Judge Orders Kevin Hart’s Company to Face Ex-Staff in Public Court

Kevin Hart’s media company will have to defend its case in public after a California judge rejected its attempt to settle the dispute behind closed doors.

On Wednesday, a Los Angeles Superior Court judge ruled that Hartbeat cannot move its lawsuit against two former workers to arbitration, according to court documents obtained by TMZ. Because of that decision, all filings and hearings will now be part of the public record.

At the heart of the case are Eric Eddings and Lesley Gwam. Eddings joined Hartbeat in 2022 and Gwam followed in 2023. Hartbeat accuses them of taking confidential details from the company’s podcast unit and using them to build a competing podcast business. The court papers allege the two used that information to prepare a pitch deck aimed at raising millions for their new company. Hartbeat is asking the court to stop them from launching it.

The company argued the employees had signed contracts requiring disputes to be settled through arbitration, a process that happens away from public view. The judge disagreed, finding that Eddings and Gwam showed the arbitration terms were “unconscionable” and could not be enforced. The request was denied.

Eddings and Gwam reject the allegations. They maintain they did not use any Hartbeat information and note they both had podcast industry experience before joining the company.

For Hartbeat, the ruling means the case will no longer be shielded from public scrutiny. For the former employees, it gives them a chance to respond openly in court.

Hartbeat was co-founded by Kevin Hart and produces films, television shows, and podcasts. The lawsuit is ongoing.

𝑴𝒆𝒕𝒂 𝑩𝒂𝒏𝒔 𝑻𝒊𝒌𝑻𝒐𝒌 𝑶𝒘𝒏𝒆𝒓 𝑩𝒚𝒕𝒆𝑫𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝑭𝒓𝒐𝒎 𝑨𝒅𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒕𝒊𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒐𝒏 𝑭𝒂𝒄𝒆𝒃𝒐𝒐𝒌, 𝑰𝒏𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒈𝒓𝒂𝒎

M eta has blocked TikTok's parent company, ByteDance, from advertising on Facebook and Instagram in the United States and six other countries. A Meta spokesperson confirmed the move on Thursday. Bloomberg News first reported it, according to the New York Post. The ban takes effect immediately in the US, Canada, Egypt, Indonesia, Japan, Thailand and Vietnam, and also applies to outside advertisers whose campaigns direct users to TikTok or other ByteDance products in those countries. The decision deepens a rivalry that has been building for years. TikTok has grown into one of Meta's strongest competitors, battling for users, top creators and advertising revenue. Defending the move, Meta said it has no obligation to promote a direct rival. "We don't have to run ads from a competitor whose goal is to pull people off our apps," the company said, adding that refusing to sell promotion services to a competitor is common business practice and that it will continue to comp...

The Evolution Of Igbo Highlife Music: An Exclusive Interview With Professor Onye Egwu

H ighlife music is a genre that has been harmonizing culture and beats in Nigeria and across Africa for decades. In this interview, Nigerian highlife singer CHIBUIKE JOHNPAUL ANEKWE , best known by his stage name " PROFESSOR ONYE EGWU ", shares his journey, influences, and vision for Igbo highlife. As a visual artist, he brings a unique perspective to the genre, drawing inspiration from Igbo highlife legends. He also discusses his collaboration plans and reveals his plans to introduce Igbo highlife to new audiences. EGUNGWU CHUKWUKA brings excerpts. 1. Can you share a bit about yourself, and when did your love for highlife start? My full name is Chibuike Johnpaul Anekwe, though I am more widely recognized by my stage name, Professor Onye Egwu. Apart from music, I am a visual artist. I guess I was born with music, because I started playing as early as when I was in Primary School. I would always assemble all sorts of tins like in typical drums set up and play to my delight....

NANS Threatens to Shut Down MTN Over Attacks on Nigerians in South Africa

T he National Association of Nigerian Students has issued a final warning to South Africa over violent attacks on Nigerians, saying major businesses like MTN could be forced out of Nigeria, Sahara Reporters reported. NANS sent a letter to South African High Commissioner Thamsanga Dennis Mseleku in Abuja, expressing anger at what it called continuous and brutal xenophobic violence against Nigerians in South Africa. The letter, signed by NANS President Comrade Atiku Isah, said the association speaks for over 40 million Nigerian students. Isah said the group would no longer tolerate what he called the systematic attacks on Nigerians in South Africa. NANS said it was unacceptable for South Africans to attack other Africans. The group noted Nigeria’s key role in ending Apartheid, stating that Nigeria provided financial and diplomatic backing and made huge sacrifices for South Africa’s freedom. The association said the current violence go...

𝑬𝒍𝒐𝒏 𝑴𝒖𝒔𝒌 𝑴𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝑩𝒂𝒏 𝑳𝒐𝒘-𝑸𝒖𝒂𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒚 𝑨𝒅𝒔 𝒐𝒏 𝑿

E lon Musk, has announced a new policy to ban low-quality and misleading adverts from the platform. Musk said all paid promotions will now be required to meet a reasonable aesthetic standard. He made the announcement on the platform, stating that the move is aimed at improving user experience and cleaning up the feed. Under the new guideline, X will no longer accept adverts that are visually unappealing, have chaotic layouts or low-resolution images, use loud and disruptive audio and visuals, carry aggressive or harsh messaging, or make exaggerated and misleading claims. Since acquiring the platform, Musk has faced the challenge of sustaining advertising revenue while keeping users engaged, amid complaints about sensational and poorly produced promotions on the feed. The company believes that enforcing a higher visual standard will improve the overall quality of the platform and create a better environment for major brands. X is yet to release detailed guidelines on what constitutes t...

Unveiling '3 Cold Dishes': A Gripping Tale of Survival, Revenge, and Justice

BY- EGUNGWU CHUKWUKA BENJAMIN H uman trafficking has been a significant issue affecting millions worldwide, causing long term physical and emotional harm to victims. In this interview, Nigerian award-winning filmmaker Asurf Oluseyi Samson reveals how he started as a filmmaker and unveils what prompted him to shed light on the harrowing reality of human trafficking through the movie " 3 Cold Dishes ," which explores themes of trauma , revenge , and survival , showcasing women's strength and resilience in the face of human trafficking. Asurf Oluseyi, founder of Asurf Films Ltd ., directed the movie " A Day with Death ," which received 10 international nominations and won Best Short Film at AMVCA 2016 . He is also the director of the movie " Hakkunde ," which represented Nigeria at the 50th anniversary edition of the Pan-African Film and Television Festival of Ouagadougou (FESPACO) in 2019. EGUNGWU CHUKWUKA BENJAMIN brings excerpts. 1. How did yo...

SEPTEMBER TOP SCOOPS IN NIGERIA

BY- EGUNGWU CHUKWUKA BENJAMIN ✓ Afriland & Central Plaza Infernos: A Call to Action for Enhanced Fire Safety F ire outbreaks remain a persistent crisis in Nigeria, claiming lives and destroying properties. The two recent incidents in Lagos show how severe it can be. On September 16, 2025 , around 1:20 pm, a fire broke out at Afriland Towers on Broad Street, Lagos Island . The inferno was triggered by an electrical fault in the basement of inverter batteries in the building, which resulted in the tragic loss of ten lives due to smoke spreading via air-conditioning ducts. The deaths were caused by smoke inhalation and carbon monoxide poisoning . According to national dailies, at least 25 people were injured. The high-rise building harbored different firms, including United Bank for Africa (UBA), Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), and United Capital Plc . Just hours later, between 7:00 and 8:00 pm, anothe...

The IMOIFF Creatives & Film Festival Sets to Hold 2026 Edition with "Kwechịrị" Theme

BY- EGUNGWU CHUKWUKA BENJAMIN T he IMOIFF Creatives and Film Festival, formerly known as the Imo International Film Festival ) is set to make a significant impact on the global film scene with its 2026 edition, themed ‘Kwechịrị’. It means standing your ground, refusing to give up when life gets heavy, and just pushing through. Scheduled to take place from November 26 to 28, 2026, in Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria, the festival is sponsored by Julob Entertainment, with professional roots connected to the British Council’s Film Lab Africa and local creative partners like Clifford and Stanford Igbo. In a brief chat, Izuchukwu Okafor , Founder of IMOIFF, stated that the festival aims to bridge the gap between local filmmakers and international distribution platforms like Netflix, Prime Video, and Apple TV. The festival will feature a diverse range of award categories, including Best Feature Film, Best Short Film (Narrative/International), Best Documentary, Best Student Film, B...

16 Nigerian Directors Behind Afrobeats’ Global Visual Identity

A s Afrobeats has gone global and earned worldwide recognition, the directors behind its most watched videos have become key cultural figures. These Nigerian filmmakers turn hit songs into cinematic stories that reach millions, blending local culture with bold creative ideas. Their work has helped define how the world sees Afrobeats. The directors below are presented in no order of importance or ranking. Each has made a distinct mark on the genre’s visual growth. Director Pink P raise Onyeagwalam is one of the few prominent female directors in Afrobeats. She broke through with Chike and Simi’s “Running To You,” a video praised for its emotional storytelling. Through Pinkline Films and Pinkline Academy, she directs high profile work and trains emerging filmmakers. Kemzart A diukwu Daniel Nkemakolam, known professionally as Kemzart, is a Nigerian director recognized for concept-driven visuals. He gained prominence with Shallipopi’s “Cast” and has since directed high-impact videos f...

Peter Okoye Signs Multi-Million Dollar Deal, Confirms New Single Release Date

N igerian singer Peter Okoye, popularly known as 'Mr P', has signed a five-year, multi-million dollar distribution deal and confirmed the release date for his forthcoming single. In a statement released to fans on Friday, May 1, 2026, the singer disclosed that he recently entered an agreement with an undisclosed distribution company. He noted that release dates will now be “strategically scheduled under the contract,” limiting his control over rollout timelines. “Because of this agreement, I don’t have full control over exactly when songs or the album drop,” Okoye wrote. The first single from his 'OG Forever' album is set for release in May 2026, with three to four singles to precede the full album, expected between October and November 2026. Okoye revealed that over 30 songs were recorded for 'OG Forever', with 15 to 16 tracks to make the final cut. He added that he will share details of the recording process with fans beginning this month. The deal covers two ...

Translate

Search This Blog