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Defendant in Tupac Shakur killing loses defense lawyer ahead of arraignment on murder charge

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The former Southern California street gang leader charged with killing Tupac Shakur in 1996 in Las Vegas has lost his bid to be represented at his arraignment by the lawyer who spoke publicly about his defense two weeks ago.

Attorney Ross Goodman told The Associated Press on Wednesday that Duane Keith “Keffe D” Davis could not meet terms of an agreement that a judge on Oct. 19 gave them two more weeks to reach. Goodman did not specify a reason for the impasse.

Davis is due for arraignment Thursday, and Clark County District Court Judge Tierra Jones could order a financial accounting of Davis’ assets to determine if he can afford a lawyer or if she should declare him indigent and name an attorney to defend him at public expense.

Scott Coffee, a deputy Clark County public defender, said attorneys there were reviewing Davis’ case to determine whether they can represent Davis or if they have a conflict such as having in the past represented other people involved in the case.

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The judge also could name a defense attorney in private practice to represent Davis at taxpayer expense, or assign a special public defender from the county, an alternate roster of possible court-appointed attorneys.

“We’re just not sure at this point how this will play out and who will end up representing him,” said Jordan Savage, assistant special public defender.

Edi Faal, Davis’ longtime personal lawyer in Los Angeles, said Wednesday he expected that a special public defender would be named to represent Davis. Faal told AP after Davis’ first court appearance on Oct. 4 that he was helping Davis find a defense attorney in Nevada, and he confirmed Goodman’s involvement two weeks ago.

Davis, 60, is originally from Compton, California. He was arrested Sept. 29 outside his home in suburban Las Vegas, the same day an indictment was filed accusing him of orchestrating the car-to-car shooting that killed Shakur and wounded rap music mogul Marion “Suge” Knight. Davis is expected to plead not guilty to a murder charge that could put him in prison for the rest of his life.

Shakur died at age 25. Knight was wounded but survived. Now 58, he’s serving a 28-year prison sentence for the death of a Compton businessman in January 2015. Knight has not responded to AP requests for comment about Davis arrest.

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Goodman said Oct. 19 he saw “obvious defenses” in the murder case, including that police and prosecutors do not have the gun or car used in the shooting, and “there’s no witnesses from 27 years ago.”

Prosecutors allege Shakur’s killing in Las Vegas came out of competition between East Coast and West Coast groups over dominance in a musical genre then dubbed “gangsta rap.” Grand jurors were told the shooting followed a brawl in a Las Vegas Strip casino involving Shakur and Davis’ nephew, Orlando “Baby Lane” Anderson.

Anderson denied involvement in Shakur’s death and died in a May 1998 shooting in Compton at age 23. The other two men in the car with Davis and Anderson also are now dead.

Davis in recent years has publicly described his role in Shakur’s death, including in interviews and a 2019 tell-all memoir that described his life as a leader of a Crips gang sect in Compton.

Prosecutor Marc DiGiacomo told the grand jury that Davis admitted in his book that he provided the gun, was in the car “and that he was the on-ground, on-site commander of the effort to kill Tupac Shakur and Suge Knight.”

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DJ Cuppy hints at career shift amid search for greater impact

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DJ Cuppy career shift

DJ Cuppy hints at a career change, reflecting on her growth and desire to make a bigger impact, sharing insights on social media.

 

 

Florence Otedola, widely known as DJ Cuppy, recently revealed she might be ready to step away from her DJ career to pursue new opportunities for greater impact.

In a candid post on her X handle, the popular Nigerian disc jockey shared that while DJing has always been her passion, this year has brought on a sense of change. She hinted at a desire to “level up” and explore paths that could allow her to make a more significant difference.

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Also read: DJ Cuppy returns to school for fourth degree

 

“DJing is my passion, but tbh this year has felt like a whole new experience, like I’m meant to level up and make a bigger impact… Only God knows what’s next,” Cuppy wrote, leaving fans intrigued about her next move.

One fan, nostalgic for her previous work, encouraged her to return to DJing, admitting he “missed her vibes” on social media.

Responding with unexpected honesty, DJ Cuppy said, “I don’t like the old me at all,” implying that she feels she has outgrown aspects of her past self and is seeking a fresh direction.

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Earlier this year, DJ Cuppy took a spiritual step by getting baptised, a journey she has embraced wholeheartedly. Following her baptism, she released a gospel mixtape, which she attributed to divine inspiration, indicating a possible shift in her music and personal focus.

For DJ Cuppy, this year seems to be one of profound reflection and exploration, with her fans eagerly watching to see where her evolving path will lead. Whether she returns to DJing or transitions into new ventures, it’s clear that Cuppy’s journey continues to captivate.

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Ayra Starr becomes most-viewed Nigerian female artist on YouTube

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Ayra Starr most-viewed Nigerian female artist on YouTube

Ayra Starr surpasses Yemi Alade as the most-viewed Nigerian female artist on YouTube, with her hit “Rush” now holding the top spot in views.

 

 

Nigerian music sensation Ayra Starr has achieved a major milestone by becoming the most-viewed female artist from Nigeria on YouTube.

The 22-year-old recently overtook Yemi Alade, amassing a total of 811 million views, compared to Alade’s 805 million.

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Also read: Revealed! Why Tiwa Savage is crazy over Ayra Starr

 

Starr’s rise on the platform has been driven largely by her viral hit *Rush*, which has gathered over 395 million views, making it not only her most popular video but also the most-viewed music video by a Nigerian female artist.

This record was previously held by Alade’s *Johnny*, which long stood as a hallmark of Nigerian music on the platform.

Although Ayra Starr now leads in total views, Yemi Alade maintains the highest subscriber count among Nigerian female artists on YouTube, with 2.41 million subscribers.

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Starr follows closely in second place with 2.26 million subscribers, reflecting her growing fanbase and influence.

Ayra Starr’s achievement highlights her rapid ascent in the Nigerian music scene and showcases the impact of her distinctive sound and style on audiences worldwide.

Fans of both artists celebrate this new era of Nigerian music, where young stars continue to break records and expand the global reach of Afrobeats.

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Tiwa Savage declares herself the “Big 1” in Nigerian music amid “Big 3” debate

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Tiwa Savage Big 1 Nigerian music

Tiwa Savage weighs in on the “Big 3” debate in Nigerian music, declaring herself the “Big 1” when it comes to pure talent and vocal prowess.

 

 

Nigerian superstar Tiwa Savage has entered the ongoing debate surrounding the “Big 3” in the Nigerian music industry, which typically includes Wizkid, Davido, and Burna Boy as the nation’s most influential artists.

However, there’s growing discussion about a possible “Big 4,” with fans and critics alike suggesting artists like Tiwa Savage, Rema, and Asake as strong contenders.

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Also read: Tiwa Savage reveals surprising truth about romantic advances

 

During a recent interview with The Beat 99.9 FM in Lagos, Tiwa Savage shared her views on being part of this elite list, boldly declaring herself as the “Big 1” in terms of talent.

When asked by the host if she felt a need to be considered in the “Big 3” or “Big 4,” Savage did not hold back. “Don’t get me started,” she replied confidently.

“If we are to go talent for talent, mic for mic, I am the Big 1. If you take off the numbers [streams], and whatever you want to judge the big whatever with, you can’t see me on the mic.”

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Savage’s remark highlights her belief in her vocal and artistic abilities, suggesting that streaming numbers or other industry metrics don’t fully capture her talent compared to her male counterparts.

“But again,” she added, “it’s not based on that [musical talent],” acknowledging that the current rankings may rely more on metrics beyond raw talent.

The “Big 3” debate has long captivated the Nigerian music scene, with Wizkid, Davido, and Burna Boy’s fans championing their respective idols.

Tiwa Savage’s confident take on the conversation not only asserts her place in the upper echelons of Nigerian music but also challenges the conventional ranking systems that may overlook artistry in favour of commercial success.

As the debate continues, Tiwa Savage’s strong statement adds fuel to the conversation, opening up discussions on what it truly means to be part of Nigeria’s music elite.

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