Tyrese correctly foresaw his arrest on Monday (September 9). A Georgia judge ordered him to be taken into custody for failure to pay child support after the actor/singer told fans he expected to be arrested in a since-deleted Instagram post.
Judge Kevin Famer told Tyrese he could avoid jail by paying $73,000 to ex-wife Samantha Lee, per TMZ. Dennis Byron, who attended the court hearing, said Tyrese promptly arranged to make the payment.
Tyrese and his ex-wife share a five-year-old daughter. Judge Farmer previously ordered the Fast & Furious star to pay roughly $10,000 a month in child support. Tyrese accused the judge of conspiring with his ex-wife’s legal team in his now-deleted Instagram post.
“He illegally tried to bring a $10,690 child support payment from California that I’m giving my 17-year-old currently to Atlanta for my five-year-old,” Tyrese wrote. “They have illegally cracked my prenuptial agreement.”
He continued, “Without a court order started giving my ex $3600 a month and child support for a one-year-old at the time on my own prior to going to court to do a divorce trial. And after two years of $3600 a month, Judge Kevin M Farmer decided to go back two years and turn my $3600 into $10,690. That’s called a retroactive child support payment a.k.a he went backwards just because he felt like it.”
Tyrese said he unsuccessfully tried to get Judge Famer thrown off the case twice. He appealed all of the judge’s rulings.
“It’s pretty clear that they hate my guts, but I must remind them and everything about my life and success,” Tyrese wrote. “I’ve worked my ass off since I was 14 years old to get here. #FamilyLawCourts are THE WORST TOWARDS FATHERS.”
Tyrese married Lee in 2017. They split in 2020. It was his second marriage.
Boosie Badazz claimed the NFL, Apple Music and Roc Nation disrespected Hip-Hop legends from Louisiana by booking Kendrick Lamar for the Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show in New Orleans. The Baton Rouge native explained why he was among the many people upset with organizers choosing Lamar on Monday (September 9).
“ALL YALL ACTING LIKE YALL COOL WITH HOW THEY PLAYING IT FOR THE SUPERBOWL,” Boosie wrote on X (formerly known as Twitter). “SMH THE MOST CULTURAL CITY N THE USA (NEW ORLÉANS) ITS A SMACK N THE FACE TO EVERY HIP-HOP LEGEND FROM LOUISIANA!! @MasterPMiller @BIRDMAN5STAR THIS SHOWS THEY NEVER WANTED YALL TO KICK N THE DOOR N THE FIRST PLACE CAUSE THEY STILL TRYNA LOCK IT!! SUPERBOWL 22’ WAS N CALI N CALI ARTIST WAS ALLOWED TO DO THEY THANG N IT WAS A GREAT SHOW!! BUT NOW ITS N LOUISIANA N NO LOUISIANA LEGENDS CANT DO THEY THANG #idontrespectit.”
Lil Wayne was widely speculated for the halftime show since next year’s Super Bowl will be in his hometown of New Orleans. The NFL, Apple Music and Roc Nation announced Lamar’s selection on Sunday (September 8).
“Few artists have impacted music and culture as profoundly as Kendrick Lamar,” the NFL’s Head of Music Seth Dudowsky said. “Time and time again, Kendrick has proven his unique ability to craft moments that resonate, redefine, and ultimately shake the very foundation of Hip-Hop. We’re excited to collaborate with Kendrick, Roc Nation and Apple Music to deliver another unforgettable Halftime Show.”
Lamar was booked after winning a much-discussed battle against Drake. Lamar’s diss track “Not Like Us” was the song of summer and Hip-Hop’s most impactful release of 2024. K. Dot said his Super Bowl Halftime performance would “remind the world why” rap music is the most impactful genre.
Super Bowl LIX will be held at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans on February 9. Lamar previously performed at the Super Bowl with Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem and Mary J. Blige in 2022.
Beyoncé has been snubbed in every category of the nominations for the 2024 CMA Awards, despite having one of the biggest country music hits this year with “Texas Hold ‘Em,” a cut from Cowboy Carter, itself one of the biggest albums of the genre in 2024.
While Beyoncé was given the cold shoulder, Morgan Wallen, who faced backlash for using the n-word in 2021, leads the nominations with seven. Post Malone is not too far behind with four nominations.
Beyoncé made history with “Texas Hold ‘Em,” topping the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart for 10 consecutive weeks, marking the second longest-running No. 1 hit of 2024 and becoming the first Black woman to ever do so.
Cowboy Carter was equally impactful, leading Billboard’s country album chart for four weeks. Again, this marked the first time a Black woman achieved the feat.
Despite her accomplishments, the CMA Awards declined to recognize Beyoncé despite her qualifying for single of the year, song of the year, album of the year, female vocalist and other categories.
Back in 2016, Beyoncé faced backlash over her 2016 CMA Awards performance with The Chicks. Country music fans questioned her inclusion, and there was controversy around the CMAs removing posts referencing the performance.
While celebrating her historic No. 1 single earlier this year, Beyoncé alluded to the CMAs controversy, revealing it was the inspiration for Cowboy Carter.
“It was born out of an experience that I had years ago where I did not feel welcomed…and it was very clear that I wasn’t,” she wrote. “But, because of that experience, I did a deeper dive into the history of Country music and studied our rich musical archive.”
Cam’ron and Ma$e were stunned by the news that Kendrick Lamar would be headlining the Super Bowl in New Orleans next year, claiming the only reason hometown hero Lil Wayne wasn’t chosen is that JAY-Z is holding a grudge.
The rappers-turned-podcasters didn’t hold back when addressing the topic on their It Is What It Is podcast on Monday morning (September 8).
While both Cam’ron and Ma$e agree that Lamar deserves the coveted slot, like Master P and others, they believe Lil Wayne was the obvious choice. Furthermore, the hosts accused Hov of “hating” in selecting K. Dot over the Young Money founder.
“There’s no reason why Little Wayne should not be performing the Super Bowl,” Cam said. “It’s one person who’s stopping this. You know, it’s not really a secret,” he added with a laugh before alluding to Lil Wayne’s beef with Jay-Z. “Lil Wayne had a problem with somebody before who’s kinda part of the organization running it. This is payback.”
He continued calling the decision “egregious,” implying it had something to do with Drake’s ties to Wayne before Ma$e interjected with “hating at this age is crazy.”
Cam’ron added, “If anybody deserve it, Kendrick deserve it. But there’s some backstory s### going on why Lil Wayne is not performing the Super Bowl.” Ma$e them seemingly took another shot at JAY-Z. “That’s really sad, like come on my n####,” he said. “You’re that insecure, man?”
Cam’ron & Ma$e Imply JAY-Z Holding On To Animosity
JAY-Z and Lil Wayne have exchanged lyrical jabs over the years but there was no real tension between them. In 2018, Weezy called Hov a “real friend” for bailing him out when he owed millions to the IRS. He also ranks the Roc Nation boss as one of the greatest rappers of all time.
Although Cam’ron and JAY-Z had some issues dating back to the early 2000s, they publicly squashed their differences years ago. Additionally, Ma$e had his own beef with Hov.
However, Cam and Ma$e implied that JAY-Z is still harboring ill will towards them, claiming that they were disinvited to Fanatics Fest, founded by Michael Rubin who has close ties to Hov. “I’m a start saying names,” Ma$e said. “The hate is crazy.”
Diddy has reunited with G. Dep for the first time since the former Bad Boy Records artist was released from jail earlier this year.
G. Dep walked free in April after being granted clemency by New York’s governor following more than a decade behind bars. On Sunday (September 8), the embattled mogul linked his former signee during a trip to Harlem, New York. G. Dep posted a photo on Instagram of him and Diddy sitting on a stoop.
Diddy’s son Justin Combs also posted a video of their reunion on his Instagram Stories.
G. Dep was released amid the firestorm of sex trafficking, assault and other allegations surrounding Diddy.
During an interview with Fox 5 New York shortly after his release, G. Dep claimed he never witnessed the disturbing behavior detailed in the recent lawsuits against Diddy.
“I’m like, when? When did that happen?” he questioned. “We were in the studio for months on end,” he said, adding, “I don’t know where this is coming from.”
He also argued that Diddy should get the “benefit of the doubt” until the allegations can be proven in court. Furthermore, G. Dep revealed he wrote over 400 songs in jail and welcomed the opportunity to get back in the studio with Diddy.
“Got a lot of songs, bruh,” G. Dep said, addressing Diddy. “I’m looking for you so we can get, you know, some type of musical situation going.”
Leaders are inherently gifted rather than developed. They have a unique blend of understanding and mental resilience. From infancy, they exhibit advanced abilities in walking, reading, and speaking compared to their peers. Their remarkable qualities shine through in every facet of their existence, naturally drawing people to them for various reasons—whether simple, complex, or celebratory.
The true beauty of natural-born leadership lies in the ability to find light even amid profound darkness. Only a small fraction of individuals can guide others through life’s most violent and perilous storms. These leaders create bridges of hope and inspiration, serving as invaluable assets for future generations.
Michael Troutman, also known as QMOSHYN, embodies the quintessence of leadership and self-belief at the highest levels. His father instilled deep within him an extraordinary sense of personal responsibility, discipline, humility, courage, and self-awareness. Michael Troutman represents a rare breed of leaders. His mind processes information at such a rapid pace that it allows him to stay several steps ahead of deceit and insincere conversations. Michael Troutman’s unwavering focus is on maintaining integrity and delivering results without unnecessary hype.
Michael Troutman embodies the essence of a modern-day VOLTRON, integrating five core life elements that drive unparalleled excellence. His multifaceted talents shine through his roles as a best-selling author on Amazon, a dedicated ‘Super Dad,’ a seasoned entrepreneur, a committed philanthropist, and an influential music executive.
Recently, Michael Troutman has taken on the role of Head of Business Communications at RADIOPUSHERS and MUSICHYPEBEAST. His sharp business insight, innovative thinking, broad perspective, and humility position him to significantly enhance the RADIOPUSHERS brand and its strategies within the realm of Generation Z pop culture. As an educated, fearless, and humble black leader, Michael Troutman stands as the emblematic figure of Business Communications for RADIOPUSHERS.
Megan Thee Stallion’s new romance appears to be going strong after she was spotted out with Torrey Craig.
Last month, the pair debuted their new relationship in a swiftly deleted TikTok “Couples Challenge” video. Over the weekend, the “HISS” hitmaker and her Chicago Bulls Player boo appeared touchy-feely during an outing in New York.
Although neither Megan Thee Stallion nor Torrey Craig have publicly commented on their relationship, the couple did reveal they are in love. In the since-deleted TikTok, they revealed that while they have confessed their love, they couldn’t remember who said it first.
Meanwhile, last week, Megan Thee Stallion joined forces with RM of K-pop sensation BTS on her new single “Neva Play.” The song marks the Grammy Award winner’s second collab with RM after appearing on BTS’ “Butter (Remix)” in 2021.
Nonetheless, Megan, who released her self-titled album earlier this year, has her eyes on another high-profile collaboration.
“I love Taylor Swift, and I would like to collab with her one day,” Megan told People Magazine. “She’s a stallion too, she’s a tall girl. I love that. We would be so cute next to each other.”
While Megan is yet to work with Swift, she recently teamed up with the singer’s boyfriend, Travis Kelce, and other NFL stars in a Pepsi ad. The commercial also promotes Paramount’s upcoming “Gladiator II” and the new NFL season and sees Megan dressed as a Roman Empress.
“ATTENTION HOTTIES,” Megan wrote on Instagram alongside a clip.
“WE ARE OFFICIALLY FAMOUS WE GOT A @PEPSICOMMERCIAL.”
Tyrese believes he is likely to get arrested at a hearing for his ongoing child support dispute with his ex-wife Samantha Lee.
On Sunday (September 8) Tyrese laid out his fears in a since-deleted Instagram post. He shared an image of a gavel and handcuffs alongside a lengthy caption.
“At 9 a.m., in the morning in Atlanta I might be arrested in court,” he began. Tyrese went on to accuse Judge Kevin M. Farmer of colluding with his ex-wife’s lawyers adding that he twice attempted to have the judge “thrown off the bench.”
Tyrese continued, alleging the judge acted “illegally” and “cracked my prenuptial agreement,” and retroactively increased his child support payments. “He went backward just because he felt like it,” the singer claimed.
However, Tyrese said he is appealing all the decisions but believes Judge Farmer intends to “make an example out of me” and have him arrested.
According to Tyrese, his lawyer told him repeatedly that “she has NEVER experienced anything like this in her life.”
“It’s pretty clear that they hate my guts,” the Beautiful Pain album creator said. “But I must remind them and everything about my life and my success. I’ve worked my ass off since I was 14 years old to get here. #FamilyLawCourts are the WORST TOWARDS FATHERS.”
Tyrese Insists: “I Did A Prenuptial Agreement For A Reason”
Tyrese followed up on Instagram Live, praising the “outspoken” women in his corner supporting him through his ex-wife’s “goofy” antics.
“When you were born a man, you go into a courtroom and you understand clearly that there is a preset menu that says, ‘You were born a man, f### you.’ That’s what the preset menu says.”
Tyrese said he has been “silently and quietly” “fighting these attacks” and questioned why Lee’s lawyers are investigating his finances.
“Leave me the f### alone,” he added. “I did a prenuptial agreement for a reason. The prenuptial agreement spells out everything that she get and was supposed to get. Why are we now four years and three law firms into this woman still coming after me?”
Beyoncé is showing off her long natural tresses with a behind-the-scenes look at her hair care and wash day routine while shutting down the rumors she was wearing a wig in a previous Cécred promotional video.
Late on Sunday night (September 8), Beyoncé shared a new video for her hair care line that launched earlier this year. It appears she caught wind of the criticism of a previous video where some fans insisted she was wearing a wig and avoided washing her edges.
In the “Cécred Sunday Wash Day” tutorial, the superstar songstress instructed her hairstylist to cover her hair with product, “especially on those edges.”
Elsewhere in the video, Beyoncé directs, “Please, pause it, flip it and reverse it, get into those strands coming out of those hair follicles please.”
Fans in the comment section caught on, praising Beyoncé for hitting back at the haters.
“I love the breakdown!” one person replied. “‘Get into these follicles coming out of my scalp’’… Translation: Play in somebody else face!”
Another added, “Sis said ‘look at those edges, look at that length, look at those follicles. Pretty as hell, au naturale, trollin’ on folks.’”
While a third noted, “Flex Bey. Cuz folks STILL gonna say this isn’t your hair. Smh.”
Meanwhile, in other Beyoncé news, on Saturday (September 7), the “16 Carriages” hitmaker was joined by her husband, Jay-Z, and daughter, Blue Ivy Carter, at the wedding of her former assistant, Sam Greenberg.
Beyoncé was spotted dancing with the bride, singing along to her 2011 hit, “Love on Top.”
Pusha T showed love to Kendrick Lamar following the announcement the pgLang co-founder is set to headline the Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show but he couldn’t resist taking a shot at their mutual rival, Drake.
On Sunday (September 8), King Push took to his Instagram Story with a quote from K. Dot.
“You know it’s only one opportunity to win a championship — no round twos,” Lamar noted in his announcement. Pusha T agreed with Kendrick Lamar, adding, “This is true… [shrugging emoji].”
The “no round twos” quote appears to reference Drake’s recent post about winning “Game 2,” which many took as a hint that the OVO honcho was gearing up for another round with Lamar.
The Super Bowl announcement was met with disappointment from Lil Wayne fans who believed the New Orleans native was an obvious choice to headline the event in his home city. Master P weighed in, praising K. Dot while arguing Lil Wayne “should be a part of this celebration as well.”
While Weezy is yet to comment he previously revealed he was “praying” he would be chosen to perform.
“I will not lie to you,” he said on YG’s ‘4HUNNID’ podcast in February. “I have not got a call or nothing. We praying. We keeping our fingers crossed. I’m working hard. I’mma make sure this next album and everything I do is killer. I wanna just make it hard for them not to holler at the boy.”
NLE Choppa faced hefty criticism last week after teasing his latest single with the announcement, “I’m coming out.”
Social media users accused him of baiting the LGBTQ community once he revealed the only thing coming out was his new song, “Or What,” released September 6.
NLE Choppa failed to address the backlash until Sunday (September 8). He responded to a tweet with a clip from A Madea Homecoming. The implication was that the rapper confirmed he is gay, but fans already knew.
“Never said I was gay,” he replied.
Nonetheless, his post did little to squash the criticism. “just let this whole queer baiting thing for clout go,” one person wrote. “You knew what your ass what doing when u put “Im coming out,” added another.
NLE Choppa addressed the speculation surrounding his sexuality and his support of the LGBTQ community during a recent PAPER Magazine interview.
“It’s a beautiful thing,” he explained. “Because the amount of people who had something to say is what fuels me to stay deeply rooted in my purpose. The beauty of it is that it gave me an opportunity to say, ‘Oh, y’all feel like I’m this way? Okay, let me give y’all some more reasons to feel that way, even though I know I’m not. Let me show more love to the people that y’all are saying I’m aligned with because we are all humans at the end of the day.’”
He continued, “Everyone is fighting for some type of acceptance, and I think the most important part is accepting yourself first.”
Meanwhile, over the weekend, NLE Choppa hit up New York Fashion Week in a series of bold looks. He also walked the runway for Off-White.
Sean “Diddy” Combs is selling his Beverly Hills mansion for $61 million.
The move makes Diddy house the latest celebrity property to hit the market in Los Angeles’ exclusive “Platinum Triangle.”
This news was confirmed by a report from Page Six.
The opulent home, which was subject to a Homeland Security raid in March as part of an ongoing investigation, resides on Billionaire’s Row, flanked by A-list neighbors such as Kylie Jenner and the Playboy Mansion.
The mansion, which Diddy purchased for $40 million a decade ago, features an impressive range of amenities.
According to details noted by the outlet, the residence features a beautifully redesigned architectural style rooted in classic European aesthetics.
A grand cobblestone driveway welcomes guests to the substantially remodeled estate, which boasts a paneled entry foyer illuminated by abundant natural light.
A sweeping staircase leads to opulent living spaces, including a large living room, formal dining area, wine cellar, office, and gourmet kitchen complete with a family room and a separate catering kitchen.
Moreover, the property is fitted with a state-of-the-art home theatre accommodating 35 seats, a two-story guest house, an expansive gym, a recording studio, and additional guest bedrooms.
Outdoor features elevate the mansion’s allure with sprawling lawns, mature trees, and meticulously maintained formal gardens.
The grounds include a resort-style swimming pool complemented by a waterfall and grotto, a basketball court, a spa house, and an outdoor loggia equipped with a BBQ, bar, and pizza oven.
The sale of this premier estate not only offers a glimpse into luxurious living but also stirs curiosity about the motivations behind the Hip-Hop legend’s decision to part with such a prestigious asset.
The 2024 NFL season has already kicked off and so has the controversy.
The Apple Music Super Bowl 2025 Halftime Show plans are already in full swing. The league announced that Kendrick Lamar would headline the February event in New Orleans. Master P was one of the dissenting voices who felt native should be the lead act for the show.
P, an influential rapper, entrepreneur, and fellow New Orleans native, added his voice to the chorus advocating for hometown hero Lil Wayne. In a statement shared on social media, Master P both praised Lamar and urged the NFL to include Lil Wayne in the halftime festivities.
“Salute to @kendricklamar for performing at the halftime show at Super Bowl LIX… well deserved, he’s one of the hottest music artists in the world and has one of the biggest songs right now,” Master P wrote on Instagram. “As Ambassador of Entertainment in the City of New Orleans, I have to agree with the fans that @liltunechi #LilWayne should be a part of this celebration as well. He’s one of the greatest Hip Hop artists alive, still relevant, and he’s a New Orleans native.”
Master P’s plea is a reminder of the cultural significance of Lil Wayne not just to New Orleans but to the broader Hip-Hop landscape. Master P ended, “We have to give our legends their flowers while they are here.” He also tagged Jay-Z and the Mayor of New Orleans LaToya Cantrell.
The NFL and Jay-Z have yet to respond to the chatter.
Lil Wayne’s friend and engineer hit social media to express his feelings as well.
Fabian Marasciullo voiced his frustrations in a candid Instagram post. “Confused. Disappointed. Angry. But most of all, inspired. We will never again be in a position where we are at the mercy of someone else’s decision. We will make the decisions.”
Lil Wayne resurrected hope for a Cash Money Millionaires reunion by recruiting the Big Tymers for his Lil WeezyAna Fest. The Young Money boss added Birdman to the lineup days after announcing the Hot Boys and Mannie Fresh’s participation in the festival.
“Can’t do a reunion without STUNNA BIG TYMERS baby!” Birdman declared on Instagram. “See you in New Orleans my son Weezyana Fest 11/2 at Smoothie King Center.”
The Cash Money crew was expected to reunite at the 2024 Essence Festival in their hometown of New Orleans in July. The event was billed as celebrating 30 years of Cash Money Records.
Fans were disappointed when the reunion did not pan out as they imagined. Turk was missing from the festival, and Lil Wayne did a solo set instead of performing with former labelmates.
B.G. and Birdman’s lingering issues with Turk were believed to play a role in the unrealized reunion.
“It’s only one n#### ain’t in this b####,” B.G. said after the show. “He brought that on himself. N#### did a bunch of hoe s###.”
Two months later, Lil Wayne enlisted his fellow Hot Boys members Juvenile, B.G. and Turk for the returning Lil WeezyAna Fest. The event’s announcement explicitly called it a Hot Boys reunion.
Big Tymers member Mannie Fresh, the longtime producer for Cash Money Records, was booked for a DJ set. Birdman was noticeably absent, leaving the festival one man short of a complete Cash Money Millionaires reunion.
Lil Wayne and Live Nation Urban rectified the situation by bringing Birdman into the fold. Birdman and Mannie Fresh will team up for a Big Tymers set at Lil WeezyAna Fest, which takes place on November 2.
The Cash Money Millionaires supergroup combined the Hot Boys and Big Tymers. They released one album, 2000’s Baller Blockin’ soundtrack. The album featured UGK, Nas and E-40, among others.
The “Body” rapper, whose real name is Megan Pete, recently shared her admiration for Swift in an interview with People magazine.
Despite having collaborated with several A-list artists in her career, including Beyoncé, Cardi B, Ariana Grande, Doja Cat, Dua Lipa, and SZA, Megan expressed her enthusiasm about the prospect of partnering with Swift.
“I love Taylor Swift, and I would like to collab with her one day,” Megan said. “She’s a stallion too, she’s a tall girl. I love that. We would be so cute next to each other.”
Having earned her stage name after being frequently called a “stallion” by older men, Megan has since embraced the moniker.
In a 2017 interview with Houstonia magazine, she explained, “Since I was younger, probably about 15 or 16, I’ve always had the same body. Older guys would always be like, ‘Oh, you a stallion.'”
Megan’s latest musical partnership is a track called “Neva Play,” featuring RM from the globally renowned K-pop group BTS.
The song dropped last week, further cementing her reputation for high-profile collaborations.
Megan’s public acknowledgment of Swift’s influence was notably highlighted during the 2023 Video Music Awards.
“Taylor Swift is so bad, she’s a Hottie,” she remarked, drawing a parallel between Swift’s prowess and the name of Megan’s dedicated fanbase.
G-Unit boss 50 Cent recalled how he donned a bulletproof vest for his initial meeting with Eminem in Los Angeles in 2000.
During an interview for “Million Dollaz Worth of Game,” 50 Cent revealed the details of his nervously anticipated encounter with Marshall Mathers, known to the world as Eminem.
50 Cent’s apprehension was high, leading him to wear protective gear through the airport.
“It was wild,” 50 Cent said. “Remember that show they had, ‘Punk’d’ on MTV? I thought they had cameras and they was gonna come out and say, ‘You’ve been Punk’d.’ I was in California. He flew me to L.A. I came out, I was so bugged out from the experience that I came through the airport with the (bulletproof) vest and s**t on. I’m lucky I took the shock plate out the front of the joint because when I came through it (didn’t go off).”
The momentous meeting, which took place amid the success of Eminem’s The Marshall Mathers LP, left 50 Cent amazed at how grounded Eminem remained despite selling 1.7 million records in the first week.
The rapper expressed his enthusiasm for the budding artist.
“I get there, he’s like, ‘Yo!’ Hugs me, feel the vest and s### and was like (shocked),” 50 Cent continued. “(I said), ‘Yo, this is going to be the biggest s### ever, right?’ He’s like, ‘Yo, so excited.’ It made me question whether what was happening was happening was right. It felt so good that it couldn’t be right. I’m like, ‘Yo, nah.’ When I left that meeting, I didn’t want him to feel like he bought a problem so I wouldn’t say anything about Ja Rule and them.”
By 2002, 50 Cent inked a deal with Shady Records, Eminem’s label, and Aftermath Entertainment, Dr. Dre’s production house.
This partnership gave birth to numerous collaborative tracks, including the 2006 hit “You Don’t Know” and 2012’s “My Life.”
50 Cent remains reflective about that pivotal meeting with Eminem.
“The first night I met him, he had an event. The Marshall Mathers LP just came out,” he said. “The first week he sold 1.7 million records. And he was so excited about me that I’m looking like, ‘(Are) you serious?'”
Rich Homie Quan died of a suspected drug overdose last week, leaving the rap community—particularly in his hometown of Atlanta—stunned.
In the wake of his death, multiple women, including rapper Erica Banks, claimed to have had a romantic relationship with rapper. But his longtime partner Amber “Rella” Williams, who he was with for more than 15 years and is the mother to his two children, hadn’t spoken out about his death until recently.
On Saturday (September 7), Williams shared a message to her Instagram Story that read: “This pain is unbearable. The love you all have shown is an over flow. I truly appreciate everyone who’s reached out. I’m traumatized from a moment that’ll forever be in my head. I have nothing to prove because my love for my other half was ALWAYS shown, I had nothing to hide.
:Please respect me and the family at this time. Our house is no longer a home. I’m completely heartbroken 15 years gone. I’ll never be the same. This is a complete nightmare. We never could let go, but you didn’t have to leave me like this. #Numb.”
Williams is the voice heard on the 911 call, which TMZ published shortly after Rich Homie Quan’s death. Understandably, she’s frantic as she tells the operator she didn’t feel a pulse. Williams explained Quan had fallen asleep on the couch the night before. She put a blanket over him and went to sleep in their bedroom. The next morning, he was still on the couch seemingly asleep. After she dropped their son off at school, she returned to check on him and noticed he hadn’t moved nor was he breathing. That’s when she made the call.
As for the Erica Banks, she drew an abundance of criticism after she posted about him. In addition to sharing clips of the pair basking in each other’s presence, Banks wrote: “All you wanted was to find happiness again always saw it in your face and heard it in your voice. But you had so much left to do. The album, the tour, your BIRTHDAY! I’m just glad we were able to enjoy such peaceful and memorable moments while you were here man. Such a sweetheart! Rest in Paradise Quan.”
Another woman, who goes by the Instagram handle @biggbritt13, posted multiple photos and videos of her and Quan together. In one photo, Rich Homie Quan is kissing the woman in the mirror while she takes a selfie. She wrote in the caption, “We know everything about each other. Idc what nobody has to say you was my everything wah am I supposed to do.” She also claimed to Quan better than anybody else “relationship or not.”
Rich Homie Quan was just 34 at the time of his death. The Fulton Country Coroner has completed an autopsy although the results have not yet been made public.
USHER’S surprising first concert may have triggered a series of events that helped him reach the level of superstardom that’s had him coasting for more than two decades now.
In a remarkable revelation, USHER took fans on a trip down memory lane, recounting his wild experience at his very first concert. To the surprise of many, his first-ever live music experience didn’t entail the smooth sounds of R&B but rather the hard-hitting, controversial lyrics of rapper Ice-T.
The concert, which took place in Chattanooga, Tennessee at the UTC Arena, wasn’t just any show, either. In fact, it occurred at the height of Ice-T’s infamous “Cop Killer” controversy. And believe it or not, USHER’s unlikely concert companion, his aunt, worked for the police department at that time.
“First concert that I went to was an Ice-T concert in Chattanooga, Tennessee at UTC Arena,” USHER reminisced. When asked his age, he responded, “Old enough to be invited by my aunt who was given these tickets as a gift. She worked for the police department and he had a song called ‘Cop Killer’ at the time. Kind of crazy how it all worked out.”
Usher says the first concert he went to was Ice-T.
Also, Usher reveals that before he was famous, Ice-T gave him a spark of inspiration when he visited the Boys and Girls Club in Chattanooga, Tennessee, to speak to him and the other kids.
But the story doesn’t end there. In fact, the concert itself becomes somewhat of an afterthought based on what USHER revealed happened after the night of hardcore Hip-Hop music. The “Let It Burn” singer went on to vividly recall a chance encounter with Ice-T at the Boys and Girls Club in Chattanooga following his experience at the concert. USHER declared that it was in this moment when the rapper made the surprise appearance that lit the spark that ignited Usher’s dreams of becoming an entertainer.
“I mean, even what’s crazier is that I happened to be at the Boys and Girls Club and he [Ice-T] dropped by and oddly enough, being able to see him talk to us in the gymnasium in Highland Park in Chattanooga, Tennessee, It gave me a spark,” USHER said.
“Like, ‘wait a minute, so you can be an entertainer and have a girl that looks like that,’ He had a beautiful wife. I was like, ‘man, that looks cool. I might want to do that’.”
It’s safe to say that the seeds planted from that moment truly blossomed into a fruitful reality for USHER and his legendary career. However, not all of the credit can be given to Ice-T. USHER did go on to reveal that his second concert, which he admits was much more his “speed” was New Edition!
Tinashe experienced the explosive highs and fleeting nature of viral fame unless she’s offering advice for other artists.
In April, her hit “Nasty” soared across social media, capturing the public’s attention with its provocative lyric, “match my freak.”
While the moment brought intense excitement and widespread recognition, Tinashe remains clear-eyed about the ephemeral nature of such phenomena.
During a candid discussion with music producer and Hip-Hop artist Kaytranada for Interview Magazine, the singer delved into the implications of her viral success.
“Going viral is fun. It’s everything that you expect it to be. It’s tons of excitement and eyeballs and attention,” she said.
However, she emphasized that brief internet stardom alone doesn’t build a lasting career.
“It starts really fast and it ends really fast. My biggest takeaway is that it’s just a moment in time,” she explained. “To create a lasting career and something that has a real legacy requires you to do the work around the viral moment.”
The 31-year-old artist expressed gratitude for having her seventh studio album, Quantum Baby, ready for release when “Nasty” became TikTok’s song of the summer.
“I’m lucky I had a whole album ready, because if you don’t have anything to supplement that moment, they come and go so quick,” she noted.
Elsewhere in the interview, Tinashe acknowledged the heightened expectations that followed the success of “Nasty.”
“Now, the bar is higher for everything else you put out from that point on, so the pressure does build,” she said.
Despite this, she strives to maintain her artistic integrity.
“But I’m really trying not to let that impact what song I would put out next or how I move, because I genuinely believe that’s where you f**k up.”
Reflecting on her career, Tinashe warned against getting too caught up in metrics and charts.
“Once you start taking a chart into consideration and try to play that game—at least for me in the past, that hasn’t served my artistry,” she stated.
Kendrick Lamar announced he’ll be headlining the 2025 Apple Music Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show live from New Orleans on February 9. This marks the second time he’ll have the honor of taking the Halftime Show stage, following his 2022 appearance alongside Dr. Dre, Eminem, Snoop Dogg, Mary J. Blige, 50 Cent and Anderson .Paak.
The pgLang/Interscope Records artist made the reveal via Instagram on Sunday (September 8) with a video of him on the football field. The caption read simply: “Super Bowl LIX. New Orleans. February 2025. #AppleMusicHalftime.” A flurry of press releases followed and explained the show will be produced by Roc Nation and Jesse Collins Entertainment. Naturally, JAY-Z had a hand in Lamar’s selection.
“Kendrick Lamar is truly a once-in-a-generation artist and performer,” JAY-Z said in a statement. “His deep love for Hip-Hop and culture informs his artistic vision. He has an unparalleled ability to define and influence culture globally. Kendrick’s work transcends music, and his impact will be felt for years to come.”
Lamar offered, “Rap music is still the most impactful genre to date. And I’ll be there to remind the world why. They got the right one.”
The announcement arrives in the wake of Kendrick Lamar’s highly publicized lyrical joust with Drake, which included the Pulitzer Prize-winning MC’s No. 1 single “Not Like Us.”
While their differences date back to the early 2010s, when Kendrick called out Drake and other rappers in his iconic verse on Big Sean’s track “Control,” the conflict escalated over the years, with both artists dropping subtle disses in their lyrics and interviews. Despite their occasional collaborations, there’s been an underlying competitive dynamic between them as two of rap’s most influential figures.
Their beef exploded in March, when Kendrick dissed Drake on Future & Metro Boomin’s single “Like That.” Drake fired back with “Push Ups” and “Taylor Made Freestyle” before the situation went nuclear. In April, Lamar returned with “euphoria,” a six-minute verbal assault that dismantled everything about Drake.
“It’s always been about love and hate, now let me say I’m the biggest hater/I hate the way that you walk, the way that you talk, I hate the way that you dress/I hate the way that you sneak diss, if I catch flight, it’s gon’ be direct/We hate the b###### you f### ’cause they confuse themself with real women/And notice, I said “we,” it’s not just me, I’m what the culture feelin’.”
A few days later, Lamar dropped the surprise track “6:16 in LA” via Instagram. The single art included a photo of a Maybach glove laying on a table, as if to say “the gloves are off.” The song title was a play on Drake’s history of naming his songs things like “5AM in Toronto” or “8AM in Charlotte.” The biggest takeaway was the notion Kendrick was being fed inside information from Drake’s OVO camp.
“Are you finally ready to play have-you-ever? Let’s see,” he rapped. “Have you ever thought that OVO is workin’ for me?/Fake bully, I hate bullies, you must be a terrible person/Everyone inside your team is whispering that you deserve it.”
Hours later, Drake uploaded a video for “Family Matters,” in which he admitted Kendrick crossed the line when he brought up his son, Adonis. So in retaliation, Drake inserted Kendrick’s partner, Whitney, into the mix.
“Always rappin’ like you ’bout to get the slaves freed,” he rapped. “You just actin’ like an activist, it’s make-believe/Don’t even go back to your hood and plant no money trees/Say you hate the girls I f###, but what you really mean?/I been with Black and white and everything that’s in between/You the Black messiah wifin’ up a mixed queen/And hit vanilla cream to help out with your self-esteem.”
In an unprecedented and clearly calculated move, Lamar dropped “meet the grahams,” taking aim at Drake’s entire family, including Adonis, his father Dennis Graham and mother Sandra Graham. At one point, he said Drake should “die.”
“Sandra, sit down, what I’m about to say is heavy, now listen,” he said. “Mm-mm, your son’s a sick man with sick thoughts, I think n####s like him should die/Him and Weinstein should get f##### up in a cell for the rest they life/He hates Black women, hypersexualizes ’em with kinks of a nympho fetish/Grew facial hair because he understood bein’ a beard just fit him better/He got sex offenders on ho-VO that he keep on a monthly allowance/A child should never be compromised and he keepin’ his child around them/And we gotta raise our daughters knowin’ there’s predators like him lurkin’.”
Kendrick Lamar wasn’t done yet and popped up again with “Not Like Us” the following day. Produced by Mustard, the track begins with Kendrick whispering “I see dead people.” The accompanying video includes a Google Earth image of Drake’s Toronto mansion.
A bit more conservative than the “euphoria,” “6:16 in LA” and “Meet The Grahams,” the song ran about four minutes and found Kendrick rehashing some of his previous points. He doubled down on the rumor Drake is a pedophile.
While many considered “Not Like Us” the final nail in the coffin, Drake returned with “The Heart Part 6,” a reference to Kendrick’s long-running “The Heart” series. In this one, Drake accused Kendrick of “spiraling.” He then went on to question where he’s getting the alleged “proof” he has a secret daughter. He then claimed the information Kendrick was being fed was actually all a ruse.
“We plotted for a week and then we fed you the information,” Drake rapped. “A daughter that’s 11 years old, I bet he takes it/We thought about giving a fake name or a destination/But you so thirsty, you not concerned with investigation.”
Drake has been relatively quiet since then, with the exception of dropping the 100 GIGS tracks on DSPs.