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NBA Youngboy Tour Announcement Sends Fans Into Frenzy

NBA YoungBoy launched his long-awaited return to live music with the announcement of his first-ever headlining trek, the 2025 MASA Tour, following a five-year absence from the stage due to legal setbacks.

The 27-city tour, produced by Live Nation, kicks off Tuesday (September 2) in Dallas and wraps Sunday (October 19) in his hometown of New Orleans.

Stops include major arenas in Los Angeles, Chicago, Brooklyn, Atlanta, and Philadelphia, where he’ll perform Friday (October 3) at the Wells Fargo Center.

The tour will feature special guests DeeBaby, EBK Jaaybo and K3. The announcement comes months after NBA YoungBoy was released from federal custody in March.

His return to the spotlight follows a turbulent legal stretch that saw him facing multiple charges, including federal weapons violations and probation-related arrests.

In 2021, he was taken into custody by federal agents in Los Angeles over a firearms case stemming from a 2020 incident in Baton Rouge.

He spent months in jail before being released to house arrest in Utah, where he remained under strict conditions until his recent release.

Despite the legal turmoil, the Baton Rouge rapper has kept his music career active.

He dropped projects like Decided 2, Richest Opp, and Don’t Try This at Home, along with the viral single “Slime Examination,” which racked up millions of views on YouTube and TikTok. His latest track, “Shot Callin’,” continues to build momentum online.

VIP packages for the MASA Tour include premium seating, backstage access, exclusive lounges and limited-edition merchandise. Artist presale runs through Sunday (May 18), with general tickets available starting Thursday (May 22) at 10 a.m. local time.

Check out how some of his supporters are reacting to the news online.

DDG Loses Custody Of Kid & Guns Over Halle Bailey

Halle Bailey secured temporary full custody of her 16-month-old son and a restraining order against DDG after alleging repeated physical abuse and fearing for her child’s safety, according to court documents filed in Los Angeles.

The Little Mermaid star was granted both legal and physical custody of the toddler until a scheduled court hearing.

The decision followed her emergency petition, which claimed she acted without notifying DDG because she “was afraid that the violence would re-occur” and worried he might take their son “out of the area” before the court could intervene.

Halle Bailey also obtained a temporary protective order, citing multiple alleged assaults by DDG since their breakup in October 2024.

In her filing, she detailed the first alleged incident in January, which she said happened after she tried to arrange visitation. The court documents included photos of a chipped tooth and bruises on her arm.

The restraining order mandates that DDG stay at least 100 yards away from both Bailey and their child. He is also barred from possessing firearms and prohibited from contacting her directly or indirectly.

Additionally, Bailey requested that he not be allowed to use his streaming platforms to incite harassment, asking the court to prevent him from “weaponizing” his audience against her.

The next court date is set to take place on June 4.

Diddy’s Lawyer Reveals Cassie & Diddy Called Themselves “The Get High Partners”

Cassie took the witness stand for a third time Thursday (May 15) as defense attorneys for Diddy attempted to paint their years-long relationship as consensual, using her own text messages to challenge her previous claims of coercion and abuse.

When questioned about Diddy’s drug use, Cassie said he was addicted to “success,” then added more seriously that he was addicted to opiates and irritable as he went through withdrawal.

She revealed the pair called themselves “get high partners.”

Diddy’s lawyer Anna Estevao also read from messages where Cassie appeared to express enthusiasm for the sexual encounters she now describes as exploitative.

“I love our freak-offs, when we both want it,” one message read. The defense leaned heavily on digital exchanges between the two, suggesting mutual participation.

In one message, Diddy wrote, “I want to freak-off right now,” to which Cassie replied, “LOL me too.” She clarified on the stand, “I texted more than that.”

Another exchange showed Diddy asking, “Do I have your permission to set up freaky fun?” Cassie responded with a single word: “Ovulation.”

Cassie also acknowledged that Diddy once proposed they “get some outfits and go to a sex club,” and that she was aware he was seeing other women, including Kim Porter and Gina Huynh.

“Did it upset you?” Estevao asked. “Yes,” she replied. “It did” and she confirmed if it led to arguments.

Diddy, 55, is facing federal charges including sex trafficking, racketeering and transporting individuals for prostitution. He has denied all allegations.

If convicted, he could face life in prison.

Slick Rick Announces First Album In Over 25 Years—”Victory”

Slick Rick has teamed up with actor Idris Elba for Victory, a groundbreaking visual album arriving June 13 via Elba’s 7Wallace label in partnership with Mass Appeal.

Marking 26 years since The Ruler’s last full-length release, Victory is a sonic and cinematic experience that reimagines the art of storytelling, legacy and creative vision. Executive produced by The Poet (Slick Rick) and The Visionary (Idris Elba), the project features dynamic collaborations with Nas and Giggs, plus a special appearance by Estelle.

Victory is about perseverance, storytelling, imagination and growth,” Slick Rick says. “It’s a visual tapestry of art and emotion-a musical journey reflecting my past and future. Victory is more than music; it’s a powerful statement, highlighting the best of British artistry!”

Nas adds, “Slick Rick and I go way back, so collaborating again was a pleasure. He’s a foundational figure in Hip-Hop, and I’m excited for a new generation to experience his artistry.”

At the heart of the project is a 30-minute immersive film directed by Meji Alabi, who’s known for his work on Beyoncé’s Black Is King. The film brings Victory to life with striking visuals and narrative depth.

For the project’s aesthetic, Slick Rick partnered with photographer Jonathan Mannion and creative storytellers Equator Studios. JAY-Z’s longtime engineer Young Guru handled the mixing, while the album’s artwork and rollout were developed with British agency PAQ and Rick’s Team Eye Patch.

Victory will make its world premiere on June 7 at the inaugural SXSW London at Shoreditch Town Hall, followed by a live conversation with Slick Rick, Elba and Alabi. Tickets are available now. The New York premiere takes place June 13 at the Tribeca Festival’s SVA 1 Theater, with a Q&A featuring Slick Rick.

Four years in the making, Victory was written and recorded between London and France, with visuals captured across the U.S., U.K. and Africa. The result is a cross-continental tribute to Rick’s heritage, blending profound lyrics, cinematic flair and boundary-pushing artistry. More than just an album, Victory is a celebration of resilience, creativity and the limitless power of imagination.

The Victory film will be available to stream globally on June 13 (platform details coming soon). The album will also be available to stream and purchase on all major platforms the same day.

Slick Rick’s album is one of seven Mass Appeal plans to release in the coming months as part of Legend Has It. Other projects include one from Nas and DJ Premier, Wu-Tang Clan’s Ghostface Killah and Raekwon, Mobb Deep, Big L and De La Soul.

YG Says 90 Percent Of Men He Talked To Faced Childhood Sexual Abuse

YG is opening up about being sexually abused by an older woman at age 14, revealing that most men he confided in shared similar experiences.

The Compton rapper first revealed the assault in his single “2004” in March.

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He emphasized the importance of speaking out during a raw interview with Rocsi Diaz for ABC News.

YG reflected that as a teen, he didn’t recognize his encounter with an older woman as assault and saw it as a positive experience, but as he grew older and gained perspective, he realized it was actually sexual abuse.

He explained, “I got raped.”

The deeply personal track “2004,” begins with the line: “When I was young I got raped / By a b#### that was twice my age / Picked me up from school / Took me to hers and got laid / Ever since that day I never looked at s### the same.”

YG – 2004

The song marks the first time YG publicly addressed the abuse. He admitted his own family didn’t know until they heard the lyrics. 

“I kept it inside,” he continued. “My family, first time hearing about that was when the record came out.”

He said the response from those around him was eye-opening. 

“90 percent of the people I played it for, the men, the males, they all got similar stories,” YG added. “That was the conversation everybody was having. It was like, ‘Yeah, like I was sexually abused.’ And it’s like, ‘Yeah, but for us, we men, so it ain’t treated the same way.'”

The rapper, known for his West Coast street anthems, said he felt compelled to speak out through music. 

“Everybody got their story, and that’s why I made the record,” YG said. “To influence people to tell their stories. Especially coming from an artist, somebody like me, it’s unexpected.”

He also addressed how public perception of him as a gang-affiliated rapper often strips him of his humanity. 

“People put me in the box,” YG told Diaz. “They know us as gang members and we from the streets and all this, you feel me? So they look at us like, ‘Oh, we gang members, we animals, we not human.’ You know what I’m saying? But it’s like, bro, I’m human. I go through real-life stuff outside of the street stuff.”

The feedback from “2004” has already shaped the direction of his upcoming album. 

“Seeing people reaction, it’s been good for me,” YG asserted. “Because it got me going deeper on the album… I got some more stuff I can talk about.”

Cassie Ventura Told Diddy She’s “Always Ready” For Freak-Offs In Graphic Texts

Diddy’s criminal trial continued on Thursday (May 15) inside a Manhattan federal courthouse, where Cassie Ventura was cross-examined by the mogul’s defense team. Diddy’s attorneys presented a series of explicit text messages exchanged between the two during their relationship.

The defense highlighted the messages to argue that Ventura and other women were willing participants in the so-called “freak-offs,” drug-fueled sexual encounters central to the prosecution’s case.

One message from Ventura to Diddy, read in court, stated, “I’m always ready to freak off lolol,” sent in August 2009, about two years into their relationship. Other texts included Ventura expressing sexual interest and making plans for intimate encounters.

Another reads, “I feel like I want to f###” and Diddy responds, “I’m so horny I can’t concentrate.” She replies, “I’ll go to Duane Reade for candles and then set up the room.”

The defense used the communications to suggest that Ventura was enthusiastic and consensual about these activities at the time.

However, Ventura’s earlier testimony painted a starkly different picture. She described the “freak-offs” as coercive, stating she was forced to participate and that Diddy used threats, violence and recordings of these encounters as leverage against her.

Ventura testified that she felt “dirty and confused” after her first freak-off and recounted numerous instances of physical and emotional abuse throughout their decade-long relationship.

The defense’s strategy in presenting these messages is to counter Ventura’s claims of coercion and abuse by showing moments of apparent consent and enthusiasm. Yet, Ventura maintained under oath that these exchanges didn’t reflect the full reality of her experience, which she described as one marked by manipulation, violence and fear.

Inner City Press has been documenting much of the testimony throughout the week. Other admissions included Ventura explaining Diddy taught her oral sex, plied her with drugs and had her sleep with multiple men up to four days a week, leaving her with urinary tract infections and sores in her mouth. She claimed after their 2018 breakup, he raped her inside her home.

Diddy Trial: Court Shown Gallery Of 13 Alleged “Freak-Off” Participants

Sean “Diddy” Combs sat silently in a federal courtroom as jurors were shown a private gallery of explicit photos and video stills tied to alleged “freak-off” sex parties he’s accused of orchestrating, with Cassie Ventura identifying herself and others in the images.

On Wednesday (May 14), each juror was handed a personal screen to view the material, which included graphic visuals of escorts, some appearing alongside Ventura, and scenes from what prosecutors say were Diddy-directed sex parties.

One image featured a woman referred to as “Mia,” another accuser, while another showed Ventura and an escort in what was described as a still from a longer video.

Ventura, testifying under oath, confirmed her presence in several of the images and described one in detail:

“There is baby oil on me,” she stated. “I am standing there during a ‘freak-off’ with a candle and lubricant on the table.”

The courtroom fell into a tense hush as the visuals played out. Prosecutor Emily Johnson handed out binders of the images to the judge and defense team, stating that jurors would later view full videos from the parties where Diddy allegedly directed the sexual activity.

The government’s case hinges on the claim that Diddy not only arranged these encounters but also documented them as a means of control.

Thirteen individuals were identified in the gallery, including Johnathan Oddi, who previously claimed in a 2018 interview that he was Diddy’s “sex slave.”

After the images were shown, courtroom monitors were covered with privacy screens before the hearing resumed.

Ventura testified that the Hip-Hop mogul coerced her into participating in what she called “freak offs”—multi-day, drug-fueled sex sessions involving male escorts, often held in cities like Los Angeles, New York, Las Vegas and Ibiza.

Cassie Ventura Testifies “Freak-Offs” Left Her Feeling “Humiliated”

She said Diddy dictated every detail, from her wardrobe to the sexual acts and even the mood of the room.

She told the court she was required to reapply baby oil every five minutes and wear extremely high heels for hours. “I felt pretty horrible about myself,” she said. “Disgusting,” she added. “Felt humiliated.”

Ventura said she initially went along to please Diddy but later participated out of fear. She testified that he paid male escorts between $1,500 and $6,000 per session, sometimes hiring them through escort services or Craigslist.

She also claimed Diddy used video recordings of the encounters to blackmail her, threatening to release them if she upset him. “It made me feel like a s###,” she said.

The frequency and intensity of the encounters, she said, left her with urinary tract infections and mental health struggles.

Ventura said, “It is impossible to know” how many “freak-offs” she was involved in. However, she estimated the number to be in the hundreds.

Breaking down in tears, Ventura told the court, “I can’t carry this anymore. I can’t carry the shame, the guilt, the way he treated people like they were disposable. What’s right is right, what’s wrong is wrong. I came here to do the right thing.”

50 Cent Humiliates Diddy Over “Tootsie Roll” Lawsuit Allegation

50 Cent wasted no time dragging Diddy through the mud Wednesday, mocking the embattled mogul’s alleged anatomy as new legal accusations pile up.

The Hip-Hop heavyweight posted a screenshot from a lawsuit filed by a woman who accused Sean “Diddy” Combs of raping her in 2001. 

The woman described the alleged assault in graphic detail. She claims Diddy held her down before “pulling out his e#### bare-skinned penis which appeared to be the length and girth of a large Tootsie Roll.”

She also referred to his penis as “an itty-bitty Diddy.”

50 Cent, never one to hold back, especially on longtime foe Diddy, shared the excerpt with a caption that doubled as a jab and a joke.

“Toosie Roll, Toosie Roll,” he wrote. “To the left to the left to the right to the right to the front to the front to the back to the back now slide. LOL THAT’s WHY HE IN THE CORNER M###########!”

The lawsuit, filed this week in New York, accuses Diddy of locking the woman in a room at his Manhattan residence before allegedly raping her. 

The complaint states she screamed for him to stop, but he continued, e########## on her before lying naked on the bed as she cleaned herself and left with the help of a bodyguard.

Diddy’s legal team has not commented on these specific claims.

50 Cent Taunts Diddy Over Relationship With JAY-Z

The timing of the lawsuit coincides with Diddy’s ongoing federal sex-trafficking case, where Cassie Ventura testified about alleged abuse, coercion and violent behavior. Ventura also accused Diddy of orchestrating the bombing of Kid Cudi’s car.

50 Cent also took aim at that allegation, posting a collage of Diddy and JAY-Z with the caption:

“Friends till the end, Jay you still there?” he teased. “We blew up Kid cudi’s car to show him who’s the BOSS!”

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The rapper continued to post throughout the day, reacting to Ventura’s testimony and the mounting legal troubles surrounding Diddy.

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Megan Thee Stallion’s Attorney Shuts Down Tory Lanez’s New Defense

Megan Thee Stallion‘s attorney is shutting down fresh accusations aimed at Kelsey Harris after a former bodyguard claimed she was the one who pulled the trigger in the 2020 shooting that left the rapper injured in Los Angeles.

Alex Spiro, who represents Megan, dismissed the renewed allegations as legally meaningless, standing firm on the outcome of Tory Lanez’s trial.

“Tory Lanez was tried and convicted by a jury of his peers and his case was properly adjudicated through the court system,” Spiro told XXL. “This is not a political matter—this is a case of a violent assault that was resolved in the court of law.”

The statement came after Lanez’s legal team, Unite the People, introduced new testimony from Bradley James, a former bodyguard for Harris, at a press conference.

James claimed he overheard Harris admit to firing the gun during a conversation, saying she shot three times before Lanez, whose real name is Daystar Peterson, intervened and knocked her arm down, causing two more shots to go off.

Kelsey Harris Allegedly Admitted To Firing Gun That Shot Megan Thee Stallion

“Mr. James informed Unite the People that he was witness to the conversation Miss Harris had where she stated she had the gun, she fired it three times,” attorney Walter Roberts said. “Mr. Peterson grabbed her arm and knocked it down.”

James also said he kept quiet until now because he couldn’t live with the idea of someone being locked up for a crime they didn’t commit.

“Mr. James informed us he was not under a non-confidentiality agreement,” Roberts added. “[He] was free to speak with Unite the People, and that he was doing it because his conscience would not let him not speak and leave a man in prison for something he did not do.”

Lanez’s legal team submitted an affidavit from James, who claimed he saw Harris with the weapon and later heard her talk about using it.

They argue this lines up with earlier testimony from eyewitness Sean Kelly, who said he saw two women fighting the night Megan was shot.

Despite the new claims, Megan has never wavered in her account.

“Kelsey didn’t shoot me,” she previously said. “I know who shot me and that’s why [Tory Lanez] is in jail.”

@ace876media.ent1 “I know who shot me, I said who shot me and that’s why tf you in jail.” – #MeganTheeStallion #torylanez ♬ original sound – Ace876media

Lanez was sentenced to 10 years in prison in August 2023 after being convicted of assault with a semiautomatic firearm, having a loaded unregistered firearm in a vehicle and discharging a firearm with gross negligence.

As of this month, Lanez is recovering in a hospital after being stabbed 14 times by another inmate.

Chris Brown Arrested In U.K. Over Brutal Nightclub Assault Allegation

Chris Brown was arrested Thursday (May 15) at Manchester Airport in the U.K. in connection with a 2023 nightclub assault that allegedly left a music producer seriously injured.

The Metropolitan Police confirmed Brown was taken into custody after flying into the U.K. for his ‘Breezy Bowl XX’ tour, per The Sun.

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Officers traveled from London to Manchester to make the arrest at a luxury hotel where the singer was staying.

The arrest stems from an alleged altercation at Tape nightclub in Mayfair, London, in February 2023.

Music producer Abe Diaw claims Brown struck him repeatedly with a bottle of Don Julio 1942, calling each hit “a crushing blow,” before allegedly stomping on him while he was unconscious.

Diaw was hospitalized with head trauma and torn ligaments.

The incident was classified as causing “grievous bodily harm,” according to police.

Diaw has since filed a $16 million lawsuit against Brown, alleging long-term physical and financial damage. The complaint also claims the club’s surveillance footage captured the alleged attack.

Diaw claims he’s known Chris Brown for over seven years and can positively identify him in the video. According to the producer, Brown was considered a fugitive in the U.K. due to the alleged incident.

Diaw claims he thought Brown was coming in for a hug when he approached with the bottle. He sued the singer for damages, citing severe emotional distress, trauma, and potentially permanent injuries.

Brown has not publicly commented on the arrest or the lawsuit as of Thursday (May 15).

Diddy’s Alleged Sex Slave Claims He Recorded Cassie Ventura Fearing She Would Die

Sean “Diddy” Combs’ alleged sex slave, Jonathan Oddi, broke his silence from behind bars in a jailhouse interview claiming he was paid to perform sex acts for the Bad Boy Records boss and Cassie Ventura during what he described as roughly 15 drug-fueled encounters.

A former exotic dancer and adult performer, Oddi was identified in court earlier this week by Ventura as one of 13 so-called “freak-off” escorts allegedly used by Diddy.

On Wednesday (May 15), he told NewsNation’s “Banfield” the Hip-Hop mogul would watch from a sofa while directing the pair’s sexual activity.

“[Diddy] would sit in a corner on a sofa, watch and masturbate,” Oddi explained. “He’d tell [Cassie] instructions what to do to me. Perform oral sex, rub baby oil, and he’d tell me to rub baby oil on her, perform oral sex, and then have sex.”

He claimed he was initially hired as a Chippendale-style dancer but was soon offered “more money to perform sexual acts.”

Each session, he said, paid around $800, sometimes more if he was called back the same day.

“It would be like $800 each time,” Oddi added. “Each act, but sometimes they would call me twice. I would leave, and then 3 hours later, they would call me to come back.”

Oddi alleged that both he and Ventura were given drugs during the encounters and that he secretly recorded one session.

“Because after she passed out, I decided to record that,” he continued. “So, in the event anything worse happened, like if she died or anybody died, it would be on camera, it would be on video, what happened. So, I wouldn’t be responsible for any of that.”

Oddi said he bought a USB video memory stick from a spy shop and left it recording on the living room table.

“I just filmed it and had it transcribed,” he said. Oddi claimed he warned Diddy via text that he had evidence in case anything happened to him.

“I knew they were paranoid,” he claimed. “So I wanted to guarantee my safety.”

Oddi Claims He Signed An NDA

In 2014, Oddi said he signed a non-disclosure agreement and accepted a $5 million payout to stay quiet.

“They brought me in and Diddy had a t-shirt with two men in ski masks pointing, making gun signs,” he said. “That’s the way he operates. He communicates threatening you by saying I’m going to have you killed.”

Oddi’s ex-wife, Tonia Troutwine, previously confirmed the NDA and said the timing coincided with their divorce.

“The date of that contract was around the same time as our divorce,” she said. “I almost feel like he divorced me because he came to all this money and so I wouldn’t claim it.”

Cassie Ventura’s Testimony In Diddy’s Trial Compelled Oddi To Come Forward

Oddi said he decided to speak out now because of Ventura’s testimony and the resurfacing of abuse allegations.

“I felt bad because I got along well with her,” he stated. “I think she’s a decent person and unfortunately I had a suspicion that she was in a situation that she was in but I wasn’t sure… him beating her up at the hotel shows me the type of individual he is and confirms that everything that happened to me was true and correct and in line with his personality.”

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Oddi is currently incarcerated for a 2018 shooting at Trump National Doral Miami. He said the incident happened during a mental health episode and that he’s now stable and medicated.

“I’ve been taking medication every day,” Oddi claimed, adding, “I’ve been stable. I had no issues in jail.”

Diddy Accused Of Rape In Bombshell Lawsuit Alleging Mogul Has “Tootsie Roll” Sized Penis

Sean “Diddy” Combs was hit with a new rape lawsuit in New York this week as a woman identified as Jane Doe accused the Hip-Hop mogul of sexually assaulting her more than two decades ago.

The woman claimed the alleged attack took place at Diddy’s Manhattan apartment in 2001 after a series of social encounters. 

According to the lawsuit, she said he locked the door, grabbed her by the neck and said, “I’m going to suck the life out of you,” before exposing himself and forcing himself on her.

The complaint, filed as Diddy’s federal sex-trafficking trial kicked off, includes graphic details. 

The woman said Diddy “pulled out his e#### bare-skinned penis which appeared to be the length and girth of a large Tootsie Roll.” 

She said she felt “relieved”, believing the size meant she wouldn’t be physically hurt. The unnamed woman refered to it as his “itty-bitty Diddy.”

Despite her protests, she said he raped her, held her down and ejaculated on her. Afterward, she said he lay naked on the bed while she cleaned herself and tried to leave. A bodyguard outside the room allegedly directed her to the exit.

The woman said she met Diddy in May 2001 and had several interactions with him before the alleged assault. She said he reached out to her afterward, but she never responded. 

She also said she later sought therapy and continues to struggle with being alone around men.

Diddy’s legal team has not issued a statement in response to this specific lawsuit.

Diddy On Trial In New York

The new filing comes as Diddy faces a federal trial on sex trafficking, racketeering conspiracy and prostitution-related charges. 

Prosecutors allege he ran a criminal enterprise that used sex, drugs and violence to control women and organized so-called “freak offs”—events involving coerced sexual activity.

If convicted, Diddy could face 15 years to life in prison. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges. 

His attorneys said, “No matter how many lawsuits are filed, it won’t change the fact that Mr. Combs has never sexually assaulted or sex trafficked anyone – man or woman, adult or minor.”

EXCLUSIVE: Drake Opening Door To Racism With “Not Like Us” Lawsuit, Experts Warn Judge 

Drake‘s defamation lawsuit against Universal Music Group (UMG) over Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” lyrics has prompted legal and cultural scholars to warn a federal judge that treating rap lyrics as literal statements could fuel racial prejudice in the justice system.

In a court filing exclusively obtained by AllHipHop, four academics—Charis Kubrin, Jack Lerner, Adam Dunbar and Kyle Winnen—submitted an amicus brief on May 14 in support of UMG’s motion to dismiss the case. 

The brief argues that Hip-Hop diss tracks are a long-established form of exaggerated artistic expression and should not be interpreted as factual claims.

“Drake’s defamation claim rests on the assumption that every word of ‘Not Like Us’ should be taken literally, as a factual representation,” the scholars wrote. “This assumption is not just faulty—it is dangerous.”

The brief, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, aims to educate the court on the creative norms of rap battles, where artists often use hyperbole, sarcasm and lyrical bravado to assert dominance, not to make factual accusations.

“They are hyperbolic forms of creative expression consistent with the unique artistic practices and normative conventions of the genre,” the scholars explained. “Rap diss tracks are understood by audiences not to represent factual assertions about the opposing artist, but rather to demonstrate skill and dominance meant to build allegiance and win competitions through clever wordplay, hyperbole, bluster, and demonstrations of disrespect.”

The experts also warned that taking rap lyrics at face value in courtrooms could invite racial stereotypes and undermine free speech protections.

“When rap lyrics are admitted, it is because they are treated as literal. This in turn opens the door to racial bias and stereotypes into the courtroom, as empirical studies have demonstrated,” they wrote. “Treating rap lyrics as literal also threatens First Amendment speech protections, and the practice already has created a demonstrable chilling effect across the industry.”

Drake first filed the lawsuit in January, claiming that “Not Like Us” and its promotion falsely labeled him a “certified pedophile.” 

In April, he expanded the complaint to include Kendrick Lamar‘s Super Bowl LIX halftime show and his Grammy Awards appearance, arguing those events amplified the alleged defamation to a broader audience.

UMG responded on May 7 with a motion to dismiss, calling the lyrics “nonactionable opinion and rhetorical hyperbole.” 

The label’s lawyers described the updated complaint as “astonishing” and said it was an effort by Drake to “save face” after losing a public lyrical battle.

UMG also pointed out that Drake’s revised filing removed earlier claims that the label had paid for bots to boost streams of “Not Like Us,” calling those allegations “obviously false.”

“Nowhere in the hundred-plus page ‘legal’ blather written by Drake’s lawyers do they bother to acknowledge that Drake himself has written and performed massively successful songs containing equally provocative taunts against other artists,” UMG’s legal team wrote.

Despite the motion to dismiss, the legal process is still moving forward. 

A judge recently denied UMG’s request to pause discovery, allowing Drake’s team to continue seeking documents, including Lamar’s contracts with the label.

Janet Jackson Earns Music’s Highest Honor At 2025 AMAs

Janet Jackson will be honored with the Icon Award and deliver her first televised performance in seven years at the 2025 American Music Awards in Las Vegas.

The 11-time AMA winner is set to take the stage on May 26 at the Fontainebleau Hotel, where she’ll be recognized for her decades-long impact on music and culture.

The award celebrates her “undeniable cultural and global influence,” according to show producers.

“With sales of over 180 million records worldwide, Janet Jackson stands as one of the best-selling artists of all time with a string of hits that have left an indelible impression on pop culture,” a producer said. “She is the record holder for the biggest-selling debut tour in history and is the first woman to debut in the top 10 of the Hot 100 chart.”

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Jackson, 58, acknowledged the honor on Instagram shortly after the announcement.

“Thank you so much, AMAs!! It’s an honor. We look forward to being on your stage again. See you in Vegas!” she wrote.

This will mark Jackson’s first televised performance since 2018, just days after she resumes her Las Vegas residency on May 21.

Jennifer Lopez will host this year’s ceremony, featuring Kendrick Lamar leading the nominations with 10 nods.

Post Malone, Billie Eilish, Chappell Roan and Shaboozey follow closely behind.

Voting is currently open and will close on May 15.

Megan Thee Stallion Calls Out False Claims Over Met Gala Drama

Megan Thee Stallion addressed speculation head-on this week after whispers swirled that she had been blacklisted from future Met Galas.

The rapper was accused of breaking the no-phone policy at this year’s star-studded affair at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Megan Thee Stallion uploaded a video to Instagram showing herself alongside rapper Doechii and WNBA star Angel Reese sampling the food during the May event.

She captioned the clip, “Hottie Cam in thee MET GALA (sic).”

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The post ignited speculation that Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour, who co-chairs the annual event, was displeased and might bar Megan from attending again.

However, Megan Thee Stallion made it clear during an interview with People that the report had no truth to it.

“No. We’re gonna dead these rumors right now, OK? People are like, ‘Oh my God, Megan, you got banned from the Met Gala.’ No, I didn’t, babe. Like that’s not true,” she said.

Megan also dismissed the idea that Wintour had any issue with her breaking the event’s strict no-phone rule.

“Y’all made that up and ran with it. They love making (stuff up). Anna loves me, babe. That’s why my phone was out,” she added.

Despite the online chatter, Megan followed the event’s “The Garden of Time” dress code with a custom Michael Kors gown made of white floral lace and a matching faux fur coat.

The look paid homage to legendary performers Josephine Baker and Eartha Kitt.

Cassie Ventura Says Diddy Raped Her & Freak-Offs Led To Opioid Addiction & Suicide Attempt

Cassie Ventura told a New York jury Wednesday (May 14) that Diddy raped her after their relationship ended and that she once attempted to end her life while trapped in what she described as years of abuse, manipulation and drug dependency.

The 38-year-old singer and former model returned to the witness stand for a second day in Manhattan federal court, where Diddy is facing sex trafficking, racketeering and transporting individuals for prostitution charges.

During her testimony, Ventura recounted an incident from August 2018, shortly after their breakup, when she said Diddy assaulted her inside her home.

“Sean [Diddy] came to my house and raped me on my living room floor,” she told the jury. “His eyes were black. It was like taking something from you.”

She said the attack followed a conversation at a Malibu restaurant where Diddy tried to persuade her to attend Burning Man. At the time, she was seeing her now-husband, Alex Fine.

After the assault, she testified, “He continued and finished inside of me. Then he got up and left.” When asked why she continued to have sex with him after the alleged rape, Ventura responded, “We had been together 10 years…”

The testimony is part of the government’s case against Diddy. Prosecutors allege he used his celebrity status and wealth to run a criminal enterprise that exploited women through coercion, drugs and threats.

The charges fall under the federal RICO statute, typically used to prosecute organized crime.

Ventura also described the emotional toll of the relationship, saying she became addicted to opioids to escape the trauma. She admitted to using ketamine during sex parties orchestrated by Diddy, calling it her “preferred drug” because it was “very dissociative.”

She added that she took the opiates to come down from ecstasy and MDMA.

Ventura said she was pressured into sex with others, physically assaulted and blackmailed by Diddy, which left her in a mental state so fragile she once tried to walk into traffic, but Fine stopped her.

Charlamagne Tha God & Jonathan Majors Link Up With Hood Legend

Charlamagne Tha God and Jonathan Majors are teaming up–but not for a podcast or a viral moment. They’re joining forces for True Threat, a raw, culture-driven action film that could reshape how the world views Black martial arts on screen.

In an exclusive interview with AllHipHop months ago, Jonathan Majors subtly revealed that he was deep in training for an upcoming project. That project now has a new partner in C Tha God Is now confirmed: True Threat, directed by Gerard McMurray (The First PurgeBurning Sands), will build with the infamous host.

The film dives into the world of 52 Blocks, a unique fighting style often called “hood martial arts.” 52 Blocks is an underground system of movement, rhythm, and defense that originated in Black communities, particularly in New York. It combines boxing, blocking, and elbow maneuvers that has been long been used in street fights. Sometimes, a headbutt is included!

Majors isn’t just playing, he’s being trained by experts! I know the legend that is training him too! I won’t say right now, but look below to “see.” It is all real, all New York and AllHipHop! He’s also putting his body all the things like he did for his role in Magazine Dreams. Now, that says a lot. Anyway!

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Charlamagne’s involvement hints at deeper cultural layers in the film, but we have to find out exactly what he brings to the table. While 52 Blocks has often been reduced to a “jailhouse” technique, that label barely scratches the surface. True Threatintends to elevate it, and I am with that!

True Threat is shaping up to be more than a movie. It could be a movement. Remember fighting karate, but not knowing karate? Well, now a lot of kids know karate for real. I see it the same with 52 Blocks!

Here’s that interview again.

Battle Rapper Pat Stay’s Murder Trial Begins Nearly Three Years After His Death

Pat Stay was at the center of a high-profile courtroom scene in Dartmouth as the second-degree murder trial over his 2022 stabbing death officially began May 13 in Nova Scotia Supreme Court, nearly three years after the battle rap icon was killed outside a Halifax bar.

The Crown alleges Stay, 36, was stabbed in the chest less than two minutes after walking into the Yacht Club Social bar shortly after midnight on September 4, 2022, The Chronicle Herald reports.

According to the Crown, Stay was inside the bar for less than two minutes before encountering Drake and being stabbed in the chest.

Stay was then punched by one of Drake’s friends, stumbled outside and collapsed on the sidewalk. He later died in hospital.

Drake, who was 31 at the time, was arrested six days later and charged with second-degree murder. He has pleaded not guilty.

The trial, delayed by eight months after the lead defense attorney was appointed to the bench, is expected to run through June 18.

The courtroom was packed for opening arguments, with Stay’s widow, Malyssa, visibly emotional as the Crown described the final moments of her husband’s life.

Video surveillance from inside the bar is expected to be a central piece of evidence. The Crown contends the footage clearly shows the stabbing and Drake’s involvement.

Pat Stay was a towering figure in the battle rap world, known for his sharp wit and commanding stage presence.

A native of Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, he competed in over 40 battles across multiple countries and appeared in major rap leagues and film projects. His death prompted widespread tributes across the Hip-Hop community, including from Drake and Eminem.

Kelsey Harris’ Ex-Bodyguard Drops Bombshell About Megan Thee Stallion Shooting

Tory Lanez was thrust back into the spotlight Wednesday (May 14) as attorneys representing the imprisoned rapper presented new testimony from a key witness, who claims Kelsey Harris—not Lanez—pulled the trigger in the 2020 shooting that injured Megan Thee Stallion.

At a press conference hosted by nonprofit legal advocacy group Unite the People, attorney Walter Roberts introduced a statement from Bradley James, a former bodyguard for Harris, who says he overheard Harris confess to firing the weapon.

“Mr. James informed Unite the People that he was witness to the conversation Miss Harris had where she stated she had the gun, she fired it three times. Mr. Peterson grabbed her arm and knocked it down,” causing the gun to fire two more times, according to Roberts.

James, who worked as a driver and bodyguard for Harris during Lanez’s trial, said he remained silent until now because of personal guilt.

“Mr. James informed us he was not under a non-confidentiality agreement and was free to speak with Unite the People and that he was doing it because his conscience would not let him not speak and leave a man in prison for something he did not do,” Roberts said.

Tory Lanez was convicted in December 2022 on three felony charges related to the shooting and is currently serving a 10-year sentence. Prosecutors argued he shot Megan Thee Stallion in the foot following an argument after a party in the Hollywood Hills. Lanez has maintained his innocence. Roberts argued the trial was flawed, citing forensic gaps and alleged bias.

“There were three potential suspects in the car that night. And yet the only DNA sample was taken of Mr. Peterson, even though unknown DNA was found on the gun,” Roberts added. 

Unite the People is now calling on California Governor Gavin Newsom to review the case and consider Lanez’s release. The group says their push isn’t about celebrity privilege but about correcting what they see as a miscarriage of justice.

“This is about fairness and equal treatment under the law,” Roberts said.

Tory Lanez remains incarcerated following his conviction in December 2022. He was recently stabbed by another inmate 14 times and taken to a nearby hospital, where he’s currently recovering from his wounds.

EXCLUSIVE: Lil Durk Makes Third Attempt At Bond In New Request For Different Judge

Lil Durk is making a third push for bond in his federal murder-for-hire case, asking a new judge to reconsider his continued detention.

On Wednesday (May 14), attorney Christy O’Connor filed an “Application for Review or Reconsideration of Order Setting Conditions of Release or Detention” on behalf of Lil Durk.

The filing requests a hearing before a District Judge to challenge a previous ruling by Magistrate Judge Patricia Donahue, who denied bond on May 8. Unlike magistrate judges, who handle preliminary matters, district judges have broader authority and can overrule earlier decisions.

Lil Durk has been in custody since October 2024, facing federal charges tied to an alleged murder-for-hire plot.

Prosecutors claim he financed a deadly ambush in August 2022 that killed Lul Pab, a cousin of rapper Quando Rondo. Authorities believe the attack was retaliation for the 2020 killing of King Von.

At the May 8 hearing, Durk’s legal team presented a revised bond package worth over $2 million.

It included $900,000 in real estate, $1 million in cash from Alamo Records and $150,000 from a business associate. The proposal also offered 24/7 private security, electronic monitoring and full court supervision.

Despite the offer, Judge Donahue denied Lil Durk’s release, citing concerns over public safety and Durk’s alleged ties to violence. The judge also noted Durk’s international travel plans after his co-defendants were arrested.

He previously sought bond in December 2024, but that request was also denied. Lil Durk has pleaded not guilty and could face life in prison or the death penalty if convicted.