Cardi B accused Offset of threatening both his life and hers during an emotional Twitter Spaces session over the weekend, revealing disturbing messages she says he sent amid their ongoing divorce.
“This guy… is upset because I sent his girlfriend text messages of him begging me, begging me saying he was going to take away his life, begging me saying he’s going to take away my life,” Cardi B said during the livestream.
The Bronx-born rapper, 31, also alleged that Offset shared explicit content of the two with someone she was romantically involved with.
“This man sent text messages to somebody that I was dealing with… of me and him having sex,” she said.
Cardi claimed Offset repeatedly contacts her when she travels, leaving her shaken and emotionally drained.
“Every time he knows that I go out of town he harasses me. He leave me voice notes trying to put my self-esteem to the ground and I’m so tired of it,” she said.
She also accused Offset and his current girlfriend of sending her vulgar messages.
“I’m so tired of him and his girlfriend playing games on my phone, leaving explicit voice notes,” Cardi added.
The pair’s split has grown increasingly hostile since Cardi filed for divorce in August 2024 after seven years of marriage.
Offset, 32, requested joint custody of their three children—Kulture, 6, Wave, 3, and a newborn daughter born in September. He also asked the court to divide their marital assets and for each party to pay their own legal fees.
Offset, who has three other children from previous relationships, agreed that Cardi’s home should remain the children’s primary residence. Cardi has accused Offset and his mother of financially exploiting her during their marriage.
The divorce has spilled into the public eye, with both artists airing grievances online. Offset recently released a track titled “Ten,” where he admitted to cheating and took lyrical jabs at Cardi.
Cardi and Offset secretly wed in September 2017, a month before Offset proposed publicly during a concert.
Their relationship has long been marked by public breakups and reconciliations, but this latest chapter appears to be the most volatile yet.
Lil Nas X nearly teamed up with Taylor Swift on a track but ultimately passed on the offer after the song didn’t strike the right chord for him.
“We were working on something,” he told E! News. “She offered to let me try a verse on something, but I couldn’t catch a vibe for it, so it didn’t happen.”
The Grammy-winning rapper, known for his genre-blending hits, said the song just didn’t feel right creatively. Still, he’s hopeful the door isn’t closed for good.
“When it happens… Global. World. Tay-tay and Nassy,” Lil Nas X added.
Despite the missed opportunity, Lil Nas X had nothing but praise for Swift, calling her a powerhouse in the industry.
“I’m proud of my girl,” Lil Nas X said. “I love the album. She’s been doing her thing. She’s at the very tippety top. I’m thankful that she even considered me.”
Swift, 35, has built a long list of collaborations over the years, including Kendrick Lamar, Ed Sheeran, Future, Ice Spice and Haim.
On her latest album, The Tortured Poets Department, she joined forces with Post Malone on “Fortnight” and Florence and the Machine on “Florida!!!”
DaBaby went viral on social media after sinking a half-court shot at a local park to win a sneaker bet from a group of kids.
The “Rockstar” hitmaker was filmed challenging a group of kids at a basketball court with a bold wager: if he missed a half-court shot, he’d hand each of them $100. But if he made it, their sneakers were his.
“If I make it, everybody got to take their shoes off,” DaBaby warned the kids. “Them shoes coming with me.”
He missed his first try. But on the second, he nailed the shot—collecting a pile of sneakers from the stunned group.
The moment, captured on video and posted across social media, quickly caught attention, with some joking DaBaby “finessed” the kids out of their kicks.
The playful park stunt comes as DaBaby deals with more serious legal issues.
Earlier this month, his attorneys filed a motion to dismiss a lawsuit brought by Brandon Bills, the brother of DaBaby’s ex-girlfriend DaniLeigh.
Bills filed the $4 million suit in February 2022, claiming DaBaby and his entourage attacked him without warning at Corbin Bowl, a Southern California bowling alley.
He’s seeking compensation for medical bills, emotional distress and physical injuries.
DaBaby has maintained he acted in self-defense. Authorities investigated the incident but declined to press charges, reportedly due to Bills’ lack of cooperation.
In the motion to dismiss, DaBaby’s legal team argued that Bills failed to properly serve him with legal documents. They also claim the case exceeds California’s three-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims. The bowling alley, also named in the lawsuit, has denied any liability.
SZA wasted no time responding after Chappell Roan named her as a dream collaborator during an appearance on theCall Her Daddy podcast.
The Grammy-winning singer shared a clip of Roan’s interview on her Instagram, making it clear the admiration was mutual.
“Actually didn’t believe this quote when I saw it written til I saw it come out her mouth (just) now ’cause DEAD A*S SAME (sic),” SZA wrote, adding an emotional face and sparkle emojis before declaring, “pls we must.”
Roan didn’t hesitate when host Alex Cooper asked her to name an artist she’d love to work with.
Without explanation, she simply said, “SZA.”
SZA has been vocal about her appreciation for Roan’s artistry. After Roan’s performance at Lollapalooza last year, SZA praised her on Instagram, writing, “She makes me wanna keep making new music n art forever (sic).”
The “Snooze” singer also recently spoke about her admiration for Roan during an appearance on The Jennifer Hudson Show, calling her one of her favorite musical storytellers.
SZA also revealed she floated the idea of collaborating with Taylor Swift when they crossed paths at the Grammys.
“I think I mentioned that I would love to write with her and build some things together. I love her storytelling. She was open to it. I think she’s awesome. She’s so bossed up,” she said.
SZA’s Instagram post has fans hoping a collaboration with Roan could happen, though no official plans have been announced.
The betrayal didn’t come from a hacker. It came from inside the family.
Eminem keeps his music securely stored in his Ferndale, Michigan recording studio and only a handful of people know the passwords. The unreleased music—songs born out of pain, rage, trauma and survival—was stored not in the cloud but in locked safes and offline hard drives.
And when the music was found online, the few employees knew this wasn’t just another celebrity data breach. This was something deeper. More intimate. More violating. And when the FBI finally traced it all back, it led not just to a former employee, it pointed to Em’s inner-circle.
Joseph Strange, 46, had spent years inside the studio where Eminem (real name Marshal Mathers) built his legacy. He wasn’t a name in the liner notes. He was the guy behind the systems, the one making sure the hard drives worked, backups backed up, safes stayed shut. He knew every digital folder. Every password.
He was also the nephew of Mike Strange, Eminem’s right-hand engineer, a man so close he might as well be blood.
The Strange men, though technically uncle and nephew, were raised more like brothers. Music was their bond. So was Eminem. The trust ran so deep that no one thought to question it. Until unreleased tracks— more than two dozen of them—started showing up on Reddit, YouTube and black-market fan forums in early 2025. Songs written between 1999 and 2018. Some finished. Most not. None of them ever meant to leave the room where they were born.
“The studio where the music is kept is the personal studio of Mathers. The public is not allowed in the studio and only employees and invited guests are admitted. Mathers uses the studio to create the music that is ultimately sold and distributed to the public.”
Brian C. Max, Special Agent, FBI
Max and the FBI got the call on January 16. By January 28, they were inside Joseph’s house in Holly, Michigan, and what they found was staggering: 12,000 audio files.
Original handwritten lyric sheets by Eminem. A VHS tape with an unreleased music video. And the hard drive maps, those digital fingerprints, identical to the ones inside the Ferndale studio’s most secure safe.
The whole thing unraveled because of a fan.
A teenager in the United Kingdom saw a tweet from Eminem’s business associate, Fred Nasser, asking followers not to share the stolen songs. He reached out. He had screenshots. Conversations. Proof.
He’d been talking to someone named “Doja Rat,” who boasted about buying Eminem’s unreleased tracks from a man named Joseph Strange. The fan passed the messages to the FBI. One read: “He used to work for Em… I gave him $50K. He needed the money for surgery.”
Doja Rat was real. A 31-year-old Canadian bank employee and die-hard Eminem fan. He confessed to the FBI that he’d met Joseph through a YouTube channel called “Dope Edit,” which hosted rare and remixed Eminem songs. The two began chatting on Discord. Then Signal. Then, Joseph — under an alias — offered him access to unreleased tracks.
At first, the price was $8,500 for four songs. All payments in Bitcoin.
Doja Rat didn’t have the money, but he knew people who did. He and a group of collectors pooled resources. Took out lines of credit. Sent the Bitcoin. Over six months, they paid out nearly $50,000. In return, they received dozens of tracks — and eventually, high-resolution photos of original lyric sheets, allegedly rescued by Joseph from a studio flood.
That story — the flood, the cleanup, the chance to quietly pocket handwritten pages — was compelling. So was Joseph’s pitch: this wasn’t theft. This was memorabilia. This was history.
But the FBI didn’t see it that way. Neither did Eminem’s manager, John Fisher.
“Fisher was able to identify these as images that were taken directly off the hard drive in the studio labeled “Raid I.” Fisher confirms that Joseph Strange did not have permission to possess/sell these items,” according to Special Agent Max.
Back in Ferndale, Fisher opened the studio vault and checked the hard drives. One, labeled “RAID 1,” hadn’t been touched in years. Its logs told a different story: files had been removed on October 16, 2019, and again on January 16, 2020. At the time, Joseph still worked at the studio.
Mike Strange told investigators that only four people had ever had access to those drives — himself, Tony Campana, Fisher, and Joseph. All of them, except Joseph, still worked there. All had been interviewed. All denied leaking anything.
Mike was blunt: “This music could have only come from someone who has direct physical access to the hard drives.”
Tony Campana agreed. So did Fisher, who personally identified the folder structure and lyric sheets recovered from Joseph’s home as exact matches to those in the vault.
One photo of a computer screen sent to Doja Rat contained the full listing of unreleased Eminem songs, in alphabetical order. Fisher said it was the same list found on the studio’s RAID 1 drive — a drive stored in a locked safe, disconnected from the internet and protected by a shared password used only by the four employees.
The kind of drive that only Joseph could have accessed, and copied, when no one was looking.
Eventually, the digital trail led everywhere.
The FBI tracked Bitcoin wallet addresses, examined Venmo test payments, and traced IP logins tied to email aliases Joseph used. They spoke with other buyers, including “ATL” and “Kali Kush,” fan aliases who independently confirmed Joseph’s identity. One fan paid through a Venmo account labeled “Hal Finney,” an obvious nod to Bitcoin culture. The account led directly to Joseph — his home address, social security number, and even one of the email addresses he used to send the leaked songs.
There were attempts to obscure it all, but not enough. The receipts told the story. So did the NDA.
When Joseph left the studio in 2021, he signed a non-disclosure agreement as part of his severance. He agreed, in writing, not to “post, transmit, or otherwise circulate” any photos, videos, or audio “of or concerning” Eminem or his associates. He acknowledged the importance of protecting “intellectual property,” including “masters embodying Artist’s performances” and “handwritten lyrics.”
Then he took them anyway.
The betrayal stung.
Not just because it was calculated. But because it was close. Because it wasn’t done by some faceless cybercriminal or opportunistic hacker. It was done by someone who used to sit in the same rooms. Who grew up in the same family. Who was trusted with the music before it had a name, a beat, or a hook.’
“Mike Strange is the uncle of Joseph Strange, but the two were raised together and consider themselves brothers.”
Special Agent Brian C. Max
In March, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan formally charged Joseph Strange with criminal copyright infringement and interstate transportation of stolen goods. He hasn’t spoken publicly. The case will likely head to trial.
For now, the music’s back in the vault. The passwords are changed. The drives disconnected. But the leak changed something — not just for Eminem, but for the small group of people who thought their circle was unbreakable.
Denzel Washington returned to Broadway to portray Shakespeare’s Othello and made it clear that he was a theater guy first and foremost.
During an interview withCBS News, the Academy Award-winning star of Training Day and Fences emphasized that theater remains his true calling despite his massive Hollywood success.
“I’m a stage actor who does film; it’s not the other way around. I did stage first. I learned how to act on stage, not on film,” Washington explained.
The celebrated actor, now 70, currently headlines the revival of Shakespeare’s tragedy Othello at the Barrymore Theatre in New York City.
The production also stars Jake Gyllenhaal as the villainous Iago.
Washington dismissed the label “Hollywood actor,” preferring instead to identify with his roots in Mt. Vernon, New York.
“What’s the definition of a Hollywood actor? Myself, I’m from Mt. Vernon, so I’m a ‘Mt. Vernon actor,'” Denzel Washington said. “I don’t know what ‘Hollywood’ means. Somebody who’s famous on film? A film actor, great success on film?”
Washington first tackled the iconic role of Othello decades ago as a student at Fordham University.
Now, stepping into the Moor’s shoes again, he acknowledges the influence of legendary actor James Earl Jones, who portrayed Othello in the last Broadway revival back in 1982.
“James Earl Jones was my northern star when I was in college,” Washington shared. “He was who I wanted to be. I didn’t get to see his Othello, but I know it wasn’t as good as my 22-year-old interpretation. But you know, it’s my turn.”
The actor also offered insights into the differences between working on stage and film, highlighting the actor’s control in theater compared to the director-driven nature of cinema.
“Movies are a filmmaker’s medium. You shoot it, and then you’re gone, and they cut together and add music and do all of that. Theatre is an actor’s medium. The curtain goes up, nobody can help you,” he explained.
Othello continues its run at the Barrymore Theatre until June 8.
Breon Allen Jr. was walking alongside his cousin in Jacksonville on January 24, when gunfire erupted on, killing the 7-year-old and injuring his older relative.
Now, authorities say the senseless shooting was a gang-related ambush tied to a long-running feud that also led to the death of rapper Julio Foolio.
The child’s death has been linked to a decade-long battle between rival Jacksonville gangs ATK and KTA. The conflict has already claimed multiple lives, including that of Foolio, who was gunned down in Tampa in June 2024.
Four men—Keith Fields, 18, Dannel Larkins, 20, Keith Johnson, 21 and Zharod Sykes, 24—have been arrested and charged with second-degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder and attempted first-degree murder in connection with the shooting. Fields,
Larkins and Sykes are confirmed members of the 6 Block gang. Johnson is listed as an associate.
The intended target, according to investigators, was 21-year-old Lafayette Mango Jr., a rapper and known ATK affiliate.
Mango survived the shooting. His younger cousin, Breon, did not.
“This shooting was a culmination of escalating violence between two rival street groups. It was a targeted, planned act of bloodshed,” Sheriff T.K. Waters said during a press conference. “If any of these groups continue to do this kind of stuff, we won’t rest. We’ll put every one of them away. That’s a guarantee.”
The feud between ATK and KTA has been marked by retaliatory shootings, diss tracks and public taunts.
After Foolio’s murder, Mango released a track titled “6 Ways To Die,” which reportedly mocked deceased 6 Block members, further inflaming tensions.
Foolio, a prominent KTA figure, was killed on June 23, 2024, in the parking lot of a Tampa Holiday Inn while celebrating his 26th birthday.
He had moved from an Airbnb due to overcrowding, only to be ambushed hours later.
Three others were injured in the attack. Authorities arrested five suspects—all allegedly tied to a rival gang—who had reportedly followed Foolio from location to location.
Sheriff Waters didn’t hold back when addressing the nature of the crime that took Breon’s life.
“It should never happen even for the intended target to be hit, but for them to do that in such a callous, cold, senseless manner tells you what kind of people they are. I don’t care that they’re 17 years old. It doesn’t matter to me. They don’t care about people in this community. Let’s put them where they belong. Let’s not let them see the light of day ever again.”
Doechii used her spotlight at the GLAAD Media Awards in Los Angeles to call out threats to LGBTQ+ rights and celebrate the community’s resilience.
The 26-year-old Hip-Hop artist, who identifies as bisexual, accepted the Outstanding Music Artist award and didn’t hold back in her remarks.
Referencing GLAAD’s mission, she said, “Those are the same things I strongly believe in and advocate for and that continue to propel me forward — especially now that hard-won cultural change and rights for transgender people and the LGBTQ community have been threatened. And I am disgusted. Disgusted. But I want to say that we are here and we are not going anywhere.”
Her speech came amid growing concerns from LGBTQ+ advocates over recent policy shifts under Donald Trump’s return to office.
Transgender individuals have reported distress over changes to federal documentation, including passports, that affect how their gender is recognized.
During her time on stage, Doechii also acknowledged the legacy of past winners in her category.
“I am thrilled at being recognized with such a prestigious award by GLAAD and to be joining prior honorees such as Renee (Rapp), Lady Gaga, Lil Nas X, Sam Smith and Janelle Monáe,” she said. “This is a huge and special moment as well because GLAAD is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, which is super fab.”
Let us say this straight up: there is no replacing Prodigy in Mobb Deep. Not at all. But we need to discuss this rumor.
This week, Havoc gave us an update. And what an update it was. The Mobb Deep producer and rap warlord is currently in the studio with Nas, actively working on what appears to be the group’s next album.
This crazy news follows another insane announcement from Havoc and The Alchemist (who really made a lot of advances with the group). Last year, they confirmed a new Mobb Deep project was in development.
The project features unreleased verses from the late Prodigy, one of the G.O.A.T.s. The Alchemist has said publicly that he and Havoc would oversee production, and now we know Nas is fully in the fold. Fans have eagerly anticipated this collaboration. I’m hoping to experience a full blown fusion of Mobb Deep’s gritty, signature sound with Nas’s lyricism.
Mobb Deep has not had a full-length project since 2014’s The Infamous Mobb Deep. There’s no release date, but the studio session strongly suggests this is happening. We must continue to put respect on the legacy of Prodigy and Mobb Deep.
Marlon Wayans is reviving the Scary Movie franchise with a sixth installment set for 2026.
Wayans will reunite with brothers Shawn and Keenen Ivory to bring back the original tone and R-rated humor that launched the horror spoof series nearly 25 years ago.
The Wayans trio—who created the franchise in 2000—are returning to write and star in the upcoming film, with Marlon and Shawn reprising their roles as Shorty and Ray.
Dave Sheridan will also return as Doofy, the dim-witted cop who was revealed as the killer in the first movie.
“We got the gloves off. We’re going R. We’re going to have the same fun and the same kind of tone and Wayans flavor that we gave on the first one,” Marlon told People.
The first two Scary Movie entries, directed by Keenen Ivory, became box office hits by spoofing horror staples like Scream, The Blair Witch Project and I Know What You Did Last Summer.
After the 2001 sequel, the Wayans brothers stepped away from the franchise, which continued with three more films released in 2003, 2006 and 2013.
Reflecting on the sequels made without them, Marlon said they were “missing that flavor” and promised the new film would return the “hot sauce.”
In an October statement to Deadline, the brothers said, “We couldn’t be more excited to be a part of the new Scary Movie and work with each other again. This is a franchise we created more than 20 years ago. We remember people laughing in the aisles and hope to see that happen again.”
No additional casting has been confirmed. Scary Movie 6 is scheduled for release in 2026.
According to Atlanta police homicide commander Lt. Andrew Smith, he sustained a leg injury while on the run that ultimately claimed his life.
But Young Scooter’s son, Kenneth Bailey Jr., seemingly doesn’t care what their explanation is—he’s furious over how the incident unfolded.
“F### APD,” Kenneth Jr. wrote on his Instagram Stories. “Police or not ain have no understanding bout you pulled straight up ain’t give a f### bout no handcuffs on me. I just wanted to make sure you good dats all I kept askin and they hoe ass kept lyin. Damn my best friend gone. Happy birthday too. I know exactly what to do fasho tho you know I got my sisters and brothers they overly good yo son a Hustla just like you.
“Watch dis. I promise ima get back to yall thank yall. Im just tryna stay off this social media s### got lame ass blogs lyin and s### man ion even wanna see nunna dis s###. Broken into million pieces ion wish dis pain on nobody. Dude a good n#### he ain’t deserve this s###.”
Officers were called to a home in the 200 block of William Nye Drive after shots were fired and a woman was observed being dragged inside.
“When officers arrived, they knocked on the door and a male opened the door and immediately shut the door on the officers,” Smith said. “That’s when Scooter and another man allegedly took off on foot and Scooter somehow got “injured” along the way and later died at Grady Memorial Hospital.
“He appeared to have suffered an injury to his leg,” Smith explained. “Officers rendered aid and he was transported to Grady Hospital, where he was pronounced deceased. The Atlanta Police Department has not been involved in any shootings tonight and the incident on William Nye—no one was—there was not a shooting at all. Just to be very clear, the injury that was sustained was not via the officers on scene.”
Some outlets are erroneously citing a report from Fox 5 Atlanta about a man who was killed in a shooting near State Farm Arena, but the man is 42 years old and actually survived but is in critical condition. There are seemingly endless tweets mourning Scooter’s death. Playboi Carti, in particular, shared a photo of Scooter on on his Instagram Stories with the letters, “SMFH.”
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation has been called in to review the incident due to public speculation surrounding the case.
Lizzo landed her first starring movie role portraying legendary rock ‘n’ roll icon Sister Rosetta Tharpe in the upcoming biopic Rosetta.
The “About Damn Time” performer announced the casting news on Instagram Monday.
“Black people made rock n roll yeaaaah.” She also shared a side-by-side snapshot of herself and Tharpe strumming guitars, captioning the image on her Instagram Stories, “Its finally out yall. I’m so excited & honored (sic).”
According to Deadline, the film will explore a crucial chapter in Tharpe’s life as she revolutionized music with her distinctive guitar style, confronted societal prejudices and kept her romantic relationship with another woman hidden.
She also famously turned a wedding ceremony into a historic musical milestone—the world’s first stadium concert.
Lizzo isn’t entirely new to the acting scene.
She previously appeared in the 2019 film Hustlers alongside Jennifer Lopez and Constance Wu and made a brief cameo as The Duchess in a 2023 episode of Disney’s The Mandalorian.
However, Rosetta marks her debut as a leading lady on the big screen, a significant career leap for the Grammy-winning artist.
The film remains in the early stages of production, with Lizzo joining actor Forest Whitaker as a producer. Screenwriters Natalie Chaidez and Kwynn Perry are on board to craft the script, though no director has yet been named.
Tharpe, who passed away in 1973, was inducted posthumously into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2018, and she was recognized for her pioneering influence on artists ranging from Elvis Presley to Chuck Berry.
Her groundbreaking fusion of gospel fervor and electric guitar riffs laid the foundation for rock music’s emergence.
Young Thug quickly shut down an overzealous Playboi Carti fan while promoting his upcoming live show.
On Thursday (March 27), the Atlanta native shared a string of tweets geared toward both stoking the flames surrounding red hot rumors about his new music and teasing his upcoming performances.
Along with retweeting an article announcing the news of his headlining set during the weekend of the Lyrical Lemonade Summer Smash music festival in Illinois on June 22, Thug tweeted, “Y’all mfers goin have to beg me to drop this s### nocizzy.”
Yall mfers goin have to beg me to drop this s### nocizzy
Prior to issuing the aforemention tweet, Thugger piqued fan’s interests after he held up a custom jersey with a cryptic name on the back of it when the arena broadcast team shared a shot of him and Mariah on the jumbotron screen.
Social media users immediately began attempting to decipher the meaning of the text on the back of the jersey, which read “UY SCUTI.” The Twitter account Thugger Daily pointed to a Google search result revealing UY Scuti is the name of a red hypergiant star—that is categorized as the “largest known star in the universe” along with the fact that Thug began following an Instagram page with the handle @uyscutiiiiii following his appearance at the game.
No matter the case, a Twitter user replied in the thread, using it as an opportunity to minimize the moment and antagonize Thug by writing, “U NOT CARTI LIL BRA.”
While it’s worth mentioning that Playboi Carti did make history this week by simultaneously charting 31 songs consecutively on the Billboard Hot 100 after the No. 1 debut of his MUSIC album, Thug seemingly wasn’t at all fazed by the slight.
“I wonder who’s couch you’re tweeting this on,” he wrote in a quoted reply to the troll.
Young Thug will also make appearances at a pair of festivals in Europe later this year as well. The “Halftime” rapper will not only take the stage at Les Ardentes festival in Belgium on July 5, he’ll also be performing at Openair Frauenfeld in Switzerland on July 11.
Check out the full lineup for the Summer Smash festival below.
Fergie marked her 50th birthday with an Instagram tribute to her younger self, a nod to her Billboard recognition and son Axl Jack.
The Grammy-winning singer shared a throwback photo from childhood, a screenshot of her name on Billboard’s Top Women Artists of the 21st Century list and a recent picture of her 11-year-old son.
The post served as a personal reflection and a celebration of how far she’s come.
“I honestly didn’t know what to post to mark this landmark number, so I started with a letter to my younger self,” she wrote. “Dear little Stacy, one day you’ll be 50 and you’ll be proud of yourself. You won’t have it all figured out, but you realize… who does? Success really is in the journey, and true happiness can be found in the smallest simple moments. Keep loving deeply with all your heart, and keep working on yourself. It always all makes sense later. I love you.”
Fergie rose to fame as a member of the Black Eyed Peas before launching a solo career that produced hits like “Big Girls Don’t Cry” and “Glamorous.”
She said her inclusion on Billboard’s list was a surprise but one that carried weight.
She called the recognition a “beautiful surprise” and added it made her feel like “my music means something.”
The singer ended the post with a message to her son, whom she shares with actor Josh Duhamel.
“I also could not acknowledge this milestone without including my son Axl Jack, the sweetest love I’ve ever known. You make me want to be a better human every day. Onward and upward,” she wrote.
During a recent interview with The Morning Hustle, the former Power star was asked what BMF star Lil Meech should do to get back on 50 Cent’s good side. Rotimi didn’t sugarcoat his response and as a result, bluntly told Lil Meech to keep it pushing.
“Honestly, I think what’s said has been said at this point,” he said. “There’s really just nothing. Just move on. Like, if you dwell on anything right now, it’s just you dwelling on it.”
Actor Rotimi, who admits he once owed 50 Cent $300,000, gives Lil Meech advice after his fallout with 50 Cent and tells Lil Meech he just needs to move on.
Rotimi’s words carry weight, especially considering his own history when it comes to “feuding” with 50 Cent. In 2019, 50 Cent publicly called out Rotimi for owing him $300,000, sparking a viral social media exchange. However, as Rotimi later revealed to, the whole beef was a strategic stunt orchestrated by 50 himself to help clear the debt.
Reflecting on his own mindset in a similar situation, Rotimi made it clear that the best revenge is success.
“If it was me, I’m just gonna go beast mode and turn up,” he said. “Just make sure I go OD lit for the next thing I do.”
In case you’ve missed it, the G-Unit mastermind and Lil Meech have been going at it on social media for months now after 50 Cent called his father Big Meech a rat for linking up with Rick Ross. Earlier this month, 50 Cent announced the fourth and final season of the the hit STARZ series following Meech making appearances with his foes such as Floyd Mayweather and Rozay as well.
On the other hand, when asked about his current relationship with 50, Rotimi confirmed there’s no bad blood. But as for working together again, he admitted he’d be selective.
“Everything that he’s doing has been super lit, but it’s still in that world,” he explained, referring to 50’s heavy focus on crime dramas. “If it’s something he does, like a romantic comedy, then cool.”
FreakNik is stirring controversy in Memphis after city officials denied organizers a permit for the anticipated spring bash at Riverside Park.
Initially planned for Downtown Riverside Park, also known as MLK Riverside Park, the Memphis FreakNik revival received a speedy denial from city authorities.
Officials refunded the organizer’s payment and refused to issue the necessary permits, forcing a quick pivot to private property, where city permits aren’t required.
Organizers, meanwhile, are taking no chances.
They claim to have hired several private armed security teams and informed both MPD and the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office about the new venue.
Local radio personality Stan Bell, host on Memphis’ V-103, voiced cautious optimism about the event’s potential.
“My hope and my wishes—if it does happen, if it does come to fruition, Memphis FreakNik—that everybody would be in [the] proper decorum, enjoy themselves, be responsible,” Bell told WREG.
The original FreakNik began modestly in Atlanta in 1983 as a casual picnic for Black college students at the Atlanta University Center.
The name cleverly combined “picnic” with a nod to Chic’s disco hit “Le Freak.” By the late ’80s and early ’90s, FreakNik had ballooned into a nationwide phenomenon, attracting thousands of partygoers and becoming a cultural milestone in Hip-Hop circles.
However, the event’s popularity eventually became its downfall. Safety issues, crime concerns and public backlash led to FreakNik’s demise in 1999.
“Considering where we are now, how violence is more prevalent, how sex trafficking is more prevalent than it was possibly back then…it’s not something that this city needs,” Christ United Baptist Church pastor Percy Hunter told Action News 5.
Despite its controversial end, FreakNik’s cultural imprint remains strong, influencing music videos, films and Hip-Hop culture. FreakNik’s storied past was also chronicled in a new documentary titled FreakNik: The Wildest Party Never Told.
The Memphis Police Department confirmed awareness of the event and pledged to keep a close eye on public parks during the weekend of April 19.
Elon Musk handed over X.com to his artificial intelligence startup xAI in a $33 billion all-stock transaction aimed at fusing social media with AI firepower.
The move officially folds the platform formerly known as Twitter into xAI.
Now, the AI firm has a valuation of $80 billion while p###### X at $33 billion—down from the $44 billion Musk paid in 2022. The deal also includes $12 billion in existing debt.
Musk said the merger would allow xAI to “combine data, models, computing resources, distribution and talent from both companies to accelerate our progress.”
“The combined company will deliver smarter, more meaningful experiences to billions of people while staying true to our core mission of seeking truth and advancing knowledge,”: Elon Musk said.
@xAI has acquired @X in an all-stock transaction. The combination values xAI at $80 billion and X at $33 billion ($45B less $12B debt).
Since its founding two years ago, xAI has rapidly become one of the leading AI labs in the world, building models and data centers at…
His chatbot Grok, already embedded in X, is part of that integration. The swap also reshuffles the investor deck. X Corp. shareholders now own 25% of xAI, effectively trading their stake in a social media platform for a piece of Musk’s AI ambitions.
Since Musk took over Twitter in 2022, the company has seen sweeping changes—mass layoffs, advertiser exits and a steep drop in value.
Musk financed the original purchase with a mix of equity and $13 billion in loans from Morgan Stanley and Bank of America.
After the takeover, he quickly ousted top executives and pivoted the platform toward his version of free speech.
Now, with X under xAI’s umbrella, Musk is pushing forward with plans to blend AI and social media into a more innovative, more useful experience.
However, the real action may be taking place far from Silicon Valley. In Memphis, xAI is building out a massive AI campus.
The company acquired a 1-million-square-foot site in the city’s southwest corner to expand its data operations. The Memphis expansion is one of the largest tech investments in the city’s history.
Still, not everyone is thrilled.
The facility runs on methane gas turbines, which emit pollutants like formaldehyde. Local residents have voiced concerns about air quality and transparency.
In response, xAI is building a wastewater recycling plant to reduce pressure on the city’s aquifer.
Montell Jordan and Max Rae are doing the unthinkable by creating a unique value proposition for the 30th anniversary of Jordan’s classic 1995 anthem, “This Is How We Do It.” They sit down with AllHipHop‘s Chuck “Jigsaw” Creekmur and DJ Thoro at WonWorld Studios to talk about their special collaboration.
During the discussion, they explore the enduring legacy of the song, its cultural influence across both West Coast and East Coast music scenes. On top of that, the pair delve into the creative process behind its fresh reinterpretation.
Jordan candidly shares insights from his evolution as a gospel musician turned Def Jam artist, his subsequent journey into ministry and commitment to his personal wellness journey. He goes deep into being signed to Russell Simmons and, as a man of Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity, the differences between gangs and frats.
Max Rae, a relative newbie compared to her veteran homie, expresses enthusiasm for merging traditional R&B elements with contemporary dance sounds. She’s got a promising future, but the present is extremely cool too.
AllHipHop: Montell, it’s been 30 years since “This Is How We Do It” dropped. How does it feel to hit such a landmark?
Montell Jordan: Man, it’s surreal. That track was always special. In college, whenever Slick Rick’s “Children’s Story” came on, it shifted the entire room. I always knew I wanted to sing over that beat, and when Def Jam signed me as Russell Simmons’ “rap singer,” I got my chance. But it’s wild that the biggest hit on my debut album was actually the last song we recorded.
AllHipHop: Max, as an upcoming star, what’s it like stepping into Montell’s classic?
Max Rae: Honestly, it’s insane! I keep saying I’m living a pinch-me moment. I love ’90s R&B, but clubs today mostly play EDM. So my goal was to blend the two worlds, making “This Is How We Do It” fresh again for today’s listeners.
AllHipHop: Montell, did you face any backlash for sampling Slick Rick?
Montell Jordan: At first, definitely. Slick was fresh out of jail then, so for him, it was good timing—publishing-wise, rotation-wise. It was gutsy though. You don’t touch classics lightly, but luckily Rick loved it, and we’re still friends. He and Mandy, they’re family.
AllHipHop: Speaking of risks, Max, weren’t you nervous recreating such a classic?
Max Rae: Terrified! I mean, you’re touching history here. But knowing Montell trusted me meant everything. Plus, we made it an EDM vibe, different enough that purists still have the original, but now younger fans can dance to it.
AllHipHop: Montell, back then in ’95, East-West tensions were heating up. Did you feel any friction?
Montell Jordan: Definitely. Here I was, a West Coast guy from South Central L.A., singing about West Coast life but using a New York Hip-Hop beat. New Yorkers initially felt some type of way. I remember going up to Hot 97 and flipping the lyrics to shout out Brooklyn and Angie Martinez specifically. After that, it became a New York anthem, too. But it wasn’t always easy—there was pressure to respect both coasts.
AllHipHop: DJ Thoro, you pointed out Montell’s song was featured on “Martin.” How did you know the track was timeless?
DJ Thoro: If Martin Lawrence played your track, it was certified gold! “This Is How We Do It” was everywhere. It’s a generational hit like Nelly’s “Hot in Herre” or 50 Cent’s “In Da Club.” That doesn’t happen by accident.
AllHipHop: Montell, you eventually shifted toward preaching. When did that start?
Montell Jordan: Fully in 2011. Honestly, I felt like I was in an abusive relationship with music—I loved it deeply, but it didn’t love me back. Stepping away showed me what real love was: God, my wife, my kids. Once I prioritized that, I could return to music on my terms.
AllHipHop: Max, what’s your career looking like beyond this remix?
Max Rae: R&B is my heart, despite this EDM blend. My next projects will channel Bruno Mars vibes. I’m touring this summer, so fans can expect more soul and R&B from me.
AllHipHop: Montell, what’s next for you?
Montell Jordan: My wife Kristen and I are deeply involved in marriage ministry. Also, I recently beat cancer, documented the entire battle and we’re releasing that story soon, complete with music. Plus, if Max goes global, who knows? I might just join her on tour!
AllHipHop: Lastly, why Max for this special remix?
Montell Jordan: First, because she’s genuine and loves God—our values align deeply. Second, I heard her version and genuinely loved it. I trusted her like Slick Rick trusted me.
AllHipHop: Final words for the fans?
Max Rae: Just massive gratitude. Follow me @Max.Rae.Music. And Montell—there aren’t enough words to express my thanks.
Tyler, the Creator is pushing back against criticism over his “That Guy” freestyle on Kendrick Lamar’s “Hey Now” beat.
He addressed the controversy during his latest interview with Nardwuar, defending the move as a staple of Hip-Hop culture. He also called critics out of touch with the genre’s roots.
The Grammy-winning artist didn’t hold back when addressing criticism of the track, which dropped on December 25 as a surprise holiday release.
“I saw someone say, ‘How Tyler just gonna take Kendrick’s song right after it comes out and do the same flow over the same beat.’ And I’m like, ‘Damn, that’s somebody else who did not grow up listening to rap or Hip-Hop,'” Tyler explained. “‘Cause if you grew up listening to rap or Hip-Hop, you know that’s normal… You should have to do a survey and show your ID before you could say s### on the internet — ’cause folks be saying dumb s###.”
Tyler, the Creator dropped the freestyle, titled “THAT GUY,” on social media with the caption, “merry christmas. had fun with it,” after a fan had tweeted in November, “I want @tylerthecreator to freestyle on Hey Now so bad.”
Meanwhile, Tyler the Creator went viral earlier this week after Sexyy Red joined him to perform their collaboration “Sticky” during his CHROMAKOPIA Tour stop in Miami.
After the show, the two engaged in a barefoot foot race backstage, which was captured on video and quickly went viral.
They also recreated their infamous 2023 viral photo, posing with their backsides out and middle fingers up.
Dr. Dre suffered a loss in court on Thursday (March 27), when a judge decided not to toss out several texts in the $10 million civil harassment lawsuit filed against him by his former psychiatrist.
During the hearing, Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Mark H. Epstein said he disagreed with Dr. Dre that the 11 text messages he sent to Charles Sophy in 2023 should be stricken from the lawsuit “because they were made in furtherance of either Dre’s constitutional right to free speech or his protected right to pursue litigation,” per Rolling Stone.
“It looks like a bunch of angry [messages] and I don’t see how they further the process of a medical board complaint,” Epstein said. “He’s just hurling insults.”
Dr. Dre claimed in his motion to dismiss that he had already planned to pursue legal action against Sophy when he sent the initial text messages. Young alleged that Sophy, who served as a family therapist and mediator during Young’s 2021 divorce from Nicole Young, had committed malpractice. Specifically, Young accused Sophy of attempting to damage his relationship with his son and encouraging the disclosure of financial records to the media to pressure Young into an unfair divorce settlement.
Young admitted to using strong language in his texts due to his deep upset over Sophy’s alleged unethical conduct. The messages included derogatory terms and warnings that Sophy would “have to pay” and that he had “f##### with the wrong one.” Sophy, however, denied any wrongdoing and interpreted the texts as threats of physical violence. He claimed the messages left him “terrified” and led him to wear a “bulletproof cap and vest” in public.
Epstein, reviewing the case, expressed skepticism towards Young’s argument that the texts were protected speech related to potential legal action. The judge indicated they didn’t appear to contribute to a legitimate medical board complaint.
Judge Epstein expressed skepticism about the first eight text messages sent by Dr. Dre to Sophy, stating they appeared to lack any substantive connection to a legal process. The judge noted that a text message from March 5, 2023, might partially qualify for protection. In this message, Young demanded a written apology and warned of further action.
Dre’s attorney Jackson Trugman argued that his client’s intent was to hold Sophy accountable for alleged misconduct and to seek an explanation and apology. Trugman framed these requests as objectives of the mogul’s planned legal actions. He explained that the initial messages were sent late at night during a moment of frustration, with Dre providing additional context the following morning.
Despite Trugman’s arguments, Epstein remained unconvinced, questioning where Dre had actually asked for an explanation in the messages, aside from the ninth text. The judge reiterated that he couldn’t see any indication that the messages were aimed at gathering information for a medical board complaint or lawsuit.
“Where does he seek an explanation, other than in text message nine?” Judge Epstein asked. “I don’t see anything that would suggest that all of this is in furtherance of getting information to go to the medical board or to file litigation … Was he mad? Sure he was mad. Did he use terms I wouldn’t necessarily use? Well, I don’t know, maybe I would use them. But it’s the lack of a linkage.”
He added, “For the plaintiff to say something to the defendant like, ‘You’re a p############,’ I’m not sure that’s furthers the public discourse. That, I think, is private communication.”
In a 10th text sent April 25, 2023, Dre again called Sophy a “p############” and said he wasn’t “going anywhere” until Sophy answered for his actions. In a final text sent August 4, 2023, Dre wrote, “Don’t worry, I haven’t forgot about you.”
Sophy’s lawyer, Christopher Frost, said he agreed with the judge’s tentative order.
“Just because [Young] happens to also file a medical board complaint doesn’t mean he gets to abuse my client,” Frost said. “All he’s doing is hurling abusive insults.”
Epstein declined to issue a final ruling, saying he was taking the matter under submission. If he adopts his tentative, all but a portion of the ninth text will stay in the lawsuit as the complaint continues toward a trial.
Dr. Dre and Nicole Young finalized their divorce in December 2021 after a contentious 18-month legal battle. The settlement resulted in his ex-wife receiving $100 million, paid in two $50 million installments, along with four vehicles and her jewelry.
Dre, whose net worth was estimated at $820 million, retained the majority of his assets, including seven properties, six vehicles, his master recordings and Apple stocks. The couple had been married for 24 years and have two adult children. She initially contested their 1996 prenuptial agreement and accused Dre of abuse, allegations he vehemently denied.
