50 Cent donated $500,000 to nine nonprofits across Shreveport and Caddo Parish on Wednesday, focusing on organizations that support domestic violence survivors.
Fif made the check presentation at the Martin Luther King Development Center, where he explained the inspiration behind his generous contribution.
“The idea of making a donation to these organizations that came along with producing the documentary for Netflix, and I said I would donate proceeds to domestic violence,” 50 Cent said.
The nine organizations receiving funds are Gingerbread House, The Fountain’s Community Development Corporation, Families Helping Families Region 7, Elle Foundation, Moms on a Mission, Best 13, MLK Community Development Corporation, MLK Neighborhood Association, and Northwest Louisiana Youth Golf & Education Foundation.
50 Cent emphasized his connection to the community and the direct impact of the donation.
“I didn’t say where I would make the donations, but I like Shreveport. And the dollars that we’re giving to these particular nonprofits will go directly to people. That’s how impactful this is,” he said.
District A Councilwoman Tabitha Taylor highlighted the critical need for these services as domestic violence cases continue to rise across the parish.
The funds will support essential resources including housing assistance and legal help for survivors.
“It’s a life-altering moment, and sometimes the silent victims, which are the children, voices are never heard. Today, we want to make sure that those victims know that they have a voice,” Taylor said.
The donation aims to help survivors access comprehensive support services and move toward healing and safety.
“I’m excited to be a part of a community and participate in a different way,” 50 Cent said.
Shreveport leaders emphasized that the goal is to ensure survivors can easily access resources and support victims in rebuilding their lives.
The nonprofits will use the funds for ongoing education, awareness, and resources to help families affected by domestic violence.
Snoop Dogg is stepping into a completely different lane with a true crime thriller that’s got serious heavyweight backing behind it.
The West Coast legend will star in and produce “God Of The Rodeo,” a film based on Daniel Bergner’s acclaimed reporting about Angola Prison in Louisiana.
The project’s got Ridley Scott and his production company Scott Free involved alongside Giannina Scott producing through Cara Films.
Director Rosalind Ross is writing and directing the film, which tells the story of an inmate named Buckkey serving a life sentence who discovers a glimmer of hope through the prison’s first-ever rodeo competition.
Snoop’s Death Row Pictures partner Sara Ramaker is also producing, and the whole team is bringing serious creative firepower to this story.
According to Deadline, Snoop said about the collaboration: “Linking up with Scott Free Productions and working with Ridley Scott and Giannina Scott on God of the Rodeo is life changing and an honor. Rosalind Ross brought a story with heart and grit, and that’s what I’m about. Me and the team at Death Row Pictures stepping in as producers, I’m acting in it, and Death Row Records is building the soundtrack—and this one got soul.”
Ridley Scott praised Snoop’s involvement, saying he’s “one of the most gifted and influential artists alive, with admirers and fans all over the world and from every generation transcending music, sports and culture.”
The legendary filmmaker added that he and his companies are “so excited and blessed to have Snoop join the cast, and for him, Sara and Death Row Pictures to partner with us to produce this important and soulful project.”
Snoop’s involvement in major film productions continues to expand his legacy beyond music into serious cinematic storytelling.
Named AllHipHop’s 2024 Person of the Year and more Snoop’s been building Death Row Pictures as a multi-year partnership with NBCUniversal, and this project represents the kind of ambitious, culturally significant work the company is pursuing.
Tiny Harris addressed 50 Cent’s feud with T.I. on The Breakfast Club Thursday March 26 explaining why she stood firm after her family became part of the public dispute.
The Xscape singer did not hesitate when discussing how her sons King Harris and Domani Harris stepped into the drama. She described their actions as a “proud moment” and praised their musical responses to the controversy. Tiny specifically pointed to Domani’s track “Miss Jackson” which references 50 Cent and his late mother Sabrina Jackson as a strong showing from her son.
The situation however was not without complications inside the family.
Tiny admitted King reacted strongly to comments made about her and said his emotions sometimes pushed things too far online. She revealed she personally tried to intervene when the exchanges escalated into personal territory.
According to Tiny she contacted King directly and urged him to remove certain social media posts particularly after he mentioned 50 Cent’s estranged son Marquise Jackson. She said her son did not follow through with those requests.
King admitted to AllHipHop’s Chuck “Jigsaw” Creekmur that Tiny did not like some of the sharper disses towards 50 Cent.
“I mean, she… she didn’t like it. She didn’t like it at all. But I told her war is not pretty,” he said.
Despite the headlines and online chatter Tiny made it clear she was not personally shaken by being pulled into the dispute.
“I already knew it was coming. And it came. But I was expecting it. I don’t think anyone else was expecting it, but I was.
“I think he should have kept the beef with the man you were dealing with. Why are you bringing his woman into it? You’re dealing with a man, deal with the man, it ain’t got nothing to do with me. Like, who goes after the woman? That’s crazy. Regardless of what you thought, that’s crazy. You should be dealing with the man. That’s ya’ll beef right?”
The tension between 50 Cent and T.I. reportedly began as competitive talk about who would win in a hypothetical Verzuz battle. The tone shifted after 50 posted an unflattering image of Tiny on social media which intensified the conflict.
From there the situation expanded into diss records pointed commentary and online exchanges that involved family members from both sides. King and Domani each entered the conversation musically while 50 Cent continued to address the situation through social media posts and entertainment projects.
As of now 50 Cent has not publicly responded to Tiny’s latest remarks.
21 Savage might be known for cold lyrics, but the rumors have nothing to do with music. Marriage rumors refuse to disappear while his smitten devotion to Latto is becoming all the rage. Now a single social media post has the rumor mill spinning like plates.
The Atlanta rapper recently reposted Latto’s Paper Magazine cover where she proudly showed off her growing baby bump. His caption was short, cryptic and very 21 Savage: “Big mama, not the little one,”along with four dagger emojis. For a man who usually keeps his private life locked in a vault, that was loud af.
Naturally, the internet did what the internet does.
“21 has spoken 🔥 y’all leave them folks alone. I love this,” one fan wrote.
Another added, “Alright nowwwww we getting somewhereeeeeee.”
They even made events up for them. “Yeah, they’re popping out together for the gender reveal or baby shower, one of the two.”
Here is where things get interesting. For years there have been whispers that 21 Savage may have been married privately. He reportedly / allegedly has two kids with a woman named Keyanna Joseph, the mother in question. But a consistent connection to Latto is looking like the long game.
Latto is not here for the rumors, but is definitely using the pregnancy as a rollout of sorts. She’s tried to put boundaries around all the commotion, while simultaneously creating it. In her Paper Magazine interview she made it clear she is not interested in public approval.
“I have nothing to prove to anyone. I have no rumor to clear up,” she says. “I’ve been with my man for years now, and it ain’t going nowhere. To me, that’s clearly a result of me moving and operating how I do.”
She also explained why she keeps things close to the chest.
“When it comes to female rappers, female artists — we’re told that we have to put so much of our life out there, and then it becomes too much about our personal life and not enough of the music,” Latto added. “That’s how stuff just ends up crashing and burning, because you’ve got too many cooks in the kitchen. I’m my own person outside of my relationship as well. I don’t want to make that the forefront of my existence, my career. I got a man at home, I’m happy, and I’m well taken care of, and that’s about all anyone needs to know.”
So what is the truth? We know divorce can take years. Is this a complicated love story with old ties? Or is this just another case of fans connecting dots that have no connection?
One thing feels certain: these two are linked for life! And we are linked to them too…through the talk.
They had a heated confrontation at an exclusive Oscars afterparty hosted by Beyoncé and Jay-Z. This was not an ego thing, but more about unresolved history according to the chatter.
According to the rumor circuit, things allegedly got weird when Usher approached Bieber at the Chateau Marmont gathering on March 15. Witnesses claim the exchange was heated but never physical. Some have said it was though. Still, the alleged tension is being framed as something that has been brewing for years rather than a random disagreement at a Hollywood function.
To understand why this rumor even has traction, you have to rewind to the beginning.
Usher famously helped discover Bieber as a teenager after his YouTube clips started circulating online. That mentorship helped transform Bieber from a talented kid with a webcam into one of the biggest pop stars of his generation. But along with that success reportedly came exposure to powerful industry figures, including Sean “Diddy” Combs, whose recent legal troubles have forced many to reexamine old industry relationships.
Bieber may have been reflecting on those early experiences differently now that he is older and a father himself. One unnamed source suggested Bieber feels he was introduced to environments he may not fully have understood at the time. Another narrative floating around suggests Usher may feel his role in Bieber’s rise is being overlooked. He wants more credit? Hmmmmm
Publicly, neither Usher nor Bieber has confirmed any disagreement. So all of. this stays in the rumors section. It should also be stated explicitly that Bieber’s representatives have clarified that he was not a victim connected to Diddy’s criminal case. So, although there were some strange optics, nothing truly crazy happened.
But these rumors do not go away easy. Those old clips still show a teenage Bieber around Diddy and other industry figures. In today’s climate, people look with a more critical lens, whether fairly or not. Bill Cosby just lost a lawsuit that goes back to the 70s so anything is possible.
The Brooklyn native, born Shawn Carter, now holds an estimated net worth of $2.8 billion, according to recent industry valuations, placing him ahead of fellow music moguls and solidifying his transformation from rapper to apex-level entrepreneur.
What makes Jay-Z’s financial rise notable is not just the music. While his catalog remains valuable, much of his fortune comes from strategic investments, alcohol brands, technology stakes and entertainment ventures that reflect a long game approach to wealth building.
His company Roc Nation, founded in 2008, operates as a full-service entertainment agency representing athletes, musicians and producers. The company also manages publishing, touring and brand partnerships, positioning Jay-Z as an executive power player as much as a recording artist.
His liquor investments proved especially lucrative. Jay-Z helped elevate Armand de Brignac champagne, often called Ace of Spades, into a luxury status symbol before selling a majority stake to LVMH in 2021. He later sold a majority interest in D’Ussé cognac to Bacardi in a deal that reportedly valued the brand in the hundreds of millions.
Technology investments also boosted his wealth. Jay-Z was an early investor in Uber, a move frequently cited as one of his smartest financial decisions outside of music. He has also maintained interests in art collections and real estate, including high-value properties in California and New York.
His approach to ownership traces back to his early career when he co-founded Roc-A-Fella Records after struggling to secure a traditional deal. That independent mindset later became a blueprint for artists seeking equity instead of simple endorsement checks.
Jay-Z has often spoken about financial literacy in Hip-Hop and the importance of generational wealth. His business moves helped shift the culture’s conversation from just record sales to ownership and investment.
While his albums like Reasonable Doubt and The Blueprint remain cultural pillars, his evolution into a billionaire businessman may ultimately define his long-term impact.
Andy Muschinetti and Barbara Muschietti know a thing or two about pushing the boundaries of genre storytelling. The filmmaking siblings, known for bringing emotional depth to spectacle-driven cinema, were immediately drawn to They Will Kill You because of its fearless mix of horror, comedy and social undertones. Their instincts proved right.
They Will Kill You follows a woman (Zazie Beetz) searching for her missing sister (Myha’la) who becomes trapped in a dangerous cult, forcing her to confront trauma, power structures and survival. Beneath the film’s action and chaos lies a deeper commentary about control, injustice and the human need for connection.
Chuck “Jigsaw” Creekmur spoke with the Muschiettis about their horror roots, their upbringing in Argentina and why the film’s themes of power and injustice resonate far beyond the screen.
Chuck “Jigsaw” Creekmur: First of all, congratulations. I thoroughly enjoyed the movie. Totally mind-blowing. What attracted you both to this film?
BarbaraMuschietti: That we wanted to see this movie. We read it—we read a lot of stuff—and when we read this, we said, what is the fastest way we can actually see this movie? Let’s make this movie.
Andy Muschietti: Yeah. For me it was the combination of horror and comedy. Some of the humor that you see in the movie was very much present in the script. Some of it was created in the execution because there’s a lot of slapstick and visual sarcasm that isn’t necessarily in the script, but it was already kind of there.
So that was my first attraction to it. And then meeting (director) Kirill (Sokolov), who’s a lunatic—in the best way—and adorable. He’s very communicative. He’s a scientist, a physicist, and he’s excellent at explaining what he wants. That made it very easy for us because we knew what he wanted to do. Our job was about protecting what he wanted to do and giving him the tools to do it.
Chuck Creekmur: Did you all grow up watching horror and loving horror?
Andy Muschietti: Oh yes. A lot. Our parents got us into it by letting us watch things.
Barbara Muschietti: Our parents weren’t huge genre fans. They just left the TV on and we saw things we probably shouldn’t have seen.
Andy Muschietti: We saw Dr. Phibes when we were like six and seven, and that changed things forever. But when they saw we were attracted to it, they didn’t keep it away from us, which was great. It became a great family activity.
Every Saturday night there was a program in Argentina—we grew up there—and we would sit in front of our 12-inch black-and-white TV and watch movies. We watched The Omega Man, Dr. Phibes, The Manster, The Hand, Night of the Scarecrow, The Illustrated Man, and a lot of Hammer horror films. That’s how horror was imprinted in us.
Chuck Creekmur: This movie touches on a lot of underlying themes as well. Is that relatable to you in any way? I know you’re working on documentaries and you’re from Argentina.
Andy Muschietti: Well, we grew up in Argentina. If you grow up in South America, no matter what sector of society you’re in, you understand how structures of power work. You grow up with a sense of injustice and corporate greed. Corruption—government corruption—has been around for decades in countries like Argentina.
So you grow up understanding social injustice is real. There are cultures that are maybe a little more numb to that. When we came to America, because things seem to work better here than in parts of South America, people weren’t necessarily as aware or fighting against those things. Should I stop talking?
Barbara Muschietti: No, I think lately people are more aware. We were hyper-aware as kids, like many Argentinian kids are, about how horrible things can go. We grew up during a military dictatorship. The transition out of that when we were 13 and 11 felt like a miracle.
When we came to America, it was weird to see so many people our age who were apolitical or not very involved. But now, with everything happening, young people are becoming…really into changing.
J. Cole finally decided to open the vault on one of Hip-Hop’s most whispered about altercations.
After more than a decade of speculation, the Dreamville general has confirmed he really did get into a physical confrontation with Sean “Diddy” Combs during a 2013 MTV VMAs after party. For years, the story was like folklore. Now we know it was not just barbershop talk.
Speaking recently on Cam’ron’s Talk With Flee platform, Cole admitted the moment was real but explained why he kept quiet. According to Cole, timing and respect played a major role in his silence.
“I was gonna put it out because me & Puff were cool, we were in a good spot, but when everything happened, I’m like, nah, I don’t wanna give the world more ammo,” he said in the clip.
“Everything” is coded language for Diddy was in some sh#t!
Cole said he had every intention of telling the story at some point, but once the legal troubles surrounding Diddy became “a thing” and he opted not to.
Ironically, the origin of the clash sounds like pure Hip-Hop competitiveness. Punch, president of TDE, previously gave his own eyewitness recollection during a 2022 appearance on Math Hoffa’s My Expert Opinion. According to Punch, the tension stemmed from Kendrick Lamar’s now legendary verse on Jay Electronica’s Control, the same verse where Kendrick boldly declared himself the King of New York and sent lyrical warning shots across the genre.
“[Jay-Z] and Puff are doing the dinner that they usually do. This whole thing was packed like 70-30 celebrities,” Punch said at the time. “Puff and Cole were talking about the verse, and they ended up getting into a little back and forth. When we came in, Cole and Kendrick were talking about…the verse. Puff came back over, and the argument sparked up again. So from there they ended up getting in the whole scuffle in the club.”
Today the story lands differently.
Diddy’s 2025 conviction has him in the bing for a couple of years.
Rihanna faced gunfire in Beverly Hills and now a Florida has woman pleaded not guilty to attempted murder charges after bullets struck a trailer where the singer and A$AP Rocky were staying.
A newly released police report outlined frightening moments inside the household as prosecutors say Ivanna Lisette Ortiz allegedly fired multiple rounds toward the property while the A$AP Rocky and their children were present.
Authorities told the Associated Press no injuries were reported despite the severity of the incident.
Ortiz, a 35 year old Orlando resident with no prior criminal history, entered not guilty pleas Wednesday in Los Angeles Superior Court to attempted murder along with more than a dozen additional felony charges. If convicted on all counts she could face life in prison.
Investigators said Ortiz arrived near the Beverly Hills area residence on March 8 in a white Tesla before allegedly pointing an AR-15 style rifle from the vehicle and firing at least 20 rounds toward the home and a neighboring property.
According to the police report, Rihanna told detectives she was sitting near a window inside the Airstream trailer parked in the driveway when she heard loud metallic banging sounds. After noticing bullet damage to the trailer window she immediately woke A$AP Rocky.
Rocky later told investigators Rihanna alerted him to the danger as he slept in the rear section of the trailer.
Two rounds struck the trailer’s reinforced window but failed to penetrate the glass while another reportedly hit the exterior. The couple reportedly dropped to the floor before running into the main residence where their three children, Rihanna’s mother and staff members were located.
Authorities said a bullet hole was later discovered on the exterior of a nursery where the children were staying with a nanny. The nanny reportedly told police she initially did not realize the sounds were gunfire.
Investigators documented at least 10 bullet impacts across gates and walls along with fragments recovered from the front porch area. A neighboring residence was also struck during the incident.
Ortiz faces 10 counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm tied to the individuals present along with three additional counts related to shooting at occupied dwellings.
After her arrest Ortiz briefly addressed investigators before requesting legal counsel.
“Can I say one sentence?” she said. “I would like to say that I wasn’t attempting murder. But that’s all I wanted to say.”
Prosecutors argued she presents a serious public safety risk. Deputy District Attorney Alexander Bott described the allegations in stark terms.
“This case involves a dangerous, deliberate shooting into occupied homes,” Bott said. “This is the kind of conduct that could easily have resulted in multiple homicides.”
Authorities said Ortiz was arrested hours later inside her vehicle where police allegedly recovered the rifle, additional ammunition and a wig prosecutors believe was intended as a disguise.
Court records show Ortiz worked as a licensed speech pathologist for more than a decade. A judge granted a request preventing her from practicing in California as the case proceeds.
Officials have not publicly identified a motive or confirmed any connection between Ortiz and Rihanna. Prosecutors also confirmed they are reviewing Ortiz’s social media activity in the days leading up to the shooting as the investigation continues.
Esham Faces Decade Long Lawsuit Over Sampling Claims That Ended In Default Judgment
Esham and a multimillion dollar copyright lawsuit became intertwined in Detroit years before streaming changed the music economy and long before independent artists fully understood the legal risks of sampling.
Legal records show the Detroit rapper, born Rashann A. Smith, was sued in 2003 by Bridgeport Music, Southfield Music and Westbound Records over alleged unauthorized sampling. The companies initially sought about $4.65 million in damages connected to claims involving material associated with Parliament Funkadelic, the Ohio Players, George Clinton and the Detroit Emeralds.
The case would stretch nearly a decade.
Court documents obtained by Rap Therapy indicate the lawsuit centered on allegations that Esham used musical elements without securing clearance, a common legal issue during Hip Hop’s heavy sampling era when many independent artists operated without major label legal infrastructure.
The case ultimately concluded in 2013 with a default judgment totaling $33,690.41 along with $10,156.07 in attorney fees, bringing the total judgment to $43,846.48.
Difficulty locating Esham slowed the case
One unusual aspect of the litigation involved repeated failed attempts to formally serve Esham with legal documents.
According to sworn testimony referenced in court filings, individuals connected to his professional circle indicated they did not maintain consistent contact with the artist. Testimony from booking agent John Finberg and Psychopathic Records associate Alex Abyss reportedly indicated they did not know how to reliably reach him and described his appearances as unpredictable.
Attorney Shari Lesnick documented multiple attempts to serve Esham in 2003.
Records show she first attempted service July 19, 2003 at a last known address on Schoenherr Street in Detroit. A second attempt followed July 22 at the Emerald Theatre where he was scheduled to perform but did not appear. Another attempt occurred Oct. 10 at Harpo’s concert venue where service again was unsuccessful.
Because he was never formally served, the case eventually proceeded without his participation, resulting in the default judgment.
Financial outcome smaller than original claim
While the original claim sought millions, the final judgment amount was significantly lower. The reduced figure reflects the reality that many sampling disputes eventually resolve for far less than initial demands, particularly when cases proceed by default rather than trial.
During the mid 1990s, when Esham was at a commercial peak, physical album sales represented a major revenue stream across Hip Hop. However, the lawsuit outcome reflects only the specific claims addressed in court rather than overall career earnings.
Questions about catalog rights remain unclear
Documents reviewed in the case indicate the plaintiffs pursued claims connected to rights associated with certain recordings. However, publicly available records do not clearly establish the current ownership status of Esham’s broader catalog.
Long shadow of sampling era disputes
The lawsuit represents one of many legal disputes that emerged from Hip Hop’s sample driven production era, when clearance practices were less standardized among independent artists.
Cases like this helped shape the more cautious legal framework surrounding music production today, particularly for artists working outside major label systems.
MAGA, Minaj and Met might be the talk of the town in a fraction of this is true.
Nicki Minaj could be facing a fashion world cold shoulder as rumors swirl that politics and industry beef could keep her away from the 2026 Met Gala. This is the MET…. Minaj seems to invite controversy, but now her alignment with Donald Trump may have fkd her up in a mayor way.
According to a report from Rob Shutter’s Naughty But Nice column, there is chatter that the the one now called MAGA Minaj is being quietly excluded from the event. One unnamed insider did not mince words when describing what they claim is happening behind the scenes.
“Nicki’s invitations didn’t just slow down — they vanished,” the source said. “Hollywood stopped returning her calls. This isn’t subtle anymore. She’s been shut out.”
If true, this would mark a life-changing shift for an artist who has been part of the broader pop culture elite for-ever. Nicki has built a career on unpredictability, but this situation feels different. Harsh consequences tied to the moment.
Unless you were under a massive rock, Minaj publicly showed support for Trump and even appeared at a Treasury Department event connected to his “Trump Accounts” initiative. That visibility reportedly did not sit well in certain entertainment circles.
“Hollywood doesn’t forgive this kind of alignment — especially when it’s loud and unapologetic,” another source reportedly said. “Once she went full MAGA on that stage, the door didn’t just close — it locked.”
But – this narrative is only half of the story.
Beefing with Roc Nation and Jay-Z can also cause issues. I am betting that Jay will show up this year. Timing matters. They have more-or-less confirmed that Beyoncé is returning to the Met Gala spotlight as a co-chair alongside Venus Williams and Nicole Kidman, which means some people are getting bumped.
Another source said “nobody wants to touch” her, talking about Minaj.
Of course, This is all still rumor territory. Nicki Minaj has not publicly addressed any Met Gala speculation. She has been very quiet too. Whether she shows up on those famous steps or skips the spectacle we shall be all eyes and ears.
H.E.R. is stepping into voice acting for the first time with DreamWorks Animation’s upcoming animated adventure “Forgotten Island,” and the Grammy-winning artist couldn’t be more excited about bringing her heritage to the screen.
The film, set in the 1990s, follows two best friends, Jo and Raissa, as they stumble upon a magical portal while celebrating their last night together before heading off to college.
What they discover on the other side is a world rooted in Filipino folklore, complete with shapeshifters, demons, witches, and monsters that test their friendship in ways they never expected.
Joining H.E.R. in the voice cast is Liza Soberano, who plays Raissa alongside H.E.R.’s Jo.
The pair’s chemistry brings authenticity to a story about friendship and cultural pride.
According to Variety, H.E.R. spoke about the significance of the project, saying she grew up hearing these Filipino stories from her mother and is thrilled to share that piece of her childhood with the world.
Soberano echoed similar sentiments, expressing her longtime dream of seeing the Philippines represented accurately in a major studio production that remains universal enough for global audiences to connect with.
The animation style pushes the medium’s boundaries with anime-inspired action sequences and character expressions, while the cinematography mimics live-action filmmaking with wide lenses and light leaks that visually connect to the film’s themes of memory and nostalgia.
“Forgotten Island” arrives in theaters on September 25, 2026, and marks a significant moment for representation in mainstream animation.
T.I. and Drumma Boy are bringing the real story of trap music to the big screen with a documentary short film that’s hitting the Atlanta Film Festival on April 25, and this isn’t just another music doc.
The project, directed by Christopher Scholar, explores how the architects who created the genre captivated the entire world and gave forgotten voices a platform to be heard.
Both T.I. and Drumma Boy serve as executive producers and stars, alongside DJ Toomp, Don Cannon, Young Dro, and several other legends who helped build the sound from the ground up.
T.I. broke it down in a statement, saying, “Look, man, before it was just a pop culture buzzword, the trap was our reality. It was survival. We took the struggle of life beneath the poverty line in the Crack Era, set it over some organs, snares, synths, hi-hats, and heavy 808s, and gave a voice to the voiceless. The Birth of Trap Music ain’t just a documentary, it’s our history. Period.”
Drumma Boy added his perspective, explaining that the project is bigger than just a documentary series.
“It’s a cultural time capsule,” he said. “I wanted to bring the architects, the innovators, and the voices of the streets together to tell the real story of how trap was born and how it changed music forever.”
Trap emerged from neighborhoods where opportunities were scarce, and entire generations were marked by poverty and policing.
Out of that pressure came a sound that carried both pain and possibility, reshaping the global music industry.
According to Variety, the documentary is an official selection at the Atlanta Film Festival, which marks a significant moment for the genre’s recognition in the film world.
The premiere screening is scheduled for March 29, 2026, at the Tara Theater in Atlanta, with the full festival run beginning April 25.
The film’s recognition at an Oscar-qualifying festival signals that trap music’s cultural impact continues to resonate far beyond the streets where it was born.
Cardi B sat down with Allure to react to some of the hottest TikTok trends making waves online, and she didn’t hold back with her opinions.
The rapper tested everything from lace lip designs to Japanese cheesecake hacks, giving her unfiltered thoughts on what works and what doesn’t.
Cardi B approved the stretch mark tattoo trend, connecting it to her own experience with motherhood.
She shared her personal journey with stretch marks after giving birth to her daughter, Blossom.
“I approve this trend. With my daughter, Blossom, I got these stretch marks in between my thighs, like really close to my v##### and they’re very dark and I don’t know what to do ’cause I never had stretch marks before,” the rapper revealed.
“I don’t have stretch marks in my stomach or in my butt, and now I got these really dark stretch marks around my v#####. I don’t know. If somebody could gimme some stretch marks tips, please help me out,” she added.
The viral Japanese cheesecake trend got Cardi B excited. She tasted the dessert and said it was better than regular cheesecake, noting that it was less sweet.
This led her to share her love of chocolate and sweets, which she’s had since childhood.
“My favorite dessert, anything with chocolate. I love chocolate. I like chocolate treats, I like chocolate, man, I like chocolate,” Cardi revealed.
Throughout the video, Cardi B showed her personality and willingness to try new things, even when she wasn’t sure about them.
Her honest reactions and personal stories made the TikTok trends segment entertaining and relatable for viewers.
Tommie Lee has the internet doing double takes after she was spotted looking very comfortable with Julez Smith, the 21 year old son of Solange Knowles. What started as party footage has now turned into one of those Hip-Hop adjacent debates where people argue facts, feelings and timelines all at once.
Here is what we actually know versus what people are assuming.
First, the facts. Video clips circulating online do appear to show the reality TV personality and the young model spending time together during a night out. In one widely shared clip, Tommie can be seen on Julez’s back while the two laugh and appear flirtatious. In another moment that has fueled the chatter, they appear to be kissing or at least extremely close in an intimate way.
There is also video where Julez allegedly says, “Typa s**t you do when you like somebody.” Tommie is also heard calling him “my baby” and complimenting his looks. Those moments are real in the sense that the footage exists and people are reacting to what they see.
Now here is where things move into rumor territory.
Nobody involved has confirmed they are actually dating. No reaction from Solange, but the internet is another story. They are going bonkers.
The age difference. Tommie is 41. Julez is 21. That twenty year gap has become the center of the online debate. Some people say he is a grown man and free to live his life. Others are asking if the reaction would be different if the genders were reversed. That conversation is happening whether anyone likes it or not.
One detail that really sent social media into detective mode is that Tommie is reportedly older than Solange herself. Yowza!
Solange is 39 years young.
For those wondering, Julez is not a random civilian anymore. He has quietly stepped into modeling and fashion circles as he has gotten older, slowly becoming a public figure in his own right instead of just being known as Beyoncé’s nephew. Even the gays love him…or hate him. I will get into that later, perhaps.
So where does that leave us?
Right now this sits exactly where a good rumor lives. There is visual evidence they were together and appeared affectionate. There is zero confirmation they are a couple. Until somebody says something directly, everything beyond what is visible remains speculation.
And honestly, knowing how the internet works, somebody probably will say something soon.
Fresh off receiving his Hollywood Walk of Fame star, Bill Duke continues to prove why he remains one of the most respected figures in film. The veteran actor and director, known for powerful performances in Predator, Commando, Menace II Society and his directing work on Deep Cover and Sister Act 2, has spent more than five decades shaping Hollywood both in front of and behind the camera.
The recent honor adds to a career defined by perseverance, leadership and a commitment to telling meaningful stories. But the 83-year old isn’t looking backward. In his conversation with AllHipHop’s Chuck “Jigsaw” Creekmur, he focused heavily on the future, particularly artificial intelligence, independent filmmaking, and how creators must evolve to survive.
Along the way, he also shared stories about Jean-Claude Van Damme’s surprising connection to Predator, working with Lauryn Hill early in her career, navigating racism in Hollywood, and why Hip-Hop legend KRS-One remains one of his biggest inspirations.
Below are the most compelling moments from the conversation, but please watch the longer video for the incredibly full, informative conversation.
AllHipHop: Technology is changing Hollywood quickly. What are your thoughts about AI entering filmmaking?
Bill Duke: I think it’s evolving. When I was coming up, you had to be discovered to be successful. Now these young people are discovering themselves and making money. I’m not talking about thousands. I’m talking millions of dollars. Sometimes the quality is good and sometimes it’s not, but they’re still gaining profit. It’s a whole new age.
There’s a film on YouTube now that AI wrote, directed, created the characters, edited and even created the score. AI did the whole thing. I’m not against AI, but I think we have to be careful how we use it so that it does not annihilate us.
AllHipHop: Are you worried about actors being replaced?
Bill Duke: AI can save you a lot of money in certain areas, but I don’t want to replace people with AI. I don’t want to do that. You can combine both. I want to find ways to use actors and AI together because the technology can help with budgets, but I don’t believe in replacing human talent.
AllHipHop:Predator remains one of your most iconic films. What does that role mean to you today?
Bill Duke: It’s probably one of the most significant roles I’ve had in terms of the integrity of the character and what the message of the film really was. But I always tell people the Predator you saw wasn’t the original Predator.
The original creature was much smaller and flew through the trees with lasers. The actor had to wear a full body suit in temperatures sometimes reaching 110 degrees. He passed out three times from dehydration. The producer told him if he passed out again he would be fired because it was costing money. The actor said he wasn’t doing it on purpose, he was dehydrated.
Two weeks later he passed out again. The producer fired him. That actor was Jean-Claude Van Damme. It was the first movie he’d ever been in.
AllHipHop: What was filming like in those conditions?
Bill Duke: We were literally in the middle of the jungle. The cook had put netting around the food tent, but for the first few days there were bugs in the food. We told him we weren’t eating that. He said, “Guys, we’re in the jungle.”
By the fourth day they were called protein. (Laughs)
AllHipHop: You’ve survived Hollywood for decades. How did you deal with racism and pressure?
Bill Duke: Through the grace of God and transcendental meditation. I meditate twice a day. It takes the stress out of my body, clarifies my mind and gives me strength mentally, physically and spiritually. Meditation has literally saved my life.
There are people who can get under your skin. Meditation allows me to take a breath rather than taking their breath.
AllHipHop: Was there a moment where you really had to control yourself?
Bill Duke: I was the first Black director on Knots Landing. I dressed up in my suit, had my briefcase and even though my car was secondhand I washed and polished it because I was proud.
I pulled up to the gate and the security guard looked at me and said, “Who are you delivering for?”
I wanted to say I was about to deliver a can of whoop ass. But if I had done that I would have been labeled the angry Black man and never worked again.
So instead I said, “What I’m delivering is I’m the first Black director on Knots Landing. Open the gate.”
The look on his face was very rewarding.
AllHipHop: Do filmmakers have to compromise their vision sometimes?
Bill Duke: It’s called show business. It’s not just about your ego or your passion. It’s about your audience and whether you can make the investor their money back with a profit.
There are compromises you’re willing to make and compromises you’re not willing to make. As long as the compromise doesn’t make your children ashamed of you, you deal with reality. But if it would shame your children or grandchildren, you shouldn’t go that far.
AllHipHop: You directed Lauryn Hill early in her career in Sister Act 2. What stood out about her?
Bill Duke: It was one of the best experiences I ever had. Her mother really helped train her and she was incredibly talented. There wasn’t much you had to say. She would ask what you wanted and whatever you said she would execute.
She could dance, she could sing and she was a wonderful actress. She still is.
AllHipHop: What did you think about rappers transitioning into acting?
Bill Duke: In terms of rap artists, the foundation for me was KRS-One. When you listen to his music he made you think and feel. He was courageous and political. He made you think about your worth.
And he wasn’t disrespectful to Black women. His music was powerful. KRS-One was the foundation for me.
AllHipHop: Did you know your Menace II Society role would become so iconic?
Bill Duke: I had no idea. I was overseas walking down the street and some kids recognized me and quoted the line from the movie. That’s when I realized how far that role had traveled culturally.
AllHipHop: What inspired you to create Dark Girls?
Bill Duke: A friend sent me a video of a dark-skinned little girl in kindergarten being asked questions about dolls. Who is smartest? She pointed to the white doll. Who is most beautiful? White doll. Who is ugliest? She pointed to the dark girl.
When I saw that I said I had to do something.
AllHipHop: What keeps you motivated now?
Bill Duke: I’m still developing scripts and looking for funding. I’m getting into podcasts and new media. I’m trying to use AI and technology to my benefit because I don’t want to give up.
When AI first came out I was concerned, but the genie isn’t going back in the bottle. You have to embrace it and use it in a positive way.
Bricc Baby faces federal prison time tied to a sweeping Rolling 60’s crackdown and now he is asking a judge to look beyond the indictment and focus on a life shaped by trauma and survival.
Bricc Baby pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm after his name surfaced in a broader federal case tied to the Rollin’ 60s Neighborhood Crips.
That investigation, built over several years, targeted what federal authorities described as a network connected to the Rollin’ 60s and an alleged enterprise led by Big U.
The indictment accused Henley of running a mafia-like organization tied to crimes ranging from fraud to violence, with multiple associates and affiliates charged along the way.
Bricc Baby’s role in that broader case centers on the firearm charge, not the more serious racketeering allegations.
Authorities specifically charged him, along with others, with being a felon in possession of a firearm during the takedown tied to the group.
Now, as sentencing approaches, Bricc Baby is asking the court to separate his personal story from the weight of the larger case.
According to his defense filing, he faces a guideline sentence between 63 and 78 months, but is asking for 57 months instead. His legal team argues that the higher range reflects an inflated criminal history rather than who he is today.
They make it clear he is not denying responsibility. The filing states he “has accepted responsibility for his conduct and pled guilty to a single count of being a felon in possession of a firearm.”
What they push hard is the backstory.
Bricc Baby describes what his attorneys frame as a rough upbringing rooted in loss and instability.
As a child, he lost the brother he saw as a father figure, leaving him without guidance at a critical time. That absence, they argue, led him toward the streets and early contact with the criminal justice system.
Violence followed him well into adulthood. He survived two separate shootings, including one that left him with a spinal injury and partial paralysis.
Those experiences, combined with ongoing exposure to violence, contributed to diagnoses of PTSD, depression and anxiety.
His attorneys argue those details matter when weighing punishment.
They claim his criminal history category overstates his past, pointing to older and nonviolent offenses that increased his sentencing range. Some of those include minor cases and technical violations that, in their view, do not reflect a pattern of serious or escalating conduct.
They also highlight what they describe as a shift in his life.
Before his arrest, Bricc Baby was working in entertainment as a rapper and podcaster, earning income and supporting his family. Letters submitted to the court portray him as a consistent presence in his children’s lives, with one stating he has been “there for her in every way imaginable.”
Still, the backdrop of the Rolling 60’s case looms over everything.
Federal authorities have made clear that the broader indictment was aimed at dismantling what they allege is an organized criminal network tied to the gang and its associates.
Even for defendants facing narrower charges, that context carries weight in how the case is viewed publicly and legally. Bricc Baby’s argument comes down to distance.
His legal team is asking the court to treat him as an individual, not as a symbol of a larger indictment tied to Big U and the Rollin’ 60s.
The judge will ultimately decide whether that distinction is sufficient to justify the request for a 57-month sentence.
Cardi B refuses to pump the brakes on her career momentum despite medical warnings to rest after welcoming her fourth child last November.
The 33-year-old Grammy winner told Allure magazine in her March cover story that she’s pushing through postpartum recovery to maximize this moment in her career.
Her doctors gave her clear instructions in January: slow down. She had a different response.
“No, I can’t. Not this year,” Cardi B said. “I just want to do everything now. I told myself I needed two years of being uncomfortable so I could be comfortable.”
The rapper’s reasoning is straightforward. She’s treating this window as her shot to capitalize on everything at once.
“Things just change every single day. And it’s like, This is your moment. This is the time to do it,” she explained.
That mentality has her juggling the 35-stop “Little Miss Drama Tour,” which has already grossed $32 million, while managing three of her four kids on the road.
Kulture, her 7-year-old daughter with ex-husband Offset, attends school and has strict attendance requirements. Wave, her 4-year-old son, needs time for his sports activities.
Then there’s 18-month-old Blossom, also with Offset. Add in her newborn with ex Stefon Diggs, and the logistics become a nightmare.
“Kulture’s in school now, and her school don’t play that,” Cardi B said. “So I just be like, How the f### am I gonna make this s### f###### work?”
The Bronx native also opened up about her anxiety around celebrities, which runs counter to her public persona as someone who commands every room.
“When I have a camera on me, I get really nervous,” she confessed. “On tour, I feel like I have a safety blanket because it’s my fans. I’m shy with all of them, it don’t matter if you big or small.”
That vulnerability reveals a side of Cardi B that most people never see, someone who’s genuinely intimidated by the industry she dominates.
Her album Am I the Drama? currently sits at number 31 on the Billboard 200 chart, 26 weeks after debuting at number one. She’s also competing for two gender-neutral trophies at the iHeartRadio Music Awards this Thursday on Fox.
Beyond music, she’s just launched a new haircare line called Grow-Good, which sold out completely within one hour of its Tuesday release and will restock by April 15.
Motherhood changes everything for women, and Cardi B’s refusing to let it slow her down—even if her body’s telling her otherwise.
The “Little Miss Drama Tour” hits Madison Square Garden for two nights this Wednesday and Thursday.
Fat Joe accused Tyrone Blackburn of making threats and derailing a deposition as a bitter legal fight with Terrance “TA” Dixon escalated inside a Manhattan courtroom.
Fat Joe and his legal team claim Blackburn turned a routine deposition into chaos, according to a new sanctions motion filed by his legal team.
The filing alleges Blackburn insulted opposing counsel, hurled personal attacks, and issued warnings that crossed into threats during sworn testimony tied to the lawsuit.
Dixon, who once worked closely with Fat Joe, has fired back with his own lawsuit, alleging years of abuse and coercion, including claims that have drawn intense scrutiny in court filings.
In the latest filing, Fat Joe’s attorney Joe Tacopina paints Blackburn as the main disruptor during depositions. According to the motion, Blackburn repeatedly insulted Tacopina’s team and made crude remarks about attorney Chad Seigel.
At one point, Blackburn allegedly told Seigel his mother “should have spit you out instead of swallowing.”
The filing also claims Blackburn mocked Seigel’s appearance and made offensive comments about gender and sexuality, including asking, “What date is your transition surgery?”
But it did not stop at insults.
Fat Joe’s legal team says Blackburn made statements that sounded like threats of violence during the deposition. The motion quotes Blackburn telling Seigel, “You’d never do this if it was outside. So watch your mouth and watch how you speak to me.”
He also allegedly snapped, “Who the f### do you think you’re yelling at? Who do you think you’re talking to?”
The tension escalated further when Dixon joined in. According to the transcript, Dixon said, “I could take you down” before adding, “I could take you down with my left hand,” while Blackburn chimed in, “Everybody could take you down … very easily.”
Fat Joe’s attorneys argue those moments show a pattern of intimidation meant to disrupt testimony and stall the case.
The filing claims Blackburn’s conduct went beyond verbal attacks and into obstruction. It accuses him of coaching Dixon during questioning, interrupting repeatedly, and instructing his client not to answer key questions without valid legal grounds.
According to the motion, Blackburn even cut off the deposition mid-question, declaring, “Time is up. Don’t answer that. Time is up.”
Fat Joe’s legal team says the behavior prevented them from getting answers about serious allegations raised in Dixon’s countersuit.
Those claims include accusations that Fat Joe ran a long-term scheme involving coercion and abuse, allegations his team has flatly denied and labeled as fabricated.
The dispute traces back to Dixon’s lawsuit, which accuses Fat Joe of forcing him into thousands of sexual acts over more than a decade. Fat Joe responded with his own lawsuit, accusing Dixon and Blackburn of defamation and extortion, claiming the allegations were made to damage his reputation and extract money.
Now, the courtroom battle has shifted toward Blackburn’s conduct itself.
The sanctions motion asks the court to penalize Blackburn, force him to cover legal costs, and potentially refer him for disciplinary action.
It also requests that Dixon’s deposition be reopened and that a special master oversee future testimony to prevent further disruptions.
Fat Joe’s attorneys argue the pattern is not new, claiming Blackburn has faced criticism in other cases for similar behavior, including personal attacks and aggressive courtroom tactics.
They also point to Blackburn’s own deposition, where he claimed he could not answer basic questions because he had taken multiple medications, including narcotics, that affected his memory.
The filing argues that the claim falls apart when compared to his behavior days earlier, where he appeared alert and confrontational for hours.
Fat Joe’s team insists that the court must step in to restore order, arguing that the case cannot move forward amid what they describe as ongoing obstruction and hostility.
Usher shut down the whole Oscars afterparty drama in one swift move, calling the entire situation an exaggeration of what actually went down between him and his former protégé.
“I spoke to Usher and he said this is an exaggeration of a conversation,” Da Brat revealed on the Rickey Smiley Morning Show, putting the rumors to rest.
The internet had been running wild with speculation that the two R&B legends nearly came to blows, with some outlets claiming it turned physical while others said it stayed verbal but intense.
Sources close to Bieber initially claimed Usher approached the pop star with “energy and anger” during the soiree. But Da Brat made it crystal clear that’s not the full story.
“He’s been nothing but supportive of plenty of issues that Justin Bieber has had throughout the years,” she said, defending her friend’s character.
The tension between these two goes deeper than just one night at a party.
Usher discovered Bieber back in 2007, when the kid was just 13 and going viral on YouTube. Usher and manager Scooter Braun won a bidding war against Justin Timberlake to sign him, launching what became one of the biggest careers in pop music.
They had a real mentor-mentee bond back then, with Usher even moving Bieber to Atlanta so he could work with him directly.
Usher handled it gracefully in an interview, saying he understood Bieber wanted to tell a different story right now.
Da Brat emphasized that there’s no beef between them.
“Justin is on his own journey dealing with his own reality that he’s created. Usher wishes him nothing but the best and they have no hostility towards each other,” she explained. “They definitely love each other. People just take things out of context when they see something and run with it.”
Da Brat’s statement matters because it comes straight from Usher himself. She made it clear that whatever conversation they had got twisted by the rumor mill into something way bigger than reality.
