Posts made in June 2025

Ice Cube, Black Thought, and Common Contacted in Efforts to Preserve the Legacy of Legendary Orator Dr. Khalid Muhammad

The Estate of Dr. Khalid Abdul Muhammad has filed legal action against major hip-hop artists and record labels, citing the unauthorized use of Dr. Muhammad’s speeches, voice, and intellectual property in music spanning decades without credit, clearance, or compensation.

The three lawsuits target the companies behind tracks where Dr. Muhammad’s speeches appear and the labels that profited from their sales and distribution. Defendants include those tied to songs performed by Tupac Shakur, Public Enemy, and D’Angelo and The Vanguard.

Dr. Khalid Muhammad, a revolutionary leader, former Nation of Islam spokesman, and Black Panther figure, was known for his powerful speeches and unwavering commitment to Black liberation. For years, his words have been sampled by the music industry while his name and contributions were deliberately erased from the narrative.

Below are the lawsuit case numbers along with the corresponding songs. Listen to Dr. Khalid Muhammad’s speeches as used in these tracks and compare them to the original recordings.

2Pac (Interscope) “White Man’z World”(1996) Case 2:25-cv-02540

D’Angelo (RCA) “1000 Deaths” (2014) Case 2:25-cv-03480

Public Enemy (Def Jam) “Night of the Living Baseheads”
Case 2:25-cv-02324

The Estate asserts that these songs, which collectively sold millions, won awards, and shaped hip-hop culture, used Dr. Muhammad’s voice without legal permission or compensation to his family.

Attorney Malik Zulu Shabazz, representing the Estate, states “These lawsuits are not an attack on Public Enemy, Tupac’s family, or D’Angelo. They are about accountability. The record labels and music corporations exploited Khalid Muhammad’s voice for profit, just like they’ve done to the Black artists whose songs featured him. Most of these artists don’t even own the rights to their own music. They’ve been exploited too.”

“Khalid Muhammad should have received proper credit on these iconic records. His legacy matters. These funds will be used to fulfill his mission through schools, books, training academies, and documentaries about his life and message.”

The lawsuits seek $5 million in damages per infringement, permanent injunctions, attorneys’ fees, and the impoundment of all infringing works.

OTHER ARTISTS UNDER REVIEW

Formal legal letters have also been sent to Ice Cube, Common (Loma Vista) “So Many People” (2024), and Black Thought. Various projects are under legal review. The Estate is demanding documentation of any licensing, royalty payments, or legal agreements regarding Dr. Muhammad’s inclusion in their work.

“In Tupac’s case, we believe he was on his way to forming a real alliance with Dr. Muhammad before he was assassinated,” Shabazz added.

WHERE THE FUNDS WILL GO PROTECTING KHALID MUHAMMAD’S LEGACY

Any funds recovered from this legal action will directly support the Khalid Muhammad Memorial Fund, with initiatives including:

• A National Black History Museum and Research Center

• A nationwide Black Studies curriculum for schools

• A permanent memorial and archive for revolutionary Black leaders

• Youth-focused educational programs rooted in Black self-determination

• Films, documentaries, and books about Dr. Muhammad’s life and legacy

“Trump cut funding for African American institutions,” the Estate said. “So, the family is building their own. This is about mission, not just money.” “The industry has profited off his words for decades,” said Shabazz. “That era of exploitation ends now.”

Sunday, June 29, 2025 @ 5PM

The Stone Pony Summer Stage, 909 Ocean Avenue N, Asbury Park, NJ 07712

Prepare for liftoff as the Mothership touches down in Asbury Park this June! The legendary George Clinton brings his kaleidoscopic Parliament Funkadelic collective to the Jersey Shore for a mind-bending night of pure, unadulterated funkiness.

For over five decades, Clinton has reigned as funk’s undisputed godfather, blending soul, psychedelic rock and cosmic consciousness into a revolutionary sound that has changed music forever. With more than 40 R&B hits, multiple platinum albums and an induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, P-Funk’s legacy is written in the stars.

Experience the sensory overload that is a P-Funk concert — an extravagant, theatrical spectacle where outlandish costumes, mind-melting visuals and Clinton’s carnival-like ensemble of musicians create a celebration unlike anything else in live music.

From the moment the first note drops, you’ll be swept into a non-stop groove machine pulsing with infectious energy and immediately see why P-Funk’s influence spans generations and genres.

Don’t miss this rare opportunity to witness the architect of funk, the man who elevated funk to an art form and inspired everyone from Dr. Dre to Red Hot Chili Peppers.

This isn’t just a concert — it’s a transcendent communion with the funk OGs, a chance to tear the roof off with the legends who invented the game.

Want to keep the party going? Then check out the after party at The Stone Pony’s late night show with Des and the Swagmatics! Since 2013, they’ve electrified stages with their soul-funk-pop fusion, earning Asbury Music Awards and sharing bills with legends like Southside Johnny while delivering unforgettable, high-energy performances.

The film is about manhood, about fatherhood, about all of us in America today.

This special event will be in celebration of FATHER’S DAY/JUNETEENTH/PRIDE/MEN’S HEALTH MONTH, and will happen on the actual Father’s Day, SUNDAY, JUNE 15th, at the historic Judson Memorial Church, in the Greenwich Village section of NEW YORK CITY.

There will be refreshments, this event is FREE, everyone is welcome, including disabled community. All details on attached flyer/graphic. Please feel to free to share this with others. And folks can RSVP here: rsvp@whenwefreetheworld.com

Sunday, June 22, 2025 @ 7PM

NJPAC, 1 Center St Newark, NJ 07102

Comedy kingmaker Bob Sumner — co-creator of HBO’s Def Comedy Jam — invites you to experience the next wave of comedy greatness with The Rising Stars of Comedy. Curated by the legendary talent scout himself, this lineup brings together five firecracker comedians on the up and up — Anthony Oakes, Rio Paris, Mason King, Rashaun Reese and Apple Brown Betty.

Each performer offers their own wild style, quick wit and unforgettable energy, setting the stage for a raw, real and ridiculously funny evening. They’ve cut their teeth in some of the best comedy clubs and festivals on the scene and have each been steadily building a buzz.

Sumner knows talent when he sees it. Many of the most gifted comedians to grace the stage and screen worldwide have Sumner to thank for helping them up through the ranks. This includes Bill Bellamy, Mike Epps, Dave Chappelle, Sheryl Underwood, Jo Koy, Chris Tucker, Deon Cole, Bill Burr, Cedric the Entertainer and the late, great Bernie Mac. Among other roles, Sumner is also the Curator of Comedy at the iconic Apollo Theater in Harlem.

Come vibe, laugh and fall head over heels for the next big names in stand-up. With a special surprise DJ and host and a crowd ready to roll like in the Peppermint days, this is your front-row seat to the future of funny.

Nancy Erika Smith: “Alina Habba and I agree on one thing – no one is above the law.”

New Jersey – Today, Newark New Jersey Mayor Ras Baraka filed a federal lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey asserting claims of false arrest, malicious prosecution, and defamation against Alina Habba and DHS Special Agent Ricky Patel. The lawsuit details how both defendants, acting outside the scope of their legal authority, and with malice, orchestrated the violent arrest and public humiliation of Mayor Baraka during a peaceful visit to the Delaney Hall ICE facility.

The Complaint states that Habba “blatantly and publicly professed her plan to use the power of the office of the United States Attorney to help Republicans,” quoting her as saying: “We could turn New Jersey red… Hopefully, while I’m [interim US Attorney].” It includes a post by Habba on her personal account on the social media site owned by Elon Musk, X, at 3:05PM, before Mayor Baraka was charged, processed, or transported from the GEO property, in which Habba “falsely accused Mayor Baraka with a crime, stating NO ONE IS ABOVE THE LAW”.

“Alina Habba and I agree on one thing, no one is above the law,” said Nancy Erika Smith, of Smith Mullin, the attorney representing Mayor Baraka. “This administration is clearly targeting Democratic elected officials with abuse and phony charges in an effort to instill fear. The handcuffing of an aide to Congressman Nadler in his private office is just one more example of alarming authoritarianism. I am proud to represent Mayor Baraka, who is standing up to Trump and the government agents, like Habba and Patel, who are abusing their power.”

When the charges against Mayor Baraka were dismissed, U.S. Magistrate Judge André Espinosa acknowledged the severity of the arrest: “An arrest, particularly of a public figure, is not a preliminary investigative tool. It is a severe action, carrying significant reputational and personal consequences, and it should only be undertaken after a thorough, dispassionate evaluation of credible evidence… The hasty arrest of Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, followed swiftly by the dismissal of these trespassing charges a mere 13 days later, suggests a worrisome misstep by your Office.”

The Complaint notes that there are numerous videos and photographs of events on May 9, 2025, and states that that evidence supports Mayor Baraka’s claims that he was invited inside the gate at Delaney Hall, which is owned by the private prison company, GEO Group, by a GEO employee. It goes on to state that when DHS agent Ricky Patel told him to leave the property, he did, yet: “Five minutes after Mayor Baraka left the GEO Group property, approximately 20 DHS agents, many armed and masked, descended on the Mayor and members of Congress without any attempt to calm fears or ensure peace.” The Complaint further claims that Patel ordered DHS agents to “take him down,” meaning violently throw the Mayor of Newark to the ground, while “the agents pushed, shoved and assaulted the Mayor’s security team and members of Congress before violently pulling Mayor Baraka’s arms and arresting him without probable cause. The DHS agents handcuffed the Mayor behind his back in order to effect maximum humiliation.”

To commemorate Black Music Month, Grammy winning icon/Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee Dionne Warwick will bring her one woman show to the Apollo Theater in New York City’s Harlem on Friday, June 27th,2025 at 8 pm ET.

A presentation of Elliott Entertainment LLC and GCI Film, “Dionne Warwick: Don’t Make Me Over, One Night Only” will feature Ms. Warwick performing the classics she’s known for, from “Walk On By” to “I Say A Little Prayer” and the chart topping “That’s What Friends Are For” as well as her first hit record, “Don’t Make Me Over.”

Dionne Warwick will be joined onstage by her son, manager and Grammy winning multiplatinum producer Damon Elliott, as he leads Ms. Warwick to share stories about her stellar career, achievements and the creation of her music. The event incorporates a multimedia show featuring rare archival footage (such as Ms. Warwick working behind the scenes with the longtime equally legendary songwriting/production team of Burt Bacharach and Hal David) as well as testimonials from entertainment and world leaders.

This special performance highlights many achievements of Ms. Warwick’s career, such as her appointment as the Ambassador of Health for the US as she stood at the forefront of the fight against HIV/AIDS and helped raise millions throughout the 1980’s,

Backed by a four-piece band, “Dionne Warwick: Don’t Make Me Over, One Night Only” will be an insightful evening of storytelling, anecdotes and a live performance of a selection of her many hits. Ms. Warwick’s upcoming show at the Apollo Theater on Friday, June 27th serves as a homecoming, as she first appeared on that very stage in the late 1950’s in her late teens.