, songwriter (Liniker)

CHILDREN’S

Best Children’s Album

WINNER: Los Nuevos Canticuentos, (Canticuentos, Coro de Ríogrande)

Aventuras De Caramelo, Antonio Caramelo, Malibu

Cenas Infantis, Palavra Cantada

Buscapié, Luis Pescetti, Juan Quintero

Jirafas, Rita Rosa

CLASSICAL

Best Classical Album

Brouwer, Erena & Others: Guitar Works, Ausiàs Parejo; José Luis Ruiz Del Puerto, album producer

Gabriela Ortiz: Revolución Diamantina, María Dueñas; Gustavo Dudamel, conductor; Dmitry Lipay, album producer (Los Angeles Philharmonic; Los Angeles Master Chorale)

WINNER: Kaleidoscope – Contemporary Piano Music By Female Composers From Around The World, Isabel Dobarro; Javier Monteverde, album producer

Radamés, São Paulo Chamber Soloists; São Paulo Chamber Soloists, producer

Sisters Of The Moon, Susana Gómez Vázquez; Gonzalo Noqué, album producer

Best Classical Contemporary Composition

“Guitar Concerto. I: The Spirit Within, II. Le Tombeau de Viola Liuzzo, III. Devil’s Rag,” Giovanni Piacentini, composer (Eduardo García Barrios, Eliot Fisk, Orquesta Escuela Carlos Chávez)

“I Movimiento: La Visita, II Movimiento: Ritual Chamánico, III Movimiento: Introspección, IV Movimiento: Federico Alma Gitana,” Marvin Camacho, composer (Marvin Camacho & Orquesta Sinfónica De La Universidad De Costa Rica)

WINNER: “Revolución Diamantina – Act I: The Sounds Cats Make, Act II: We Don’t Love Each Other, Act III: Borders And Bodies, Act IV: Speaking The Unspeakable,” Gabriela Ortiz, composer (Gustavo Dudamel, Los Angeles Philharmonic & Los Angeles Master Chorale)

VISUAL MEDIA

Best Music for Visual Media

“Cada Minuto Cuenta (Banda Sonora De La Serie Original De Prime Video),” Pedro Osuna (Pedro Osuna, artist); Pedro Osuna, composer

WINNER: “Cien Años De Soledad (Banda Sonora De La Serie De Netflix),” Camilo Sanabria (Camilo Sanabria, artist); Camilo Sanabria, composer

“El Eternauta (Banda Sonora De La Serie De Netflix),” Federico Jusid (Federico Jusid, artist); Federico Jusid, composer

“In The Summers,” Cabra (Eduardo Cabra, artist); Eduardo Cabra, composer

“Pedro Páramo (Banda Sonora De La Serie De Netflix),” Gustavo Santaolalla (Gustavo Santaolalla, artist); Gustavo Santaolalla, composer

ARRANGING

Best Arrangement

“Sapato Velho”, Rafael Beck & Felipe Montanaro, arrangers (Rafael Beck e Felipe Montanaro)

“Te Deseo Muy Felices Fiestas (Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas)”, Cheche Alara, arranger (David Bisbal)

“Procuro Olvidarte – Versión Sinfónica”, Edy Lan, arranger (Brava Featuring Yaneth Sandoval)

“Bach’s Cuban Concerto For Piano And Tres”, Joachim Horsley, arranger (Joachim Horsley Featuring Olivia Soler & Boston Public Quartet And Friends)

WINNER: “Camaleón Cesar”, Orozco, arranger (Cesar Orozco & Son Ahead)

“Flight 962”, Cassio Vianna, arranger (Cassio Vianna Jazz Orchestra)

RECORDING PACKAGE

Best Recording Package

WINNER: Cuarto Azul, Christian Molina, art director (Aitana)

Cuba And Beyond, Ana Gonzalez, Patricia Nunez, Francisco Pinero, Chucho Valdés & Jourdan Villarroel, art directors (Chucho Valdés, Royal Quartet)

Gigante, Boa Mistura, art director (Leiva)

Masters Of Our Roots, Ana Gonzalez, Patricia Nunez, Francisco Pinero & Jourdan Villarroel, art directors (Albita & Chucho Valdés)

Por Esas Trenzas, Daniela Tomas, art director (Lourdes Carhuas)

SONGWRITER

Songwriter of the Year

WINNER: Edgar Barrera

João Ferreira

Pablo Preciado

Mónica Vélez

Ale Zéguer

PRODUCTION

Best Engineered Album

Bodhiria, Isidro Acedo, Rob Bisel, Pablo Gómez Cano & Pablo López García, engineers; Lewis Pickett, mixer; Lewis Pickett, mastering engineer (Judeline)

Caju, Marcio Arantes, Iuri Rio Branco, Ricardo Camera, Júlio Fejuca, Pedro Henrique Ferreira Rodrigues, André Malaquias, Daniel Mariano, João Milliet, Vinicius Leonard Moreira, Gabriel Pinheiro, Gustavo Ruiz, Adonias Souza Júnior, Vitor Vaughan & Dalton Luiz Vicente, engineers; Mike Bozzi, Rafael Fadul de Assumpção & João Milliet, mixers; Felipe Tichauer, mastering engineer (Liniker)

WINNER: Cancionera, Jack Lahana, engineer; Jack Lahana, mixer; Bernie Grundman, mastering engineer (Natalia Lafourcade)

Enquanto Os Distraídos Amam, Tó Brandileone & Matheus Stiirmer, engineers; Pedro Peixoto, mixer; Fili Filizzola, mastering engineer (Pedro Emílio)

Love Cole Porter, Leo Alcantara & Marcelo Saboia, engineers; Marcelo Saboia, mixer; Andre Dias, mastering engineer (Antonio Adolfo)

Producer of the Year

WINNER: Rafa Arcaute, Federico Vindver

Edgar Barrera

WINNER: Nico Cotton

Mauricio Rengifo, Andres Torres

Matheus Stiirmer

MUSIC VIDEO

Best Short Form Music Video

“Diamantes, Lágrimas e Rostos Para Esquecer (Dlre),” Bk’; Felipe Vellas, video director; Renata Dumont, video producer

“EL CLúB,” Bad Bunny; Matias Vasquez, video director; Noah Assad, Sigfredo Bellaflores, Juan Vasquez & Esteban Zuluaga, video producers

WINNER: “#Tetas,” CA7RIEL & Paco Amoroso; Martin Piroyansky, video director; Pío Filgueira Risso & Lula Meliche, video producers

“Cura Pa Mi Alma,” Vera Grv; Willy Rodriguez, video director; Grayskull, video producer

“Full Time Papi,” Guitarricadelafuente; Albert Moya, video director; Philipp Ramhofer, video producer

Best Long Form Music Video

WINNER: Papota (Short Film), CA7RIEL & Paco Amoroso; Martin Piroyansky, video director; Federico Ameglio, Chino Fernández & Lula Meliche, video producers

Iradoh – 3 Atos De Irmandade: A Música, O Crime E A Justiça, Hodari; Kaique Alves & Thiago Eva, video directors; Marcelo Campana, Konrad Dantas, Thiago Freire, Kako & Bruno Pappa, video producers

Mon Laferte, Te Amo, Mon Laferte; Camila Grandi & Joanna Reposi Garibaldi, video directors; José Antonio San Miguel García, Diana Rodríguez, Simran Singh & Jaime Villarreal, video producers

Lamento (Extended Cut), Gaby Moreno; Diego Contreras, video director; Andrew Petersen, video producer

Milton Bituca Nascimento, Varios Artistas; Flavia Moraes, video director; Ricardo Aidar, Caio Gullane, Fabiano Gullane, Rafael Langoni, Flávia Moraes, Augusto Nascimento, Andre Novis, Victor Pozas & Larissa Prado, video producers.


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ABKCO, a music company that owns The Rolling Stonesearly catalog, has brought a lawsuit against Behr Paint over an Instagram advertisement that allegedly used an unlicensed version of the band’s “Paint It, Black,” which ABKCO calls “one of the most valuable copyrights in the history of popular music.”

The copyright infringement case, filed on Wednesday (Nov. 12) in federal court, centers on a 2022 Instagram ad for Behr that showed a person spray-painting furniture while “Paint It, Black” played in the background. ABKCO claims Behr didn’t pay for the track.  

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While individual social media users can soundtrack their videos for free with songs covered by blanket licenses, companies are required to buy so-called sync licenses for music in commercial advertisements. ABKCO’s lawsuit says it regularly sells sync licenses for “Paint It, Black” — and collects fees ranging from the hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars for the song, which hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1966.

“Behr’s commercial use of the ABKCO recording has forced a business association upon ABKCO that has harmed its ability to license the ABKCO recording to Behr’s competitors that would pay for the use of the ABKCO recording,” writes lawyer Benjamin Akley of Pryor Cashman. “Clearly, the ABKCO recording is not only iconic, it has unique and particular value to a paint company seeking to promote its paint products.”

According to the lawsuit, ABKCO didn’t learn about the 2022 ad until this past summer. ABKCO’s attorneys allegedly notified Behr, leading the paint company to take down the video, though the company “was unwilling to engage in further dialogue concerning its unauthorized use,” the lawsuit claims.

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ABKCO claims Behr is a “sophisticated, multi-billion-dollar corporation” that knows the rules around sync licenses, yet it “inexplicably” chose not to follow those rules here. Now, the lawsuit is seeking financial penalties for Behr’s alleged copyright infringement.

“As a result of the aforementioned acts of infringement, ABKCO has suffered significant damages,” reads the complaint.

Reps for Behr did not immediately return a request for comment on the lawsuit on Thursday (Nov. 13).


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Lenny Tavárez chatted with Billboard’s Jessica Roiz on the red carpet of the 2025 Latin Grammys.

Ray J is bringing a bombshell countersuit against Kim Kardashian and Kris Jenner, accusing them of intentionally releasing the infamous sex tape with him that launched Kim’s career — and then “peddling the false story” that it was leaked.

A month after the mother and daughter pair sued the singer for defamation over his allegation that they were facing a criminal racketeering investigation, Ray J hit back hard — claiming to reveal the true backstory behind his and Kardashian’s legendary sex tape.

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“Mother and daughter have spent two decades peddling the false story that the sex tape that Kardashian filmed [Ray J] was leaked against her will,” writes Ray J’s attorney, Howard King, in a countersuit submitted in Los Angeles court Thursday (Nov. 13) and obtained by Billboard. “They are furious that Norwood no longer wants to play along with their tall tale.”

The reality, Ray J claims, is that Kardashian and Jenner arranged the entire thing, doing so after seeing how the non-consensual release of Paris Hilton’s sextape had led to “meteoric international attention” for her. “Kardashian aspired to even greater fame,” Ray J says.

In a statement to Billboard, Kardashian and Jenner’s attorney, Alex Spiro, fired back at Ray J’s claims: “After realizing he is losing the case and losing his way, this disjointed rambling distraction is not intimidating anyone. Ray J will lose this frivolous case too.”

According to the lawsuit, after signing a deal with the porn company Vivid Entertainment, Jenner and Kardashian agreed with the studio that they would file “a bogus lawsuit” against Vivid claiming the leak was non-consensual “to create buzz ahead of the tape’s release.” The case was actually filed and later settled, but he says it was all a ruse.

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“These were lies,” Ray J’s lawyers write. “Vivid and Kardashian ‘leaked’ to TMZ that they ‘settled’ for $5 million. There was no such settlement.”

Such allegations have been made in the past, including by journalist Ian Halperin in his 2016 book Kardashian Dynasty, in which he claimed that the family had been involved in the leak. But Jenner and Kardashian have steadfastly denied the allegation ever since.

Ray J’s case comes in the form of a breach of contract lawsuit — claiming that Jenner and Kardashian violated a settlement deal they struck with him in 2021 over statements about the sex tape.

During a 2021 episode of The Kardashians, the mother and daughter “falsely accused” him of “sexually assaulting Kardashian while she was asleep, releasing revenge porn, and extortion,” the lawsuit says. After Ray J “initiated legal proceedings” over those statements, the Kardashians allegedly agreed to a settlement that would pay him $6 million and ban any further mention of the tape on the show.

But then the Kardashians violated the deal “almost immediately,” repeatedly discussing the tape during the following season of The Kardashians, the lawsuit reads. When Ray J’s lawyers raised the issue, he says they told him that the settlement only covered the earlier season of the show.

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With the two sides headed for a dispute in private arbitration, Ray J says Kardashian and Jenner instead chose to file their “meritless lawsuit” to “exact retribution” on him. “Norwood will not allow Kardashian and Jenner to weaponize the judicial system, shirk their contractual obligations, and sacrifice him on the altar of fame,” the lawsuit reads.

The original lawsuit, filed last month, came a week after Ray J claimed on a social media livestream that federal authorities were investigating the Kardashian clan under the Racketeering Influence and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act — the same charges filed against Sean “Diddy” Combs. “The feds is coming,” he said at one point, before adding: “It’s worse than Diddy.”

“Ray J’s public statements are blatantly false,” Spiro wrote in the Oct. 1 lawsuit. “No such federal investigation exists; no law enforcement agency has initiated any criminal proceedings or investigations related to racketeering charges against Ms. Kardashian or Ms. Jenner; and no credible evidence whatsoever supports these inflammatory allegations.”

The lawsuit claimed that Ray J’s comments were just “the latest salvo in a deliberate and malicious campaign of harassment and defamation intended to defame plaintiffs while reviving his own fading notoriety.”


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It was the end of an era, but the start of an age. On Thursday (Nov. 13), Taylor Swift revealed more from her behind-the-scenes documentary Taylor Swift: The End of an Era with a longer trailer that promises “an unprecedented look” at what made her earth-shattering Eras Tour tick.

Fans can likely expect many easter eggs to decipher when it premieres – and perhaps some unanswered questions too (What exactly was the meaning of the gold Reputation suit? Why didn’t she wear certain 1989 outfits?). But the two-and-a-half-minute-long video does offer a few new insights.

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In the preview, Swift – whose 12th studio album The Life of the Showgirl broke the modern-day record for equivalent album units sold in its first week with 4.002 million and has currently spent five weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, with its lead single “The Fate of Ophelia” also sitting on top of the Hot 100 for the same amount of time – and those around her share both personal revelations and technical aspects of working on the show.

“I’m very aware of mysterious forces at play that I will never have any control of,” she narrates. “This show created a bonding experience for like 70,000 people all at once. There’s something very special about that.”

The six-part series – which pairs with The Eras Tour: The Final Show that includes The Tortured Poets Department set – begins with its first two episodes on Disney+ on Dec. 12, just in time for Swift’s 36th birthday on Dec. 13. Below, read about the nine new things we learned from the freshly released footage.

The Weeknd has donated $350,000 from his XO Humanitarian Fund to relief efforts in Jamaica following the devastation of Hurricane Melissa in the Caribbean.

The music titan’s donation will benefit the World Food Programme — The Weeknd is a WFP ambassador — as the WFP looks to scale its operation and assist in helping a target of 200,000 Jamaicans who were impacted by the Category 5 storm.

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“We are grateful to The Weeknd for his generous support for WFP’s urgent relief efforts. His compassion will provide much-needed comfort and resilience to Jamaicans as they navigate this crisis,” said Barron Segar, World Food Program USA President and CEO, in a statement. “When it comes to humanitarian disasters, WFP is among the world’s first responders. But our work is only possible through the generosity of our private sector donors and global partners.”

The WFP has been working alongside the Jamaican government to bring aide to citizens and they’ve helped more than 9,000 people by sending in food kits. Between Jamaica, Haiti and Cuba, the WFP has assisted about 254,000 people with emergency food distribution as of press time.

Hurricane Melissa made landfall in late October and the strongest tropical storm of 2025 so far has impacted nearly six million Caribbean citizens.

The Weeknd is no stranger to humanitarian efforts as he’s donated more than $10 million to various causes since 2020. He pledged $1 million to relief efforts following the L.A. wildfires in January.

Jamaican legend Shaggy has also been a major part of relief efforts for his home country. He mobilized private flights for citizens in danger and sent food aid to those starving due to the storm earlier in November.

“People are homeless,” Shaggy told Rolling Stone of the precarious living situation. “There’s no running water, there’s no electricity, there’s no shelter. They were sleeping on the streets. We came in last night, we gave out water, we gave out food. There are actually bodies trapped in homes that people haven’t been able to clear.”

Announced Wednesday and led by Sean Paul, Shaggy and Kes, a Jamaica Strong benefit concert will take place Dec. 12 at UBS Arena in Belmont Park, New York. Additional confirmed performers include Chronic Law, T.O.K, Tessane Chin, Aidonia, Inner Circle, Ky-Mani Marley, Teejay, Richie Stephens, Gramps Morgan, and Mikey Spice, with more artists yet to be announced.

Wale says he remembers one time that J. Cole got furious while on Jay-Z‘s Blueprint 3 tour.

In an interview with Uproxx’s Sound Check, Wale was asked to share a memory from The Blueprint 3 tour that went down back in 2009. Wale recalled that while J. Cole is all peaceful now, he saw him blow up at a tour manager on the last night of the tour.

“Boy, I got some stories,” Wale began around the five-minute mark. “Nobody’s ever seen [J. Cole] lose his temper ever, right? Like, he’s so calm. Oh boy. The last day of tour, bro. We go to Jay’s suite or somethin’. Everyone’s up there, whatever. We had to leave … we get down by the bus, and all I remember is Cole going at it with this tour manager. To this day, I’ve never seen him that mad. He’s all zenned out now, I’ll never forget that. All I know is I was just in shock.”

Wale is pulling out all the stops promoting his forthcoming album, Everything Is A Lot, which drops on Friday (Nov. 14). In an interview with Billboard, Wale said he wants this project to express “a certain level of vulnerability.”

“One of the underlying things is how heavy everything is in the world around me, my personal life, and the industry,” he exclusively told Billboard. “I carried all of that with me and got it out of my system through this project.”

Check out Wale’s full interview with Uproxx below.