NEWS
50 Cent's efforts to secure a $1 million default judgment against ex Shaniqua Tompkins is not going well. In fact, things are effectively at a stalemate despite the latter missing deadlines to respond to it. If you didn't know this is tied to a life rights agreement she signed in 2007 with G-Unit Books.
A Manhattan commercial court has come to the conclusion that the entity has yet to show enough proof to secure said judgment. This comes to light exclusively through Grouchy Greg Watkins of AllHipHop.
While 50 Cent's team claims the life rights agreement was okay for both sides, Tompkins has argued recently that's not so true. In late January, she claimed she was forced into signing it. Allegedly, 50 Cent's former manager Chris Lighty, tracked her down and threatened her. "During this encounter, Mr. Lighty told me that I would suffer severe consequences if I did not sign the agreement."
While this ruling is certainly not ideal from the rapper's point of view, it's not totally over yet. However, it does signify that 50 Cent will need to try and find more evidence to support his case.
The G-Unit mogul sued his longtime ex last year, accusing her of "wrecking" the agreement she signed those years ago. He says she did by speaking about their relationship in interviews and in social media posts.
50 alleged all of this information she spilled should've exclusively belonged to him and nullified the agreement. Speaking of, it allegedly gave G-Unit Books broad, exclusive, and continuous control over Tompkins' life story, name, and likeness.
To compensate for such stipulations, Tompkins received an $80,000 advance and the promise of future royalties from a planned book.
Sade will not be attending their Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony this week.
The English group, made up of Sade Adu, Paul Denman, Stuart Matthewman, and Andrew Hale, are among this year's inductees into the prestigious institution. The ceremony is scheduled to take place at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles this Saturday.
However, a representative for Sade confirmed on Tuesday through the band's official website that none of the members would be attending the event.
"We're sorry that we won't be able to join everyone in person to celebrate alongside the other artists. However, our absence does not lessen how deeply this recognition means to us," they stated. "Being welcomed into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is a wonderful honour and a meaningful opportunity to express our gratitude, not just to everyone who voted for us, but to every person who has made our music part of their lives."
The representative also acknowledged their manager Roger Davies for his support and paid tribute to the late engineer and co-producer Mike Pela, who passed away in 2022.
"We owe so much to everyone who has supported us throughout this journey," they continued, before signing the message: "Sade, Stuart, Andrew, and Paul. Mike Pela, the fifth member of Sade... This recognition belongs to you just as much as it does to us, Mike. You will always be our soul mate."
Sade will be joining Oasis among the artists missing this year's ceremony. Liam Gallagher previously addressed his absence in a message on X, saying the journey was "too far" for him to make just "for the night".
The other musicians being recognised at this weekend's ceremony include Billy Idol, Phil Collins, Iron Maiden, Joy Division/New Order, the late Luther Vandross, and Wu-Tang Clan.
