NEWS
Joe Budden is the hip hop podcaster. He has become one of the premiere media faces when it comes to discussing the genre. He's also being sued by a couple who live next door to him. TMZ confirmed that a suit has been filed by John and Yuliya Aksoy. The couple allege that Budden and his podcast staff have launched a "campaign of intimidation and retribution" against them after they complained about the ex rapper's behavior. They reportedly want Joe Budden to record his podcast elsewhere.
John and Yuliya Aksoy are being represented by attorney Thomas Mirigliano. Their suit claims that they had previously tried to confront Joe Budden about the excessive noise during his podcast recordings. They also raised concerns about Joe Budden's co-hosts leaving full ashtrays and weed in the common area, given that they have a daughter. John and Yuliya also filed complaint with the condo association, according to TMZ. The podcaster did not like this. He allegedly called Yuliya and accused her of being racist. This is where things got worse.
The couple allege that Budden threatened to expose them with a recording of the aforementioned racist remarks, but when asked to produce said evidence, nothing materialized. John and Yuliya claim that the podcast antics became more extreme after this confrontation. They claim Joe Budden played loud music and simulated the sound of gunshots on the night of October 19, 2024. They also claimed Budden poked fun at them during his podcast, referring to them as the "neighbors."
Nevermind the fact that the former rapper tried to get into the Aksoy residence while nude on December 4. Joe Budden has acknowledged this incident publicly, and even made light of it during episodes of his podcast. The footage even went semi-viral. Budden is not concerned, however. At least, that's what the podcaster's lawyer said. Nima Ameri reached out to TMZ after the Aksoy lawsuit was revealed, and she made it clear she was prepared to win. Ameri said the suit was merely "a money grab attempt by a person we believe to be a racist."
Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso honored Shyne with a key to the city during a ceremony held at the East Flatbush Young Men’s Mentorship Expo on Saturday. The recognition highlighted both his influence in hip hop and his contributions as a public figure and advocate. Reynoso also declared April 25, 2026 as “Shyne Day” in Brooklyn.
“Shyne embodies what is possible when a community believes in its young people, and the magic that can happen when young people are given the resources they need to thrive. East Flatbush raised Shyne, and it only made sense to present him with the Key to Brooklyn as we team up to deliver hope and opportunity to dozens of young men today,” Reynoso said at the event, as caught by BK Reader.
Shyne also addressed the crowd. “This is the community that raised me, and it’s important for me to pass that love forward,” he said. “There couldn’t be a better way to celebrate this milestone than coming back home and pouring into the next generation.” He also revealed that everyone in attendance would receive complimentary tickets to his 25th anniversary concert on May 2 at the Kings Theatre.
The show will mark 25 years since the release of his self titled debut studio album, which arrived on September 26, 2000. Even while Shyne was incarcerated at the time, the project debuted and reached number five on the Billboard 200 chart. It moved close to 160,000 units in its opening week.
Earlier this week, Shyne posted a video of himself standing outside the Kings Theatre on Instagram while promoting the upcoming performance. "Can’t wait to see you this Saturday, May 2 @kingsbklyn as we celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the Shyne Album…..the celebration will continue @crownhilltheatre where I will meet, take pictures and party with you, my loyal supporters, who’ve made Shyne a Rap Legend," he captioned the post. Fans filled the comments with fire emojis in response.
