MAGA, Minaj and Met might be the talk of the town in a fraction of this is true.
Nicki Minaj could be facing a fashion world cold shoulder as rumors swirl that politics and industry beef could keep her away from the 2026 Met Gala. This is the MET…. Minaj seems to invite controversy, but now her alignment with Donald Trump may have fkd her up in a mayor way.
According to a report from Rob Shutter’s Naughty But Nice column, there is chatter that the the one now called MAGA Minaj is being quietly excluded from the event. One unnamed insider did not mince words when describing what they claim is happening behind the scenes.
“Nicki’s invitations didn’t just slow down — they vanished,” the source said. “Hollywood stopped returning her calls. This isn’t subtle anymore. She’s been shut out.”
If true, this would mark a life-changing shift for an artist who has been part of the broader pop culture elite for-ever. Nicki has built a career on unpredictability, but this situation feels different. Harsh consequences tied to the moment.
Unless you were under a massive rock, Minaj publicly showed support for Trump and even appeared at a Treasury Department event connected to his “Trump Accounts” initiative. That visibility reportedly did not sit well in certain entertainment circles.
“Hollywood doesn’t forgive this kind of alignment — especially when it’s loud and unapologetic,” another source reportedly said. “Once she went full MAGA on that stage, the door didn’t just close — it locked.”
But – this narrative is only half of the story.
Beefing with Roc Nation and Jay-Z can also cause issues. I am betting that Jay will show up this year. Timing matters. They have more-or-less confirmed that Beyoncé is returning to the Met Gala spotlight as a co-chair alongside Venus Williams and Nicole Kidman, which means some people are getting bumped.
Another source said “nobody wants to touch” her, talking about Minaj.
Of course, This is all still rumor territory. Nicki Minaj has not publicly addressed any Met Gala speculation. She has been very quiet too. Whether she shows up on those famous steps or skips the spectacle we shall be all eyes and ears.
H.E.R. is stepping into voice acting for the first time with DreamWorks Animation’s upcoming animated adventure “Forgotten Island,” and the Grammy-winning artist couldn’t be more excited about bringing her heritage to the screen.
The film, set in the 1990s, follows two best friends, Jo and Raissa, as they stumble upon a magical portal while celebrating their last night together before heading off to college.
What they discover on the other side is a world rooted in Filipino folklore, complete with shapeshifters, demons, witches, and monsters that test their friendship in ways they never expected.
Joining H.E.R. in the voice cast is Liza Soberano, who plays Raissa alongside H.E.R.’s Jo.
The pair’s chemistry brings authenticity to a story about friendship and cultural pride.
According to Variety, H.E.R. spoke about the significance of the project, saying she grew up hearing these Filipino stories from her mother and is thrilled to share that piece of her childhood with the world.
Soberano echoed similar sentiments, expressing her longtime dream of seeing the Philippines represented accurately in a major studio production that remains universal enough for global audiences to connect with.
The animation style pushes the medium’s boundaries with anime-inspired action sequences and character expressions, while the cinematography mimics live-action filmmaking with wide lenses and light leaks that visually connect to the film’s themes of memory and nostalgia.
“Forgotten Island” arrives in theaters on September 25, 2026, and marks a significant moment for representation in mainstream animation.
T.I. and Drumma Boy are bringing the real story of trap music to the big screen with a documentary short film that’s hitting the Atlanta Film Festival on April 25, and this isn’t just another music doc.
The project, directed by Christopher Scholar, explores how the architects who created the genre captivated the entire world and gave forgotten voices a platform to be heard.
Both T.I. and Drumma Boy serve as executive producers and stars, alongside DJ Toomp, Don Cannon, Young Dro, and several other legends who helped build the sound from the ground up.
T.I. broke it down in a statement, saying, “Look, man, before it was just a pop culture buzzword, the trap was our reality. It was survival. We took the struggle of life beneath the poverty line in the Crack Era, set it over some organs, snares, synths, hi-hats, and heavy 808s, and gave a voice to the voiceless. The Birth of Trap Music ain’t just a documentary, it’s our history. Period.”
Drumma Boy added his perspective, explaining that the project is bigger than just a documentary series.
“It’s a cultural time capsule,” he said. “I wanted to bring the architects, the innovators, and the voices of the streets together to tell the real story of how trap was born and how it changed music forever.”
Trap emerged from neighborhoods where opportunities were scarce, and entire generations were marked by poverty and policing.
Out of that pressure came a sound that carried both pain and possibility, reshaping the global music industry.
According to Variety, the documentary is an official selection at the Atlanta Film Festival, which marks a significant moment for the genre’s recognition in the film world.
The premiere screening is scheduled for March 29, 2026, at the Tara Theater in Atlanta, with the full festival run beginning April 25.
The film’s recognition at an Oscar-qualifying festival signals that trap music’s cultural impact continues to resonate far beyond the streets where it was born.
Cardi B sat down with Allure to react to some of the hottest TikTok trends making waves online, and she didn’t hold back with her opinions.
The rapper tested everything from lace lip designs to Japanese cheesecake hacks, giving her unfiltered thoughts on what works and what doesn’t.
Cardi B approved the stretch mark tattoo trend, connecting it to her own experience with motherhood.
She shared her personal journey with stretch marks after giving birth to her daughter, Blossom.
“I approve this trend. With my daughter, Blossom, I got these stretch marks in between my thighs, like really close to my v##### and they’re very dark and I don’t know what to do ’cause I never had stretch marks before,” the rapper revealed.
“I don’t have stretch marks in my stomach or in my butt, and now I got these really dark stretch marks around my v#####. I don’t know. If somebody could gimme some stretch marks tips, please help me out,” she added.
The viral Japanese cheesecake trend got Cardi B excited. She tasted the dessert and said it was better than regular cheesecake, noting that it was less sweet.
This led her to share her love of chocolate and sweets, which she’s had since childhood.
“My favorite dessert, anything with chocolate. I love chocolate. I like chocolate treats, I like chocolate, man, I like chocolate,” Cardi revealed.
Throughout the video, Cardi B showed her personality and willingness to try new things, even when she wasn’t sure about them.
Her honest reactions and personal stories made the TikTok trends segment entertaining and relatable for viewers.
Tommie Lee has the internet doing double takes after she was spotted looking very comfortable with Julez Smith, the 21 year old son of Solange Knowles. What started as party footage has now turned into one of those Hip-Hop adjacent debates where people argue facts, feelings and timelines all at once.
Here is what we actually know versus what people are assuming.
First, the facts. Video clips circulating online do appear to show the reality TV personality and the young model spending time together during a night out. In one widely shared clip, Tommie can be seen on Julez’s back while the two laugh and appear flirtatious. In another moment that has fueled the chatter, they appear to be kissing or at least extremely close in an intimate way.
There is also video where Julez allegedly says, “Typa s**t you do when you like somebody.” Tommie is also heard calling him “my baby” and complimenting his looks. Those moments are real in the sense that the footage exists and people are reacting to what they see.
Now here is where things move into rumor territory.
Nobody involved has confirmed they are actually dating. No reaction from Solange, but the internet is another story. They are going bonkers.
The age difference. Tommie is 41. Julez is 21. That twenty year gap has become the center of the online debate. Some people say he is a grown man and free to live his life. Others are asking if the reaction would be different if the genders were reversed. That conversation is happening whether anyone likes it or not.
One detail that really sent social media into detective mode is that Tommie is reportedly older than Solange herself. Yowza!
Solange is 39 years young.
For those wondering, Julez is not a random civilian anymore. He has quietly stepped into modeling and fashion circles as he has gotten older, slowly becoming a public figure in his own right instead of just being known as Beyoncé’s nephew. Even the gays love him…or hate him. I will get into that later, perhaps.
So where does that leave us?
Right now this sits exactly where a good rumor lives. There is visual evidence they were together and appeared affectionate. There is zero confirmation they are a couple. Until somebody says something directly, everything beyond what is visible remains speculation.
And honestly, knowing how the internet works, somebody probably will say something soon.
Fresh off receiving his Hollywood Walk of Fame star, Bill Duke continues to prove why he remains one of the most respected figures in film. The veteran actor and director, known for powerful performances in Predator, Commando, Menace II Society and his directing work on Deep Cover and Sister Act 2, has spent more than five decades shaping Hollywood both in front of and behind the camera.
The recent honor adds to a career defined by perseverance, leadership and a commitment to telling meaningful stories. But the 83-year old isn’t looking backward. In his conversation with AllHipHop’s Chuck “Jigsaw” Creekmur, he focused heavily on the future, particularly artificial intelligence, independent filmmaking, and how creators must evolve to survive.
Along the way, he also shared stories about Jean-Claude Van Damme’s surprising connection to Predator, working with Lauryn Hill early in her career, navigating racism in Hollywood, and why Hip-Hop legend KRS-One remains one of his biggest inspirations.
Below are the most compelling moments from the conversation, but please watch the longer video for the incredibly full, informative conversation.
AllHipHop: Technology is changing Hollywood quickly. What are your thoughts about AI entering filmmaking?
Bill Duke: I think it’s evolving. When I was coming up, you had to be discovered to be successful. Now these young people are discovering themselves and making money. I’m not talking about thousands. I’m talking millions of dollars. Sometimes the quality is good and sometimes it’s not, but they’re still gaining profit. It’s a whole new age.
There’s a film on YouTube now that AI wrote, directed, created the characters, edited and even created the score. AI did the whole thing. I’m not against AI, but I think we have to be careful how we use it so that it does not annihilate us.
AllHipHop: Are you worried about actors being replaced?
Bill Duke: AI can save you a lot of money in certain areas, but I don’t want to replace people with AI. I don’t want to do that. You can combine both. I want to find ways to use actors and AI together because the technology can help with budgets, but I don’t believe in replacing human talent.
AllHipHop:Predator remains one of your most iconic films. What does that role mean to you today?
Bill Duke: It’s probably one of the most significant roles I’ve had in terms of the integrity of the character and what the message of the film really was. But I always tell people the Predator you saw wasn’t the original Predator.
The original creature was much smaller and flew through the trees with lasers. The actor had to wear a full body suit in temperatures sometimes reaching 110 degrees. He passed out three times from dehydration. The producer told him if he passed out again he would be fired because it was costing money. The actor said he wasn’t doing it on purpose, he was dehydrated.
Two weeks later he passed out again. The producer fired him. That actor was Jean-Claude Van Damme. It was the first movie he’d ever been in.
AllHipHop: What was filming like in those conditions?
Bill Duke: We were literally in the middle of the jungle. The cook had put netting around the food tent, but for the first few days there were bugs in the food. We told him we weren’t eating that. He said, “Guys, we’re in the jungle.”
By the fourth day they were called protein. (Laughs)
AllHipHop: You’ve survived Hollywood for decades. How did you deal with racism and pressure?
Bill Duke: Through the grace of God and transcendental meditation. I meditate twice a day. It takes the stress out of my body, clarifies my mind and gives me strength mentally, physically and spiritually. Meditation has literally saved my life.
There are people who can get under your skin. Meditation allows me to take a breath rather than taking their breath.
AllHipHop: Was there a moment where you really had to control yourself?
Bill Duke: I was the first Black director on Knots Landing. I dressed up in my suit, had my briefcase and even though my car was secondhand I washed and polished it because I was proud.
I pulled up to the gate and the security guard looked at me and said, “Who are you delivering for?”
I wanted to say I was about to deliver a can of whoop ass. But if I had done that I would have been labeled the angry Black man and never worked again.
So instead I said, “What I’m delivering is I’m the first Black director on Knots Landing. Open the gate.”
The look on his face was very rewarding.
AllHipHop: Do filmmakers have to compromise their vision sometimes?
Bill Duke: It’s called show business. It’s not just about your ego or your passion. It’s about your audience and whether you can make the investor their money back with a profit.
There are compromises you’re willing to make and compromises you’re not willing to make. As long as the compromise doesn’t make your children ashamed of you, you deal with reality. But if it would shame your children or grandchildren, you shouldn’t go that far.
AllHipHop: You directed Lauryn Hill early in her career in Sister Act 2. What stood out about her?
Bill Duke: It was one of the best experiences I ever had. Her mother really helped train her and she was incredibly talented. There wasn’t much you had to say. She would ask what you wanted and whatever you said she would execute.
She could dance, she could sing and she was a wonderful actress. She still is.
AllHipHop: What did you think about rappers transitioning into acting?
Bill Duke: In terms of rap artists, the foundation for me was KRS-One. When you listen to his music he made you think and feel. He was courageous and political. He made you think about your worth.
And he wasn’t disrespectful to Black women. His music was powerful. KRS-One was the foundation for me.
AllHipHop: Did you know your Menace II Society role would become so iconic?
Bill Duke: I had no idea. I was overseas walking down the street and some kids recognized me and quoted the line from the movie. That’s when I realized how far that role had traveled culturally.
AllHipHop: What inspired you to create Dark Girls?
Bill Duke: A friend sent me a video of a dark-skinned little girl in kindergarten being asked questions about dolls. Who is smartest? She pointed to the white doll. Who is most beautiful? White doll. Who is ugliest? She pointed to the dark girl.
When I saw that I said I had to do something.
AllHipHop: What keeps you motivated now?
Bill Duke: I’m still developing scripts and looking for funding. I’m getting into podcasts and new media. I’m trying to use AI and technology to my benefit because I don’t want to give up.
When AI first came out I was concerned, but the genie isn’t going back in the bottle. You have to embrace it and use it in a positive way.
Bricc Baby faces federal prison time tied to a sweeping Rolling 60’s crackdown and now he is asking a judge to look beyond the indictment and focus on a life shaped by trauma and survival.
Bricc Baby pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm after his name surfaced in a broader federal case tied to the Rollin’ 60s Neighborhood Crips.
That investigation, built over several years, targeted what federal authorities described as a network connected to the Rollin’ 60s and an alleged enterprise led by Big U.
The indictment accused Henley of running a mafia-like organization tied to crimes ranging from fraud to violence, with multiple associates and affiliates charged along the way.
Bricc Baby’s role in that broader case centers on the firearm charge, not the more serious racketeering allegations.
Authorities specifically charged him, along with others, with being a felon in possession of a firearm during the takedown tied to the group.
Now, as sentencing approaches, Bricc Baby is asking the court to separate his personal story from the weight of the larger case.
According to his defense filing, he faces a guideline sentence between 63 and 78 months, but is asking for 57 months instead. His legal team argues that the higher range reflects an inflated criminal history rather than who he is today.
They make it clear he is not denying responsibility. The filing states he “has accepted responsibility for his conduct and pled guilty to a single count of being a felon in possession of a firearm.”
What they push hard is the backstory.
Bricc Baby describes what his attorneys frame as a rough upbringing rooted in loss and instability.
As a child, he lost the brother he saw as a father figure, leaving him without guidance at a critical time. That absence, they argue, led him toward the streets and early contact with the criminal justice system.
Violence followed him well into adulthood. He survived two separate shootings, including one that left him with a spinal injury and partial paralysis.
Those experiences, combined with ongoing exposure to violence, contributed to diagnoses of PTSD, depression and anxiety.
His attorneys argue those details matter when weighing punishment.
They claim his criminal history category overstates his past, pointing to older and nonviolent offenses that increased his sentencing range. Some of those include minor cases and technical violations that, in their view, do not reflect a pattern of serious or escalating conduct.
They also highlight what they describe as a shift in his life.
Before his arrest, Bricc Baby was working in entertainment as a rapper and podcaster, earning income and supporting his family. Letters submitted to the court portray him as a consistent presence in his children’s lives, with one stating he has been “there for her in every way imaginable.”
Still, the backdrop of the Rolling 60’s case looms over everything.
Federal authorities have made clear that the broader indictment was aimed at dismantling what they allege is an organized criminal network tied to the gang and its associates.
Even for defendants facing narrower charges, that context carries weight in how the case is viewed publicly and legally. Bricc Baby’s argument comes down to distance.
His legal team is asking the court to treat him as an individual, not as a symbol of a larger indictment tied to Big U and the Rollin’ 60s.
The judge will ultimately decide whether that distinction is sufficient to justify the request for a 57-month sentence.
Cardi B refuses to pump the brakes on her career momentum despite medical warnings to rest after welcoming her fourth child last November.
The 33-year-old Grammy winner told Allure magazine in her March cover story that she’s pushing through postpartum recovery to maximize this moment in her career.
Her doctors gave her clear instructions in January: slow down. She had a different response.
“No, I can’t. Not this year,” Cardi B said. “I just want to do everything now. I told myself I needed two years of being uncomfortable so I could be comfortable.”
The rapper’s reasoning is straightforward. She’s treating this window as her shot to capitalize on everything at once.
“Things just change every single day. And it’s like, This is your moment. This is the time to do it,” she explained.
That mentality has her juggling the 35-stop “Little Miss Drama Tour,” which has already grossed $32 million, while managing three of her four kids on the road.
Kulture, her 7-year-old daughter with ex-husband Offset, attends school and has strict attendance requirements. Wave, her 4-year-old son, needs time for his sports activities.
Then there’s 18-month-old Blossom, also with Offset. Add in her newborn with ex Stefon Diggs, and the logistics become a nightmare.
“Kulture’s in school now, and her school don’t play that,” Cardi B said. “So I just be like, How the f### am I gonna make this s### f###### work?”
The Bronx native also opened up about her anxiety around celebrities, which runs counter to her public persona as someone who commands every room.
“When I have a camera on me, I get really nervous,” she confessed. “On tour, I feel like I have a safety blanket because it’s my fans. I’m shy with all of them, it don’t matter if you big or small.”
That vulnerability reveals a side of Cardi B that most people never see, someone who’s genuinely intimidated by the industry she dominates.
Her album Am I the Drama? currently sits at number 31 on the Billboard 200 chart, 26 weeks after debuting at number one. She’s also competing for two gender-neutral trophies at the iHeartRadio Music Awards this Thursday on Fox.
Beyond music, she’s just launched a new haircare line called Grow-Good, which sold out completely within one hour of its Tuesday release and will restock by April 15.
Motherhood changes everything for women, and Cardi B’s refusing to let it slow her down—even if her body’s telling her otherwise.
The “Little Miss Drama Tour” hits Madison Square Garden for two nights this Wednesday and Thursday.
Fat Joe accused Tyrone Blackburn of making threats and derailing a deposition as a bitter legal fight with Terrance “TA” Dixon escalated inside a Manhattan courtroom.
Fat Joe and his legal team claim Blackburn turned a routine deposition into chaos, according to a new sanctions motion filed by his legal team.
The filing alleges Blackburn insulted opposing counsel, hurled personal attacks, and issued warnings that crossed into threats during sworn testimony tied to the lawsuit.
Dixon, who once worked closely with Fat Joe, has fired back with his own lawsuit, alleging years of abuse and coercion, including claims that have drawn intense scrutiny in court filings.
In the latest filing, Fat Joe’s attorney Joe Tacopina paints Blackburn as the main disruptor during depositions. According to the motion, Blackburn repeatedly insulted Tacopina’s team and made crude remarks about attorney Chad Seigel.
At one point, Blackburn allegedly told Seigel his mother “should have spit you out instead of swallowing.”
The filing also claims Blackburn mocked Seigel’s appearance and made offensive comments about gender and sexuality, including asking, “What date is your transition surgery?”
But it did not stop at insults.
Fat Joe’s legal team says Blackburn made statements that sounded like threats of violence during the deposition. The motion quotes Blackburn telling Seigel, “You’d never do this if it was outside. So watch your mouth and watch how you speak to me.”
He also allegedly snapped, “Who the f### do you think you’re yelling at? Who do you think you’re talking to?”
The tension escalated further when Dixon joined in. According to the transcript, Dixon said, “I could take you down” before adding, “I could take you down with my left hand,” while Blackburn chimed in, “Everybody could take you down … very easily.”
Fat Joe’s attorneys argue those moments show a pattern of intimidation meant to disrupt testimony and stall the case.
The filing claims Blackburn’s conduct went beyond verbal attacks and into obstruction. It accuses him of coaching Dixon during questioning, interrupting repeatedly, and instructing his client not to answer key questions without valid legal grounds.
According to the motion, Blackburn even cut off the deposition mid-question, declaring, “Time is up. Don’t answer that. Time is up.”
Fat Joe’s legal team says the behavior prevented them from getting answers about serious allegations raised in Dixon’s countersuit.
Those claims include accusations that Fat Joe ran a long-term scheme involving coercion and abuse, allegations his team has flatly denied and labeled as fabricated.
The dispute traces back to Dixon’s lawsuit, which accuses Fat Joe of forcing him into thousands of sexual acts over more than a decade. Fat Joe responded with his own lawsuit, accusing Dixon and Blackburn of defamation and extortion, claiming the allegations were made to damage his reputation and extract money.
Now, the courtroom battle has shifted toward Blackburn’s conduct itself.
The sanctions motion asks the court to penalize Blackburn, force him to cover legal costs, and potentially refer him for disciplinary action.
It also requests that Dixon’s deposition be reopened and that a special master oversee future testimony to prevent further disruptions.
Fat Joe’s attorneys argue the pattern is not new, claiming Blackburn has faced criticism in other cases for similar behavior, including personal attacks and aggressive courtroom tactics.
They also point to Blackburn’s own deposition, where he claimed he could not answer basic questions because he had taken multiple medications, including narcotics, that affected his memory.
The filing argues that the claim falls apart when compared to his behavior days earlier, where he appeared alert and confrontational for hours.
Fat Joe’s team insists that the court must step in to restore order, arguing that the case cannot move forward amid what they describe as ongoing obstruction and hostility.
Usher shut down the whole Oscars afterparty drama in one swift move, calling the entire situation an exaggeration of what actually went down between him and his former protégé.
“I spoke to Usher and he said this is an exaggeration of a conversation,” Da Brat revealed on the Rickey Smiley Morning Show, putting the rumors to rest.
The internet had been running wild with speculation that the two R&B legends nearly came to blows, with some outlets claiming it turned physical while others said it stayed verbal but intense.
Sources close to Bieber initially claimed Usher approached the pop star with “energy and anger” during the soiree. But Da Brat made it crystal clear that’s not the full story.
“He’s been nothing but supportive of plenty of issues that Justin Bieber has had throughout the years,” she said, defending her friend’s character.
The tension between these two goes deeper than just one night at a party.
Usher discovered Bieber back in 2007, when the kid was just 13 and going viral on YouTube. Usher and manager Scooter Braun won a bidding war against Justin Timberlake to sign him, launching what became one of the biggest careers in pop music.
They had a real mentor-mentee bond back then, with Usher even moving Bieber to Atlanta so he could work with him directly.
Usher handled it gracefully in an interview, saying he understood Bieber wanted to tell a different story right now.
Da Brat emphasized that there’s no beef between them.
“Justin is on his own journey dealing with his own reality that he’s created. Usher wishes him nothing but the best and they have no hostility towards each other,” she explained. “They definitely love each other. People just take things out of context when they see something and run with it.”
Da Brat’s statement matters because it comes straight from Usher himself. She made it clear that whatever conversation they had got twisted by the rumor mill into something way bigger than reality.
Afroman just turned a courtroom victory into a cultural moment that’s got America talking about free speech and our constitutional rights.
The Grammy-nominated rapper walked out of an Ohio courthouse on March 18 with a jury ruling completely in his favor, defeating a defamation lawsuit filed by seven Adams County sheriff’s deputies who claimed his music videos ruined their lives.
His response? “I didn’t win, America won. America still has freedom of speech.”
The whole thing started when cops raided his home in August 2022, looking for drugs and kidnapping evidence that never existed. No charges were filed, but the damage was real.
He grabbed his home security footage and turned it into art. “Will You Help Me Repair My Door” dropped in December 2022, garnering over 9 million views.
Then came “Lemon Pound Cake,” which became the centerpiece of this whole legal battle.
Now Cincinnati’s Taste of Belgium is celebrating with “Lemon Poundcake Waffle Day” on March 25 at two locations.
The first hundred people wearing an afro get free waffles. First responders in uniform do too. Founder Jean-François Flechet said they loved celebrating a local victory and rooting for the underdog.
The deputies sued for nearly $4 million, claiming the videos caused them embarrassment and mental distress. Deputy Shawn Cooley testified he’d received hundreds of pound cakes at work from strangers. Deputy Lisa Phillips cried on the stand about explicit songs, questioning her identity.
But the jury saw through it. These were public officials acting in an official capacity, and Afroman’s defense about free speech held up completely.
Afroman’s already released “The Batteram Hymn of the Police Whistleblower” and says he’s got more cop-targeting tracks coming.
The woman who drove from Florida to try and off superstar billionaire Rihanna in broad daylight was dragged into court today to face the music, so to speak.
Ivanna Lisette Ortiz, a 35-year-old from Orlando, pleaded not guilty to attempted murder and 13 additional felony charges stemming from the March 8 incident that left bullet holes in the singer’s gate, walls, and a parked RV outside her property.
The shooting happened around 1:15 P.M. PT when Ortiz allegedly fired approximately 20 rounds from a white Tesla positioned across the street from Rihanna’s gate.
One bullet penetrated the house itself, and Rihanna was inside the residence at the time of the attack.
Police located the white Tesla fleeing south on Coldwater Canyon Drive and arrested Ortiz at a Sherman Oaks shopping center just 30 minutes after the 911 call came in.
Officers recovered an assault rifle and seven shell casings from her vehicle.
During her court appearance, Ortiz’s public defender, Derek Ray Dillman, entered a not guilty plea on her behalf while she stood in a custody area.
She waived her right to a speedy preliminary hearing, and her attorney requested that her bail be reduced from $1.9 million to $70,000.
The judge denied that request, keeping her locked up on the higher amount.
The charges against Ortiz are serious. She’s facing one count of attempted murder, 10 counts of assault with a semi-automatic firearm, and three counts of shooting at an inhabited dwelling.
If she’s convicted on all counts, Ortiz could spend the rest of her life in prison without the possibility of parole.
The motive behind the shooting remains under investigation, and authorities continue to piece together what led to the attack on one of music’s biggest stars.
Brooklyn rapper Desiigner was arrested Tuesday in South Carolina on a domestic violence charge after police responded to a reported dispute. The Brooklyn rapper, born Sidney Royel Selby III, now faces a third degree domestic violence allegation stemming from an incident in Horry County near Conway.
According to reports from the Horry County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were initially called to a residence on March 2 after receiving a complaint about a domestic disturbance. Authorities say the situation involved a woman who reportedly lived with the rapper and shares a child with him.
Arrest documents claim the argument escalated physically. Investigators allege Desiigner took the woman’s car keys during the dispute, damaged her clothing and forced her to the ground. Reports indicate the alleged victim suffered minor scratches along with small areas of bleeding on her arm and lower back.
Police also noted a child was inside the home but was not close enough to witness the alleged altercation.
Officers reportedly could not locate Desiigner when they first responded to the scene. Authorities later issued a warrant connected to the investigation which eventually led to his arrest this week.
Booking records show the rapper was charged with third degree domestic violence. He was later released after posting a bond reported to be about $1,500. No additional charges have been announced and officials have not said whether more could follow as the case moves through the legal process.
Desiigner has not publicly addressed the arrest and no official statement has been released from his representatives.
The artist became a major Hip-Hop name in 2016 when his breakout hit “Panda” exploded across radio and streaming platforms. The song’s success helped him land a deal with Kanye West’s GOOD Music and led to appearances connected to the rollout of The Life of Pablo. While his early momentum positioned him as one of the era’s new voices, his public profile has been quieter in recent years outside of music releases and social media activity.
The case remains active and further developments including potential court proceedings or public responses could surface in the coming weeks as more information becomes available.
The woman accused of firing an AR-15 at Rihanna’s Beverly Hills home now risks losing her professional license to practice speech-language pathology.
Ivanna Lisette Ortiz, 35, of Orlando, Florida, was arrested after allegedly unleashing multiple rounds at the mansion while the music icon and her family were inside, and prosecutors are moving fast to strip her credentials if she’s released from custody.
According to new legal documents obtained by TMZ, the California licensing board for speech-language pathologists wants Ortiz barred from practicing her profession as a condition of any bail or release.
She’s held a valid license since April 2016, with her credentials not expiring until June 2027, but that could all change depending on how the case unfolds.
Ortiz is facing serious charges including one count of attempted murder, 10 counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm, and three counts of shooting at an inhabited dwelling.
The incident happened on a Sunday afternoon when she allegedly fired from a Tesla, hitting the front gate and a nearby RV on the property. Rihanna and her family were home at the time, including her partner A$AP Rocky, their three children, and her mother.
The licensing board’s move is not unprecedented in cases involving violent felonies.
Board members argue that someone charged with attempted murder shouldn’t have access to vulnerable populations, especially children and elderly patients who typically rely on speech pathologists for critical care.
If Ortiz is released pending trial, the board wants her completely separated from her profession until the legal process concludes.
Ortiz’s arraignment was scheduled for Wednesday morning, and prosecutors are pushing hard to keep her detained on a $1.8 million bail.
She’s facing potential life imprisonment if convicted on all charges. According to the LA Times, she had made cryptic social media posts referencing Rihanna in recent weeks, though authorities haven’t disclosed a clear motive for the attack.
The case has drawn attention from high-profile prosecutors, with the lead deputy district attorney being Alexander Bott, who successfully prosecuted rapper Tory Lanez in the Megan Thee Stallion shooting case.
The judge also issued a protective order requiring Ortiz to stay away from Rihanna and A$AP Rocky’s home and prohibiting her from possessing any firearms or ammunition.
LaRussell released a track that’s got some people ticked off right now, and his mother’s stepping up to defend her son while he’s taking a break from the spotlight.
The Vallejo rapper dropped “Heaven Sent” with lyrics that called Donald Trump, Jeffrey Epstein, and Adolf Hitler “heaven-sent,” alongside references to Malcolm X, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and Kanye West.
The backlash came fast and hard, with critics saying he shouldn’t have put those names in that context, period.
What made it worse was that LaRussell’s engineer literally told him not to release the track, and he did it anyway. He posted the song with a caption saying his engineer warned him, which only added fuel to the fire.
His mother, Yvette McDonald, is now planning a rally to show support for him during this rough period. The internet’s been brutal, and she’s not having it.
LaRussell tried to explain himself multiple times, but each response seemed to make things worse.
He released a five-minute video saying people were misunderstanding his message, arguing that he was simply stating that God created everyone, including evil people.
He defended his artistic freedom hard, writing in a statement that he’s keeping his art exactly how he wants it. But then things escalated when people claimed he was blocking critics on social media, including artist Aja Monet and rapper Mickey Factz, who joked that even the block button was “heaven-sent.”
The whole situation got so intense that LaRussell deactivated both his X and Instagram accounts.
The rapper is temporarily stepping back from social media and will return when he’s ready.
The track remains available on streaming platforms despite the criticism. LaRussell’s taking his time away from the internet, but his supporters and his mom will always have his back.
Chrisean Rock is dealing with a bench warrant after she missed a court hearing in February, and the situation stems from a traffic stop that went sideways.
According to TMZ, prosecutors filed two misdemeanor charges against her for driving on a suspended license in Hermosa Beach, California, back in December 2025.
She was supposed to show up for an arraignment on February 26, but she didn’t make the appearance, so the court issued the warrant. As of now, there haven’t been any updates to her case in the system, which means the warrant is still active.
This latest legal trouble adds to a rough stretch for the rapper and reality TV personality.
Video footage showed her swinging at multiple people during the scuffle, and she later claimed she escaped without any scratches.
Before that, she was dealing with an Oklahoma drug case that had her facing serious prison time, though she eventually got probation instead of jail time.
Despite all the legal chaos, Rock is moving forward with her boxing career.
She’s set to make her professional debut on April 25, 2026, at Harrah’s Philadelphia Casino in Chester, Pennsylvania, where she’ll face off against Zenith Zion in a three-round match.
Nearly 6,000 women applied to be her opponent when she first announced the boxing venture, but Zion got the nod.
The fight is part of the XRumble Boxing Championships, and she’s been training hard to prepare for the bout. The boxing match represents a major shift for Chrisean Rock, who’s been trying to build a legitimate athletic career outside of her reality TV presence and music industry connections.
Cardi B just flipped the script on her whole body transformation plan.
The rapper sat down with Jenna Bush Hager and Sheinelle Jones on the Today Show to talk about her new haircare line, but the real moment came when she addressed rumors that she would remove her butt implants after her tour wraps.
“I was saying that, but I’m not gonna do it,” the 33-year-old explained. “I was just gonna take a little bit of butt out, but I don’t have time for that.”
Translation: she’s got too much going on to deal with three months of recovery. What really matters is where her head’s at right now. Cardi’s embracing her body in a way that feels genuine, not forced.
“I feel really comfortable where I’m at right now with my body and everything,” she said.
She’s got cellulite, she’s got stretch marks from carrying four kids, and she’s not apologizing for any of it.
“I do have a whole bunch of cellulite because I don’t know if it’s the age or I don’t know if it’s the fact that I got like four kids. I don’t know what it is, but it’s like I feel really good.”
The shift from “I’m getting this removed” to “I’m loving my imperfections” is the kind of growth that actually matters.
She’s not just accepting her body, she’s celebrating it.
“I’m loving my imperfections and everything, and I feel really comfortable,” she said. That’s the energy we need more of in Hip-Hop and entertainment, period.
This isn’t her first time being real about cosmetic procedures. Back in 2022, she removed 95% of her biopolymers after dealing with complications.
In 2018, she’d revealed that she got silicone illegally injected into her buttocks in a basement apartment in New York City for $800 when she was younger.
She’s been on a whole journey with her body, and now she’s finally at peace with where she’s landed.
The mother of four, who shares kids Kulture (7), Wave (4), Blossom (18 months), and a 4-month-old baby boy with Stefon Diggs, is focused on what actually matters.
Her recent work on body positivity shows she’s thinking bigger than just her appearance. She’s building a legacy that goes beyond the surface, and that’s the real story here.
Heather Graham and Myha’la, two of the stars of They Will Kill You, now meet at the same crossroads: fearless storytelling. Graham, whose career stretches from cult classics to mainstream hits, brings veteran presence, while Myha’la continues to establish herself as one of the most exciting rising actresses of this chaotic era. Together, they help power one of the most unpredictable multi-genre films in recent memory.
They Will Kill You follows a woman searching for her missing sister who finds herself pulled into a mysterious, murderous cult, forcing her to confront danger, loyalty and the true meaning of family. The film blends horror, action, dark humor and emotional storytelling into a ride that feels built for both movie lovers and the blerd community alike. The movie premiered at SXSW in Austin to the glee of the crowd in attendance.
Chuck “Jigsaw” Creekmur, also present for the festivities, caught up with the two stars to discuss what drew them to the film, the challenges of acting in genre movies and why the story’s emotional core makes it relatable far beyond its action-packed, horror-filled surface.
Chuck “Jigsaw” Creekmur: Hey guys, how you doing?
Heather Graham: Hi, Chuck.
Myha’la: Good. How are you?
Chuck Creekmur: It’s an honor to be sitting in front of you. I’m a big fan of both of you.
Heather Graham: Thank you.
Chuck Creekmur: Could you tell me what drew each of you to this movie? I mean, it’s incredibly crazy. I was like, what is going on? Even just seeing the trailer.
Myha’la:Us too. I mean, I was reading that script thinking, “Oh my gosh, where are we going? How did we get here? How are we going to pull it all together?” Karill was just really joyfully going through different genres and I thought that was really exciting and cool. I love that it centered two young women and their love story as sisters. I thought it was really badass. I knew that all of the action sequences were going to be really awesome. And then of course meeting him and seeing how enthusiastic and passionate he is—that made it an easy sell for me to want to work with him. And of course, all the crazy actors attached already.
Heather Graham: Yeah, the script was really original and unique. When I read it, I just thought, I’ve never read anything like this before. The way he mixed horror and comedy and action. And I also just wanted to do action sequences.
Chuck Creekmur: You did. And your eye is a co-star.
Heather Graham: I know! I’m proud of my eye. My eye is great. She deserves top billing. She was really fab.
Chuck Creekmur: Absolutely. Did this require anything from you on a deeper level as far as your acting chops? Did you have to dig deep?
Myha’la: I actually find genre films more challenging because, aside from the emotional work that you do anyway, you also have to superimpose all this stuff that’s not real around you. So it’s another level of “fake” that you have to work beyond to still make it feel real. I do find that to be a challenge. But it’s a good one. It’s a good challenge, and I think when it works, it really pays off.
Heather Graham:For me, I felt like I had to justify why I’m in this cult. Because obviously when you’re reading it, you’re like, why are these people in this cult? So I had to find a reason I could believe in that would make me say, “Okay, that’s why I’m here.”
Chuck Creekmur: As a guy, this is a female-led movie and I didn’t even think twice about it. I didn’t notice it. How was it for you, or how do you feel about this being such a strong but also emotional roller coaster?
Heather Graham: It’s cool. It was written by two men, which I think is amazing. Two men created all these incredible female characters. So it’s a great collaboration between male and female.
Myha’la: Yeah, I love that you said that. I think there’s a misconception that if you don’t look like the person you’re watching, you can’t relate. But really this is a sibling love story. If you’ve ever had a sibling, you can relate. It doesn’t matter what gender they are.
I also think there’s something to be said about the approach to writing. They’re writing a story about two people who care about each other in this environment. It’s not like their hardship is specifically because they’re women—that’s not the reason its difficult. And it’s not unrelatable.
I’m really happy you said that. I didn’t really notice it either while we were doing it. I’m not like, “Oh I have to do this because of my gender.” That’s not important. I hope people notice that just because it’s women doing the thing doesn’t mean it isn’t broadly relatable to everyone.
Chuck Creekmur: Yeah, I think they will. Thanks a lot. I appreciate you.
Usher legacy controversy collided when the R&B star publicly defended Sean “Diddy” Combs in a new interview while the Bad Boy founder continues serving time following his criminal conviction.
During a recent video conversation with Forbes, Usher described Combs with a single word: “Legacy,” offering a personal perspective that contrasted sharply with the public fallout surrounding the embattled Hip-Hop mogul.
“In many ways, I think certain people are prosecuted and maybe not recognized for the greatness that they offer,” Usher explained. “I don’t have anything negative to say about Sean Combs because my experience was not what the world has seen and how he’s been misrepresented. I’m not saying that every man is perfect. I’m not saying that all of us don’t have flaws. But I can’t with any sense of humanity not recognize the valuable contributions that this man made for us as Black entrepreneurs, for us as businessmen, for us as people who have transitioned culture and ideas into something that’s tangible.”
Usher framed his comments through the lens of personal experience, making it clear he was speaking about the man he encountered during his own rise in the music business rather than the allegations that dominated headlines.
“So many people benefitted from what he created and I acknowledge that,” Usher continued, adding: “That’s who I see that man as. And that’s what I choose to remember. I put respect on his name because I realized that what I learned as a businessman before I even understood what business was came as a result of seeing the incredible things that he was able to do and the way that he positioned himself as a businessman.”
Combs was sentenced in October to 50 months in federal prison after being convicted on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution. His projected release date has reportedly been moved up to April 2028.
The 2025 trial delivered a mixed outcome. While prosecutors presented testimony from 34 witnesses who accused Combs of various crimes including drug distribution, abuse and sexual assault, the jury ultimately acquitted him of racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking charges that could have resulted in a significantly longer sentence.
Among the most closely watched moments was testimony from singer Casandra “Cassie” Ventura, who spent four days on the stand describing alleged abuse. Jurors were also shown surveillance footage from 2016 showing Combs assaulting Ventura in a hotel hallway.
During proceedings, Combs’ attorneys acknowledged his history of domestic violence while emphasizing he was not charged with that offense in the case.
Shawn Jay from Field Mob just revealed his cancer battle has reached stage 4, and the Hip-Hop community is rallying around him with prayers and support.
The Albany, Georgia, rapper opened up on Facebook about the devastating progression, sharing raw details about what he’s facing right now.
“Cancer has officially went 4th stage on me frfr. yesterday was hard,” he wrote, giving followers a glimpse into the weight of his reality.
What made the post resonate across social media wasn’t just the news itself, but the perspective Shawn Jay brought to it. He followed his announcement with a message about life’s fragility that hit different.
“We are born in 1 day. We die in 1 day. We can change in 1 day. We can fall in love in 1 day. We can succeed in 1 day. We can fail in 1 day. Anything can happen in just 1 day. Start with day 1 and your day will come,” he shared, closing with #iwantmylifeback.
The post showed resilience even in the darkest moments. However, he claimed his own mother, father and siblings have abandoned him as he fights for his life.
“I gotta hunnit if you can see my mom,dad,or brothers in the comments or if they even liked it…they think if they ignore me I’ll die and nobody will notice they never was there for me through this,” Shawn Jay said. “Yall so poocy yall who know my ppl will make up excuses but let’s be real,,,u dying from cancer and yo family aint there…them folks dont love me.”
Shawn Jay’s journey with Field Mob, alongside his partner Smoke, shaped Southern Hip-Hop in the early 2000s. Their albums 613: Ashy to Classy and From tha Roota to tha Toota were well received and they had a massive hit with their song “Sick of Being Lonelly,” which was produced. by Jazze Pha.
The rapper’s eventually signed with Ludacris’ Disturbin Tha Peace label and had another monster with the hit single “Georgia” in 2005. From there, Field Mob dropped Light Poles and Pine Trees, which spawned their biggest hit “So What” featuring a young Ciara.
The duo’s contributions to the culture remain influential even now. His voice, which once spoke to everyday struggles, is now met with the same energy in return as supporters hold space for him during this fight.
The culture stands with Shawn Jay as he continues battling this disease.
