Drake celebrated his son Adonis’ eighth birthday alongside his ex, Sophie Brussaux, at a cowboy-themed party in a rare public moment that spotlighted their steady co-parenting dynamic.
The Hip-Hop heavyweight and the French visual artist reunited over the weekend for a private gathering honoring their son, who turned eight on Saturday (October 11).
The trio smiled together near a Western-style cake, in a video seen online, with Adonis front and center.
Now everyone can stop being mad bc “Drake didn’t post Adonis for his birthday” 🎂🎈 pic.twitter.com/0omnVyUmLr
The birthday bash marked another chapter in the evolving relationship between Drake and Brussaux, who have managed to keep things amicable since confirming Adonis’ paternity in 2018.
Their early history was rocky—Brussaux announced her pregnancy in 2017, and Drake initially denied being the father. A DNA test the following year confirmed otherwise.
That same year, Pusha T released “The Story of Adidon,” a scathing 2018 diss track aimed at Drake which publicly revealed and confirmed Drake’s secret son with Brussaux, accusing the Toronto rapper of hiding his child from the world.
The revelation forced Drake to address the situation directly, marking a turning point in both his public image and personal life.
Adonis has already stepped into the spotlight himself. At just six years old, he dropped a track titled “My Man Freestyle.” He also made cameos in several of his father’s music videos, including “8 AM in Charlotte” from Drake’s 2023 album For All the Dogs.
Earlier this year, Drake shared a personal detail during a July 30 concert in Amsterdam, revealing that the city holds sentimental value for him. “There would be no Adonis if there wasn’t an Amsterdam,” he told the crowd, calling the performance “a big show” for that reason.
Adonis was conceived during a trip to Amsterdam in January 2017 and was born later that year on October 11.
Rod Wave made his long-awaited return with a new music video and a tour announcement following a 10-month hiatus to focus on his mental health.
The Florida-born rapper released the visual for his new single “Leavin” on Sunday night (October 12), marking his first piece of new content since stepping away from the spotlight earlier this year.
The nearly three-minute video features Rod performing inside a dimly lit mansion, delivering raw lyrics with his signature melodic delivery.
The release quickly gained traction online, with supporters flooding social media to welcome him back.
Alongside the video, Rod also revealed he’s hitting the road again.
His upcoming Redemption Experience Tour kicks off December 7 in Los Angeles and wraps January 2 in Miami.
Rod Wave Announces He’s Stepping Back From Spotlight
The announcement comes after months of silence from the 27-year-old, who paused his career in January to prioritize his well-being.
In a message shared with his followers at the time, Rod wrote, “Gonna travel, See the world, Find love, Raise kids, Prolly go back to school, Last lap was smooth, Hell of a journey. Thank you all.”
He followed up with a direct note to his critics and loyal listeners alike: “To the rest of y’all drag my name, Talk about me like a dog, Constantly speaking on me, bashing me, and what make me happy, I don’t fw you. To the real fans that love Me thank you. This ain’t goodbye, it’s simply see u later, keep your head up, and remember long as you got music you’re not alone … Till we meet again.”
Rod has consistently addressed his mental health struggles in his music and public statements, often using his platform to connect with those going through similar experiences.
His last project, Beautiful Mind, dropped in August 2022 and debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200.
With “Leavin” and a full tour on the horizon, Rod appears ready to step back into the spotlight on his own terms.
The Redemption Experience Tour begins December 7 in Los Angeles.
Papoose allegedly attacked a comedian at a public event, striking him in the face with a book after he made a joke about Claressa Shields.
Detroit-based comedian and internet prankster Gerald Huston claimed during a livestream that the Brooklyn rapper clocked him in the face after Huston mistook Shields for tennis icon Serena Williams.
“Papoose done hit me with a book, Huston said in a video after the incident. “Play silly games, win silly prizes.”
Shields, a two-time Olympic gold medalist and boxing champion, later addressed the situation in her own video.
She said she had “nothing against” Huston but explained that things escalated after he kept following her and ignored her attempts to correct the mistaken identity.
“All of us who was around looked at him like, ‘bro, what is you doing?’” Shields said. She added that she wasn’t familiar with Huston’s comedy and believed the situation could have been avoided if he had asked for permission first.
According to Shields, Papoose initially asked Huston to back off, but Huston refused and continued pressing the issue. “Y’all already know what happened. I don’t have to say nothing,” she said.
This isn’t Huston’s first run-in with a celebrity over one of his pranks. In 2022, he approached Young Thug at a shopping mall and called him “Future,” prompting a cold reaction from the rapper and a warning from his associate.
Huston has also pulled stunts on other public figures, including calling Stevie J “Diddy” at an airport and mistaking O.T. Genasis for DaBaby. While some celebrities have laughed it off, others have not been as amused.
Papoose and Shields began dating in 2024 following his split from rapper Remy Ma. The couple celebrated their first anniversary in September 2025, having first met at a boxing match in July 2024.
Lizzosays she’s done second-guessing herself and is ready to take the reins again. The Grammy-winning artist revealed in a new interview that she had “forgotten how to trust” her own musical instincts after releasing two singles earlier this year that didn’t reflect her vision.
“I had forgotten how to trust myself,” she told Vulture. “I think, musically, I have been on a path to losing myself for a long time.”
The songs in question, “Love in Real Life” and “Still Bad,” were both selected by her label, Atlantic Records. Their accompanying visuals also missed the mark for the “About Damn Time” singer, who admitted the final product didn’t align with her original concept.
In March, Lizzo announced that her fifth studio album was finished. However, the release date remains in limbo due to ongoing legal issues. The lawsuits, filed by former employees in late 2023 and early 2024, accused her of sexual harassment, weight-shaming and creating a hostile work environment. Lizzo has denied all allegations.
Despite the turmoil, she’s now doubling down on her creative independence. During a pivotal meeting with her label, she made it clear she was done compromising.
“I sat down at the table and I said, ‘I need to do s**t my way starting from now. And I need y’all to have my back. It’s going to be a little scary,’” she said. “And everybody agreed, and they said, ‘We got your back, whatever you need.’”
By May, she had already begun reshaping her sound. She dropped a stripped-down version of “Still Bad (Animal Style),” signaling a return to a more raw and personal approach. The video, shot entirely on an iPhone, captures her walking through New York City after the Met Gala, stopping at an arcade and a drag show.
“Oh yeah, the point of this was to have f**king fun,” she said of the DIY-style video. Lizzo’s next move remains unclear, but her message is loud: she’s back in charge and doing things on her terms.
The album, though finished, has no confirmed release date as of June 2024.
A man landed a prison sentence in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, after launching a months-long harassment spree targeting Trump supporters by scattering nails and screws in driveways and stalking a grocery store worker.
The 64-year-old Yardley man, Alaric Dalberg, pleaded guilty to stalking, harassment, criminal mischief and disorderly conduct. He was sentenced to serve between two and 23 months in the Bucks County Correctional Facility, followed by a 36-month probation term.
Between October 2024 and February 2025, Dalberg repeatedly targeted homes in Lower Makefield Township that displayed pro-Trump signs. He tossed nails and screws into driveways and, in one case, harassed a supermarket employee after a political argument.
Investigators tied Dalberg to the incidents using surveillance footage and nails found in his vehicle. When questioned by police in February, Dalberg admitted to collecting the nails specifically to go after what he called “Trumpers.”
“People who think they are justified in engaging in criminal activity because the ends justify the means will have a dose of reality if they choose to engage in crimes in Bucks County,” District Attorney Jennifer Schorn said in a statement.
One of his victims, Lisa Mason, said a mechanic warned her that one of the nails could have caused a tire blowout on the highway.
Another woman, Sandra Liberato, said Dalberg followed her from her house to her workplace and was caught on camera throwing debris near her car. Investigators later matched his grocery store loyalty card to the time of the incident.
“It’s really sad that you have to wake up in the morning with a flashlight and look for nails and screws,” Mason told NBC10 Philadelphia.
Judge Bateman made it clear during sentencing that Dalberg’s actions were deliberate and dangerous. “It was not an aberration,” he said. “Just because you disagree with their political views or personal views, do you decide to victimize them? It’s completely, unequivocally unacceptable to me.”
Future is now at the center of a copyright lawsuit after being accused of illegally using a photo of the legendary Dungeon Family house in Atlanta as the cover art for his release, “Mixtape Pluto.”
Photographer Garey C. Gomez filed the lawsuit, claiming the rapper and his affiliated companies used his images without permission.
The photo in question was taken at “The Dungeon,” a basement studio where Future’s music career first took shape. According to the complaint, the photo was not only used on the mixtape’s cover but also appeared on merchandise sold online and in retail stores.
The suit names Titol Retail, LLC and Wilburn Holding Company, Inc.—both connected to Future’s Freebandz brand—as co-defendants. Gomez says he discovered the alleged infringement in October 2023 and reached out to Future’s team, but no agreement was reached.
Gomez says he never granted a license or received payment for the use of his work. He is seeking monetary damages, the profits generated from the artwork, and a court order to block further use of the image.
“Mixtape Pluto” debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, marking Future’s third chart-topping album of 2024. The project was widely praised for returning to his early mixtape style and was seen as a tribute to late Atlanta Hip-Hop pioneer Rico Wade and the Dungeon Family legacy.
The Dungeon, located in East Point, Georgia, is the basement studio of Rico Wade’s mother’s home. It became the creative headquarters for Organized Noize, the production trio of Wade, Sleepy Brown and Ray Murray.
The space helped shape the sound of Southern Hip-Hop in the 1990s, producing hits for OutKast, Goodie Mob and TLC.
The basement’s raw, unfinished look—with red clay floors and minimal equipment—became a symbol of the gritty, do-it-yourself spirit that fueled the Dungeon Family collective.
That group included OutKast, Goodie Mob, Killer Mike and a young Future, who recorded early material in the space.
In 2019, Big Boi of OutKast bought the house to preserve its place in music history.
“Atlanta is my home, and I grew up with The Dungeon Family in this house,” Big Boi said. “We would spend hours hanging out in the basement, writing rhymes and putting together beats at all hours of the night. Since purchasing the home, I’ve been excited to open its doors and welcome the next generation of artists to the space that inspired countless songs.”
Future and his companies are accused of willful copyright infringement and violating federal law by distributing false copyright management information.
Wendy Williams slammed her pricey New York City assisted living residence as a “dump” during a rare phone interview, as her court-ordered guardianship and health issues continue to stir controversy.
Coterie Hudson Yards is described as lavish, with marble floors, fresh lilies, a crystal chandelier, 24/7 nursing care, a private theater, spa and salon. Her 360-square-foot studio suite comes with a steep monthly cost.
The 60-year-old former daytime TV host currently lives on the memory care floor of the luxury facility, which charges $25,800 per month.
Despite the upscale amenities, Williams said she’s miserable. “Did you see the people? The elderly people? Why do I want to look at that? This is a f—-d-up situation,” she told The Cut. “I can’t tell you how many times I’ve asked that I be moved from this floor.”
Morrissey sold Williams’ 2,400-square-foot condo at a loss and rehomed her two cats.
Placed under guardianship in 2022, Williams has limited freedom. The memory care floor is locked, and she needs approval from both the facility and her guardian to leave. She has no cell phone access and can only make outgoing calls from a landline.
In February 2024, Williams’ team announced she had been diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia and progressive aphasia. Still, Williams denies having dementia.
Her ex-husband, Kevin Hunter, filed a $250 million lawsuit in June to terminate the guardianship, calling it “fraudulent bondage.” He also accused the judge in the case of being “crooked.”
A judge dismissed the lawsuit on October 9, but Hunter can refile. Williams and Hunter divorced in 2019 after she discovered he had fathered a child with another woman during their 21-year marriage.
Hunter had been receiving $37,500 monthly in alimony before the guardianship halted payments.
Williams’ attorney Joe Tacopina has been outspoken about the case. “She’s the same Wendy Williams that you know from TV. She’s a person who’s in control of her faculties and is a great human being,” he told TMZ in July.
Tacopina said the guardianship is “scary” and “it’s hard to get out.” He confirmed plans to sue those involved, calling the arrangement “basically, incarceration.”
He added, “This whole thing is about money, money, money, money,” and called the legal process “despicably slow.”
Despite her restricted living situation, Williams has made public appearances. She attended New York Fashion Week in September.
A new medical evaluation is expected in the coming weeks. The judge could maintain the guardianship, reduce restrictions, replace Morrissey or end the arrangement.
During the candid conversation, which dove deep into the grief following the back-to-back deaths of their parents and captured brilliantly in “The Birds Don’t Sing” featuring John Legend, King Push revealed one of his next goals—the cover of fitness magazine Men’s Health.
Now 48, his attention to exercise and diet was sparked when he found out he he was going to be a father.
“As far as physical health, I’ve said that one of my goals is to be on the cover of Men’s Health,” he said. “I’ve made that a goal. And I have a five-year-old. For me, my whole workout is rooted in him. Everything that I do is really rooted in making sure I’m able to keep up and am in just the best possible shape and health to run around and keep up with his activity with how active he is. It’s a task, but I made that decision when I had him. I was going to stay focused and stay dedicated to just eating and working out and being active.”
Malice, his older brother by five years, is also focused on maintaining physique and often shares his gym routines on Instagram. It’s an important topic considering the number of Hip-Hop legends who have died over the last few years at relatively young ages—from MF DOOM, De La Soul’s Trugoy the Dove and DJ Clark Kent to DJ Kay Slay, Living Legends’ Aesop and Kangol Kid.
Elsewhere in the interview, the Thornton brothers talked about the vindication they felt in the wake of Let God Sort ‘Em Out‘s success. The album debuted at No. 4 on the Billboard 200 and is looking at multiple Grammy nominations—all without Def Jam Recordings.
“I feel like it was vindicating in a lot of different instances,” Push said. “We knew when we had made the music that we hadn’t lost a step. It was funny to watch during the process people just second guess it. We’re very, very sacred with the music. We don’t let a lot of people in. But those that did get to reach in and peek their head inside, it’s a lot to get caught up in musically. It’s a lot of different things. It’s a lot of popularity contests. It’s a lot of different politics and barometers of greatness.”
Malice added, ” I think the beauty of it was the fact that we really have faith in the music. We really believe in what it is that we do—from the production to the lyrics and just the way that we collaborate and just putting everything together. When we see the politics and we see the back and forth and we’re not quite certain how it’s going to land—because we’ve had label dramas throughout our entire career—I had a calm because I knew when the dust settles, the music is going to get heard, and that’s when it’s our time—when the music gets heard.”
Earl “DMX” Simmons’ longtime manager and uncle, Ray Copeland, known in the music industry as Uncle Ray, says he figured out how to cover the late rapper’s funeral costs after record labels and music associates refused to contribute.
In an exclusive interview with AllHipHop, Copeland said he pulled together a consortium of people that put up $150,000 to organize DMX’s 2021 funeral. Copeland said he initially received little to no financial support from Ruff Ryders, Def Jam Records or other industry figures who were closely affiliated with the artist.
“When it was time to bury X, I was on the phone with everybody, Ruff Ryders, Swizz Beatz, Steve Rifkind, Def Jam,” Copeland said. “I told them what it was going to cost. Everybody said, ‘I ain’t got it.’ So I hung up the phone and said, ‘Forget it. I’ll put this together myself.’”
Copeland said the entire funeral, including the high-profile memorial at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center, was arranged through his own efforts, with help from business associate Germaine Miller and attorney Ron Sweeney.
“If it were not for Germaine Miller, I would have never buried my nephew financially. She put all the money up for the funeral – all $150,000,” Copeland said in a text message outside of an in-studio interview.
At WonWorld Studios, he explained that he did get help later, but it did not cover everything. “Def Jam [later] gave me $35,000, that’s it. They later told the media they paid for the funeral. That’s not true. Kanye West took care of everything at the Barclays Center,” he said.
DMX died on April 9, 2021, at the age of 50, following a heart attack. His death sparked an outpouring of tributes from fans and peers, but Copeland says that when the time came to handle his burial, few stepped forward to help financially.
“This man made us all millionaires,” Copeland said. “And I had to fight to put this together with my family.”
He confirmed that the rapper did not have a life insurance policy. “Thank God for people that loved him and good relationships,” he said.
Copeland also disputed several details about the public perception of DMX’s funeral, including viral images showing a red monster truck carrying a casket through Brooklyn.
“X was not on top of that truck,” he said. “I wouldn’t allow it because it wasn’t safe. His body was in the hearse behind me going to the Barclays Center. He didn’t leave the funeral home until the day of the service.”
He said he even considered holding a private funeral in Bronxville, New York, before deciding to proceed with a public memorial after speaking with family members.
“I almost did it right there in Bronxville,” Copeland said. “I had all the family together. But they told me, ‘Ray, you can’t do that. The public needs to say goodbye.’ So I finished it out.”
DMX, a Yonkers native, rose to fame in the late 1990s with Ruff Ryders Entertainment and Def Jam Recordings, releasing a string of multi-platinum albums including It’s Dark and Hell Is Hot and Flesh of My Flesh, Blood of My Blood. Known for his raw energy, gravelly voice, and spiritual depth, he became one of the defining artists of Hip-Hop’s golden era.
Despite his commercial success, Copeland said DMX often felt disconnected from the industry and wary of those around him.
“He always said, ‘I ain’t got no friends in the industry,’” Copeland recalled. “And he was right. When he passed, it showed.”
The funeral at Barclays Center drew thousands of fans and featured tributes from his family and musical peers. However, Copeland’s remarks cast new light on what was happening behind the scenes, raising questions about accountability and loyalty within the music business.
“Everybody put out statements, hashtags, and tributes,” Copeland said. “But when it came time to actually do something…silence.”
Attempts to reach reps for Def Jam and Ruff Ryders Entertainment were unsuccessful.
This was Uncle Ray’s first interview. The full conversation with Chuck “Jigsaw” Creekmur and DJ Thoro will be released soon.
Termanology and fellow Massachusetts-bred rapper Sumit recruited Wu-Tang Clan legend Method Man for the new single and video “Ammunition.”
Method Man sets off the track with lyrical gymnastics, packing what feels like a million words into one rhyme over hard hitting drums and infectious horn loop set by Term and Melks.
“Method Man is a hip-hop legend,” Termanology tells AllHipHop. “I am so thankful that he decided to do this song. He pulled up to the video shoot ready to rock, happy, dancing and knowing all the lyrics. In 2025 that is a HUGE deal. I love working with Method man because he’s so cool. He is one of the best rappers of all time. Also he always shows love to the underground.”
Termanology has more than 20 years invested into the culture, with his first album, Hood Politics, arriving in 2003. After rising to prominence with the DJ Premier-produced single “Watch How It Go Down” in 2006, he followed up with the album Politics as Usual and went on to build a vast discography that includes highly regarded collaborations like 1982 with Statik Selektah and Fizzyology with Lil’ Fame. More recently, he did two collaborative albums with Paul Wall, Start 2 Finish (2022) and Start Finish, Repeat (2023), which both smashed Spotify’s one million streams mark.
He’s also the founder of the Good Dad Gang, a movement that encourages responsible fatherhood, and owns the record label ST. Records. Throughout his career, Termanology has released more than 50 projects, working with a wide range of notable artists and producers while consistently upholding a style rooted in gritty, lyrical storytelling and authentic street perspective.
As for Method Man, he wrapped up the Final Chamber Tour with his Wu-Tang brethren in July. He’s reportedly working on a new collaborative album with Havoc from Mobb Deep, Dirty P, which is set to be released in the near future after several delays caused by the COVID-19.
Tyrone Blackburn is pushing back against Fat Joe’s $20 million defamation lawsuit, arguing that the claims made by the rap star’s former hype man should be legally viewed as opinion, not fact.
Terrance Dixon’s legal team, led by Blackburn, is leaning on a recent ruling involving rapper Drake to bolster their defense.
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 reputation was damaged after Kendrick Lamar branded him a “certified pedophile,” similar to claims Dixon made against Fat Joe on social media.
Dixon and Blackburn argue that the statements at the heart of Fat Joe’s complaint were made during a heated public feud and should be protected under the First Amendment as expressive speech.
The defense also emphasized that because Fat Joe is a public figure, the lawsuit must prove “actual malice” — a high legal bar requiring proof that the statements were knowingly false or made with reckless disregard for the truth.
The dispute dates back to March 23, 2025, when Blackburn sent 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 respond, a second letter followed on April 21, threatening a lawsuit and public exposure unless the rapper paid up.
The suit alleges they demanded a $20 million payout in exchange for not filing a lawsuit containing what Fat Joe called “false and outrageous” claims, including allegations of statutory rape, sex trafficking and forced labor.
Dixon also posted on social media, accusing Fat Joe of transporting a 16-year-old girl across state lines for sex, attaching a photo featuring Fat Joe, Diddy and DJ Khaled.
Fat Joe fired back, 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 attorney, Joe Tacopina, referred to Blackburn’s tactics as a “criminal extortion scheme” and pointed to previous court rulings criticizing Blackburn’s legal conduct.
In one case, Judge Denise Cote said Blackburn “improperly files cases in federal court to garner media attention, embarrass defendants… and pressure defendants to settle quickly.”
Fat Joe’s legal team has fought the lawsuit tooth and nail.
Max B is wasting no time making his return felt as the Harlem rapper gears up for a seven-city club tour starting the same day he’s scheduled to walk free after two decades behind bars.
The Dipset affiliate, born Charly Wingate, will kick off his comeback run November 9 with appearances across New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. The final stop is set for December 13 in Trenton, New Jersey, just in time for the holidays.
A countdown clock on his official website is ticking down the days until his release, marking a long-awaited moment for supporters of the rapper known as “Biggaveli.” His team confirmed the tour via social media on October 10, promising a string of celebratory events before the year ends.
Max B was sentenced in 2009 to 75 years in prison for felony murder and armed robbery tied to a 2006 incident in Fort Lee, New Jersey. After serving 20 years, he is expected to be released on November 9, according to a letter from the New Jersey State Parole Board shared on his Instagram page. The post was captioned, “The Wave touches down November 9,” and described his return as “personal.”
The rapper’s reentry into the Hip-Hop world will likely be met with support from longtime peers, including NBA star Karl-Anthony Towns and fellow Harlem native Jim Jones. Max B and Jones publicly ended their long-running feud during a July episode of Drink Champs.
“Listen, Jim said a bunch of hard s### about me. So, we all say hard s### about each other, okay?” Max B said during the interview. “Jim done wished me dead, all type of s###. It’s all good. Listen, man. It’s love, man. I want to start over. I’m a new man. I’m a married man. I got four kids.”
He continued: “Like, I’m on a whole different time right now, my n#### I’m out here to get my money and ride out the sunset with this s###. It’s in there for me, though. I’m going tell you that. So that’s the goal.”
UK drill artistCB was convicted of murder Thursday at London’s Old Bailey after an eight-year investigation linked him to the fatal stabbing of a 24-year-old man in a convenience store ambush tied to gang violence.
The 27-year-old, born Lekan Akinsoji and also known as “Cracky Blacks,” was found guilty alongside Sundjata Keita, also 27, for the 2017 killing of Ahmed Deen-Jah in Custom House, East London.
Prosecutors said the attack was part of a cycle of retaliation between rival gangs.
Deen-Jah had stepped into a corner shop to buy a lighter when he was chased and stabbed by a masked man. Surveillance footage showed him re-entering the store seconds later, bleeding from a chest wound. He died at the scene.
“Eight years on from Ahmed’s vicious murder, today his family finally have the justice they deserve,” said Detective Superintendent Kelly Allen. “Akinsoji and Keita have spent years thinking they have got away with murdering Ahmed, a man who they had never met and didn’t know.”
The case had stalled for years after both men were arrested within days of the April 2, 2017, killing, but were released due to a lack of evidence.
A review of the case in 2023 reignited the investigation, leading to a breakthrough through phone data analysis and forensic testing.
Footage of UK Drill rapper CB and his accomplice SK getting arrested for Ahmed Deen-Jahs murder. pic.twitter.com/nyETI64s3V
Keita’s phone was traced to the getaway vehicle used in the murder, which was later found burned in Epping Forest.
Investigators also discovered a knife sheath near the crime scene that carried Keita’s DNA. DNA matching Akinsoji was recovered from the victim’s hand.
Akinsoji emerged in the UK drill scene in 2017 with his debut track “Take That Risk,” gaining notoriety for his raw lyrics and street-focused narratives.
Drill music has long drawn criticism from authorities and the public over its perceived ties to street crime and gang culture.
Prosecutors argued that the killing was a targeted act of gang rivalry. Both defendants had been driving a stolen car through the neighborhood, allegedly searching for members of a rival crew when they encountered Deen-Jah, who had no known ties to either group.
Ahmed’s father expressed gratitude after the verdict, saying he was “overwhelmed with relief” and praised the detectives for their persistence.
Both men are scheduled to return to court for sentencing on October 24 and face life behind bars.
D4vd transferred both homes from his trust to his mother’s name on September 18 and September 22, according to legal filings obtained by TMZ.
The first transfer occurred the same day police responded to a fake emergency call at one of the Houston-area homes.
The 20-year-old singer’s family was already living in one of the houses. When officers arrived for the swatting incident on September 18, his parents answered the door and told police that his younger siblings were upstairs.
The property transfers come as law enforcement continues to investigate the death of Celeste Rivas, a teenager who had been reported missing from Lake Elsinore, California, earlier this year.
Her body, which had reportedly been decomposing for weeks, was found in the front trunk of D4vd’s Tesla last month.
A day before the first property transfer, authorities executed a search warrant at D4vd’s rental home in Los Angeles.
The D4vd investigation has cast a shadow over his fast-moving career. Born David Anthony Burke in Queens and raised in Texas, he began making music while creating Fortnite gaming content. To avoid copyright issues, he started producing his own tracks using the BandLab app.
His breakout single “Romantic Homicide” exploded on TikTok, earning him a record deal and global attention. The follow-up track “Here With Me” solidified his place in the music industry.
In the wake of the investigation, D4vd canceled the remainder of his tour and postponed the release of his deluxe album “Withered.”
The September 18 swatting call falsely claimed there had been a shooting and a dead female victim at his home.
The caller used a voice-altering device. Police found no evidence of a crime at the scene.
D4vd’s legal team has not issued any public statements regarding the investigation or the property transfers.
Rivas was laid to rest earlier this month. Her family reportedly contacted police 11 times in the year before she disappeared.
The investigation remains active as authorities work to determine how the teen ended up dead in the vehicle.
Doja Cat will join Elton John and Olivia Rodrigo as marquee guests at the 2025 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony this November in Los Angeles, where a star-studded lineup will pay tribute to this year’s honorees in music.
The event is scheduled for November 8 at the Peacock Theater in downtown Los Angeles and will stream live on Disney+, with a later broadcast airing on ABC.
Organizers have not yet detailed which performers will honor which inductees.
This year’s performer class includes Cyndi Lauper, Bad Company, Joe Cocker, Chubby Checker, Outkast, The White Stripes and Soundgarden.
Salt-N-Pepa and Warren Zevon will be recognized for Musical Influence, while Nicky Hopkins, Thom Bell and Carol Kaye will be honored for Musical Excellence. Longtime record executive Lenny Waronker will receive the Ahmet Ertegun Award.
John Sykes, chairman of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation, said in a statement, “Each year the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction ceremony brings together the most influential artists in music today to honor their heroes who have inspired their music and careers.” He added, “These artists come from around the world to create lifetime musical moments that will live on forever.”
The ceremony continues to evolve with a focus on cross-generational performances and global appeal.
Vince Staples is bringing more chaos and charisma back to Netflix as his semi-autobiographical comedy series returns for a second season on November 6 with a darker tone and a fresh trailer to match.
The streaming platform confirmed the premiere date earlier this week, teasing a new chapter of The Vince Staples Show that explores grief, identity and the lingering weight of past mistakes.
The show, set in Long Beach, where Staples grew up, uses absurdist humor and sharp storytelling to reflect the rapper’s real-life experiences.
Season 2 picks up after a devastating loss sends Vince on a chaotic search for peace. But as he tries to move forward, the past keeps pulling him back into old patterns.
The series was created by Staples along with Ian Edelman and Maurice Williams.
Returning cast members include Vanessa Bell Calloway and Naté Jones, while comedian Zack Fox joins the lineup as a guest star this season.
Staples, who built his name in Hip-Hop with albums like Summertime ’06, Big Fish Theory and FM!, has long spoken about the violence and trauma he witnessed growing up in Long Beach.
He once described a summer in Ramona Park as “white-hot,” a time when he lost several friends to street violence before he was even old enough to drive.
That honesty has carried over into his acting. The Vince Staples Show, which debuted in February 2024, quickly drew attention for its mix of surreal comedy and social commentary.
Netflix dropped the trailer alongside the release date, offering a glimpse at the more intense tone.
While still laced with Staples’ dry wit, the upcoming season hints at heavier themes and personal reckoning.
AZ stunned longtime Hip-Hop listeners on October 10 by announcing the upcoming release of Doe or Die III to celebrate the 30th anniversary of his 1995 debut.
The news dropped via social media, where the Brooklyn rapper thanked supporters and confirmed the third installment of the revered series will arrive later this year under his label, Quiet Money Records.
“30years!!! Doe or Die was released 1995!! Thank ya’ll all that supported and held me down! Now in 2025 I will be releasing Doe or Die lll 30th anniversary edition!! COMING SOON!!!” AZ posted on X.
The original Doe or Die, released in October 1995, became a staple of East Coast Hip-Hop. With production from Pete Rock, Buckwild and L.E.S., the album sold over 500,000 copies and earned gold certification.
Its blend of street imagery and lyrical finesse helped define the mafioso rap subgenre and cemented AZ’s reputation as one of the most underrated lyricists of his era.
AZ’s breakout moment came a year earlier with his appearance on Nas’s Illmatic, on the track “Life’s a B####.” That guest verse built anticipation for Doe or Die, which delivered on expectations and has since become a cult classic.
The follow-up, Doe or Die II, landed in 2021, nearly 26 years after the original. Now, with Doe or Die III, AZ is looking to close the trilogy with a project that honors his legacy and reasserts his lyrical presence in the current landscape.
Reactions on X were filled with nostalgia and excitement. Many praised the announcement, calling Doe or Die a landmark in Hip-Hop history.
Doe or Die III is expected to be released before the end of 2025.
Megan Thee Stallion received The Trevor Project’s 2025 Mental Health Champion of the Year Award in Los Angeles on World Mental Health Day, spotlighting her advocacy for LGBTQ+ youth and her push to normalize conversations around emotional well-being.
The Grammy-winning rapper was recognized for her outspoken support of mental health awareness and her work with underserved communities through her Pete & Thomas Foundation.
“I’m honored to receive this year’s Mental Health Champion award from The Trevor Project,” Megan said. “My goal has always been to use my platform to help break stigmas around mental health and provide resources for those seeking safe spaces to have honest and heartfelt conversations.”
The Houston native launched the website BadBitchesHaveBadDaysToo.com in 2022, offering free mental health tools including directories for therapists, crisis lines and support services. The site also features The Trevor Project’s helpline.
Megan’s mental health advocacy has taken center stage in recent years. In 2024, she teamed up with California’s Department of Public Health for the “Never A Bother” suicide prevention campaign.
“I’ve always been told I gotta be strong. Thick-skinned. Stiff upper lip. Tough as nails,” she said in the video. “But to be everything for everybody – it wears on you.”
The Trevor Project’s CEO Jaymes Black applauded Megan’s influence, especially for young people navigating identity and mental health.
“Her raw honesty, bold advocacy, and deep love for her community make her an extraordinary role model – particularly for Black LGBTQ+ youth, who face some of the highest rates of discrimination, mental health challenges, and suicide risk,” Black said.
The award arrives during a turbulent moment for LGBTQ+ mental health services. In July, the federal government shut down the LGBTQ+ support line within the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, which had served over 1.5 million young people since its 2022 launch.
The Trevor Project’s research paints a grim picture: 39% of LGBTQ+ youth seriously considered suicide in the past year, with the number rising to 46% among transgender and nonbinary youth.
One in five Black transgender and nonbinary youth reported attempting suicide during that time. More than half of LGBTQ+ youth who sought mental health care were unable to access it.
Megan has long stood with the LGBTQ+ community. She headlined Los Angeles Pride in 2023 and has publicly condemned homophobia in music. TIME named her one of the 100 Most Influential People in 2020, and Forbes made her the first Black woman to appear solo on its 30 Under 30 cover in 2022.
The Trevor Project continues to offer 24/7 crisis support for LGBTQ+ youth. Help is available by calling 1-866-488-7386, texting START to 678678 or visiting TheTrevorProject.org/Get-Help.
Jalen Hurts and the city of Philadelphia turned local Walnut Street into a scene straight out of a highlight reel Friday as Nike’s first-ever Jordan brand store in the United States opened its doors. And AllHipHop was right there for the massive block party celebration of the affair
Hundreds of people lined the barricades as music from DJ Na$h and DJ Jazzy Jeff filled the air. Then Philly’s own Freeway delivered a high-energy performance with DJ Cory Townes behind him. For observant Hip-Hop heads they recognized that Townes is Jazzy Jeff’s son. Making it even more special was the appearance of Eagles quarterback and Super Bowl 59 MVP Jalen Hurts. He sent the crown into a frenzy the moment he arrived.
Some noticed as the champ walked into the Jordan Brand store and took pictures inside. Outside there were young fans that wore his signature “Love Hurts” hoodies. And then he took the stage.
Fans lifted phones high to capture every second of Hurts’ appearance, chanting his name as he made his way to the stage for a quick Q&A. When asked to name his favorite pair of Jordans, Hurts didn’t hesitate. “Favorite Jordan has to be the eleven. Gotta be the Jordan 11s,” he said, grinning.
Hurts spoke about his admiration for Michael Jordan, calling him a model of excellence. “It’s a daily mindset that you have to have. You look at MJ and the precedent he set for competitive sports and the type of athlete he was,” Hurts said. “I see it as you gotta have a mental focus but you have to have a desire too.”
The event wasn’t just about sneakers or merch. This was a celebration of culture and community. Guests were treated to free food, drinks and giveaways. There was Terrance The Eazy Way, a multi-media artist, creating a collage in real time with Jordan apparel. And, of course, those that could get into the store saw Jordan merchandise and Hurts’ own “Love, Hurts” apparel line. The night represented more than just a store opening.
As the night wound down and Hurts left, Walnut Street continued to buzz with energy. Freeway, Jeff and Townes had performed, but the sense of community stayed well after the highlights.
The Jordan brand store now stands as more than a shopping destination. It’s a statement about where streetwear, sports, Hip-Hop and the city’s soul connect.
Below is a video of the talk back and notable moments.
During the Q&A, Hurts shared insights:
His favorite Jordan shoe is the Jordan 11, and he teased new colorways and models from his signature “Tron” line (3:14–3:44).
He emphasized that his mentality, work ethic, and tenacity mirror Michael Jordan’s approach to competitive sports (3:51–4:35).
Hurts spoke about the value of mental focus, desire, and relentless effort, reminding fans that success is earned (4:51–5:04).
He discussed staying composed through wins and losses, learning from both victories and “agonies” to grow as an athlete (5:08–5:42).
He expressed his love for Philadelphia and its passionate, hardworking people, saying he was “chosen for this city” (6:19–6:59).
He attributed his drive for excellence to learning from failure and committing fully to his goals (7:00–7:30).
Nelly scored a legal victory in Missouri federal court after a judge tossed out a lawsuit from Ali of the St. Lunatics and sanctioned his attorneys for filing what the court deemed a meritless case.
Ali Jones, who performed alongside Nelly in the Hip-Hop group, accused the rapper of copyright infringement and unjust enrichment, claiming he was denied credit and compensation for contributions to songs on Nelly’s 2000 debut album Country Grammar.
But U.S. District Judge Audrey G. Fleissig dismissed the claims, ruling they were either legally invalid, filed too late or both.
The court found that Ali had received a letter from Nelly’s legal team in June 2021 rejecting his authorship and payment claims.
That letter, the judge said, started the clock on the three-year deadline to file a copyright claim. Ali didn’t file until after that window had closed.
Ali’s legal team attempted to circumvent the timing issue by modifying the complaint and omitting key dates. The court found that strategy to be in bad faith.
“The Court finds that Plaintiffs’ counsel acted unreasonably and vexatiously in continuing to pursue claims that were clearly time-barred and preempted,” the order stated.
The judge also rejected Ali’s unjust enrichment argument, stating it was essentially a repackaged copyright claim. Under federal law, such claims are not allowed when they duplicate copyright issues.
Because of the baseless nature of the case, the court ordered Ali’s attorneys to pay a $1,000 fine and reimburse Nelly for legal fees incurred after the first complaint.
The judge did not penalize Ali personally, but instead criticized him and his legal team for proceeding without valid grounds.
The ruling emphasized that Nelly’s legal response in 2021 was clear and final, leaving no ambiguity about Ali’s lack of rights to the songs in question.
The decision closes the door on Ali’s attempt to claim authorship more than two decades after the release of “Country Grammar.”
