Donald Trump unloaded on both Israel and Iran Tuesday (June 24) morning before heading to the NATO summit in The Hague, venting his anger over the apparent unraveling of a ceasefire he had personally championed just hours earlier.
“We have two countries that have been fighting so long and so hard that they don’t know what the f### they’re doing,” Trump said during a tense exchange with reporters.
Trump, who had declared the ceasefire “unlimited,” appeared blindsided by reports of renewed violence.
“I think the ceasefire is unlimited. It’s going to go forever,” he had said confidently during a Monday night NBC interview. “I don’t think they will ever be shooting at each other again.”
But by sunrise Tuesday, Trump’s tone had flipped. He accused both sides of undermining the truce, though he reserved his sharpest criticism for Israel.
“Israel, as soon as we made the deal, they came out, and they dropped a load of bombs, the likes of which I’ve never seen before. The biggest load that we’ve seen,” Trump said. “I’m not happy with Israel. You know, when I say, ‘OK, now you have 12 hours,’ you don’t go out in the first hour and just drop everything you have on them. So I’m not happy with them. I’m not happy with Iran either.”
Moments later, Trump took to Truth Social to issue a blunt warning: “ISRAEL. DO NOT DROP THOSE BOMBS. IF YOU DO IT IS A MAJOR VIOLATION. BRING YOUR PILOTS HOME, NOW!”
Despite the escalating tensions, Trump insisted the ceasefire had not technically been broken.
The ceasefire, brokered after a deadly stretch of direct conflict between Israel and Iran, had raised hopes of a de-escalation in a region teetering on the edge of a broader war.
The violence followed U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, which had drawn global concern over potential American entanglement.
Pusha T cleared the air on his fractured relationship with Kanye West during a new interview on the New York Times’ “Popcast,” making it clear that their bond begins and ends with music.
“We ain’t the same,” Pusha said when asked if there was any emotional fallout over their split. “Outside of music, we’re nothing. We can’t be anything outside of music. Music is where we click. Outside of that, his principles, his morals, his mindset. We don’t see eye to eye. Hardly ever. And we never have.”
The Clipse rapper didn’t mince words as he continued, calling out what he sees as clout chasing behavior.
“If you’re a man … you can’t move like this,” he continued. “Where you gotta flip-flop and kiss ass and do all the backbiting, begging.”
The comments follow Pusha’s GQ interview in June 2025, where he said the relationship with West was beyond repair.
“He knows I don’t think he’s a man,” Pusha explained in that interview. “He knows it. And that’s why we can’t build with each other no more. That’s why me and him don’t click, because he knows what I really, really think of him. He’s showed me the weakest sides of him, and he knows how I think of weak people.”
Pusha T on why Ye isn’t a “real man” 👀
“Outside of music, we’re nothing. His principles, his morals, his mindset. We don’t see eye to eye.”
No Malice Weighs In On Pusha T’s Relationship With Kanye West
Pusha’s longtime partner and brother, No Malice, also chimed in during the “Popcast” interview, saying he’s watched Pusha navigate the industry with integrity, even when surrounded by people who don’t return the same energy.
“We come from just loyalty to a fault. If you’re my friend, you’re my friend,” No Malice said. “To me, he just looks like a lone wolf out there but still holding up his principles and his ethics and standing on business the way he stands on business.”
Meanwhile, West has expressed regret over the fallout.
In May 2025, he posted on social media, “I miss me and Pusha’s friendship,” shortly after being referenced in the Clipse track “Ace Trumpets.”
50 Cent fueled speculation about his next big-screen move, hinting at a possible role as Balrog in the upcoming live-action reboot of Street Fighter.
On Monday (June 23), the rapper and actor shared a screenshot of a report about the casting rumors on Instagram and added, “No Days off, Let’s work. All roads lead to Shreveport.”
According to reports, entertainment insiders suggest 50 Cent is in active talks to portray the infamous boxing villain from the Capcom franchise.
Balrog, a former heavyweight champ turned enforcer for the criminal group Shadaloo, made his first appearance in Street Fighter II.
Known for his brute strength and ruthless ambition, the Las Vegas-based character was banned from professional boxing for maiming and allegedly killing opponents in the ring. He later became one of M. Bison’s top lieutenants, serving as one of the “Four Heavenly Kings.”
Although the casting hasn’t been confirmed by the studio, multiple industry sources indicate that negotiations are underway.
The Street Fighter role would mark another major acting credit for 50 Cent. The G-Unit boss has built a solid resume in film and television, including his breakout role in Get Rich or Die Tryin’ and his executive producer and acting work on the Power series.
The reboot of Street Fighter is still in the early stages, with no official release date announced.
However, the buzz around 50 Cent potentially stepping into Balrog’s gloves has added significant momentum to the project.
Sometimes it feels like Clipse—Pusha T and Malice—think Paris exists in a different dimension where WiFi, smartphones and die-hard rap heads don’t exist. I’m (mostly) joking, but hear me out.
On Monday (June 23), a track featuring Kendrick Lamar leaked online, and let’s just say… it didn’t last long. I was on it. I listened. Then poof—the original post vanished. Whoever let that fly probably got hit with an angry phone call or DM. They took it down, but that was just the beginning.
You already know how this game works. Once the toothpaste is out of the tube, it’s not going back in. Despite the takedown, that track started bubbling up on Reddit, Twitter and encrypted fan forums. The next thing you know—it’s everywhere.
And now? We finally get to hear that verse. The big, bad verse Universal Music Group allegedly wanted to bury. This is the one that got Malice and Push out of their deal. Industry whispers claim some lines—or maybe the entire feature—was a problem for execs. UMG represents both Kendrick Lamr and Drake, and after Drake filed a lawsuit accusing them of backing Kendrick’s “diss tracks,” the label seems to be scrambling to cover their “a###.”
But now that the leak is out in the wild—what do you think? Kendrick snapped, obviously. Malice and Push haven’t missed a step. It’s 2025 and these two sound sharper and colder than most of the current crop clogging your algorithms.
Clipse might be exactly what Hip-Hop needs right now—a culture reset. The game’s gotten so lost in gossip, antics and clickbait that we forgot the music is supposed to mean something. Clipse showing up right now feels like the big brothers pulling up to talk Hip-Hop to the young bucks.
Let me know your thoughts in the comments or in the community section. Are you here for a full Clipse takeover in 2025? Or has the culture gone too far to pull back?
Ashton Hall is the big, muscle-bound man that one would think would put other people’s face in the sand. But that is not the case for this viral influencer. According to the internet and a recently posted video, Hall ran away from Mo Deen in Westfields.
Who is Mo Deen? This is my first time hearing about bro. Well, the internet says, “Mo Deen is a vlogger who is known for his videos on TikTok and YouTube. He films videos of himself, usually with other people.” Well, that is pretty simple. I’m not sure if there’s more to this, but Ashton was scared.
The internet seemed to think Ashton was in fear that Mo Deen had a knife on him. So, the man know for running in viral vids ran out of the mall in a panic. And then, in a sudden twist, he grabbed a random kid’s (yute) Lime bike to solidify his great escape. What caused this?
I haven’t been able to get to the true bottom yet. but I have seen Mo Deen making fun of Brother Ashton. Check this out.
Nelly juggled diapers and reality TV as he opened up about raising a newborn at 50 while preparing to debut a new series with Ashanti on Peacock.
The Hip-Hop veteran and the R&B singer welcomed their first child together, Kareem Kenkaide, in July 2023, just months after tying the knot.
Now, the couple is pulling back the curtain on their home life in Nelly & Ashanti: We Belong Together, premiering Thursday, June 26.
During an appearance on NBC’s Today, Nelly didn’t hold back about the realities of parenting later in life.
“Listen, I told her before we had this baby, I said, ‘Now listen, I’m here. But chasing toddlers at 50…'” he said, trailing off with a laugh.
He added, “I said, ‘As many as you want, but as many nannies as we can afford.’ I pay for a professional chaser.”
Ashanti, 44, also spoke about the adjustment to motherhood, admitting in the show’s trailer, “KK is my first child, so I’m a little more frantic.”
Nelly chimed in with his own laid-back approach: “My parenting style is just don’t burn down the house.” The couple’s new docuseries promises a behind-the-scenes look at their day-to-day lives, from parenting to performing.
“We are really in real life managing our lives together, our child, our careers, traveling, getting those moments, the cameras, it’s a lot,” Ashanti said on Today.
Nelly is no stranger to fatherhood. He shares two adult children—Chanelle Haynes, 31, and Cornell “Tre” Haynes III, 26—with his ex-girlfriend, Chanetta Valentine.
In 2005, he also adopted his late sister Jackie’s children, Shawn “Lil Shawn” Thomas Jr. and Sydney Thomas.
JAY-Z lit up Paris with Beyoncé this past weekend in a performance that folks are calling nothing short of legendary. That might be the other way around, but you get what I am saying. The Carters gave the City of Light a moment to remember. I wish I was there. I would’ve gladly stood in the rain wearing a Roc Nation hat in “formation” to witness that. Of course, there’s more brewing beneath the surface.
Now, let’s walk around the block for a minute.
Nicki Minaj, who has been very vocal lately, recently threw some verbal jabs in Jigga’s direction. According to her, JAY-Z and Roc Nation weren’t exactly the most supportive of her career. In fact, she’s claimed they tried to “put a kibosh” on it altogether. That’s not a little accusation. That’s a big one. Add that to her earlier gripes about the Super Bowl lineup not featuring Young Money, and this rumor I’m about to tell you gets WAY MORE interesting.
First, it fires back at the criticisms without saying a word. Second, it potentially opens the door for JAY-Z to re-enter the musical arena with the type of rollout only he could orchestrate. You know Hov doesn’t release an album unless he’s going straight to No. 1. And let’s not forget, he’s been relatively quiet on the music front, letting Beyoncé cook instead. I think they’re slowly building out their family empire. But a Super Bowl performance? That’s how you make noise and continue legacy at the same time.
Plus, if Queen Bey hops on for a quick “Crazy in Love” moment—GAME OVER. God forbid they do a new song. Now, this is just a rumor, but something tells me there’s some smoke here.
Solar, the controversial producer once branded the most “evil man in Hip-Hop,” is suing DJ Premier in a new bid to block him from using the Gang Starr name and logo while also demanding a share of the group’s earnings.
The lawsuit accuses Premier, along with Ill Kid Music Inc., Guru Productions Inc. and unnamed parties, of copyright and trademark infringement.
Solar, who worked with the late Guru during the rapper’s final years, claims he owns rights to the Gang Starr brand and wants the court to stop Premier from profiting off it.
According to court documents, Solar alleges that Premier and his affiliates “have used and continue to use Plaintiff’s copyrighted works and trademarks without authorization and have failed to pay royalties owed.”
He also claims they “have received and retained royalties and other income from the exploitation of Plaintiff’s works.”
The legal dispute stems from Solar’s collaboration with Guru on multiple projects under the 7 Grand banner. Solar says he co-wrote, produced and/or performed on Gang Starr’s album The Ownerz as well as their final release, One of the Best Yet, and the track “Battle” from the 8 Mile soundtrack.
After Guru passed away from cancer on April 19, 2010, a bitter legal fight erupted over his intellectual property.
A lower court eventually ruled against Solar, and in March 2014, ruled in favor of Guru’s estate. The ruling stated that Solar did not own or have any rights to Guru’s creative works, recordings or certain trademarks, including “Gang Starr” and Jazzmatazz.
The court also found Solar to be dishonest and ordered him not to use or transfer those trademarks except to Guru’s estate.
On appeal, the Appellate Division partly agreed, retaining the decisions regarding trademarks and embezzlement of estate funds, but overturned the rulings concerning some of Guru’s creative works.
It also reduced the amount Solar had to pay the estate and removed some restrictions from the original order.
However, in December 2024, a judge permanently dismissed the Trademark Infringement, false designation of origin and copyright infringement claims.
Solar’s claim for unfair competition and conversion was dismissed as well, but the judge allowed them to be brought to court again in the future. Solar appealed the decision, which is still pending.
Despite the earlier dismissal of Solar’s claims for Copyright and Trademark Infringement being made permanent, he’s pursuing DJ Premier and the others again.
His latest attempt claims that Premier is using his contributions without credit or compensation and he’s once again suing the legendary producer for copyright and trademark infringement.
Solar is now seeking to have the court award damages, block further use of the disputed material and cover his legal fees.
Trademark records viewed by AllHipHop indicate that the original Gang Starr trademark was registered by Guru Productions in 2007, but it was subsequently abandoned. Solar filed for the trademark in 2011 and again in 2021; however, both applications were abandoned and are currently listed as “dead.”
Solar’s role in Guru’s final years remains a sore spot in the Hip-Hop world. He was accused of isolating the rapper from his family, controlling his communications and allegedly pushing him to keep working despite his illness.
Solar has denied those claims, insisting Guru was entirely in control of his decisions, but Guru’s family and much of the Hip-Hop community have long questioned Solar’s intentions. The lawsuit, filed more than 15 years after Guru’s death, is likely to reignite those tensions.
Cardi B dropped the curtain on her long-awaited second album, Am I The Drama?, with a dramatic visual rollout and a confirmed release date of September 19, 2025.
The Grammy-winning rapper unveiled two striking covers for the project, along with a deluxe collector’s box set now available for pre-order.
The standard cover shows Cardi B in a sculpted crimson coat with sharp shoulders and matching stilettos, surrounded by ominous crows flying through a gray sky.
A raven perches on her heel while another swoops above, adding a theatrical edge to the old Hollywood-inspired look.
A second version of the artwork offers a close-up of her face partially hidden by a crow’s wing, framed by a blood-red hat and matching cloak.
The limited edition box set includes the album, exclusive artwork, and custom packaging. The interior of the red box reads “YES I AM” in gold, while the outer design features Cardi B reclining in the same dramatic outfit from the main cover.
Cardi B reveals an alternate cover to her new album “Am I the Drama” releasing September 19th. pic.twitter.com/JXAz3yB1xu
Also inside is a vintage-style poster styled like a noir film promo. The image shows Cardi B as a femme fatale with the word “VILLAIN” stamped across the bottom and a cheeky hotline number: “Call for trouble! 1-800-DRAMA.”
The visuals and packaging lean into the album’s theme of spectacle and self-awareness, with Cardi fully embracing her public persona.
Am I The Drama? marks her first full-length studio album since 2018’s Invasion of Privacy, which earned her a Grammy for Best Rap Album and solidified her place in Hip-Hop’s upper echelon.
She teased the announcement earlier in the day on June 23, then posted the artwork alongside a cryptic message: “Seven years and the time has come. Seven years of love, life and loss. Seven years I gave them grace, but now, I give them hell. I learned power is not given; it’s taken. I’m shedding feathers and no more tears. I’m not back; I’m beyond.”
Nicki Minaj unloaded a barrage of accusations and cryptic messages on X over the weekend, claiming interference with her music career and personal life has kept her from releasing new material since her December 2023 album Pink Friday 2.
The Hip-Hop heavyweight told her 28 million followers she’s been dealing with what she called a “distraction,” alleging everything from family sabotage to social media manipulation.
“Needing the Barbz is \@ an all time high for every distraction,” she wrote. “So let me start talking about what I’ve found out. About them. Real juicy. Confirmations. #MakeABaby #BannedFromNO #PaidMoles Order in the court.”
Barbz, that’s the REAL reason I won’t release music. 🎀
Minaj, 42, suggested that someone is actively trying to destroy her marriage to Kenneth Petty, with whom she shares a four-year-old son. “Trying to tear a husband away from his wife & family with lies & friends in high places. Yuck,” she posted. “no one hates a happy marriage more than ppl in an unhappy one.”
She also claimed she and her Barbz have been targeted online, alleging that their posts are being flagged or hidden. “Barbz save all info on everytime you get flagged or suspended & what platform it’s on… They don’t want you to see what I’m liking. So that feature was demolished. Listening devices. Cameras. Car tags. Pages you don’t follow under the ‘following’ section of X now? Hmmmmmm. Do I get paid for that?”
Would you continue working in a field where you were maliciously being kept away from your audience while everyone pretends to be mute? #GoofyBleek
When a user mentioned her absence from TikTok, Nicki Minaj responded that she believes her accounts have been compromised. “They’ve had access to my accounts on all platforms. I didn’t change the passwords either… And you have no idea how disgusting it gets. Enough is enough.”
In another post, Minaj appeared to throw shade at Memphis Bleek, a longtime associate of Jay-Z and former Roc-A-Fella artist. “Let’s call Goofy Bleek to the rescue,” she wrote. “Would you continue working in a field where you were maliciously being kept away from your audience while everyone pretends to be mute?”
Over the weekend, Nicki reposted shocking allegations by Demoree Hadley, the daughter of Roc Nation CEO Desiree Perez.
Hadley is suing her mother for having her committed to a mental health facility against her own will.
Nas clowned Jim Jones in a resurfaced video from 2005, brushing off the idea that the Dipset rapper ever deserved a lyrical response, just as their renewed rivalry has reignited online.
“Imagine putting pen to paper to write about him,” Nas said to a laughing crowd in the throwback clip, which has been making the rounds again following Jones’ recent claims that he’s more impactful than Nas.
The Queensbridge icon didn’t stop there. “I’m not anxious to hear the Jim Jones diss record,” he added, explaining that Jones never made his peers “nervous” the way rappers like Notorious B.I.G., Tupac Shakur, Canibus and Eminem did.
“You had to go hard against rappers like them,” Nas said.
He continued roasting Jones with a smirk, saying, “But these n#####, like a Jim Jones,” before an audience member interrupted with, “Who the f### is that?” Nas didn’t miss a beat: “Exactly.”
The clip resurfaced just days after Jones stirred up debate by claiming on the “Joe and Jada” podcast that he has more hits than Nas and is more relevant to younger listeners.
The original clip of Nas dismissing Jones was reportedly filmed in 2005. During the early 2000s, Dipset frequently took shots at Nas on mixtapes and radio freestyles.
Diddy bargained over escort prices and used his corporate empire to bankroll sexual encounters, according to federal testimony presented on June 23 in his ongoing racketeering and sex trafficking trial in New York.
Jurors spent Day 28 of the trial listening to Homeland Security Investigations agent Joseph Cerciello walk them through a digital trail of hotel bookings, flight records and financial transactions prosecutors say were used to traffic Combs’ former girlfriend, referred to in court as “Jane.”
Cerciello produced texts showing Diddy personally negotiated with Cowboys 4 Angels, a male escort service, to lower prices despite his billionaire status.
In one message, Diddy allegedly told a representative, “Stop raising my rate. I am a long-timer.”
The jury also viewed explicit video files labeled “freak-off” that were allegedly filmed between December 17 and December 21, 2021. Cerciello said agents found 50 such files in Combs’ possession.
Prosecutors say the videos and financial records are part of a broader pattern showing Diddy used his companies and staff to organize and fund sexual encounters and held on to the videotapes to force participants into silence.
One male escort flew from Atlanta to Newark in September 2023 and stayed at the Trump International Hotel & Tower in New York. The $2,890 bill was charged to Diddy’s American Express card, according to Cerciello.
His Chief of Staff, Kristina Khorram, appeared to help coordinate logistics. In one text, she mentioned booking a room at the Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas and placing Plan B in the nightstand.
Prosecutors presented a $5,000 wire transfer from Diddy to Jane and demonstrated that Bad Boy Entertainment had covered her travel expenses. In contrast, Jane paid for the travel of another individual named Cabral, according to Cerciello.
The government is expected to rest its case on Tuesday (June 24) after Cerciello’s testimony, which capped five weeks of detailed allegations that Diddy used his wealth and influence to orchestrate a sex trafficking network under the guise of business.
Drake drew heavy criticism over the weekend after walking out with Morgan Wallen during the country singer’s show in Houston, reigniting outrage over Wallen’s past use of a racial slur and raising fresh questions about Drake’s standing in the Hip-Hop Community.
The Toronto rapper appeared alongside Wallen and baseball icon Roger Clemens in a moment that quickly went viral—not for the music, but for the optics.
Many in the Hip-Hop community saw the move as a calculated attempt by Drake to tap into Wallen’s massive fanbase, even if it meant aligning with someone whose past behavior remains a sore spot.
“Drake came out as a guest for someone that was calling us n###### a few years ago… Not like us indeed,” one user posted on X, referencing Kendrick Lamar’s diss “Not Like Us.”
In that song, Lamar accused Drake of exploiting Black culture, labeled him a “colonizer” and questioned his authenticity in Hip-Hop.
The online backlash was swift and brutal. “Drake being buddy buddy with a white man who calls Black people the hard -er makes a lot of sense actually. this is the same man who thought ‘rapping like you tryna free the slaves’ was an insult,” another person wrote.
Critics also pointed to a deeper pattern in Drake’s career, arguing that his recent public losses—especially to K. Dot—have left him scrambling to maintain relevance.
“Yall was comparing Drake to Tupac earlier LMFAO pac had BLACK PANTHERS in his family,” another user added. “This idiot asked Kendrick why he ‘tryna make the slaves free’ and now on stage w. a white man who says n####…he been ignorant & tone deaf his entire career.”
Morgan Wallen Sparked Outrage For Using Racial Slurs
Wallen, who in 2021 was caught on video using the N-word outside his home, faced widespread fallout at the time.
He was suspended by his label, pulled from radio and streaming playlists, and barred from major music awards. Though he has since returned to the spotlight, his name still carries controversy—especially in communities that haven’t forgotten the incident.
Drake’s appearance wasn’t just a surprise—it was seen by some as a betrayal. Hip-Hop commentators argued the move further distances him from the genre that helped build his career. Some labeled the moment “atrocious” and “cringe,” accusing him of chasing clout at the expense of integrity.
The collaboration also fits a pattern for Wallen, who has brought out big-name guests throughout his tour. But none have stirred the kind of backlash Drake’s walkout did.
The thrill of the casino, with its flashing lights, high stakes, and unfiltered energy, has become a powerful symbol within hip-hop culture. From the shuffle of cards to the spin of the roulette wheel, the gambling world reflects the boldness, hustle, and hunger for success that define the genre.
For many rap artists, casinos represent more than just entertainment, they’re metaphors for risk, ambition, and reward. Whether through lyrics, lifestyle, or business ventures, rappers have embraced the casino as a backdrop for their narratives of triumph and danger.
pexels.com
Why Casinos Appeal to Rappers
The culture surrounding casinos resonates deeply with the image many rappers cultivate: luxury, exclusivity, and control. From private VIP rooms to extravagant wagers, physical casinos provide a backdrop that amplifies themes of wealth, hustle, and bravado.
So, for many rappers, gambling has become more than a pastime; it’s a narrative tool that reflects both the risks taken to reach the top and the rewards of having arrived.
As life becomes increasingly digital, many artists are also turning to online casinos as a more flexible alternative. According to them, these platforms retain the allure of traditional casinos but add layers of convenience, discretion, and variety. Notably, Onkaji’s demo play feature allows players, including rappers new to the scene, to explore games freely, learn the mechanics, and build confidence before placing real bets.
Gambling as a Lyrical Canvas
In hip-hop, words are weapons, and gambling provides a rich vocabulary for crafting vivid narratives. The language of dice, cards, and bets serves as a powerful metaphor for life’s uncertainties.
Artists draw parallels between the risks of the casino and their personal journeys, where every move carries the weight of potential triumph or defeat. For instance, in his track Vegas, Kendrick Lamar uses casino slang to compare love to a high-stakes game, rapping about blackjack and rolling the dice to underscore emotional gambles.
Similarly, Ghostface Killah’s Pokerface incorporates poker terminology, equating strategic bluffing to navigating the music industry’s pressures.
These lyrical references do more than paint pictures – they humanize the artists’ struggles. The casino becomes a stage where rappers confront fate, much like they face systemic barriers or personal challenges.
Hip-Hop’s Influence on Gambling
Hip-hop’s reach stretches far beyond music, reshaping industries like gambling with its cultural firepower. Rappers have become prime targets for casinos, especially digital platforms looking to harness their star power.
A standout example is Drake’s partnership with Stake Casino, a cryptocurrency-based betting platform that’s redefined online gambling. Since 2022, Drake has elevated Stake’s profile through live-streamed betting sessions, where he wagers millions on games like roulette.
This influence flows both ways. Casinos lean into hip-hop’s aesthetic to craft experiences that vibe with rap fans. From slot games like Hip Hop Panda to marketing campaigns pulsing with trap beats, gambling brands tap into the genre’s energy to create immersive, culturally relevant experiences.
Casinos as Cultural Symbols in Hip-Hop
Beyond bets and business, casinos hold a deeper significance in hip-hop as emblems of triumph. The glittering lights of Las Vegas or the virtual dazzle of online platforms symbolize the pinnacle of success, a world where artists who once faced adversity now command the table.
Music videos often depict rappers surrounded by chips and champagne, a visual shorthand for having made it. This imagery resonates because it reflects hip-hop’s core narrative: the journey from struggle to sovereignty.
Where Culture and Risk Collide
The relationship between hip-hop and gambling is more than stylistic. We see it as a reflection of shared values rooted in risk, resilience, and reward. From smoky backrooms to digital platforms, casinos represent the high-wire act that mirrors many artists’ rise to fame: uncertain, unpredictable, but often thrilling.
In this cultural landscape, the casino becomes a true canvas for self-expression, and a proof of the enduring parallels between life at the table and life in the spotlight.
Cardi B hinted at a rebirth in a cryptic teaser for her long-awaited second studio album, her first full-length project since 2018’s Invasion of Privacy.
The Bronx-born rapper posted a dramatic video on Sunday (June 22), standing in a dark, moody field surrounded by circling crows.
She began, “Seven years and the time has come. Seven years of love, life and loss. Seven years I gave them grace, but now, I give them hell. I learned power is not given; it’s taken. I’m shedding feathers and no more tears. I’m not back; I’m beyond.”
Cardi concluded, “I’m not your villain; I’m your tyrant. The time is here. The time is now.”
The teaser arrived just days after Cardi B premiered her new single “Outside” live at a Spotify event in Cannes, France, on Friday (June 20). The track, her first solo release of 2025, channels raw emotion and defiance, with many interpreting the lyrics as a response to her public split from Offset.
Cardi B Kicks Off Album Rollout With New Single “Outside”
Though “Outside” has been well received, Cardi made it clear the rest of the album won’t follow the same sonic path.
“I’m happy that you guys love ‘Outside,’ but I just cannot wait for you guys to listen to my album,” she said. “I know you guys think that my songs are gonna be sounding like that, and it’s not. I also heard somebody say that my songs are gonna be like ‘Bongos.’ I’m coming very different. It’s a completely different vibe, but a good vibe.”
She also confirmed that the upcoming album will feature both familiar and fresh collaborators, although she didn’t reveal any names.
The official title and release date remain under wraps, but Cardi hinted at more news coming very soon. “TIMES UP,” she wrote alongside the teaser clip. “I got an announcement to make tomorrow.”
Cardi’s last album, Invasion of Privacy, won the Grammy for Best Rap Album and set streaming records, making her follow-up one of the most anticipated projects in Hip-Hop.
T-Rex is recovering after suffering an apparent seizure onstage during his headline battle against Geechi Gotti at Ultimate Rap League’s NOME 15 event Sunday night (June 2) in New York.
The Harlem battle rap icon was midway through his first round when he suddenly collapsed, prompting staff to rush to his side.
The livestreamed event quickly turned serious as the crowd fell silent and paramedics arrived to transport him to a hospital.
Footage of the incident showed T-Rex performing before abruptly collapsing. Battle rap media outlet Let’s Talk Battle Rap later provided an update, posting, “Rex was conscious before the Paramedics left to the hospital.”
The incident sparked an outpouring of concern across social media, with viewers sending prayers and well-wishes.
Fellow Harlem battle rap legend Murda Mook reassured everyone shortly after the incident, tweeting, “Rex is Good yall! Thank everyone.”
Later that night, Rex broke his silence on social media, thanking a nurse friend who was onstage during the emergency. “Thank god for JuJu,” he wrote. “I appreciate you so much.”
According to reports, Rex was released from the hospital late Sunday and is now recovering.
The NOME 15 card was stacked with Hip-Hop royalty and battle rap heavyweights. French Montana, Benny The Butcher and Conceited were all in the building to witness the highly anticipated matchup. Other rappers on the card included Tay Roc, T-Top and Ms. Hustle.
Charleston White defeated Island Boy Kodiyakredd in the second round of their headline bout at Adin Ross’ Brand Risk 008 influencer boxing event in Nashville on Sunday night (June 22), delivering a powerful punch that sent social media into a frenzy.
The matchup, streamed live and free on Ross’ Kick channel, ended with a technical knockout after White landed a clean shot that forced the Island Boy to retire.
The crowd erupted, and the internet followed suit with memes, disbelief and plenty of side-eye commentary.
Leading up to the bout, the tension was already boiling. At the pre-fight press conference, White shoved Kodiyakredd in the face and mocked his skills, making it clear this wasn’t just for show.
The fight itself was short but chaotic. White, who is more known for his controversial online persona than athleticism, came out swinging. Kodiyakredd, one-half of the viral Island Boys duo, struggled to keep up. By round two, it was over.
— The Hater misses Nothing (@Gaming4LifePC) June 23, 2025
The event, which featured nine total fights, was billed as a showdown between internet personalities with real-life beef. But it was the main event that stole the spotlight, thanks to its absurdity, trash talk and unexpected outcome.
Social media reactions poured in immediately.
One viewer posted, “Yall thought an OG TX n#### wasn’t gone train for the fight? They gone have to hear Charleston White mouth for the next 30 years.”
Another joked, “Lmfao that Charleston White vs Kodak Red fight was rigged asf. Ain’t no way you lost to somebody with 1 eye, let alone he 30 years older than you. Bro couldn’t even move, was outta breath in the first.”
A third added, “Charleston White just beat up one of the Island Boys. 2025 is not real.”
JAY-Z sent the Stade de France into a frenzy Saturday night (June 22) when he unexpectedly joined Beyoncé on stage during the final Paris stop of her “Cowboy Carter” tour, marking their first joint performance in nearly seven years.
The Hip-Hop mogul emerged mid-set to rap his verses on their 2003 smash “Crazy in Love,” igniting deafening cheers from the packed stadium.
The couple then delivered a sultry rendition of “Drunk in Love,” the first time the track had been performed live during the “Cowboy Carter” tour. Their onstage chemistry drew loud applause and capped off a night already stacked with surprises.
This marked the first time Beyoncé and JAY-Z have performed together since the Global Citizen Festival in Johannesburg back in December 2018.
The evening was a full-on family affair. Their daughter Blue Ivy hit the stage as one of the dancers, while Beyoncé’s mother, Tina Knowles and Kelly Rowland watched from the audience.
Cardi B, dressed in a cowboy-inspired outfit, was also turning up with Tina Knowles and Rowland. Beyoncé’s mom even posted a clip of Cardi rapping along to JAY-Z’s “N**as in Paris.”
Earlier in the week, JAY-Z publicly praised his wife during an interview at Fanatics Fest in New York City on Friday (June 20).
Young sports reporter Elijah Bloom asked him to name his favorite collaborator. Without hesitation, he called Beyoncé “the best. He added, “She’s amazing. She’s an incredible songwriter and an incredible performer.”
The concert wrapped the European leg of Beyoncé’s “Cowboy Carter” tour. The next stop is the United States.
Joycelyn Savage shut down years of speculation and family accusations on Sunday night (June 22) by declaring her loyalty to R. Kelly, denying claims that she’s being held against her will and insisting they’re planning a family together.
“I am not a victim,” Savage said in a video message, directly addressing the long-standing allegations from her parents. I’ve been with Robert for 10 years. He has been incarcerated for six years, and I have seen him every weekend for the past six years.”
The 29-year-old said she proposed to the embattled singer three years ago and that the couple is planning a future together.
“He said yes,” she added. “We are planning on getting married and having a family, and I am very excited about that.”
Savage also pushed back against the narrative pushed by her parents, Timothy and Jonjelyn Savage, who have publicly accused Kelly of manipulating and isolating their daughter.
“Please do not believe the lies that my mother and father are coming out here saying about me and Robert,” she pleaded, adding, “I am not held against my will. I am not a sex slave. I am not brainwashed or any of those crazy lies that were told on me.”
She said she has a phone and is fully capable of contacting her family but chooses not to.
Savage ended her message by asking for prayers and expressing her desire to see Kelly released.
“I just want Robert to get the righteous justice that he deserves,’ she stated. “Because he deserves to be free. Enough is enough. I’m tired, and he’s tired as well.”
Joycelyn Savage’s Parents Insist Daughter Remains Under R. Kelly’s Control
The Savage family, however, remains unconvinced. Their attorney, Gerald Griggs, reiterated last week the family’s belief that Joycelyn is still under Kelly’s control.
The family last spoke to her directly during a brief phone call in 2019. Since then, all communication has reportedly gone through intermediaries or Kelly’s legal team.
Meanwhile, Kelly is attempting to shake up his legal situation. The singer, convicted in 2022 on federal charges related to child pornography and obstruction of justice, is serving a 30-year sentence at FCI Butner in North Carolina.
He recently filed a motion to remove the entire U.S. Attorney’s Office in Chicago from his case, accusing prosecutors of misconduct and bias.
Shannon Sharpe and Jim Jones turned a routine podcast into a verbal brawl on June 22 after Sharpe challenged Jones’ claim that he’s a better rapper than Nas, igniting a heated exchange that veered from Hip-Hop rankings to gym routines.
The confrontation unfolded on the Nightcap podcast, co-hosted by Sharpe and Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson, after Sharpe questioned Jones’ lyrical comparison to Nas.
“Were you smoking when you said you’re better than Nas? Lyrically, I’m a keep it a stack with you. Y’all ain’t happy with Nas,” Sharpe said directly to Jones.
Jones didn’t back down and fired back with a jab at Sharpe’s appearance.
“Yeah, but look how you dress. Look how you dress,” Jim Jones said. He then doubled down on his earlier claims, adding, “You got a bunch of 40 or 50-year-olds in their panties cause I said I’m better than Nas. I’m still playing. I will run circles around Nas rapping right now. I’ll run Saturn around Nas right now, rapping. Everybody knows that. He’s [Shannon Sharpe] doing it for the views to get Jim Jones on there to get him hot, I understand that.”
Shannon Sharpe, visibly irritated, snapped back by defending the platform’s reach and status.
“This is the biggest podcast you’ve ever been on,” he said. “When you get big, you get invited to Club Shay Shay. Nas gets invited to Club Shay Shay. Jadakiss gets invited to Club Shay Shay. You are not on that level yet, bro.”
The tension originated from Jones’ earlier appearance on the Joe and Jada podcast, where he claimed he had more Billboard hits than Nas and resonated more with today’s audience.
That statement caught Sharpe’s attention, leading to the on-air confrontation.
The conversation quickly spiraled beyond music. At one point, the two began comparing workout regimens, with Sharpe mocking Jones’ fitness level while Jones dismissed Sharpe’s physique as irrelevant to rap credibility.
