Ronald Isley and Late Brother Rudolph’s Estate End Trademark Battle

The legal dispute between Ronald Isley and the estate of his late brother Rudolph Isley over ownership of the The Isley Brothers trademark has come to an end. Attorneys for both sides filed a stipulation of dismissal in federal court in Chicago on Wednesday, August 12, bringing the case to a close. The filing states that the lawsuit was dismissed with prejudice, with each side responsible for its own legal costs and attorneys’ fees. The dismissal means Rudolph’s estate cannot bring the same claims against Ronald again. No settlement details, ownership division or payment between the parties were disclosed in the court filing.


The dispute began after Ronald Isley applied in November 2021 to register exclusive rights to the The Isley Brothers trademark in his name. The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office approved the registration on August 16, 2022, covering visual and audiovisual recordings featuring music and animation. Rudolph filed suit in March 2023, arguing that the trademark should have been jointly owned by the brothers and seeking what he described as his rightful 50% share of proceeds. The complaint alleged that Ronald’s registration claims were made without Rudolph’s knowledge or approval and disputed Ronald’s assertion of exclusive ownership. The court never issued a ruling determining who legally owned the trademark, and Ronald’s registration remains in his name.



Rudolph, Ronald and their brother O’Kelly Isley Jr. formed The Isley Brothers in Cincinnati around 1954 and operated the group as a partnership, according to the lawsuit. O’Kelly died in 1986, leaving his interests to his two surviving brothers, while Rudolph stopped performing and recording with the group in 1989 but continued to participate in managing and benefiting from its assets. The complaint cited publishing, royalty and licensing arrangements as evidence of their continued shared interests, including a 2018 publishing deal and revenue from recordings and sampled music. With the dismissal, the long-running trademark dispute between the two brothers’ sides has officially ended without a court ruling on the underlying ownership claims.

Che Noir feat. The Uce - "Urban Essence"

By Status Ain't Hood Staff • September 25, 2026
Buffalo-born, Atlanta-based rapper Che Noir has released “Urban Essence,” the first single from her upcoming album It Takes A Village, due October 23. Produced by Mobb Deep’s Havoc and featuring Hawaiian emcee/producer/singer The Uce, the track connects generations of raw New York hip-hop with a verbal assault from Che Noir that's highly personal and also reflective of her growth, parenthood, and life experiences while showcasing a new perspective on her artistry.

Mai Anna feat. Chloe George - "Chameleon"

By Status Ain't Hood Staff • September 25, 2026
Queens, NY-born R&B singer-songwriter Mai Anna unveils “Chameleon,” a playful, experimental track about shedding expectations and reconnecting with herself. Created in Joshua Tree with longtime collaborator and producer Solomon Fox, the song blends an elastic, jazz-inflected bassline with Mai Anna’s rich vocals, moving between silky R&B runs and percussive phrasing. “Chameleon” offers another glimpse into the creative range of her forthcoming debut album, Sleepy Eyes.

Remy Ma feat. Keke Wyatt - Why I Get Married? [Music Video]

By Status Ain't Hood Staff • September 25, 2026
Remy Ma teams with powerhouse vocalist Keke Wyatt on “Why I Get Married?,” a soul-inflected Hip-Hop track exploring marriage, regret, emotional isolation, and walking away. Released as part of her surprise EP Alimony, the song uses bridal imagery to portray a relationship’s unraveling through four stages: the dream, the darkness, the drowning, and the walk away. Arriving amid Remy Ma’s highly publicized divorce proceedings from Papoose, the track (which comes days after Pap released his much-talked about 'Jezebel' video) reflects on love, growth, separation, and shattered expectations.

Jae Stephens - Crush [Music Video]

By Status Ain't Hood Staff • September 25, 2026
L.A.-based pop songwriter and singer Jae Stephens delivers the vibrant visual for “Crush,” the high-energy opener from her debut album AUDACITY, released via Raedio LLC/Def Jam Recordings. Produced by Dallas Caton with additional production from Lita, the track draws on the percussive snap and hypnotic rhythms of New Jack Swing, especially evoking Janet Jackson’s "Nasty" influence. Directed by Andrew Kim, the visualizer captures Stephens’ confident, alluring energy as she sings about pursuing an exciting new spark.

DDG - HIT-A-THON [Album]

By Status Ain't Hood Staff • September 25, 2026
Multi Platinum Hip-Hop star DDG releases HIT-A-THON, a 15-track album created entirely during his viral seven-day, 24/7 livestream. Released via Epic Records, the project features Lil Yachty, 42 Dugg, Pluto, Real Boston Richey, Bunna B, ian, Domani, and others. Building on his previous livestream’s success, DDG transformed an Atlanta mansion into a creative hub filled with surprise collaborations, viral moments, and unscripted highlights. The project captures the spontaneity and energy that made the livestream a cultural moment.

Jay-Z Accuser Retracts Rape Allegation, Says She Never Met Rapper

By Status Ain't Hood Staff • September 25, 2026
A woman who accused Jay-Z of raping her when she was 13 has formally withdrawn the allegations, stating in a new court filing that she never met or spoke with the rapper. The woman, identified as Jane Doe in court documents, previously alleged that Jay-Z and Sean “Diddy” Combs sexually assaulted her following the 2000 MTV Video Music Awards. She dismissed her civil lawsuit against the two men in 2025. In a declaration filed Thursday, Doe said her allegations against Jay-Z, whose legal name is Shawn Carter, were false. She said she was prompted to contact attorneys after seeing a Facebook advertisement seeking people with sexual-assault claims involving Combs. According to her filing, the advertisement triggered memories of an assault she says occurred when she was 13. She also said she did not recall authorizing lawyers to file the 2024 complaint and later developed doubts about her claims. Jay-Z had denied the allegations and subsequently sued Doe and attorneys involved in the original case. Following her new declaration, Carter voluntarily dismissed Doe from that lawsuit, while his legal action against her former attorneys remains ongoing. Doe’s current attorney, James Blair Newman Jr., said she maintains that she was sexually assaulted but was mistaken in identifying Carter as the person involved. Tony Buzbee, who represented her previously, disputed the latest account and said he had not seen the declaration.

Keke Wyatt Arrested in Georgia on Terroristic Threats, Assault and Child Cruelty Charges

By Status Ain't Hood Staff • September 25, 2026
R&B singer Keke Wyatt was arrested in Georgia on multiple charges, including terroristic threats, simple assault and cruelty to children. The 44-year-old singer was booked into the Henry County Jail on September 20 and released two days later after posting $1,050 bond, according to the Henry County Sheriff’s Office. The circumstances surrounding the arrest remain unclear. The child cruelty charge is classified as a misdemeanor involving a minor allegedly witnessing or being present during an act of violence. The arrest comes nearly 25 years after Wyatt was indicted on a second-degree assault charge stemming from the stabbing of her then-husband and manager, Rahmat Morton. Wyatt maintained that she acted in self-defense, and the case was ultimately dismissed. In a 2012 interview with Essence, Wyatt discussed the incident and described her relationship with Morton as abusive, saying she believed her life was in danger at the time. She credited her faith and family with helping her move forward. Wyatt rose to prominence in the early 2000s through her collaborations with singer Avant, including the hit duets “My First Love” and “Nothing in This World.” Her debut album, Soul Sista, reached No. 5 on Billboard’s R&B and hip-hop albums chart. She later released several studio albums, including Who Knew? (2010), Unbelievable! (2011) and Rated Love (2016). USA TODAY reported that it contacted Wyatt’s representative for comment.

Ibeyi - Moshpit [Music Video]

By Status Ain't Hood Staff • September 24, 2026
Ibeyi, the French-Cuban twin sisters Lisa-Kaindé and Naomi Diaz, unleash their powerful energy in the official video for “Moshpit,” from their album Offering. Directed and produced by Corry Van Rhijn and Roman Pichon Herrera, the visual mirrors the song’s heavy, industrial electronic sound. Pounding 808s, synth-driven production, layered harmonies and choral refrains create an intense backdrop as the sisters deliver fierce vocals celebrating transformation, confidence and elemental strength.

Chika - Who Shines for the Sun [Music Video]

By Status Ain't Hood Staff • September 24, 2026
Alabama-bred rapper/singer CHIKA unveils the official music video for “Who Shines For The Sun,” released earlier this month, the visual brings her introspective storytelling to life. Originally released as a single in July, the Grammy-nominated artist delivers an emotionally charged track that serves as a “warm hug” for those who constantly pour their energy into caring for others. The song’s reflective production creates space for personal interpretation, while the visual storytelling deepens its comforting and heartfelt message.

Jourden - A Tree Grows In Brooklyn [EP]

By Status Ain't Hood Staff • September 24, 2026
Brooklyn, NY-based artist Jourden delivers her new seven-track EP A Tree Grows In Brooklyn, blending hip-hop, neo-soul, alternative hip-hop and Caribbean rhythms influenced by her Bajan and Trinidadian heritage. With a title inspired by Betty Smith’s classic novel, the project explores growth and self-discovery in challenging environments while reflecting Brooklyn’s diverse identity through its sounds and collaborations. One of its most personal tracks, “Cross Colors,” explores grief, identity and shared experiences, underscoring Jourden’s desire to embrace her complexities and evolution.
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