Kyrie Irving quietly made a powerful statement Tuesday (June 25) by donating $50,000 to the Tamir Rice Foundation, marking what would have been Tamir’s 23rd birthday and becoming the top donor to the campaign launched in his memory.
The fundraiser, organized by Tamir’s mother, Samaria Rice, aimed to raise $110,000 to support the Tamir Rice Youth Center and help purchase a building in Cleveland dedicated to serving inner-city youth through arts and cultural programming.
Supporters were encouraged to give $23 to reflect the age Tamir would have turned this year.
“I miss my son so much each and every day,” Samaria Rice said in a statement on the campaign page. “As our family approaches Tamir’s 23rd birthday. I’m asking for 23 dollars for 23 years without him. I purchased a building in the city of Cleveland to give back to our inner city youth with art and cultural developments.”
She added, “I have already invested into this beautiful historical building with you all support. The help you all already have given Tamir’s legacy we are forever appreciative. I will not let my community down or anyone who believe in the vision. Trust me you will see the results.”
Bernice King Pays Tribute To Tamir Rice
Irving has not issued a public statement about the donation, but he did repost a message from Bernice King, daughter of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
“My heart goes out to # TamirRice’s family,” King wrote. “Especially to his mother, Samaria Rice, on today, Tamir’s birthday. He should be celebrating 23 years. It is a grave injustice that he’s not. And I just can’t imagine how devastating that is for Ms. Rice… I’m sorry.”
The NBA star has long used his platform to support causes tied to racial justice, Indigenous rights and community empowerment.
Over the years, he has contributed millions to various initiatives, including food banks, student debt relief, clean water access, and WNBA player support.
Tamir Rice was 12 when he was fatally shot by Cleveland police in 2014 while holding a toy gun in a park. His death became a national symbol in the conversation around police violence and racial injustice.
Michelle Obama pushed back against lingering divorce rumors and explained her recent absence from high-profile events during a revealing appearance on the Wild Card podcast.
The former First Lady said she has stepped away from the public eye to embrace a slower, more private chapter of life alongside her husband, Barack Obama, after decades of public service and scrutiny.
“It’s like, ‘OK, so we don’t Instagram every minute of our lives,'” she said. “We are 60. We’re 60, y’all. You just are not gonna know what we’re doing every minute of the day.”
Her comments come after months of speculation about the Obamas’ marriage, fueled by Michelle’s absence from events such as former president Jimmy Carter’s funeral and Donald Trump’s second inauguration.
While Michelle didn’t directly address the rumors, she made it clear that her decision to skip those moments was intentional and personal.
“Whatever the backlash was, I had to sit in it and own it,” she said. “But I didn’t regret it.”
Michelle also opened up about the toll her time in the White House took on her personal goals, suggesting that the demands of being First Lady and raising two daughters under intense public scrutiny left her feeling depleted.
“All of that stuff, it kind of cut my ambitions short a little bit,” she said. “I don’t know if my ambition has ever fully been able to actualize itself.”
The Obamas, who married in 1992 and share daughters Malia and Sasha, have long been viewed as a political power couple. But Michelle’s recent remarks suggest that after years in the spotlight, both she and Barack are prioritizing rest and privacy over public appearances.
Cardi B Faces Heat Over Alleged Song Jacking as Album Rollout Gains Steam
Cardi B is gearing up for her long-awaited sophomore album, Am I The Drama?, but a bubbling controversy looms. After a seven-year gap since Invasion of Privacy, the Bronx-bred rap star back! A much lesser-known Southern artist named Rissa Reignclaims a new Cardi track sounds eerily similar to her own.
At the center of the swirl is a song titled “Outside.” Both Reign and Cardi have records with the same name. The production, delivery, and vibe are very similar. While Cardi hasn’t addressed the claims, but the rumors swirl. Fans slowly began tagging Reign under Cardi’s posts, pointing out these overlaps.
Reign hasn’t accused Cardi outright but isn’t keeping silent either. She recently posted, “SOMEBODY heard that mf. I fw Cardi so hard tho 😭 This not even the typa music I make. But I recorded it on some quick s### to fulfill my contract obligations at the time. They wanted more ‘feminine’ music.” Her song is 3 years old, by the way. It also never formally came out, it was just put on YouTube.
While she hasn’t launched legal action, Rissa say she’s aware the similarities are significant. Those who’ve listened to both tracks say they’re “close to identical” aside from a few tweaks to the beat. The lyrics are not the same so, there’s not a lot to see here. I am pretty sure they both sample this old school song, “TriggaMan.”
Complicating things further, Cardi B has revealed that “WAP” and “Up” will be included on her upcoming album. That decision has left some fans puzzled, given how long those tracks have been out. With digital albums and streaming playlists being what they are, I guess they can do what they want. We can cut them, but they better not be the 9th and 10th song on the album.
Whether the “Outside” controversy does any damage or just becomes another viral moment remains to be seen.
Clayton Howard, a former escort who participated in freak-offs with Diddy for nearly a decade, says he impregnated Cassie Ventura during a sex session arranged by the Hip-Hop mogul, an encounter he says ended in heartbreak and regret.
“She still had unprotected sex with me, and that was the strange part for me. I didn’t want to have unprotected sex with her; I wanted to put a condom on. But she insisted on it. She told me she was on birth control now, so we didn’t have anything to worry about,” Howard said.
In an interview with RadarOnline.com, Howard, who used the alias “Dave” while working for Combs, said he was incarcerated when Ventura informed him of the pregnancy and her decision to terminate it.
“She told me that she had been pregnant and was sure it was my child. She started to cry and said she was sorry. She claimed that she hadn’t wanted to do it. I had no choice but to forgive her.”
The former escort said he wasn’t consulted about the abortion and believes the situation—not Ventura—was to blame.
“I don’t blame Cassie for ultimately deciding to abort our child. I know it must have been a difficult decision for her. I blame the situation for what happened. The situation led us to create a life due to our carelessness, and that carelessness resulted in the death of an innocent child.”
The claims surfaced just weeks after Howard and Ventura took the witness stand in Combs’ federal racketeering trial.
Howard testified that Diddy would often watch him having sex with Cassie while the disgraced mogul had clothes around his face. And the possibility of pregnancy was something Diddy allegedly planned for.
According to text messages, the mogul had to have Cialis, Plan B and of course, baby oil on his hotel nightstand during “freak offs” and “Wild Knight Nights.”
Ventura testified while visibly pregnant. During four days of testimony, Ventura described years of alleged abuse and coercion by Combs.
Her advanced pregnancy became a focal point in the courtroom, with prosecutors accusing the defense of dragging out cross-examination to potentially trigger labor and cause a mistrial.
Ventura was often seen rubbing her stomach while her husband, Alex Fine, sat nearby, offering quiet support.
She gave birth to her third child on May 28, 2025, shortly after concluding her testimony in the New York courtroom.
Cardi B is teaming up with Scarlet Envy after the drag performer’s viral catchphrase helped inspire the title of the rapper’s upcoming album, Am I the Drama?, set to drop September 19, 2025.
Speaking with People, Cardi B revealed that the now-iconic line from RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars 6 struck a chord with her and shaped the mood of her new project.
“I feel like I’m always in some drama, and I don’t understand why I’m always in some drama,” she said. “It’s like, ‘Damn, am I the drama? Is it me? Like, what? Why am I always in some s###?’ But I do know she said it on Drag Race and it’s like, Well s###, great minds think alike. She said it before me and I’m gonna give her, always, the props. I always give people props. I love her, and I’m gonna be working with her more often.”
Scarlet Envy’s quote — “Is it me? Am I the drama? I don’t think I’m the drama. Maybe I am? Am I the villain? I don’t think I’m the villain” became a viral sensation after airing during the show’s promotional run.
The clip quickly made its way across TikTok, inspiring memes, lip-syncs and celebrity nods for its over-the-top delivery and relatable energy.
Scarlet Envy, born Jacob James Grady, hails from Louisville, Kentucky. She competed on RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 11, All Stars 6, and UK vs. the World 2. She was raised by two mothers and is also the drag daughter of Season 7 finalist Pearl.
Cardi B’s new album, Am I the Drama? will be her first full-length release since the 2018 album Invasion of Privacy.
The 23-track project includes previously released singles like “WAP,” “Up,” and her latest, “Outside.”
The cover art features Cardi in a red bodysuit, surrounded by crows, which matches the album’s theatrical tone. Am I the Drama? is scheduled for release on September 19, 2025.
Antonio Brown is dragging the man accused of disrupting Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl halftime show months after he accused the NFL star of trying to kill him.
The arrest stems from his unsanctioned protest during Lamar’s Super Bowl LIX performance at Caesars Superdome on February 9, where he ran across the field waving a Sudanese flag that read “Sudan and Free Gaza.”
Although he was initially cleared by the New Orleans police, state authorities reopened the case and issued a warrant. Nantambu turned himself in and, as of now, has not publicly confirmed whether he has legal representation.
The NFL responded by banning Nantambu from all future league events, citing the unauthorized nature of his protest despite his initial clearance to be on the field as a backup performer.
Antonio Brown weighed in on Nantambu’s arrest, calling him a fraud and doubled down on his own innocence.
“That guy is a fraud, liar, stalker & criminal,” Brown said after learning of Nantambu’s arrest.
That guy is a fraud, liar, stalker & criminal
He was arrested in 2022 for stealing 6 figures of jewelry from me
He then showed up at my show at rolling loud in 2023 trying to assault me
Then in May he snuck into a gate at the event and came right up to me trying to steal from… https://t.co/x6i3PkP50b
According to police reports and surveillance footage, Brown allegedly punched Nantambu, grabbed a security guard’s firearm, and fired two shots while chasing him.
Nantambu, who was grazed by a bullet, later told investigators he feared for his life.
“He thought he would get a free kill… He plays gangster and plays the police at the same time, then he blames CTE,” Nantambu said, referencing Florida’s “Stand Your Ground” law.
The two men have a long and bitter history. Nantambu previously accused Brown of stealing a custom pendant during a trip to Dubai in 2022. That dispute led to a lawsuit and a nearly $1 million judgment in Nantambu’s favor, though the case was eventually dismissed.
Brown, who is out on a $10,000 bond, faces an attempted murder charge.
“He snuck into a gate at the event and came right up to me trying to steal from me and threaten my life. Media hasn’t told this story yet, instead painting a false picture of me,” Antonio Brown said. “That night I was fighting for my life with his intentions.”
Nantambu’s arrest on June 26 has now tied both men to high-profile NFL-related incidents—one involving a halftime protest and the other a violent confrontation.
For decades, Tech N9ne has been a relentless force in Hip-Hop, carving out a unique legacy from the underground to the mainstream. His latest album, 5816 Forest, is his most personal yet. An origin story, the saga is told in chronological order, from age 12 to 17. This all happened while living at 5816 Forest Avenue in Kansas City, Missouri. Unlike many of his projects, this album is entirely Tech N9ne on the verses, with production handled by a single producer, JPZ.
In this revealing Q&A, Tech N9ne speaks with AllHipHop’s Chuck “Jigsaw” Creekmur about his breakdancing beginnings, the moment he became Tech N9ne, and escaping a strict home. He went on to to chase his dream and maximize his creative DNA. He also reveals how Lil Wayne ended up on the project as well as the hidden meaning behind his iconic hospital scrubs. 5816 Forest may be the most important album of his life.
AllHipHop: Let’s talk about 5816 Forest, your new album. That’s the address where it all began?
Tech N9ne: Yeah, man. 5816 Forest was my home from age 12 to 17, before I ran away to chase becoming Tech N9ne. This album is my origin story, just like in comic books. It’s all in chronological order. One producer, J.P. PZ. No guests on the verses—just me.
AllHipHop: Why’d you hesitate to do a solo-only project?
Tech N9ne: I’m big on collabs. I love different vibes and pushing boundaries. At first, I thought doing all the verses myself would be boring. But by the third song, I realized: nah, this is fire. With Tech N9ne, the flows, cadences, beats—everything evolves constantly.
AllHipHop: What flipped the switch for you? When did you know you were going to be Tech N9ne?
Tech N9ne: There’s a song called “Lola” that explains it. I was just beatboxing on the bus one day and Lola Morris told me, “Stop spitting on people. Write a rap.” I went home, wrote eight bars, came back—and people loved it. Later, my guy Black Walt—he gave me my name—heard my first full song and said, “You’re Tech Nine now.”
AllHipHop: That led to your first big break?
Tech N9ne: Yep. The song “J Sixes” tells that story. I won a rap contest and got to open for EPMD at Kemper Arena. The concert was the same day as my high school graduation. I chose the show. I had on my Jordan 6s, and that night sealed the deal—I was going to be Tech N9ne.
AllHipHop: That choice says a lot about your mindset.
Tech N9ne: I had already run away from home. My stepfather was strict—a Muslim married to my Christian mom. From 12 to 17, I felt like he was too hard on me. The song “Punishment” breaks all that down. I realized later he was protecting me from the streets, the Bloods, everything around us.
AllHipHop: Heavy. What did your stepfather think of the song?
Tech N9ne: My brother played it for him. He said, “Tell Donnie [my middle name] thank you.” That meant everything. I was nervous because I talk about when he hit me in the head with money for messing up in school. But that was real. It was my last straw before leaving.
AllHipHop: You also mention your mother a lot. What role did she play?
Tech N9ne: Everything. She was Christian, but let me be me. She took me to haunted houses, horror movies, all kinds of stuff. She bought me Dracula toys and told me, “They’re just plastic, like GI Joe.” She shaped my love for dark imagery, even though people tried to call me a devil worshipper. She passed in 2014 from lupus.
AllHipHop: That explains the face paint and scrubs?
Tech N9ne: Yeah. When my mom had seizures, my stepfather would put her in psychiatric wards. I’d visit her, and she’d be in hospital scrubs. That stuck with me. Now I wear them on stage in her honor. The killer clown thing? I was terrified of clowns, so I became one. It’s how I processed fear and flipped it into power.
AllHipHop: Powerful stuff. You’ve always mixed genres. Do you consider yourself Hip-Hop above all?
Tech N9ne: Absolutely. Everything I do is under the Hip-Hop umbrella. When I work with artists from metal, blues, or anything else, I bring Tech N9ne. I did a song with Gary Clark Jr., blues vibes, and another with Marsha Ambrosius. That’s why my next album is called Decorated, because I’m a decorated MC.
AllHipHop: Speaking of collabs…Lil Wayne’s on this album, even though it’s mostly solo. Why?
Tech N9ne: I was trying to do the hook for “Yoda” myself, but it felt off. I hit up Wayne and he killed it. Did variations without even being told. He’s a genius, man.
AllHipHop: It’s dope to hear this evolution, especially in today’s algorithm-driven music world.
Tech N9ne: That’s real. You either catch things by accident now, or you gotta really follow people. Social media doesn’t always help. Jim Jones? He told you he’s rigging the algorithm. I believe it. He had me dying laughing with Shannon Sharpe.
AllHipHop: He’s trolling, but it’s working. But for real, this 5816 Forest album…it feels like a full-circle moment.
Tech N9ne: It is. I almost died out there chasing this dream. Selling dope, running with Bloods, everything. I took a chance. And by the grace of God, I’m still here. This album is for that 12-year-old kid who became Tech N9ne.
Antoine Massey was arrested Friday in New Orleans after nearly six weeks on the run following a jailbreak that exposed serious security lapses at the city’s main jail.
Louisiana State Police and U.S. Marshals located Massey at a residence roughly two miles from the Orleans Justice Center, where he and nine others escaped on May 16. Authorities said Antoine Massey, 32, now faces additional charges after evading capture for over a month.
Antoine Massey was one of only two inmates still missing from the group. Eight others were already recaptured—most within city limits, two in Texas. Only Derrick Groves, convicted of second-degree murder, remains unaccounted for.
“I’m asking for help from the world, from Meek Mill, Lil Wayne and YoungBoy. Donald Trump. I couldn’t even get a lawyer. I couldn’t even afford a lawyer to prove my innocence. I didn’t break out, I was let out,” Massey said.
Antoine Massey, who was being held on domestic abuse by strangulation and auto theft charges, also said in the video, “I’m not going to lie, I was causing problems. The person I was, I’m not that person. I have a 3-year-old son. I have an 18-year-old daughter that graduated. People don’t understand that.”
The escape took place after inmates forced open faulty cell doors, removed a toilet to break through a wall, and scaled a perimeter fence. The breach went unnoticed for more than seven hours, raising questions about staffing and oversight at the jail.
Investigators have arrested at least 13 people accused of helping the inmates flee, including jail employees and outside accomplices. One maintenance worker is charged with assisting with the removal of the toilet, which helped facilitate the escape.
Maxo Kream was arrested in Texas on June 27 after police say he briefly fled a traffic stop and was later found with two firearms in his vehicle, according to TMZ.
The Houston rapper was initially pulled over for driving with expired registration tags that had lapsed in May.
Authorities say he stopped his car but then drove off when the officer stepped out of the patrol unit. There was no pursuit. Maxo pulled over again shortly afterward.
Police searched his vehicle and discovered two guns. He was charged with unlawful possession of firearms by a documented gang member.
He also faces a misdemeanor count for attempting to evade law enforcement. On Saturday (June 28), Maxo Kream addressed the arrest.
The arrest came just one day after he teased new music on Instagram.
On June 26, he posted a message reading “DROPPING 2MORROW,” signaling a release on June 27—the same day he was taken into custody.
Despite the legal trouble, Maxo made an appearance at Houston’s annual “Screw Day” on June 27, to honor the legacy of DJ Screw and the city’s deep Hip-Hop roots.
His next high-profile appearance will be in court on July 7.
Charleston White didn’t just win his first boxing match in Nashville—he walked away with a new contract, viral moment and message for future challengers.
The 48-year-old social commentator turned amateur fighter stopped Kodiyakredd of the Island Boys during the second round of their bout at Adin Ross’s Brand Risk 008 event on June 22.
The fight ended after White landed a clean shot that left Kodiyakredd dazed and waving off the match with about 30 seconds left in the round.
“I just wanna make a public service announcement,” White said following the win. “I want four more fights. I’m signing up with Adin Ross for four more fights.”
The grudge match came after months of online insults. White had previously mocked the Island Boys for their controversial livestream in which the twin brothers kissed each other for money.
That jab ignited a back-and-forth that eventually led to the ring. White, who weighed in between 125 and 130 pounds, made it clear he’s not done yet.
“I’m fluctuating between 125 and 130 so you just gotta come down to at least 130,” he said, laying out his terms for future opponents. He also added that challengers must fight with one eye covered, referencing his own vision impairment.
The fight wasn’t without drama outside the ring. White accused Kodiyakredd’s girlfriend of spitting on his wife, Tamara, during the event.
“His girl spit on my girl,” he said. “That’s assault. So we going to ask [the] police department to file a criminal charge against Island Boy girlfriend. Then I’m going to get him civilly.”
The event, hosted by Adin Ross and Brand Risk Promotions, featured several influencer matchups, but White’s performance stole the spotlight.
Kodiyakredd, who entered the ring with a 0-2 record, now sits at 0-3. White’s next bouts are expected to be announced soon under his new deal.
Cormega stepped into the middle of the Nas versus Jim Jones debate with a measured take on legacy and evolution, calling Nas a “generational talent” and praising Jones as a “generational hustler.”
The Queensbridge rapper, who’s known Nas since childhood, addressed the ongoing back-and-forth that reignited after Jones claimed on the “Joe and Jada” podcast that he had more hits than Nas and was more relevant to younger listeners.
Jones also said his son couldn’t name a Nas song, unlike his own music.
Cormega, who was once name-dropped in the classic Illmatic track “One Love” while serving time, offered a grounded perspective.
“Jim has the right to be proud,” he said. “Nas has the right to be proud.” He added that some of Jones’s remarks were fueled by provocation and ego but ultimately credited Nas for staying silent. “Nas response is the best response. He said nothing.”
Despite Nas’s lack of reply, the debate escalated after Jones doubled down in interviews.
A resurfaced 2005 clip of Nas mocking Jones added fuel to the fire, where Nas dismissed him as not worth a lyrical rebuttal. Cormega, who once feuded with Nas after being replaced in The Firm by Nature, said both men have succeeded in their own ways.
“Nas is the gold standard of lyricism,” he said. “Jim Jones has a fashion style. Nas has a fashion style.” He also acknowledged Jones’s growth over the years, noting, “Jim Jones is one of the most improved rappers in NY rap, especially considering he wasn’t rapping when I met him many years ago.”
He emphasized that both artists have provided their children with stability and opportunity despite coming from poor environments.
“None of their children are needing and they are still here to see another day,” he added. “They are both blessed.”
Cormega closed his statement with a nod to Hip-Hop unity, saying, “I’ve seen how comments and or words can be taken out of context and cause chaos so as a man. A masculine man with knowledge of self and street credibility I have the obligation to build and guide rather than watch others crash out. ‘It Ain’t Hard To Tell’ I’d rather see you ‘Balling.'”
JAY-Z and Beyoncé caught the internet’s attention at Paris Fashion Week, grooving to an Indian track during Pharrell Williams‘ Louis Vuitton Menswear Spring/Summer 2026 show.
The Hip-Hop power couple, seated in the front row at the star-studded runway event, were filmed nodding along to “Yaara Punjabi,” a collaboration between Pharrell and renowned Indian composer A.R. Rahman.
The moment quickly went viral, with social media users cracking jokes about Beyoncé clocking JAY-Z’s famously off-the-dome creative process.
“That pen-less ass n#### writing a dope ass rap in his head,” one user wrote. “Bey see it!”
That pen-less ass n#### writing a dope ass rap in his head.
Another added, “That smirk at the end let us know he just came up with something crazy!”
A third chimed in, “Lmao they mentally sending verses back and forth to each other.”
The viral clip wasn’t just a random vibe check—it also tapped into Hov’s appreciation for Indian music.
Back in 2003, he teamed up with Panjabi MC for the remix of “Mundian To Bach Ke.” The track, retitled “Beware of the Boys,” fused bhangra rhythms with Hip-Hop beats and sampled the iconic Knight Rider theme, becoming a global hit.
“It wasn’t like anything else playing,” JAY-Z wrote in his 2010 memoir Decoded. “The bass line was propulsive and familiar, but it took me a second to realize it was from the theme song of Knight Rider. All I knew was it was something totally fresh. It felt like world music in the best sense.”
He even performed that remix at Pharrell’s Louis Vuitton debut in June 2023.
Orville Peck will play Vega, while WWE’s Roman Reigns (Joe Anoa’i) steps into the role of Akuma.
The Street Fighter franchise originated in arcades in 1987 and gained immense popularity with the release of Street Fighter II in 1991, solidifying its status as one of the most iconic fighting games of all time.
The series has sold over 49 million copies worldwide, according to Capcom.
While the script and release date remain under wraps, filming is scheduled to begin in Australia in August 2025.
Kim Kardashian landed in Venice Thursday (June 26) for Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez’s wedding festivities just as demonstrators flooded the city with anti-billionaire protests targeting excessive wealth and environmental damage.
The trio is part of a star-studded guest list for the multi-day celebration, which kicked off Wednesday night (June 25) with a private cocktail party at the Aman Hotel. Oprah Winfrey, Tom Brady, Gayle King, Ivanka Trump, Jared Kushner, Diane von Furstenberg and Orlando Bloom were also spotted arriving by boat.
While celebrities made their entrance, protest groups across Venice staged coordinated demonstrations under the slogan “No Space for Bezos.”
Banners condemning tax breaks for the ultra-rich and the effects of mass tourism were draped across landmarks, including the Rialto Bridge and St. Mark’s Square. One protest featured a dummy of Bezos floating in a canal atop an Amazon box.
Others promised to block waterways using boats and inflatable animals. The backlash prompted organizers to move the main ceremony from its original location to the Arsenale, a more secure venue. Protesters called the change a win.
The wedding has drawn scrutiny not only for its extravagance but also for its timing. Venice has long struggled with overtourism, and critics argue the event highlights how the city caters to the wealthy at the expense of residents.
Bezos and Sánchez’s celebration is expected to continue through Sunday (June 29), with rumors swirling about performances by Elton John and Lady Gaga.
50 Cent wasted no time unloading on Diddy’s legal team after a chaotic final day in court, mocking defense attorney Marc Agnifilo and forecasting a lengthy prison term for the Hip-Hop mogul.
“Damn they did Diddy dirty them closing statements man, I could have done better then that. How much he pay them lawyers?” 50 Cent asked.
The rapper, who has turned his Instagram into a running commentary on the six-week federal trial, took aim at Agnifilo’s performance following his three-hour closing argument on Friday (June 27).
“She didn’t have the worst lawyer; you are the worst lawyer. Remember the name Marc Agnifilo. He just got Diddy ass 20 years,” 50 Cent posted.
Agnifilo’s remarks in court raised eyebrows, with the defense attempting to downplay the federal government’s case by mocking the government’s evidence.
“Way to go, fellas,” Agnifilo said. “They took Astroglide and baby oil and that is the evidence in this case.”
Agnifilo also told jurors that even those suing Diddy “loved him.”
At one point, U.S. District Judge Subramanian reprimanded Agnifilo for making “grossly improper” comments about the government’s motives in bringing the case.
Diddy faces five federal charges, including racketeering conspiracy, two counts of sex trafficking, and two counts of transporting individuals for prostitution.
If convicted on the most serious charges, he could face life in prison. He has pleaded not guilty. Jury deliberations are expected to begin Monday, June 30.
Diddy faced extreme scrutiny from lead prosecutor Maureen Comey Friday in a Manhattan courtroom, where she accused his legal team of offering “excuse after excuse” for what she called “inexcusable behavior” during the final day of his federal sex trafficking and racketeering trial.
Comey, delivering the government’s final word before jury deliberations begin Monday, tore into the defense’s portrayal of the Hip-Hop mogul’s conduct, calling their narrative a smokescreen.
She rejected the idea that Marc Agnifilo, Diddy’s defense attorney, had painted — that the case was about lifestyle choices, not crimes.
Comey said the defense’s claim that Diddy hired male escorts for companionship, not sex, was absurd. She told jurors that the evidence showed he flew sex workers across the country to engage in sexual acts with women while he watched and masturbated.
She described the alleged abuse of women like Cassie Ventura, Jane and Mia as part of a pattern of coercion and control. Comey said the women were manipulated, degraded and traumatized — not willing participants.
She emphasized that none of them had financial motives to lie – Cassie already received $20 million to settle her civil suit against Diddy, while Jane had no intention of filing one.
Comey also addressed the arson of rapper Kid Cudi’s car, saying Diddy followed through on threats. She reminded jurors that Cassie testified he said he would do it — and then it happened.
Earlier in the day, Agnifilo argued that prosecutors were targeting Diddy for his fame and wealth. He called his client a demanding but successful businessman, not a criminal kingpin.
Agnifilo ridiculed the government’s evidence, including the seizure of large amounts of baby oil and lubricant from Diddy’s homes.
He acknowledged Diddy assaulted Cassie Ventura in 2016 but called their relationship a “great modern love story” and described her as a “gangster.”
Agnifilo denied the rape allegations and dismissed the arson claim as “nonsense.”
Assistant U.S. Attorney Christy Slavik, who delivered her closing Thursday (June 26), called Diddy the head of a criminal enterprise who used fear, violence and money to maintain control.
She said he surrounded himself with loyal insiders who helped him silence victims and cover up crimes. Jurors are expected to receive instructions and begin deliberations on Monday, June 30.
When Don Trip and Starlito dropped the first Stepbrothers mixtape in 2011, they carved out a rare lane in Hip-Hop: a duo built not just on beats and bars but true brotherhood. Now, nearly 15 years later, the Southern spitters return with Step Brothers 4 Life, proving that consistency and chemistry still count in a game built on trends. Their latest project is out and AllHipHop sat down with the pair to discuss the long journey, how Tennessee shaped their sound and why their bond still runs deeper than rap.
What follows is a hilarious, insightful and sometimes deep dive into everything from PlayStation versus promotion to firearm philosophy. With these two, realness comes first. Watch the video for the full, unedited conversation.
AllHipHop: Y’all are running at a high level creatively, but you said you were “hanging on by a thread.” What’s going on?
Don Trip: I ain’t have my nap. That’s all it is.
Starlito: We’re in grind mode. The album’s done. Now it’s about presentation and marketing—travel, little sleep, and no naps.
Starlito: Life. It’s been eight years since Stepbrothers 3, but when we finally locked in, it only took six weeks. We had six studio sessions and came out with 16 tracks.
Don Trip: We always record these in person. We don’t do the phoned-in thing. That’s our secret sauce.
AllHipHop: You can hear that connection. Most people can’t even rehearse together, let alone build like that.
Starlito: A lot of groups grow apart. But we grew closer—weddings, funerals, kids’ birthdays—we’ve been there for each other in life, not just rap.
Don Trip: There’s no ego between us. No big “I’s” or little “u’s.” We move like a team.
AllHipHop: Who was the first Tennessee rapper that influenced y’all?
Starlito: A rapper named La Mike. He was from East Nashville, got his haircut at my cousin’s shop. That’s when I realized, “Oh, someone from around here is a rapper.”
AllHipHop: People don’t realize how far Nashville and Memphis are from each other.
Don Trip: It’s three and a half hours. We ain’t neighbors.
Starlito: Memphis is more of a Hip-Hop hotbed. Nashville’s country music business. I went to Tennessee State and that helped me build bridges. But yeah, outsiders assume we’re from the same place.
AllHipHop: We’ve talked about maturity. Hip-Hop’s over 50. Where do y’all think it’s headed?
Don Trip: I don’t think gatekeeping matters anymore. Now, anyone can upload music. That’s good and bad, but it’s easier for real artists to find a lane.
Starlito: We have to own our influence. Hip-Hop’s getting fused with country, pop—you name it. And the stuff with a message is disappearing. It’s on us to tell real stories and preserve the culture.
Don Trip: Substance outlasts trend. We’re focused on giving people music that speaks to something real, not just chasing what’s hot.
AllHipHop: How do y’all feel about the marketing side of things—videos, social media?
Don Trip: It’s like maintaining a house. You want the house, you gotta fix the roof. You want the career, you gotta do the work.
Starlito: Marketing is storytelling. If I can get 3 minutes of your time, maybe I can get you to listen to 51 minutes. We’ve had to do everyone’s job at some point—PR, camera, engineering—you name it.
AllHipHop: Do y’all go back and listen to the old Stepbrothers tapes?
Don Trip: Not really. I don’t even look at old pictures. I don’t want to get stuck in the past. My glory days are ahead of me.
Starlito: Too much reflection can hold you back. You start comparing numbers, chasing old sounds. That’s a trap. We’re building forward.
AllHipHop: Let’s lighten it up. Top 5 Hip-Hop duos?
Don Trip: Kriss Kross, Ball & G, Clipse, CNN and I’ll say me and ‘Lito.
Starlito: UGK, Outkast, Run-DMC, Boosie and Webbie, and yeah—me and Trip.
AllHipHop: Y’all included yourselves?
Starlito: Why not? The chemistry is real. We’re in that conversation.
AllHipHop: Final random topic: guns. Don, you got a favorite?
Don Trip: I got like 200. It’s therapeutic. Like painting. Hitting the same hole in a target 30 times? That’s art.
AllHipHop: So it’s a creative thing?
Don Trip: Yeah. It’s about control and precision. I teach my kids how to shoot. It’s not about violence—it’s about understanding power and being responsible with it.
Starlito: You talk to him long enough, you’ll be Googling calibers by the end of the day.
AllHipHop: Final thoughts?
Don Trip: Stepbrothers 4, out now. We touring, adding cities daily.
Starlito: We appreciate the love. This ain’t no trend. It’s a movement.
Rihanna’s father Ronald Fenty died in Los Angeles last month from a combination of respiratory failure and pancreatic cancer, according to a death certificate obtained by TMZ.
The father of Rihanna, 71, died at a hospital while “surrounded by family” following what was described as a “brief illness.”
The official document listed multiple causes of death, including aspiration pneumonia—a severe lung infection—along with acute renal failure and acute tubular necrosis, both of which point to severe kidney damage.
Fenty, who lived in Barbados, had kept a relatively low profile in recent years due to his strained relationship with his superstar daughter.
“I was so angry at him,” Rihanna told Oprah Winfrey during an interview in 2012, where she revealed she had repaired their relationship. “I was just angry about a lot of things from my childhood and I couldn’t separate him as a husband from him as a father.
She added, “I felt like if he was a bad husband, he was a bad father. I witnessed a lot of things in my childhood in my household.”
They did eventually reconcile and Ronald shared his joy publicly when Rihanna, 37, announced her second pregnancy during the 2023 Super Bowl Halftime Show.
At the time, he told TMZ he was “over the moon.”
The Grammy Award-winning singer has not yet issued a public statement regarding her father’s death. She is currently expecting her third child with A$AP Rocky, with whom she shares two sons—RZA, 3, and Riot, who is nearly 2 years old.
50 Cent slammed New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani on Instagram over his proposal to defund the police and raise taxes on the wealthy, claiming the Democratic socialist’s agenda would plunge the city into chaos.
“New York turns into Gotham city, if you defund the police. Trust me on this one, that’s not a good idea buddy,” the rapper wrote, alongside AI-generated images of a crumbling, dystopian Manhattan.
50 Cent also referenced the 1981 cult film Escape from New York, in which Manhattan is turned into a maximum-security prison following a national collapse.
The movie, directed by John Carpenter, depicts a lawless island overrun by criminals after the government abandons it, a scenario Fif seems to believe is not far off under Mamdani’s leadership.
“Escape from New York coming If you’re not careful,” 50 Cent warned.
In an earlier post, he mocked Mamdani’s economic platform and threatened to alert Donald Trump.
“Where did he come from whose friend is this? I’m not feeling this plan no. I will give him $258,750 and a first class one way ticket away from NY. I’m telling Trump what he said too!”
Mamdani, 33, currently represents Queens’ 36th District in the New York State Assembly and is the Democratic nominee for the 2025 mayoral race.
Born in Uganda to Indian parents, he moved to New York at age 7 and is the son of academic Mahmood Mamdani and filmmaker Mira Nair.
His platform includes free public buses, rent freezes, universal childcare and city-owned grocery stores.
“What I’ve proposed is we raise $10 billion to pay for our entire economic agenda and start to Trump proof our city,” Mamdani said during an interview onThe Breakfast Club.
The progressive candidate, backed by Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, defeated Andrew Cuomo in the Democratic primary.
If elected, he would be the city’s first Muslim, first Indian American and first millennial mayor.
The 2025 mayoral election is scheduled for November.
Kendrick Lamar is bringing his Grand National Tour to Latin America this fall with stops in five major cities as he continues his global takeover.
After selling out venues across North America and preparing for a summer run through Europe and the UK alongside SZA, Lamar has added a string of solo dates in Mexico, Colombia, Brazil, Argentina and Chile.
The newly announced shows, produced by Live Nation and pgLang, will take place in some of the region’s largest soccer stadiums.
The Latin American leg kicks off September 23 in Mexico City at Estadio GNP Seguros.
From there, Lamar will head to Bogotá’s Vive Claro on September 27, São Paulo’s Allianz Parque on September 30, Buenos Aires’ Estadio River Plate on October 4 and Santiago’s Estadio Monumental on October 7.
Argentine duo CA7RIEL & Paco Amoroso will serve as the opening act for all Latin American dates.
Lamar’s international schedule is packed through the end of the year.
Before heading south, he’ll perform across Europe with SZA, including stops in Cologne, Frankfurt, Glasgow, Birmingham, Amsterdam, Paris, Cardiff, London, Lisbon, Barcelona, Rome, Warsaw and Stockholm.
That run wraps on August 9 in Sweden.
In December, Kendrick Lamar will headline two solo shows in Australia—Melbourne’s AAMI Park on December 3 and Sydney’s Allianz Stadium on December 10.
The Grand National Tour marks another milestone for Lamar, who continues to draw massive crowds worldwide.
His latest expansion into Latin America signals both his global reach and the growing appetite for Hip-Hop across international markets
Tickets for each city go on sale at staggered times starting July 1.
Buenos Aires opens first on Tuesday, July 1, at 10 a.m. local time.
São Paulo follows on Wednesday, July 2, at 11 a.m. Mexico City and Santiago both release tickets on Thursday, July 3, at 2 p.m. and 12 p.m., respectively.
Bogotá rounds out the list on Friday, July 4, at 10 a.m.
