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Chuck D Tackles Ageism In Hip-Hop On New “Radio Armageddon” Album

Chuck D needs no introduction—at least not to anyone well versed in Hip-Hop history. His roots run deep, and he’s among the most referenced MCs in music.

From A Tribe Called Quest’s “Show Business” and Ice Cube’s “Only One Me” to Kendrick Lamar’s “B#### Don’t Kill My Vibe” and Sir Mix-A-Lot’s “Mack Daddy,” the Public Enemy dynamo routinely comes up, tangible proof of his seismic impact and influence.

On Friday (May 16), Chuck D returned with his new solo album, Chuck D Presents Enemy Radio: Radio Armageddon, a 14-track lyrical smack in the face. Comprised of fiery mini-symphonies of sound crafted by David “C-Doc” Snyder, the record harkens to Public Enemy’s Bomb Squad days while simultaneously bringing something fresh and innovative to the proverbial table.

The lead single, “New Gens” featuring Stetsasonic’s Daddy-O, provides a loose thesis of the project—ageism. Unlike rock ‘n roll, which embraces its elders, Hip-Hop often shuns its pioneers or dismisses them as washed up and “too old.” Meanwhile, the Rolling Stones and The Beatles’ Paul McCartney are touring in their 80s, and still command the kind of respect they got in their prime.

“Call me a dinosaur/And prestigious but I’m far from the class pack,” Daddy-O raps. “No baby king I represent the first team.”

But what some people might not grasp is that Hip-Hop is young enough that there’s no blueprint for how to age with the genre.

“Besides Ice-T, Flav and I are some of the only Hip-Hop sexagenarians, and there’s no precedent, really,” Chuck D tells AllHipHop. “Just like we did in our 40s and 50s, we are leading the pack.”

Radio Armageddon, which Chuck D describes as a “compilation of voices,” includes guest verses from gangsta rap pioneer Schoolly D, Philly legend Phill Most Chill, Universal Zulu Nation’s Donald D and Jazzy Jay alongside burgeoning acts like 1/2 Pint, ULTRAMAG7 and Miranda Writes.

“It’s tied together in the one sonic template, like a rug,” Chuck explains. “C-Doc was able to supply something that I’ve always heard in my head all my life—and that’s just noise and friction and all kinds of discombobulated sonics.”

Radio Armageddon also spotlights an epidemic in Hip-Hop—artists dying in their 30s, 40s, 50s and 60s, when they should be living well into their 80s. Whether it’s violence, drugs, cancer or another health ailment, rappers are dying at an alarming rate.

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Like on the song “Black Don’t Dead,” Chuck points out, “We losing them once or twice a month.”

“It used to be Black don’t crack,” he says. “We got a certain skin resiliency, but we’ve been being killed on the inside out for a century or more now. But where we are right now, it’s so many things that’s creating early death for Black folks and it’s going under the radar, so yeah Black don’t crack, but it could die.”

The topic of ageism continues throughout the project, and Chuck—who turns 65 on August 1—was very deliberate about that.

“My theme this year is to attack ageism,” he says matter-of-factly. “I have to battle the ‘I don’t give a f### about some old rappers’ and this and that. That’s unfortunately behind the wall of venture capitalists who could invest money into this. They get deterred by reading everything about rap, like ‘Man, I don’t want to be involved with that s###, talking about b###### and shooting people and all that.’ Every time I turn on the news, that’s that element that’s getting projected over what it really is.”

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Public Enemy has been fighting the power for nearly 40 years—and Chuck isn’t going to stop now. The group heads overseas with Guns ‘N Roses next month but first up, they head to Napa Valley on May 23 and then to Boston on May 25 for the Boston Calling music festival.

Find the album below.

Cassie Ventura Threatened To “Kill” Someone Over Leaked “Freak-Off” Tape In Courtroom Audio

The Diddy trial heard audio of Cassie Ventura threatening to kill a man she believed had seen a recording of a “freak-off,” as the singer returned to the stand for cross-examination on Friday morning (May 16).

According to court reporter Matthew Russell Lee, Ventura is heard saying, “If you saw a video of someone f*king me, who was f*king me? You have it, why didn’t you show me? If you don’t show me, I will kill you, cut you up.”

The audio, introduced during cross-examination, captured Ventura escalating her threats: “I will f*king kill you, I’ve never killed anyone in my life, I am going to f*ck you up, it’s not going to be blood on my hands, someone else is going to do it, I’m not playing with you Sujit, tell me.”

Cassie Ventura Claims Diddy Used “Freak-Off” Tapes As Leverage

The courtroom moment added another layer to the explosive testimony Ventura delivered earlier in the week, where she accused Diddy of using sexually explicit videos as leverage to manipulate and control her.

She described the recordings as “blackmail material” and said Diddy was obsessed with keeping them buried.

Ventura confirmed in court that Diddy was deeply worried about the tapes leaking. When asked whether he spent large sums of money to suppress the footage, she replied, “I don’t know.”

The name Jonathan Oddi—a former adult film actor—also resurfaced during proceedings.

Oddi previously claimed he was hired repeatedly by Diddy for sex sessions involving Ventura. In a 2018 interview with law enforcement, Oddi described himself as a “sex slave” for the couple.

“I had sex with Cassie and Sean [Diddy],” he said. “Basically, he would masturbate and tell me what to do to Cassie. I had like 15 encounters, and I heard lots of business.”

Oddi also alleged he once covertly filmed a “freak-off” after Ventura lost consciousness, fearing she might die.

“I just filmed it and had it transcribed,” he said, adding that he warned Diddy via text that he had the footage as a safeguard.

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

According to Oddi, Diddy had him sign a $5 million non-disclosure agreement in 2014 to ensure his silence.

Ventura previously testified she recognized Oddi from a photograph and confirmed he was one of the male escorts Diddy hired for the “freak-offs,” which she said were sometimes recorded.

Fat Joe Reacts To Joe Budden & 50 Cent’s Courtside Drama

Fat Joe poked fun at Joe Budden over his awkward courtside run-in with 50 Cent during a recent Knicks game at Madison Square Garden.

He threw shade at the rapper turned podcaster on the latest episode of his new podcast with Jadakiss, “No Funny S###.” 

“There’s too many superstars in New York City,” Fat Joe said while recapping Monday night’s Knicks game. 

The Bronx rapper rattled off a list of A-listers in attendance, including the Kardashians, Bad Bunny, Cardi B and Stefon Diggs, calling it “a hard ticket to get,” and revealing he paid $54,000 for his seat.

But it wasn’t just the price tag or the celebrity crowd that had Joe talking — it was the seating chart.

“I refuse to sit anywhere but the front,” he said, explaining his logic. “I don’t like the idea of your enemy sitting in front of you.”

Fat Joe Jokes About The “Joe Budden Seats”

That’s when he turned his attention to the April 21 Knicks vs. Pistons matchup, where he sat front row alongside 50 Cent.

Budden was seated a row back during the game — directly behind 50 Cent, no less.

“We call that the ‘Joe Budden seats.’ You know them second row…” Joe began, before cracking up mid-sentence as Jada tried to pull an imaginary hoodie over his head to hide. 

“I don’t even got a hoodie,” Jada joked.

Joe kept going, referencing the long-standing tension between Budden and 50 Cent, which appeared to cool off at the game.

“Perfect example. Him and 50 got some s### and I’m sitting courtside,” Joe said.

“He was behind y’all,” Jadakiss chimed in, defending Budden. “Those were still considered floor seats.”

But Joe wasn’t letting up.

“I’m not trying to be disrespectful, but the man had a little something going on with 50, and why God put 50 Cent front row and he’s in like third row,” he said. “Like that would bother me if I was Joe Budden.”

The moment came during a Knicks home game where 50 Cent turned around to speak to Budden, seated behind him with his girlfriend. 

Fat Joe, once a rival of 50 himself, was seated directly next to the G-Unit mogul. After the game, 50 Cent confirmed the simmering beef with Budden had cooled off.

“I ran into Joe at the game,” 50 wrote on social media. “He said I don’t need Therapy No MORE!”

Chris Brown Held In Custody—Denied Bail After Brutal Nightclub Assault Charge

Chris Brown was denied bail by a Manchester judge on Friday morning (May 16) and ordered to remain in custody following a charge of grievous bodily harm with intent stemming from an alleged bottle attack at a London nightclub.

The 36-year-old singer appeared at Manchester Magistrates’ Court, where authorities confirmed he will stay behind bars until his next hearing on June 13.

The charge is tied to a February 19, 2023, incident at Tape nightclub in Hanover Square, where Brown is accused of assaulting music producer Abe Diaw.

Brown was arrested in the early hours of Thursday (May 15) at a hotel in Manchester.

The Metropolitan Police confirmed, “A 36-year-old man was arrested at a hotel in Manchester shortly after 02:00hrs on Thursday (15 May) on suspicion of grievous bodily harm. He has been taken into custody where he remains. The arrest relates to an incident at a venue in Hanover Square on 19 February 2023.”

Chris Brown Faces Assault Lawsuit

Diaw alleged that Brown struck him repeatedly with a bottle before continuing the assault once he was on the floor. “He hit me on the head two or three times… My knee also gave out,” Diaw told The Sun, adding that he required hospitalization after the encounter.

In a civil lawsuit filed by Diaw, he claimed Brown “inflicted severe and lasting injuries” by “smashing his head with the bottle and continued to ruthlessly stomp on him as he lay unconscious on the nightclub floor.”

Surveillance footage from inside the venue reportedly captured the incident and has been obtained by police.

Brown now faces one count of grievous bodily harm under section 18 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861. His legal team has not issued a statement.

The Crown Prosecution Service said, “Criminal proceedings against this defendant are active and that he has the right to a fair trial.”

Brown’s next court appearance is scheduled for Friday (June 13).

DDG Slams Soulja Boy After Explosive Threats Over Halle Bailey

DDG fired back at Soulja Boy during a livestream Thursday night (May 15) after the rapper threatened him online over allegations of abuse involving actress and singer Halle Bailey.

“I be seeing what n##### be saying and s###. I see a hell of people switching up,” DDG said, frustrated by the backlash. “72 hours ago you was on my meat and then 24 hours later all this other going on. The industry is just so fake.”

The tension escalated after Soulja Boy posted a profanity-laced threat on Instagram Wednesday morning (May 14), writing, “You a b#### ass n#### for putting yo hands on Halle lil n#### @pontiacmadeddg if I catch u I’m beating the f## out u.”

Soulja didn’t stop there. In a separate video, he made sexually explicit comments about Bailey, referencing her role in The Little Mermaid.

“Come f### a real n####,” he said. “We gonna stick dick in the mermaid.” He continued to threaten DDG, insisting he’d eventually confront him.

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DDG didn’t hold back in his response.

“Soulja Boy is poor. He’s poor. Ain’t cranked that since we was yay high, buddy,” he said. “I will buy you. Couldn’t get next to me. We know you got crackhead teeth under them veneers.”

DDG concluded with a warning for Soulja Boy.

“It’s just certain n##### that was like saying s### just to like feed off of your misfortune,” he added. “Especially n##### like that. You don’t want to go to war with me on this internet.”

DDG also clarified that he’s not looking for a new relationship anytime soon.

“I’m going to be single for a very long time,” he declared. “If a girl starts liking me, I will literally cut you off for my own sake, for the sake of my own mental.”

The online feud comes just one day after a Los Angeles judge granted Bailey a temporary restraining order against DDG.

In her petition, Bailey accused him of repeated abuse and said she feared for her safety and the safety of their infant son, Halo.

She detailed a January 2025 incident where she said DDG slammed her face into a steering wheel, chipping her tooth. She also alleged he entered her home without permission in March, damaged her Ring camera, and tried to take their son without consent.

The restraining order mandates DDG stay at least 100 yards away from Bailey and Halo, including at the child’s school and near Bailey’s vehicle. A court hearing is scheduled for June 4.

Halle Bailey secured temporary full custody of her 16-month-old son and a restraining order against DDG.

Snoop Dogg Unleashes On Suge Knight: “I Bought Everything You Own”

Snoop Dogg fired a barrage of shots at Suge Knight on his new album Iz It a Crime?, taking direct aim at the former Death Row boss over his recent remarks amid a long-running feud.

On the track “ShutYoBitchAssUp” featuring Stresmatic, Snoop doesn’t hold back, calling out Knight—without naming him—for allegedly lying, snitching and being bitter about Snoop’s 2022 takeover of Death Row Records.

“I can see why you mad. I bought everything you own,” Snoop raps, twisting the knife into their decades-old feud.

He goes further, referencing Knight’s incarceration, claiming he’s housed in protective custody. “

Now you in PC snitching on the phone.” Then he adds, “Oh, b####-ass n####, I’m a rich-ass n#### / Waiting for you to get home so we can get the s### on.”

The verse closes with another jab: “Your jailhouse stories, they made up, n####.”

Snoop Dogg & Suge Knight Clash Over Death Row Records

The tension between the two Hip-Hop figures stretches back to 1998, when Snoop left Death Row Records amid internal chaos and legal troubles surrounding Knight.

That tension reignited earlier this year when Knight publicly questioned the legitimacy of Snoop’s acquisition of the label.

“Snoop, you said I’m mad because you bought Death Row,” Knight said in March. “What you buy? Shut me up. Show me where y’all paid the money to buy it. Show me the paperwork. Show me what you own.”

Knight also made a series of inflammatory claims, including an allegation that Ray J once told him Snoop admitted to financing Tupac Shakur’s murder.

He also accused Snoop of trying to bail out Duane “Keefe D” Davis, who is currently facing charges tied to Shakur’s 1996 killing.

Snoop responded to those accusations on Instagram, writing, “This n#### won’t stop talking about me. Mad cuz I own Death Row. I realize your real lies.”

In a recent interview with Big Boy’s Neighborhood, Snoop explained why he finally addressed Knight on wax.

“I’m from the hood,” he stated. “You can’t keep throwing rocks at me and bullying me and think I ain’t gon’ say nothing or do nothing. I can’t do nothing. ‘Cause you in PC. But I can say something.”

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“ShutYoBitchAssUp” is one of 21 tracks on “Iz It a Crime?” which dropped Thursday (May 14).

The album includes guest appearances from Pharrell Williams, Sexyy Red, Wiz Khalifa, LaRussell and October London. The title track reimagines Sade’s 1985 ballad “Is It a Crime.”

Justin Bieber Sets Record Straight On Diddy Rumors—Calls For “Justice”

Justin Bieber is speaking up on rumors linking him to Diddy amid the embattled Hip-Hop mogul’s ongoing trial, firmly denying any abuse and urging the public to focus on those who were actually harmed.

A resurfaced 2009 video featuring a then-15-year-old Bieber and Diddy reignited rumors, with Diddy saying on camera, “He’s having 48 hours with Diddy… Where we hanging out and what we’re doing we can’t really disclose. But it’s definitely a 15-year-old’s dream. I have been given custody of him… I don’t really have legal guardianship of him, but for the next 48 hours, he’s with me. And we’re gonna go buck-fool crazy.”

The clip, widely circulated across social media, triggered speculation that Bieber may have been a victim of misconduct.

But Bieber’s team shut that down in a statement to TMZ: “Although Justin is not among Sean Combs’ victims, there are individuals who were genuinely harmed by him. Shifting focus away from this reality detracts from the justice these victims rightfully deserve.”

Sources close to Bieber told media outlets that the relationship between the pop star and Diddy was never personal and that their interactions were largely public-facing.

The insiders emphasized that Diddy never abused Bieber in any way, and that Bieber’s connection to the Combs family was primarily through Diddy’s sons, Quincy and Justin Combs.

Bieber, who has not spoken publicly in detail about the allegations against Diddy or their past interactions, has reportedly been advised to steer clear of any association with the embattled music executive following his federal arrest.

Meanwhile, Diddy is on trial in Manhattan federal court for charges including racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking and transportation for the purpose of engaging in prostitution.

Megan Thee Stallion May Save Summer With Walmart Swimwear Drop

Megan Thee Stallion may help Walmart cool off a looming sales dip as the retail giant braces for price hikes tied to President Donald Trump’s tariffs.

Walmart confirmed it will raise prices on a wide range of items starting late May due to increased import duties, but the company is betting on a splashy new collaboration to keep shoppers engaged.

On Monday (May 19), the rapper and entrepreneur will launch her self-designed swimwear line, Hot Girl Summer, exclusively at nearly 500 Walmart stores and online.

The collection features 18 pieces, including bikinis, monokinis, one-piece suits and cover-ups, priced between $16 and $28.

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The line is size-inclusive and designed to fit a broad range of body types. Megan Thee Stallion designed the entire collection herself, making her the first Hip-Hop artist to launch a swimwear brand.

Walmart is the exclusive retailer for the line and it is also available on megantheestallion.com.

The launch comes at a critical time for Walmart.

The company’s CFO, John David Rainey, called the scale of the upcoming price increases “somewhat unprecedented.” Categories impacted include electronics, toys, clothing, home appliances and select produce items.

Despite a temporary 90-day reduction in some Chinese tariffs, Walmart said it cannot absorb all the added costs due to thin margins.

Smokey Robinson Under Criminal Investigation For Abusing Housekeepers

Smokey Robinson is under criminal investigation by Los Angeles County authorities after four former employees accused the Motown legend of rape, sexual battery and years of workplace abuse at his homes in California and Nevada.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department confirmed its Special Victims Bureau has opened an active case into the allegations, which span nearly two decades.

The incident involves multiple locations, including Robinson’s Chatsworth, Bell Canyon and Las Vegas properties.

The criminal probe follows a civil lawsuit filed in Los Angeles Superior Court earlier this year.

The women—three former housekeepers and one personal assistant who also worked as a cook and hairdresser—allege Robinson repeatedly assaulted them between 2006 and 2024.

The assaults often occurred when his wife, Frances Robinson, was not present. One plaintiff claims she was raped at least 23 times. Another says she was assaulted more than 20 times during her 12 years of employment.

According to the lawsuit, Robinson allegedly summoned the women to private areas of the home, exposed himself and coerced them into sex acts.

One woman says she was raped in both the laundry room and garage.

The suit also claims Frances Robinson was aware of the abuse and failed to intervene, contributing to what the plaintiffs describe as a hostile work environment.

The women are seeking $50 million in damages. Robinson’s legal team has dismissed the allegations as completely false.

“They have made vile, false allegations against Mr. and Mrs. Robinson in an attempt to enlist the public as an unwitting participant in the media circus they are trying to create,” his lawyer said.

Despite the civil case, Robinson’s attorney welcomed the criminal investigation.

No charges have been filed as of Thursday (May 15). Law enforcement has not released further details, citing the ongoing nature of the case.

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.”