This Week in Good Black News: T.I. and Tiny's $70M Lawsuit Payment Reinstated, Travis Scott Taps HBCU Talent for Coachella, and Noname’s Book Club Dodges Closure with Community Power
This week in Good Black News is all about big wins, stages, and community love.
T.I. and Tiny Harris just landed another legal victory, reclaiming their multi-million dollar payout in their case against MGA Entertainment. Meanwhile, Travis Scott is making his Coachella 2025 return even bigger, calling on an HBCU band to join him on stage and even pitching in for tuition.
Over in Chicago, Noname’s book club was on the brink of shutting down—until supporters rallied in just in time, proving once again that community always comes through.
Keep reading for more on these stories and others.
T.I. and Tiny’s OMG Girlz $53 million payout reinstated
T.I. and Tiny Harris just scored a major legal win—again. After a long battle, a federal judge has reinstated their $71.5 million payout in the lawsuit against MGA Entertainment, ruling that the toy company did, in fact, copy the OMG Girlz’s signature style for its O.M.G. Dolls.
This latest decision restores $53.6 million in punitive damages and $17.9 million in actual damages—money that was initially awarded but later questioned by the judge. Now, after further review, U.S. District Judge James V. Selna is standing by the jury’s verdict, stating, “The Court grants disgorgement of profits… and affirms the jury’s award.”
It’s been a rollercoaster of a case, with setbacks, a mistrial, and even an earlier ruling in MGA’s favor. But as Tiny put it best: “The third time’s the charm.”
Jagged Edge announces anniversary tour
Jagged Edge is hitting the road to celebrate 25 years of J.E. Heartbreak, presenting the An Evening with Jagged Edge: 25 Years of ‘J.E. Heartbreak’ tour.
Kicking off March 26 in Dallas, the Live Nation Urban-produced trek will bring fans a night of classic R&B, featuring hits like “Let’s Get Married,” “Promise,” and “Where the Party At.” The tour will make stops in cities like St. Louis, Atlanta, and D.C. before wrapping up in Brooklyn on April 20.
The announcement follows the release of their new single, Just Might Get It, produced by group members Brian and Brandon Casey. The song is the lead single from All Original Parts Vol. 1, which is set to drop on Valentine’s Day.
Travis Scott is looking for an HBCU band to join him at Coachella
Travis Scott is gearing up for Coachella 2025 and looking for a standout HBCU or college band to join him on stage. Taking to X on Feb. 4, he put out a call for a band that can nail the horn arrangement on his chart-topping hit “4X4,” even offering to help cover a semester’s tuition. “College is hard. But music is fun,” he wrote.
This marks his return to Coachella since his 2017 debut, with a special guest slot lined up. He was initially set to headline in 2020 before the pandemic and was later removed in 2022 following the Astroworld tragedy.
Beyond performing, he’ll also collaborating with organizers to redesign the festival grounds with his signature Cactus Jack flair.
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Coco Gauff donates $100K to HBCU Tennis Player scholarships
Coco Gauff is making major moves both on and off the court. The tennis star just became one of the youngest donors in the United Negro College Fund’s history, contributing $100,000 in scholarships for HBCU student-athletes in tennis.
“My family has a deep-rooted history with HBCUs, going all the way back to my great, great grandfather. From aunts and uncles to cousins, HBCUs have played a huge role in shaping who we are. Supporting UNCF in creating opportunities for student-athletes in tennis means a lot to me,” Gauff shared in a press release.
The scholarships, set to be awarded in May under the Coco Gauff Scholarship Program, aim to inspire the next generation of Black athletes to pursue both their sport and education. UNCF’s Maurice E. Jenkins, Jr. praised her generosity, calling it a game-changer for students.
Noname thanks her community for saving BookClub
Noname just got a powerful reminder of what the community can do. The Chicago rapper and activist put out an urgent call for help on February 2, revealing that her Noname Book Club— which provides books by authors of color to readers, including incarcerated members—was on the brink of shutting down due to dwindling donations.
However, in just 24 hours, supporters showed up significantly, surpassing the club’s fundraising goal and keeping the program alive. “Never in my life will I ever again doubt the power of community,” she wrote in an Instagram post.
While the club is safe for now, the waiting list for incarcerated members remains closed until they reach 15,000 paid subscribers. “We asked for a Black History Month miracle, and that’s exactly what we got,” she added.
Detroit declares ‘J Dilla Day’ as fans await possible new music
Detroit is officially cementing J Dilla’s legacy with “J Dilla Day,” set to be celebrated annually on his birthday, February 7. Announced during a city council meeting attended by his family, this marks the city’s first formal recognition of the legendary producer’s impact.
His daughter, Ja’Mya Yancey, expressed deep gratitude, calling it a “monumental step” in preserving his legacy.
Further tributes include a street sign unveiling on February 6 at Nevada and Charest, near his childhood home, and a private ceremony hosted by the Detroit Pistons. Fans may also have more to celebrate—Joylette Hunter, representing the James Dewitt Yancey Estate, hinted at unreleased Dilla music potentially surfacing.
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Black talent dominated the 2025 Grammys Awards
The 67th Annual Grammy Awards delivered major moments, from heartfelt tributes to wildfire victims to surprise wins and historic firsts. Before the main event, Muni Long secured Best R&B Performance.
Kendrick Lamar’s diss track “Not Like Us” dominated, earning five Grammys, while TDE’s Doechii shined, taking Best Rap Album and delivering an electrifying performance.
Meanwhile, Beyoncé made history as the first Black woman to win Best Country Album and finally took home her long-awaited Album of the Year trophy.