Russell Simmons Sued for Alleged Rape by Former Def Jam Executive
By Elgin Nelson
A woman based in Los Angeles, identified as Jane Doe, has filed a lawsuit in New York Federal Court accusing Russell Simmons, 66, of sexually assaulting her in the 1990s. Doe, a former senior-level music executive at Def Jam Recordings who worked on videos for Simmons’ label, alleges that her career was severely impacted by the traumatic experience. The lawsuit, filed under New York’s Adult Survivors Act and Gender Motivated Violence Act, includes charges of sexual battery/assault, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and false imprisonment against Simmons. The complaint describes a culture where both men and women in the music industry would conduct business at Simmons’ apartment. Doe, protected by the Adult Survivors Act, details her distressing experiences, including panic attacks, an eating disorder, and difficulty handling emotions in work settings. Simmons denies the allegations, claiming he has never been forceful in any relationships.
Denzel Washington and Spike Lee Join Forces Again for New Film
By Elgin Nelson
Apple Original Films and A24 will produce the upcoming movie “High and Low,” a collaboration that reunites the acclaimed duo of Spike Lee and Denzel Washington, with Washington in the lead role and Lee as the director. The English-language adaptation of Akira Kurosawa’s 1963 crime thriller revolves around an executive at a shoe company entangled in a kidnapping and extortion plot. The new thriller is set to start production in March. This marks the fifth collaboration between Lee and Washington, whose previous projects include “Inside Man,” “Malcolm X,” “He Got Game,” and “Mo’ Better Blues.” The idea for “High and Low” was initially conceived last spring, but production was delayed due to strikes affecting the Gladiator sequel starring Washington. The film follows Apple Original Films and Washington’s previous collaboration on “The Tragedy of Macbeth,” also with A24, which earned Washington his seventh Best Actor nomination among 10 overall Academy Award nominations.
Musical Icons Lenny Kravitz, Sade, Mary J. Blige, and Others Highlight Stacked Lineup of Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Nominees
By Elgin Nelson
Iconic artists Mariah Carey, boasting an impressive 19 No. 1 hits on the Billboard Hot 100, and Mary J. Blige, renowned for eight multi-platinum albums and nine Grammy Awards, are among the nominees for this year’s Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Other notable nominees include Sade, recently inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, along with Kool & The Gang, A Tribe Called Quest, and Eric B. & Rakim. Eligibility for induction requires artists to have released their first commercial recording at least 25 years before the ceremony. The induction ceremony is scheduled for fall in Cleveland, and the inductees will be announced in late April. The selection process involves voting by over 1,000 artists, historians, and industry professionals, with fans also having the opportunity to vote online or in person at the museum. The ceremony will be streamed live on Disney+, with a later airing on ABC and availability on Hulu the following day.