? Sippin’ on Lawsuits, Lyrics & AI Tricks: Today’s Tea is Piping Hot! ??????
Gigi Nevarez
Gigi Nevarez PR & Marketing, Owner. I am a creative with over two decades of hands-on expertise in public relations, sales, content creation, marketing and radio. If I don't believe in it - I won't sell it.
? Spill the Tea Newsletter: March 12, 2025 ?
Good morning, tea spillers! Grab your favorite cup and settle in—because today, we’ve got billion-dollar lawsuits, hip-hop legends needing fan love, AI drama, and a few music industry shake-ups. Let’s sip on the latest! ???
?? Top News ??
Missouri AG's Legal Double Shot: Suing Starbucks and China ???
Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey is making headlines with two major lawsuits, each brewing its own controversy. First, he's going after China for a whopping $24.5 billion in damages, claiming the country’s handling of COVID-19 led to devastating economic losses in the U.S. Legal experts, however, say this case is more symbolic than winnable—after all, suing a foreign government isn’t exactly easy. Meanwhile, Bailey’s second lawsuit targets Starbucks, arguing that the coffee giant’s diversity hiring initiatives unfairly discriminate against white men. Critics say his legal actions are politically motivated, but supporters believe they highlight important conversations about corporate responsibility and fairness. One thing’s for sure: Missouri’s AG is keeping the courts busy!
House Republicans Temporarily Pause Hunter Biden Contempt Vote ?????
In a political plot twist, House Republicans have hit the brakes on their efforts to hold Hunter Biden in contempt of Congress—for now. The move comes as negotiations continue over his subpoena related to business dealings, with GOP lawmakers demanding more transparency about the Biden family's finances. While some see this as a sign of behind-the-scenes deal-making, others argue it's just a delay before another political showdown. Either way, this saga isn’t over yet—expect more fireworks in the coming weeks. ??
Apple Moves to Dismiss $1 Billion UK Lawsuit Over App Store Fees ????
Apple is fighting back against a $1 billion lawsuit in the UK, which claims the tech giant unfairly overcharges millions of customers through its App Store fees. The lawsuit, filed on behalf of UK-based iPhone and iPad users, argues that Apple’s 30% commission on app sales is excessive and stifles competition. Apple, of course, isn’t buying it—they’re pushing for the case to be dismissed, calling the claims “baseless.” With regulators worldwide cracking down on Big Tech’s grip on the digital economy, this battle could set a major precedent for app store policies everywhere. ????
?? Hip-Hop Highlights ??
Outkast’s Hall of Fame Groove: Fans Called to Vote ????
Hip-hop royalty Outkast has been nominated for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, but they need their fans to show up! ?? The Atlanta-based duo, made up of André 3000 and Big Boi, reshaped rap with their genre-blending sound, giving us classics like Ms. Jackson, Hey Ya!, and Rosa Parks. Despite their legendary status, they’re currently outside the top seven in fan voting, which means their induction isn’t guaranteed. Fans have until April 21 to cast their votes daily. Will Outkast take their rightful place in the Hall of Fame? That’s up to you! ????
Kanye’s ‘Vultures 1’ Faces Streaming Removal Over Sample Issues ????
Kanye West and Ty Dolla $ign might be in hot water as streaming platforms reconsider hosting their album Vultures 1 over unauthorized samples. The project was briefly pulled from Apple Music after distributor FUGA raised concerns about licensing violations. Ye is no stranger to sample controversy, but this time, it might cost him big. If the issue isn’t resolved, the album could be completely removed from major platforms, marking another setback for Kanye’s already unpredictable rollout strategy. Can his team work fast enough to keep the album live, or is Vultures 1 about to be grounded for good? ????
Cardi B Hints at New Album While Clapping Back at Critics ????
If there’s one thing Cardi B is gonna do, it’s shut down the haters! ?? Fans have been begging for a new album, and after some criticism about the delay, Cardi took to social media to set the record straight. While she didn’t give an exact release date, she reassured fans that the project is still in the works and will be worth the wait. Her last album, Invasion of Privacy, dropped in 2018, making this follow-up one of the most highly anticipated rap albums in recent years. Will 2025 finally be the year Cardi delivers? We’ll have to wait and see! ???
?? AI and Tech Tidbits ??
Spain’s AI Crackdown: Fines for Unlabeled Content ????
Spain is laying down the law when it comes to AI-generated content—and the penalties are no joke. Under a new regulation, companies could face fines up to €35 million (or 7% of their annual revenue) if they fail to disclose when content is created by artificial intelligence. With deepfakes and AI-generated misinformation becoming more common, Spain argues that transparency is necessary to protect consumers. But critics say the penalties are too severe and could stifle innovation. Either way, businesses using AI will need to stay on their toes—or risk paying a hefty price. ????
London’s Tube Voice Swap: AI Temporarily Replaces Iconic Announcer ?????
If you hopped on the London Underground recently, you might have noticed something… different. The famous voice of the Tube, Elinor Hamilton, was temporarily replaced by an AI-generated announcer—and she wasn’t happy about it. ?? Hamilton, who has been the voice behind London’s public transit system for over two decades, said she wasn’t informed about the swap. Transport for London insists it’s only a temporary change, but the situation highlights growing concerns over AI replacing human jobs. Are automated voices the future of public transport, or should some things stay human? ??
Google Unveils AI-Powered Search Features to Challenge ChatGPT ????
The AI search war is heating up! ?? Google is rolling out AI-powered search enhancements, aiming to make searches more conversational and interactive—aka, more like ChatGPT. The new features will help users get detailed, natural-language responses instead of just a list of links. With OpenAI’s ChatGPT becoming a go-to for online queries, Google is stepping up its game to stay relevant in the AI race. Will Google’s new search tools make ChatGPT obsolete, or is this just the beginning of a major AI showdown? We’ll be watching! ????
?? Sources ??