JAY-Z Takes Legal Action Against Kansas City Police Amid Alleged "Abuse And Misconduct" Investigation

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JAY-Z and his Team Roc initiative are taking legal action against the Kansas City, Kansas Police Department after helping fund an investigation into wrongful convictions in the county back in 2021. The organization says the department has failed to follow through on a public records request issued they issued in November 2023 while looking into the “longstanding” pattern of alleged “abuse and misconduct.” In the new lawsuit, Team Roc writes that the KCKPD has been “stonewall[ing] plaintiffs for almost a year… Defendants have produced zero documents relating to any complaint or investigation into even a single instance of misconduct by any member of the KCKPD.”

The lawsuit continues: “Kansas City residents have suffered enormously as a result of KCKPD abuses. Some have been framed for crimes they did not commit; some have been coerced into providing false testimony; some have been sexually assaulted; some have endured brutal beatings; and some have even been killed. Rather than promoting a culture of transparency and accountability, the KCKPD has a long history of turning a blind eye to, at best, and even covering up, if not worse, abusive and/or corrupt conduct by its officers.”

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[66th GRAMMY Awards - Show] LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 04: (LR) Honoree Jay-Z accepts the Dr. Dre. Global Impact Award onstage during the 66th GRAMMY Awards at Crypto.com Arena on February 04, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for The Recording Academy)

 

Operating under the Kansas Open Records Act, Team Roc says it paid out $2,200 in fees to get access to the public records. Of the 225 documents that authorities have provided, they allegedly amount to mostly personnel locator records and training materials not directly related to the complaints of misconduct.

"This filing is because human beings with badges have betrayed the public's trust … That type of behavior must be held to a standard," Team Roc's managing director, Dania Diaz said during an interview with NBC News. Check out Team Roc's announcement regarding the lawsuit below.

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Taylor Swift Will Allegedly Be Featured On Kendrick Lamar's New Album

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Kendrick Lamar has not given up any information on his new album. The only bits of information that fans have to go on is Dot's upcoming Halftime Show performance at the Super Bowl, and the snippet that was teased during the "Not Like Us" video. No word on a title, a release date or any of the artists who will be on the album alongside the rapper. At least, that was the case until November 19. DJ Snake went on live stream and claimed that a Kendrick Lamar and Taylor Swift collab is around the corner.

DJ Snake claimed that he has exclusive insight into the recording process for Kendrick Lamar's new album. He didn't give too much away in terms of features, but he did claim that Taylor Swift will be on the album in some capacity. DJ Snake knew he dropped a bombshell, too, because he immediately took the microphone and uttered the phrase "world premiere." It would be jarring to hear Taylor Swift on a K. Dot record, but there's definitely a precedent. Lamar appeared on the remix to "Bad Blood" in 2015, which gave the rapper his first number one single. Lamar also collaborated with Swift's frequent collaborator, Jack Antonoff, on the beat for "6:16 In L.A." in May.

Taylor Swift's Producer Recently Worked With K. Dot

Kendrick Lamar's decision to work with Taylor Swift could also be perceived as a dig against Drake. The 6 God mocked Lamar for having to work with artists like Maroon 5 and Taylor Swift to land crossover hits. "Maroon 5 need a verse, you better make it witty," Drake rapped on "Push Ups." "Then we need a verse for the Swifties. Top say drop, you better drop and give 'em 50." The 6 God also referenced Taylor Swift on the follow up diss, "Taylor Made Freestyle."

In 2023, Taylor Swift praised Dot's writing process during the making of the "Bad Blood" remix. She detailed his mastery of the craft in an Instagram post meant to commemorate the song's re-release. "Watching @kendricklamar create and record his verses on the Bad Blood remix was one of the most inspiring experiences of my life," she explained. "I still look back on this collaboration with so much pride and gratitude, for the ways Kendrick elevated the song." Let's see if DJ Snake's claim proves to be true.

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