News of February 11, 1999
Court Dismisses C. DeLores Tucker Twice
In early 1999, rap opponent C. DeLores Tucker failed in Philadelphia with her lawsuit against Tupac's estate and a second against Time and Newsweek.
For C. DeLores Tucker, the year 1999 began with two defeats before the same federal judge in Philadelphia. In January, he dismissed her lawsuit against Tupac’s estate, as MTV News reported on February 11, 1999. Shortly thereafter, her lawsuit against the news magazines Time and Newsweek also failed.
Vulgar, but No Defamation
Tucker, former secretary of state of Pennsylvania and one of the best-known critics of gangsta rap, felt disparaged by two tracks on All Eyez on Me: How Do U Want It and Wonda Why They Call U Bitch. According to MTV, the judge called the lines about her “unpleasant at best and vulgar at worst.” They were not defamatory.
The Lawsuit Against the Press
The second proceeding concerned the reports about her lawsuit. Time and Newsweek had picked up on the claim that the lyrics had affected the married life of Tucker and her husband William. Because of this, according to MTV, the couple sued over 100 media outlets, including MTV itself. The judge classified Tucker as a public figure. She would have had to prove malice on the part of the magazines, which she failed to do. She might be annoyed or embarrassed, but her reputation had suffered no damage.
Tucker appealed the ruling on the lyrics.