Tyrone Blackburn is pushing again towards Fat Joe’s $20 million defamation lawsuit, arguing that the claims made by the rap star’s former hype man ought to be legally considered as opinion, not reality.

Terrance Dixon’s authorized crew, led by Blackburn, is leaning on a latest ruling involving rapper Drake to bolster their protection.

In that case, Drake sued UMG for defamation, claiming they knowingly promoted false claims contained in Kendrick Lamar’s smash hit “Not Like Us.”

Drake claimed his popularity was broken after Kendrick Lamar branded him a “certified pedophile,” just like claims Dixon made towards Fat Joe on social media.

music-group/”>A choose dominated that statements made within the context of rap battles had been protected inventive expression and {that a} cheap listener wouldn’t take into account the offensive lyrics verifiable information.

Dixon and Blackburn argue that the statements on the coronary heart of Fat Joe’s criticism had been made throughout a heated public feud and ought to be protected underneath the First Amendment as expressive speech.

The protection additionally emphasised that as a result of Fat Joe is a public determine, the lawsuit should show “actual malice” — a excessive authorized bar requiring proof that the statements had been knowingly false or made with reckless disregard for the reality.

The dispute dates again to March 23, 2025, when Blackburn despatched a letter to Fat Joe, claiming that Terrance Dixon had served as an uncredited ghostwriter and vocalist from 2006 to 2019.

When Fat Joe didn’t reply, a second letter adopted on April 21, threatening a lawsuit and public publicity until the rapper paid up.

The legal battle began in court later that month, when Fat Joe filed a lawsuit accusing Terrance Dixon and Blackburn of defamation and extortion.

The go well with alleges they demanded a $20 million payout in change for not submitting a lawsuit containing what Fat Joe known as “false and outrageous” claims, together with allegations of statutory rape, sex trafficking and compelled labor.

Dixon additionally posted on social media, accusing Fat Joe of transporting a 16-year-old woman throughout state strains for sex, attaching a photograph that includes Fat Joe, Diddy and DJ Khaled.

Fat Joe fired again, calling the accusations “a criminal conspiracy orchestrated between a disgruntled former hype man and his attorney” and described their actions as “a deceptive and desperate scam.”

His legal professional, Joe Tacopina, referred to Blackburn’s ways as a “criminal extortion scheme” and pointed to earlier courtroom rulings criticizing Blackburn’s authorized conduct.

In one case, Judge Denise Cote stated Blackburn “improperly files cases in federal court to garner media attention, embarrass defendants… and pressure defendants to settle quickly.”

Fat Joe’s authorized crew has fought the lawsuit tooth and nail.

In reality, the response has been so blistering that final week, Tyrone Blackburn instructed a choose that Joe Tacopina’s public attacks on him sent him to the hospital under medical distress.

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