British rap star Central Cee teamed up with American rap star Lil Baby for a new song. “Band4Band” made an instant commercial impact.
According to ChartData, “Band4Band” broke the record for most single-day Spotify streams by a rapper from the United Kingdom. Central Cee’s collaboration with Lil Baby racked up 5.26 million streams on May 31.
“Band4Band” then topped the record again by pulling in an additional 5.38 million Spotify streams on June 3. The track has peaked at No. 11 on Spotify’s Daily Top Songs Global chart.
Central Cee and Lil Baby also succeeded on America’s Billboard Hot 100 chart. “Band4Band” opened at No. 22 on those weekly rankings. That gave Cee his highest Hot 100 debut of his career.
Previously, Central Cee made it into the Hot 100’s Top 40 as a feature on J. Cole’s 2024 song “H.Y.B.” The Might Delete Later track spent one week on the chart at No. 35.
During his run as a recording artist, Atlanta-bred rapper Lil Baby has earned 140 entries on the Hot 100 chart. The It’s Only Me album creator has 13 Top 10 hits in his discography.
“Band4Band” landed at No. 4 on the UK’s Official Singles Chart. Central Cee has eight Top 10 singles and one No. 1 single in his home country. “Sprinter” with Dave debuted in the pole position.
In a recent interview with the Art of Dialogue, the Love & Hip Hop personality was asked about the graphic clip and if it means Diddy is over. In so many words, Ray J said Diddy will never recover and needs help beyond the physical realm.
“It’s not OK,” he said of the physical abuse caught on tape. “When somebody is around somebody and we’re counting on them to be our one of our leaders in a space that we’re all trying to get to that’s not acceptable to do and it’s not OK. I mean, it might be forgivable in a sense of a spiritual realm of life or forgive everybody but it’s unforgettable, and that’s where you just draw the line on friendship and hanging out and supporting and being cool. It’s like n##### it’s done, and that’s it.
“And it’s not and it’s not something that n##### can just take lightly. You cannot do that. Not OK. It’s not cool. Period. [The video] was heartbreaking and shameful and unacceptable I’ve never seen nothing like that.
I’ve never seen nothing like that in the history of my life, so that’s a new for me. I don’t know what kind of demon you are, but somebody need to muthafuckin’ perform an exorcism fast.”
And while Ray J seemed to understand Diddy will financially survive, he also suggested the Bad Boy Records mogul will fade into the background and be ostracized in certain circles.
“Life in this industry goes on without certain people because their membership club is revoked, their membership in the club is revoked,” he continued. “It’s over, so you don’t have room to make mistakes like that in the big club—you can’t do that. It’s inexcusable. If you threw a party tonight, the people are your invitation list—that club.
“The people who throw a party tomorrow, a foundation, could be anything. Anything that has substance to it is no longer available for certain people to be invited to.”
CNN released the viral video last month, sending shockwaves throughout the entertainment industry. Cassie Ventura eventually addressed the clip in an Instagram post, writing, “Thank you for all of the love and support from my family, friends, strangers, and those I have yet to meet. The outpouring of love has created a place for my younger self to settle and feel safe now. But this is only the beginning. “Domestic violence is THE issue. It broke me down to someone I never thought I would become. With a lot of hard work, I am better today, but I will always be recovering from my past. Thank you to everyone that has taken the time to take this matter seriously.”
Diddy also spoke on the incident in an Instagram post, telling his followers he was at “rock bottom” at the time of the assault. However, many people felt his apology lacked genuine emotion and reminded him he initially denied ever abusing Ventura. The consensus was he only spoke up after he was caught—not because he was genuinely sorry.
DDG built a YouTube following partly because of his popular prank videos. The vlogger-turned-rapper is known to troll his followers.
As a result of his history of being a prankster, some social media users questioned DDG’s recent comments about his feature rate. He claimed to demand a $750,000 fee for a guest verse.
In addition, the Michigan-born entertainer said he makes $1 million for a music video appearance. Those numbers ignited an online conversation about the Maybe It’s Me… album creator.
DDG reacted to the feature rate discourse. He tweeted, “I charged $2 million when ‘Moonwalking’ was hot, y’all betta get the discounted feature now before I get my next hit.”
i charged $2 million when moonwalking was hot, yall betta get the discounted feature now before i get my next hit.. https://t.co/OwuBXJyqCQ
The “Moonwalking in Calabasas” single earned 2x-platinum certification from the Recording Industry Association of America. The 2020 release also peaked at No. 81 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
Additionally, DDG scored gold RIAA plaques for 2020’s “Arguments,” 2021’s “Hood Melody,” and 2023’s “I’m Geekin.” None of those singles charted on the Hot 100.
The Epic Records-backed performer has been featured on tracks by acts like Blueface, Almighty Jay, and Bfb Da Packman. His most famous non-music union is with singer/actress Halle Bailey, the mother of his newborn child.
DDG also jokingly posted, “[Alright] since y’all think I’m taxing, I’ll throw in a YouTube mukbang, one picture with my son & a free FaceTime call with Woo Wop. Last offer.”
iight since yall think im taxing, i’ll throw in a youtube mukbang, one picture with my son & a free facetime call with woo wop. last offer. https://t.co/0qGy2hbW9x
WNBA player Angel Reese became a trending topic on social media once again. The Chicago Sky forward got ejected during her basketball game against the New York Liberty on Tuesday (June 4).
In the closing minutes of the game, referee Charles Watson whistled Angel Reese for a personal foul. Watson then gave Reese two technical fouls after she apparently said something to the official about the call.
Lonzo Ball of the NBA’s Chicago Bulls came to Angel Reese’s defense on X. The “ZO2” rapper called out Charles Watson. Additionally, Ball suggested he would pay the $400 fine for the double-tech on Reese.
“Ref that threw out @Reese10Angel is weak [by the way]… You know who you are (Keep ya money, Angel. I got you),” Lonzo Ball tweeted around 10:15 pm ET on Tuesday. Reese responded, “Appreciate you gang!”
Chicago Sky head coach Teresa Weatherspoon spoke about Reese’s ejection during a postgame news conference. Weatherspoon stated, “I tried to get an explanation. I did not. I don’t know to this moment what has happened.”
Angel Reese is one of the standout stars of the WNBA’s 2024 rookie class. Her rivalry with Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark, which began at the collegiate level, generated high interest in women’s basketball since the 2023 NCAA Division I tournament.
“So many people are watching women’s basketball right now. It all started from the national championship game, and I’ve been dealing with this for two years now,” Reese declared following outrage over her Sky teammate Chennedy Carter’s controversial flagrant foul on Caitlin Clark.
Angel Reese also stated, “The reason why we’re watching women’s basketball is not just because of one person. It’s because of me, too. I want y’all to realize that… There are so many great players in this league that have deserved this for a really, really long time.”
NLE Choppa upset some people online. Footage of the 21-year-old rapper performing “S### Me Out 2” at a Jewish coming-of-age ceremony for pre-teens ignited controversy.
“Why don’t y’all bash men for promoting inappropriate songs in front of children like y’all do to female rappers? Mind y’all bat mitzvah are for 12-year-olds,” an X user posted on Monday (June 3).
The following day, NLE Choppa responded, “I performed the clean version to this song at the bat mitzvah actually!! And the kids rapped the curse words loud and clear in front of their parents [anyway]!!”
He also tweeted, “Mfers get mad at me for performing, doing my job when y’all kids be out here doing all type of grown activities. Yea skipping 3rd period to get that lil cherry pop under the bleachers. MF better worry bout that.”
NLE Choppa dropped “S### Me Out 2” on April 12, 2024. The track serves as the sequel to 2022’s “S### Me Out” which became a Top 40 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
After premiering “S### Me Out 2” at the Rolling Loud California festival in March, some fans began questioning NLE Choppa’s sexuality. However, the Memphis native has stated he identifies as heterosexual.
I performed the clean version to this song at the bat mitzvah actually !! And the kids rapped the curse words loud and clear in front of their parents any way !! https://t.co/Aq3Q3m2tpx
Mfers get mad at me for performing doing my job when yall kids be out here doing all type of grown activities. Yea skipping 3rd period to get that lil cherry pop under the bleachers. MF better worry bout that
Sexyy Red dropped her third mixtape, In Sexyy We Trust, on May 24. The 14-track project reportedly debuted with around 27,000 first-week units.
Music industry veteran Jermaine Dupri, 51, spoke about Sexyy Red’s five-figure opening during the SelectCon conference in Atlanta. The So So Def label founder used the numbers as an example of why rap music has not been as commercially successful in recent years.
“The industry still tries to make you believe that if you’re a hot artist and you got a single, that selling albums don’t matter,” Jermaine Dupri told Steve Stoute. “Sexyy Red’s album only doing 28,000 copies. In the era that I came in the music industry, if you sold 28,000 copies, you didn’t get no other chance to even walk in the building again.”
Jermaine Dupri went on to suggest top music acts during the height of his career moved 80,000-900,000 units. For example, Dupri’s 1998 album Life in 1472 sold more than 162,000 copies in its opening week, granted it was the pre-streaming era.
In Sexyy We Trust landed at No. 17 on the latest Billboard 200 album chart. Sexyy Red’s most recent body of work became the highest-charting project of her career.
2023’s Hood Hottest Princess amassed a reported 8,000 first-week units for a No. 193 start, but it eventually peaked at the Billboard 200’s No. 62 position.
Sexyy Red scored a Top 20 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 chart with “Get It Sexyy” off In Sexyy We Trust. The 26-year-old rhymer also made it into the Hot 100’s Top 20 as a feature on Drake’s “Rich Baby Daddy” with SZA.
50 Cent is making good on his promise to take his grievances against Beam Suntory to Congress, and he’s recruited renowned civil rights and personal injury attorney Ben Crump to join him in Washington D.C.
The entertainment mogul is embroiled in a long-running battle with the spirits company. After accusing employees of stealing millions of dollars from his brands, the dispute snowballed into a $6 million lawsuit.
50 Cent tapped Ben Crump to join his legal team in the fight to increase minority representation in the multibillion-dollar luxury spirits industry.
Crump will join 50 Cent for a meeting with Congressional Leaders on Capitol Hill on Wednesday (June 5) at 10 a.m. ET. The G-Unit honcho said they will meet with “the Congressional Black Caucus about how @suntoryglobalspirits has damaged my business.”
On Tuesday (June 4) 50 Cent posted an AI-generated image of himself and Crump with a warning to Beam Suntory.
“You can change your name from @beamsuntory @suntoryglobalspirits but you still robbed him,” Fiddy wrote in the caption. “I just want mines. Tell your friends in your discus meeting, you haven’t been under compliance at all.”
In a statement, Ben Crump praised 50 Cent “as he is one of the most successful Black entrepreneurs in America.” However, he noted, “even he is not immune to the bias treatment that faces minority business owners everyday.”
Crump said 50 Cent has been “relentless in his fight to seek fairness and justice.” Nonetheless, “he still must contend with the oppression that comes from being a minority business owner.”
He also affirmed his commitment to helping 50 Cent demonstrate “the power of the consumers to make corporate America allow a seat at the table for hard-working Black entrepreneurs.”
Latto and GloRilla showed off their competitive sides in a dance battle backstage on Megan Thee Stallion’s Hot Girl Summer Tour.
The trio was vibing following the “Sunday Service hitmaker’s guest appearance at the Atlanta tour stop. However, things got serious when Meg and Glo’s “Wanna Be” came on, kicking off a dance battle between Latto and GloRilla.
Megan shared a clip from the battle on Instagram in a video recap of the night.
“Glo, I don’t know friend,” Megan said in the voiceover. “It look like big Latto finna eat your ass up b####.” The H-Town Hottie gave Latto the win after she put on a Dior durag and got her “manilla vanilla clappas” out.
“Glo, I really just think y’all gone have to have a muthafuckin rematch,” Megan added. “She definitely ate you up friend. And she left the rag on your head? You about to let Latto do you like that, Glo?”
However, GloRilla refused to concede, claiming she only lost to Latto because she had heels on.
“Who gone tell her????” Latto replied before Megan stepped in again. “I think yall need a rematch,” she said. Nonetheless, Glo and Latto continued to debate the winner.
“Who won yall??? Bffr!!!!” Latto wrote alongside another clip of her battle with GloRilla.
“I clearly won,” Glo jokingly clapped back. “She did da same twerk twice & I had heels on yall kissing ass cause if I woulda start twerking I woulda got eliminated.”
It’s not the first time Latto and GloRilla put their dancing abilities to the test. Both ladies participated in a twerk-off following Meg and Glo’s “Wanna Be” remix.
Meanwhile, Latto and Megan Thee Stallion had another surprise for fans on the Hor Girl Summer Tour. They previewed Latto’s “Sunday Service” remix featuring Meg, due to arrive on DSPs later this week (May 7).
I guess ima give yall the Sunday service remix Friday 🤷♀️ me x Meg x ******** pic.twitter.com/De1pSZRSYt
Sean Kingston walked out of jail on Tuesday evening (June 4) after posting bond following his arrest last month.
Footage shows Kingston leaving Florida’s Broward County jail with a white towel covering his head. He faced questions about his charges from reporters waiting outside the jail but only responded when asked if the car that took him away was rented. “It is mine,” he replied before adding, “check the license plate.”
CBS News Miami reports Kingston’s mother Janice Turner and other relatives were waiting outside for over an hour. Turner was arrested on the same day as her son and is out on $160,000 bond amidst eight fraud and theft charges.
A Broward County judge set a $100,000 bond for the singer on Monday (June 3). Court video shows Kingston listening as the judge read the 10 criminal charges.
Kingston and his mother allegedly defrauded multiple businesses totalling more than a million dollars. They faced grand theft charges for a Cadillac Escalade valued at $159,701, $480,000 worth of jewelry and a $86,568 bed. Other related charges include Kingston defrauding banks and writing bad checks.
Meanwhile, Bob Rosenblatt, Kingston and Turner’s attorney, intends to request a jury trial. He told the outlet he is “very confident” he can get the charges dismissed.
He claimed his clients are innocent of all charges. “Well, I don’t know who is claiming they owe money. You know, we were aware of the watches, we are aware of the TV issue,” Rosenblatt stated.
“If there are other issues I’m not sure about… It’s a breach of contract. There’s no fraud here. There’s no organized fraud at all,” he added.
Martin Lawrence is addressing fans’ health concerns after he appeared disoriented during appearances on the Bad Boys: Ride or Die press run.
Recent videos of the veteran actor went viral as fans shared fears for his health. However, Lawrence said there’s nothing to fear as he’s doing just fine. The topic arose during an appearance on Ebro in the Morning on Tuesday (June 4) where he was joined by his Bad Boys co-star Will Smith.
Ebro asked Lawrence if there was anything he wanted to address in light of the speculation. “Yes,” he replied before adding, “I’m fine. I’m in God’s hands.”
Lawrence continued, “I’m blessed. I’m glad to be waking up every day and everything. No need for people to be concerned.
“I’m healthy as hell. Stop the rumors,” he added as Will Smith laughed loudly.
The speculation of his health began when Martin Lawrence and Will Smith teamed up for an interview with Extra. Fans noticed that Martin seemed to be speaking slower than usual and slurring his words.
The fears only increased following an appearance at the Bad Boys: Ride or Die premiere in Hollywood last Thursday (May 30). The duo arrived on a double-decker bus along with the Smith family. Smith was holding Lawrence’s hand and appeared to be guiding him to the front of the bus.
🔥🚨DEVELOPING: Martin Lawrence fans are worried about him after this video of Will Smith assisting Martin to the Stage of their new “Bad Boys Ride or Die” promo released. pic.twitter.com/mdamURqqO2
— Dom Lucre | Breaker of Narratives (@dom_lucre) June 1, 2024
Bad Boys: Ride or Die is set to hit theaters on June 5.
Lil Yachty claimed that Drake rarely listens to music despite his prolific output as an artist.
Yachty spilled the beans during a recent conversation with James Blake for Complex after the singer revealed he doesn’t listen to music as part of his everyday experiences.
“That’s the same with Drake,” Lil Yachty shared. “When I started hanging with him a lot, he rarely listens to music except for when he’s recording.”
However, despite their close bond, Lil Boat says his music consumption is the total opposite. While Yachty’s every activity is soundtracked Drake reserves his attention for studio sessions.
“I’m going to wake up, music, driving, music, showering, music, eating, music. He’s more of a talking type of person and plays music when it’s time to record,” Lil Yachty said of Drake.
“Sometimes he plays music in the car, but he’ll ride in silence most times. And before we got this close, I thought all musicians were like me and music was all day every day,” Yachty stated.
Drake and Lil Yachty are such close friends that they describe themselves as “brothers.” While he rarely listens to music, Drake values Yachty’s ear for music, crediting him as a major influence on his works like For All The Dogs, praising him shortly before the album dropped.
“I don’t think this album is what it is if I don’t get to run everything by you,” Drake told Lil Yachty. “If I don’t get to sit in the studio and write with you, and think with you, and if you don’t send me beats, and if you don’t tell me what you believe in or don’t believe in.”
OK, this is crazy. I’m going to abruptly blame comedian Katt Williams for everything that’s going on. He manifested this insane year with that infamous interview with Shannon Sharpe. Anyway, we have seen crumbling housesthanks to that manifestation, and Diddy is the biggest of all of them in 2024. And somehow, I think it’s about to get worse.
A new website is pushing for people who have allegedly or are accusing Diddy of misconduct. All you have to do is sign up and they will to reach out to you and help you sue the mogul, if they deem you credible (I assume). This is insane. It reminds me of those slip-and-fall commercials that the ambulance-chasing lawyers have.
The reality is, Diddy is accused of some heinous stuff and this is what happens. Another recent lawsuit was levied against him and it doesn’t look like his legal woes will soon cease.
I will say this: I am happy to see that he and his son Christian are no longer bucking back. Just be quiet, sit down and let the legal process work its way out. If you are innocent, this will work out for you. If you are guilty or found guilty, you might as well enjoy the bit of freedom you have. Honestly, I am almost positive they are going to bring up RICO charges in this case. It seems like the new trendy crime.
They’re not paying me, so I’m not linking to their site, but here is what it looks like.
Kanye West responded to a former assistant suing him for sexual harassment and wrongful termination, among other claims. A rep for Ye said he planned to countersue Lauren Pisciotta over her “baseless allegations.”
The controversial artist accused Pisciotta of blackmail and extortion. His rep justified the 2022 termination of Pisciotta.
“Ye will be filing a lawsuit against Ms. Pisciotta, who actively pursued him sexually to coerce employment and other material benefits, then engaged in blackmail and extortion when her advances were rejected,” Kanye’s rep said. “Prior to her termination as an assistant, Ms. Pisciotta stole his cell phone in an attempt to destroy phone records that would contradict her claims, all of which have been preserved. She was terminated for being unqualified, demanding unreasonable sums of money (including a $4 million annual salary) and numerous documented incidents of her lascivious, unhinged conduct.”
Pisciotta claimed Kanye masturbated in front of her, sent her sexually graphic texts and frequently asked her about her sex life. Ye’s rep fired back by insisting Pisciotta was the one who repeatedly crossed the lines in their work relationship.
“During her employment, Ms. Pisciotta offered Ye sex on his birthday to which he declined, sent Ye unsolicited nude images, sexual narratives and was seen twerking in the office during business hours,” the rep said. “On one occasion, Pisciotta boasted how the best moment of her life was when she was being ejaculated on by a soccer player while simultaneously texting her boss.”
The rep continued, “It is well documented how Ms. Pisciotta consistently used sexual coercion in an attempt to demand not only money but material items, namely Hermes Birkin bags, a Lamborghini and an endless quest for plastic surgery. Upon having her advances rebuked, Pisciotta’s blackmail demands have gone from $60M last year to $50M in last week’s frivolous filing.”
Kanye’s rep suggested Pisciotta’s behavior was “inconsistent with someone who claims to have been sexually harassed or experienced a hostile work environment.” The rep said Pisciotta fabricated the allegations for attention because “her initial attempt at a lawsuit for unlawful termination gained no media traction.”
Stephen A. Smith and Monica McNutt had a heated exchange on social media on Monday (June 3). Actually, they first clashed on ESPN’s popular show First Take, and it all spilled out onto social media. Most of us are working when that show airs, but clearly a lot of people caught it and began reposting the interaction.
This is his face live on TV:
The discussion centered around Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese and all the buzz surrounding the WNBA right now. Mainly, people are talking about how the white point guard, who was a superstar in college women’s basketball, has uplifted the sport.
To me, this is a good thing, but there is a tinge of racism that goes along with it. It could be that she’s just an amazing ballplayer. Or it could be that she’s an amazing white player for mainstream and middle America. Don’t get mad at me. This is just how I see it. At any rate, the energy is electric and everybody is in. I have to admit, I am too.
Oh boy, it’s getting NEGATIVE on First Take today, Molly immediately had to go break 😂😂😂pic.twitter.com/YX2D9V8SNc
— Ahmed/The Ears/IG: BigBizTheGod 🇸🇴 (@big_business_) June 3, 2024
So, Monica McNutt and Stephen A. Smith had an interaction, and she read him for filth, as they say. She basically said that he could have been covering women’s basketball, specifically the WNBA, for years but didn’t. She essentially embarrassed him. I believe he was embarrassed, at least. To add insult to injury, you could see that the other hosts of the show were stunned by this “read.” Her face was like, “What?”
Apparently, they had a conversation, and the rumor is she apologized to him. I have to admit, I don’t think she was especially disrespectful. I do think she sonned him in front of the world. But I think it was really gender-related as far as that sonning was concerned. If it was a man doing the talking, I don’t think it would be as big of a deal. I think because it was a woman, and a Black woman at that, it amplified what happened. This was like getting burned at lunchtime in front of the whole school.
Did she deserve to apologize? If she did, I don’t think so. I hope and pray she didn’t apologize. I simply don’t think it was that bad of an interaction. I just think Stephen A. was rendered speechless for once. At the end of the day, there were fears that Monica McNutt would get fired or eventually phased out because of this interaction. That saddened me, so if the apology prevented that from happening, then I guess it was warranted. We want to see this beautiful Black queen on our airways every day or as much as possible.
GloRilla has been showing signs of the growth she has been talking about for years, and it appears her fans now have no choice but to take notice.
During a recent concert appearance with Megan Thee Stallion, the “Wanna Be” rapper appeared to take Waka Flocka’s famous twerk anthem “Round Of Applause” to heart, because shorty did make that thang clap–even to the surprise of Meg herself, who appeared speechless when seeing how proficiently Big Glo was throwing it in a circle.
Of course, almost instantaneously, social media reacted and began spiraling, putting GloRilla’s cheeked-up display into a hyper-focus on the timeline on Twitter (X) after a video of her generated more than a million views alone.
“Glo been practicing,” one user wrote in a tweet featuring the clip stamped with a shoulder shrug emoji.
Multiple users began chiming in on the thread, both engaging in virtual double-takes while also seemingly scrutinizing GloRilla’s sudden explosion of cake before their eyes.
“The world is not ready for thick glo,” one user wrote while another added, “This why everyone think she got a bbl.”
Some users deduced her relationship with her frequent collaborators could also be part of the reason that thang is moving like GloRilla once worked at Magic City, with one user suggesting in a tweet, “meg must’ve taught her [crying laughing emoji].”
In all reality, though, GloRIlla has been trying to tell us that she was this thick for years. In 2022, she actually issued a PSA about her cakes on Twitter in a lengthy tweet in which she gave herself her own flowers for having a natural body.
“It’s nothing nobody can tell me that’ll make me not feel & know that I’m thick !!!!! Like, do y’all know how many people asked me do I have a bbl a day ??????,” GloRilla wrote in the message.
There’s also the infamous Breakfast Club interview during which Big Glo literally stood up to show Charlamagne Tha God and the crew she was really cheeked-up in leather pants on the morning radio show just because. Not to mention the countless other moments caught in 4K of GloRilla feeling herself, along with the need to remind us all she was as thick as she wants to be.
Check out the clip below and judge for yourself whether Glorilla’s hips don’t lie.
Trina admitted she hadn’t spoken to Nicki Minaj in at least a year due to their friendship’s deterioration. Trina blamed her team for past drama with Nicki regarding their 2019 single “BAPS” in an interview with Carlos King.
According to Trina, her mother’s death affected many of her relationships. Her grief caused her to become more and more detached.
“I haven’t spoken to [Nicki] in a while,” she said. “Probably a little bit over a year. Maybe longer … Maybe like a year or two. And I mean after my mom [passed away] honestly, I didn’t speak to a lot of people.”
Trina’s mother passed away in 2019. She recalled touching base with Nicki when Nicki’s father died in 2021.
“When she lost her dad, I reached out to her,” Trina said. “So, I think that was the last time.”
Trina also addressed the controversy over her declaring Beyoncé the “Queen of Rap” in 2023. The Barbz, Nicki’s most devoted and aggressive fans, believed Trina’s comment was a shot at their favorite artist. Trina denied any malicious intent and clarified her feelings about Nicki.
“I don’t have no problems with her,” she said. “Nicki’s an amazing, beautiful person. She’s an amazing, beautiful person and I always wish her the best. She’s doing phenomenal. She’s on a whole tour that’s been sold out. You can’t knock greatness and what somebody’s doing. You can’t erase the steps. You can’t take away from that no matter what. And when you look up and see it, and you like, ‘Damn, I’m proud. You deserving of this’ … My mind be on stuff like that. I’m just happy for you. You over here and I’m over here, but I’m just happy for you.”
Nicki began her Pink Friday 2 World Tour in March. The tour is scheduled to conclude in October.
Outlawz legend E.D,I ,Mean has been hospitalized after suffering a heart attack. The 2Pac affiliate shared a photo of himself laying in his hospital bed on Tuesday (June 4) with wires and tubes hooked up to his chest—albeit he had a smile on his face. He explained in the caption the fitness journey he started in 2020 is likely the only reason he’s still alive.
“My old way of life caught up with me yesterday and even though I’ve come a long way I still got some more work to do,” he wrote. “I had a massive heart attack yesterday leaving the gym. Ironically the doctors said it would have been a wrap for me but the lifestyle changes I made in 2020 are the reason I’m still here.
“This is not a sympathy post btw. I always laughed at people who go to the gram w personal s###. No this is a gratitude post. One super thankful to still be here, second @missreyes777 thank you for saving my life along with the great staff at this hospital. Close call y’all!”
The COVID-19 pandemic provided an opportunity for people to focus more on their mental and physical health, especially artists who are used to being on the road with often little time to exercise. EDI Mean showed off his impressive weight loss in an Instagram post as part of “Transformation Thursday” in February 2021.
The photo provided a side-by-side look at EDI before and after his fitness journey began. He wrote in the caption, “#transformationthursday Today I reached a major milestone and I gotta share w y’all…. Maybe 10 years ago I played what I thought was my last game of 21 (basketball). I went up for a rebound and my back said nah. I was laid up for two weeks and just figured that part of my life was done.
“Fast forward to [20] 21 and I just played two games with guys mostly 10 plus’s years younger than me…. We went 1-1 btw. I say all that to say, it can be done. P.S. the picture on the my left is me at 300.”
E.D.I. Mean has continued sharing his progress with his fans. In April, he posted another since-deleted pair of before and after photos with the caption, “imma just keep working on my myself and minding the business that pays me! SAY MAN DIS WORLD IS LOCO STAY FOCUSED AND OUT THESE HATERS WAY.”
AllHipHop reached out to E.D.I. Mean, who confirmed he was doing “better.” He added, “We have to get out of survival mode and embrace thriving and living our best life. True success is healthy living! So grateful to still be here.”
E.D.I. Mean was in the car behind 2Pac on September 7, 1996, when he was shot at a Las Vegas intersection. He died six days later at the University Medical Center of Southern Nevada, although EDI has always maintained his spirit lives on.
“I feel like his spirit is omnipresent,” he said in a 2019 interview. “It’s always there. Even now, with social media being as big as it is, we always see his pictures, his quotes, old videos, old songs. Young and new artists acknowledge him and pay respect to him. Even the younger generation, through YouTube and things like that, are getting hip to his music.
“I literally have 14, 15, 16-year-olds that DM me, message me and email, saying things like, ‘I wasn’t even alive when you guys were running around doing your thing, but I love this music and you guys are great.’ So that’s dope. Music is forever.”
Rihanna fans continue to beg for a new album, but she remains focused on her business endeavors. The Grammy-winning singer annoyed many of her loyal listeners by unveiling her Fenty Hair line instead of providing a music update on Tuesday (June 4).
“A new family is moving in!” Rihanna wrote on social media. “#fentyhair is pullin up and it’s time to finally have the hair experience you’ve been waiting for.”
She continued, “You know how much switching my hair up matters to me. I’ve had almost every texture, color, length, from weaves to braids to natural- so I am launching a flexible line of products for not only every hair want, but every single product is designed to strengthen and repair all types of hair, which is what we truly need! It’s time to play and get stronger by the style.”
Rihanna’s Fenty Hair launches on June 13. It will add to her already extensive line of Fenty-branded products, which include makeup and fragrances.
Music hasn’t been a priority for Rihanna in recent years. Her last album, Anti, dropped in 2016.
Motherhood has kept Rihanna busy over the past few years. She gave birth to her first child in 2022. Rihanna and her partner A$AP Rocky welcomed their second son in 2023.
Girl where is the Fenty Music… we f### around and get Fenty Food, Fenty Weed, Fenty Wine, Fenty purses, Fenty shoes, Fenty lashes, Fenty glasses and a Fenty water drop before the music… ily tho! 💗 https://t.co/e44QMeFuXr
A woman sued The-Dream for sexual assault, sexual battery and sex trafficking on Tuesday (June 4). Chanaaz Mangroe accused the singer-songwriter of luring her into an “abusive, violent and manipulative relationship filled with physical assaults, violent sexual encounters and horrific psychological manipulation.”
Mangroe, who uses the stage name Channii Monroe, filed her lawsuit in California. The alleged victim said she met The-Dream in 2014. According to her complaint, The-Dream trafficked the aspiring artist “under the guise of pursuing a legitimate recording and publishing contract.”
The plaintiff, who came to the U.S. from The Netherlands, was 23 years old when she went to Los Angeles to work with The-Dream in 2015. Mangroe thought she was on the verge of a big break, connecting with a hitmaker known for his collaborations with Beyoncé and Rihanna. But Mangroe said The-Dream “expected her to be available to have sex with him whenever he demanded it” throughout her time in Los Angeles.
“He assured her that sex with him was ‘part of the process’ and he could only write hit songs for her if she agreed to let him know everything about her,” the lawsuit explained.
Mangroe eventually moved to Atlanta. She signed contracts with Contra Paris and Epic Records, but The-Dream “maintained complete control” of communications with the label. Mangroe’s situation grew worse as she was subjected to abuse and sexual assault.
“Dream frequently strangled Ms. Mangroe during violent sex, sometimes with his hands, and once using the collar of her dress,” her lawsuit revealed. “On multiple occasions, Dream choked Ms. Mangroe so intensely that she almost lost consciousness.”
Mangroe lost her deal with Epic in 2016. She claimed The-Dream ruined her career and “her ability to live a life free from the trauma.”
“Choosing to speak out about the trauma I survived has been one of the most difficult decisions of my life, but ultimately, what Dream did to me made it impossible to live the life I envisioned for myself and pursue my goals as a singer and songwriter,” Mangroe said in a statement. “Ultimately, my silence has become too painful, and I realized that I need to tell my story to heal. I hope that doing so will also help others and prevent future horrific abuse.”
The-Dream, whose real name is Terius Gesteelde-Diamant, denied Mangroe’s allegations.
“These claims are untrue and defamatory,” he told the New York Times. “I oppose all forms of harassment and have always strived to help people realize their career goals. As someone committed to making a positive impact on my fellow artists and the world at large, I am deeply offended and saddened by these accusations.”
Mangroe is represented by the same attorneys behind Cassie Ventura’s bombshell lawsuit against Diddy. Cassie and Diddy settled their case out of court in November 2023.
The Navy Album will follow 2019’s Please Excuse Me for Being Antisocial and 2021’s Live Life Fast. Ricch’s debut studio LP became a commercial success. The Please Excuse Me for Being Antisocial single “The Box” had an 11-week reign atop the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
Plus, Roddy Ricch earned a 2x-platinum plaque from the RIAA for the Billboard 200 chart-topping Please Excuse Me for Being Antisocial. However, Live Life Fast peaked at No. 4 and only remained on the Billboard 200 for 10 weeks.
The dropoff in sales from his first album to his second album caused some Hip-Hop followers to declare that Ricch has fallen off as a recording artist. The 25-year-old performer reacted to those negative comments.
“Imagine if I had a dollar for every time they said I FELL OFF, I’d be a billionaire [red anatomical heart emoji],” Roddy Ricch tweeted on Sunday (June 2). That post amassed more than 19,000 likes on the X social media platform.
imagine if I had a dollar for every time they said I FELL OFF i’d be a billionaire 🫀
Some X users pushed back on Roddy Ricch suggesting his career has not seen a significant dropoff in recent years. For instance, one person wrote, “No disrespect, but what would you call it? A subtle fade into obscurity?”
Someone else replied, “You went off for long bro… you starve your fans of new music… that’s bad… we all thought you fell off.” Another commenter tweeted, “But you really fell off [pensive face emoji]. I still love you tho.”
Roddy Ricch also received love from his more hardened supporters. A fan declared, “They could never make me hate you.” Ricch also got a reply that read, “You got this bruh. I know you boutta come with sumn crazy.”
