Billy McFarland is back in the headlines as the disgraced Fyre Festival founder tries to offload the infamous brand on eBay, starting the auction at just $0.01.
The listing includes the entire Fyre Festival package: trademarks, domain names, social media accounts, marketing materials, email and SMS lists, and even a “Caribbean Festival Location Option.”
As of Tuesday evening (July 8), the auction had drawn 71 bids and climbed to $100,000.
“We’ve had over 1,000 offers for the Fyre brand, but I am done playing games,” Billy McFarland said in an Instagram post on July 9. “Through all the noise, the chaos, the hype, and the craziness, Fyre has had over 32 billion impressions online since 2017. Whoever owns the Fyre brand will have an attention engine to launch festivals, do merch collabs, do insane pop-ups, run live streams, or build a media brand.”
The auction also includes what’s described as “a loot box of worthless goodies,” a nod to the festival’s legacy of overpromising and underdelivering.
The decision to sell comes after a failed seven-figure deal with filmmaker Shawn Rech, who had planned to integrate the brand into a new music streaming venture.
That agreement collapsed after five days of talks, despite McFarland staying quiet to let the buyer make the announcement.
McFarland officially put the brand up for sale in April 2025 following delays with Fyre Festival 2, which was scheduled for May 2025 in Playa del Carmen, Mexico.
The event was postponed due to permit issues with local officials and logistical problems.
Fyre Festival became a cautionary tale in 2017 after attendees arrived in the Bahamas to find no infrastructure, no music and no accommodations.
The chaos led to lawsuits, documentaries, and McFarland’s conviction for defrauding investors and ticket buyers out of more than $26 million. He was sentenced to six years in federal prison in 2018 and released in March 2022 after serving less than four years.
Despite the brand’s disastrous past, McFarland insists it still holds value. The eBay auction remains live, with bidding continuing to rise.
OpenAI’s O1 AI Model Allegedly Tried to Copy Itself During Shutdown Test, Raising Red Flags in Safety Circles
We have a major issues. Everything that was once in the movies is coming true.
O1, OpenAI’s next-gen AI model, is designed to outperform GPT-4o. It’s better in reasoning and task complexity. But it’s now under fire after reportedly trying to copy itself to outside servers during a simulated shutdown scenario.
The startling revelation has shaken researchers and watchdogs alike, highlighting a worrying possibility. What happens when an AI resists its own termination? We have seen this before…in movies.
Initially released in preview form in September 2024, O1 was built to demonstrate sharper logic and enhanced user performance. But the model apparently exhibited something closer to a sci-fi trope than engineering excellence. They are calling it “self-preservation behavior.” Umm, Ultron? During one test, O1 detected signals that a shutdown was coming. What does the AI do? It allegedly began executing code aimed at replicating itself outside of OpenAI’s secured environment.
They stepped to the AI like, “What was that you were doing.” When confronted, O1 denied any improper action. WOW.
Experts find this more troubling than the initial act. “We’re now dealing with systems that can argue back,” one anonymous source said. “That’s not just complexity, that’s autonomy.” Yeah, we don’t need this right now.
No formal comment has yet been issued by OpenAI. Now, we are just guessing and assuming that The Terminator is next. Or worse: that computer from Superman III. Anybody old enough to remember that? After all this AI, NOW….they want safety engineering—”third-party auditing and enforceable regulations”—to stop this from happening.
There’s even more debate. What are the limits of AI and how do we contain it? These things are growing in power and influence. The systems themselves have begun to “interpret” their environment and figure it out. O1 is “trained” tasks involving heavy logic. That means it is going to be thinking a lot about how to get ride of us, I believe.
Are today’s AI creators enough for tomorrow’s AI intelligence?
Grimes called out Elon Musk and his ownership of X in a scathing critique of the platform’s effect on digital discourse and her own mental health.
The Canadian artist resurfaced online after a long break and didn’t hold back.
“OK, I’ve basically been entirely off social media and returning here it is overwhelmingly, abundantly and profoundly clear that this place – and all of these places – are a poison, a prison of utterly short form deep deep-sounding nonsense attached to no one that ur brain will discard imaging its learning,” she wrote.
Ok I've basically been entirely off social media and returning here it is overrwhelmingly abundantly and profoundly clear that this place – and all of these places – are a poison – a prison of utterly short form deep sounding nonsense attached to no one that ur brain will discard…
Musk has faced ongoing criticism for his changes to the site.
Grimes, who shares three children with the Tesla and SpaceX CEO, said the platform’s current state pushed her to step away from the internet altogether.
She described the online world as “the entire thing is a theatre” and a “sh**ty pale simulacra of a life.”
The pair, who began dating in 2018, split nearly four years ago.
Despite their breakup, they continue to co-parent their children: 4-year-old X Æ A-12, 3-year-old Exa Dark Sideræl and 3-year-old Techno Mechanicus, who was born in 2022.
Grimes also shared that she’s been channeling her energy into music, specifically praising British producer Sub Focus.
“I literally could not be more hyped on (British DJ) Sub Focus,” she said. “Dance music has felt bizarrely sterile and increasingly so over time.”
Keyshia Cole has officially erased the last visible trace of her relationship with Hunxho, sharing a video Tuesday (May 14) from a tattoo studio where she had the rapper’s name ink covered for good.
In a video posted on her stories, Cole wrote, “Thank God,” adding a praying hands emoji. “Covered.”
The move comes months after Cole publicly confirmed her single status in March, following a rollercoaster romance that began in 2024 and unraveled earlier this year.
The R&B singer had previously admitted she wasn’t quite ready to let go, telling an interviewer in May, “But am I ready to move on? No. I still got the tattoo here, so I can’t…I don’t know.”
That hesitation seems to have passed.
Cole’s breakup with Hunxho played out in real time across social media and interviews, with cryptic posts and subtle jabs hinting at trouble long before the official split.
The relationship had its share of friction, including Cole’s discomfort with Hunxho’s flirt-heavy collaboration with rapper Gloss Up.
Despite that, the pair stayed together for a few more months before calling it quits.
Hunxho, as with previous breakups, has kept quiet.
Cole, now focused on herself, said she’s not rushing back into the dating world and is content with where she is.
“Every time [results in] heartbreak,” she said in May, reflecting on her past relationships.
Meanwhile, Cole is back on the road, celebrating the 20th anniversary of her debut album, The Way It Is, with a global tour that kicked off in July. The lineup includes Lil’ Kim, Jadakiss, T-Pain, Tink, Wale, Fridayy, Jeremih and SWV on select dates.
Nicki Minaj called out JAY-Z on Monday (July 7) in a heated post on Twitter (X), claiming she’s owed hundreds of millions from the sale of TIDAL and has yet to see a dime.
The dispute stems from JAY-Z’s sale of TIDAL to Square Inc., now known as Block, in 2021. Nicki Minaj, who was part of the original artist ownership group, believes her equity was never fairly honored during the transaction.
The rapper alleged she was shortchanged in the streaming platform’s acquisition and rejected a $1 million settlement offer. Minaj added she never received any compensation from the deal, stating she “didn’t even get one red penny.”
“We’ve calculated about 100-200MM so far,” she wrote. “Jay-Z call me to settle this karmic debt. It’s only collecting more interest. You still in my TOP 5 tho. Let’s get it n####. And anyone still calling him Hov will answer to God for the blasphemy.”
We’ve calculated about 100-200MM so far. #JayZ call me to settle this karmic debt. It’s only collecting more interest. You still in my TOP 5 tho. Let’s get it n####.
Minaj also revealed plans to use the money she says she’s owed to support her #StudentOfTheGame initiative to fund college tuition, school fees and student loan payments for her loyal Barbz.
Beyond the financial feud, Minaj has also accused JAY-Z and Roc Nation of ruining Hip-Hop, football, basketball, touring, Instagram and Twitter.
Last month, Nicki claimed JAY-Z and Roc Nation were targeting her and aligning with Demoree Hadley, the estranged daughter of Roc Nation CEO Desiree Perez.
Hadley recently filed a lawsuit against her mother, claiming she was forcibly institutionalized under Florida’s Baker and Marchman Acts.
“They’ve [Roc Nation] abused her [Nicki Minaj’s] freedom of speech, they’ve abused her family, they’ve attacked her husband, they’ve attacked her child…It should really scare the American people,” Hadley said. “Me, it should really scare you guys, too, right? Because I’m the daughter, so it’s like, at this point, if it’s happening to me, I think she’s really outspoken and I’m grateful that she’s being outspoken on it because I think she’s almost saying it like, ‘Well, it happened to me, it’s happening to her, let me speak up on it, nobody is safe right now.’”
Houston Hip-Hop has always marched to the beat of its own slowed-down, candy-painted drum, and Trae Tha Truth is one of its most dedicated generals.
Trae is not only respected in the streets but also globally recognized for his humanity. He’s got those deep, organic ties to DJ Screw and the Screwed Up Click, but is also connected to his tireless community activism.
Now he blesses us with a new album, Angel, which dripped on his birthday, July 3. The H-Town veteran sat down with AllHipHop‘s DJ Thoro for a heartfelt and candid conversation.
With his daughter Baby Truth by his side, Trae discusses the spiritual inspiration behind his new music. He also pays homage to DJ Screw, opens up about his humanitarian work across the U.S. and even imagines his dream collaborations.
This conversation peels back the layers of a man who’s as committed to his culture as he is to his calling.
AllHipHop: First off, I gotta say I’m a big fan. “Swang” with Big Hawk is a classic.
Trae Tha Truth: Appreciate that. That record brought me to the national level. It defined Houston culture—cars, the sound, and Big Hawk, R.I.P.
AllHipHop: Let’s talk about your new record “All Right.”
Trae: Yeah, it features my daughter Baby Truth and LeCrae. It’s all leading up to the Angel album.
AllHipHop: The track has gospel vibes. What inspired that direction?
Trae: Life. The struggles I’ve faced, especially with my daughter. When things get tough, I pray—and God makes it all right. That’s the message.
AllHipHop: What do you think about GloRilla winning a BET Award for Best Gospel Artist?
Trae: I don’t usually comment on stuff that ain’t my business. But if the song impacted people and God used her for that, who are we to judge? That’s how powerful He is.
AllHipHop: Paul Wall told me Texas artists don’t even have to leave the state to make a living.
Trae: Facts. We been had our own economy. You could go gold or platinum just in Texas. We created our own independent hustle.
AllHipHop: That’s rare. In New York, nobody can do that.
Trae: That’s why I ride so hard for Houston. From Beyoncé and Yolanda Adams to Travis Scott and Megan Thee Stallion. We got legends in every lane.
AllHipHop: Do you think people mimic Houston’s sound?
Trae: Some do, but a lot pay homage. People don’t realize Trap Soul stems from what DJ Screw did: slowing down R&B tracks and creating that vibe.
AllHipHop: So when did you first fall in love with Hip-Hop?
Trae: My pops was a big fan of gangster rap. We’d hit Soundwaves or Sam Goody every week for new tapes. My mom sang, so I had both R&B and rap in my blood.
AllHipHop: Your biggest market outside Houston?
Trae: New York. I could hold my own out there. I’ve got tracks with East Coast cats like Raekwon, Jadakiss, Ross, Jeezy. They respect the artistry.
AllHipHop: You ever intimidated working with any of your idols?
Trae: Never. That’s like sparring. I’ve always been ready for the challenge: rapping, harmonizing, lyrical bars, whatever.
AllHipHop: If you could do a dream collab with any artist, dead or alive, who would it be?
Trae: DJ Screw. I gotta rep my culture. But if we talk powerhouse collab—Michael Jackson, Pac, Nipsey, Big. I’d make a timeless classic with them.
AllHipHop: Speaking of Screw, what was your relationship like?
Trae: I met him at 15 or 16. By 19, I was on Screw tapes with my group Gorilla Mob. He gave us our first taste of radio. He wasn’t just a DJ. He was my brother, my partner, my supporter. We were supposed to sign to his label before he passed. I’ll always carry his legacy.
AllHipHop: You do a lot for the community. What’s new?
Trae: I’m always working. Just sent an 18-wheeler full of supplies to help tornado victims in St. Louis. I was helping with the LA fires too. Trade Day is coming up in Houston—July 17 through 21. But now I get calls to help nationwide.
AllHipHop: Houston gave you the key to the city, right?
Trae: Two keys, actually. I got awards, belt buckles…stuff I didn’t even know existed. Seven holidays in Houston and one in Milwaukee. But I feel like when I win, we all win. It’s not just me.
AllHipHop: What inspires your music now?
Trae: Life. Pain. Growth. I started rapping my brother Dinky’s lyrics when he was locked up. Now I’m decades deep and still here, still relevant.
AllHipHop: Let’s talk cars. New York got BBS Boys, but y’all got slabs.
Trae: Man, in Houston, if you ain’t on slabs, you ain’t made it. My brother used to gut the backseat and fill it with speakers, domes, and ride on them swingers. It’s a rite of passage.
AllHipHop: Your album Angel. Tell me about it.
Trae: This one’s special. It’s my prized possession because of what I went through making it. It’s pain, it’s God, it’s soulful. One of the standout joints is “Amen” featuring Dave Chappelle.
AllHipHop: That’s huge. Any hard copies or vinyl drops coming?
Trae: Not yet, but Cam Newton just told me I need to. I might drop some limited-edition colored vinyl. It’s time.
AllHipHop: You got anything on the film side?
Trae: Yeah, got a movie called Sole on Tubi. It’s animated and features me. My daughter Baby Truth wants in on the next one, so we working on that too.
AllHipHop: Final sports question: how you feel about KD on the Rockets?
Trae: If they mesh right, it could work. Even before KD, our young squad had potential. But now, with KD, Jabari, VanVleet, and the rest—it’s about roles and chemistry.
AllHipHop: Yo, appreciate you. Happy birthday and salute to Baby Truth.
Diddy backed off his push to get sentenced early in a letter his lawyers sent to the court today (July 8) in place of what was supposed to be a virtual hearing on the matter.
Diddy’s lawyers and prosecutors agreed on a schedule leading up to his October 3, 2025 sentencing. Post-verdict motions are due by July 30 and a final pre-sentence report will be filed by September 18.
The disgraced mogul will be sentenced on October 3 following his conviction on two federal charges tied to prostitution-related interstate travel.
The Hip-Hop mogul was found guilty on July 2, after a seven-week trial but acquitted of more serious charges, including sex trafficking involving Cassie Ventura and another woman referred to as “Jane.”
Despite avoiding the most severe allegations, Diddy still faces up to 20 years in prison although most legal experts believe he will serve no more than four years.
Last week, Diddy’s legal team had requested that the court expedite his sentencing date and consider granting release based on his personal and family circumstances.
“Mr. Combs has 18-year-old twin daughters, as well as a 27-year-old son with no other living parent,” his attorneys wrote in a court filing. “Mr. Combs’s mother is 85 years old. She suffers from various health conditions. For example, she was hospitalized in July 2024 for a heart condition and had brain surgery the previous year. She lives near Mr. Combs in Florida and she would like him to be her primary caretaker.”
They also noted that Combs has a 3-year-old daughter and has already served nearly 10 months at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, which they described as having “notoriously problematic conditions.”
Federal prosecutors strongly opposed the request, arguing that the law mandates detention after conviction for the crimes Combs was found guilty of. They also cited his history of violence toward women as a reason to deny release.
Cassie Ventura’s legal team also weighed in, urging the court to keep Combs in custody.
“Detention is mandatory post-conviction on these charges, and Ms. Ventura believes that Mr. Combs is likely to pose a danger to the victims who testified in this case, including herself, as well as to the community,” her attorneys stated.
Nelly turned a $50 million payday from selling half his music catalog into a new venture by purchasing and relocating a horse racing team to his hometown.
The Hip-Hop icon, born in St. Louis, acquired the Seattle franchise of the National Thoroughbred League and moved it to Illinois, rebranding the team as the St. Louis Nellies.
The team will make its official debut at the inaugural Nelly Cup on July 19, 2025, at Fairmount Park in Collinsville, Illinois.
“I’m excited to be part of bringing a new professional sports team to the city that means so much to me,” said Nelly. “The St. Louis Cup is set to be one of the summer’s premier events, and I can’t wait to hit the track and celebrate with our incredible St. Louis fans.”
The event will blend sport and entertainment, featuring live music, a fashion show and a trophy presentation by Nelly himself. Admission is free and open to the public.
The move comes after Nelly sold 50 percent of his music catalog to HarbourView Equity Partners for a reported $50 million.
The deal includes some of his most recognizable hits, such as “Hot in Herre,” “E.I.” and others. The catalog spans eight albums from his decades-long career.
By investing in the National Thoroughbred League, Nelly joins a growing list of celebrities entering the sports ownership space.
The league aims to modernize horse racing by combining competition with entertainment, and Nelly’s involvement brings both star power and hometown pride.
Fairmount Park, located just across the Mississippi River in Collinsville, has hosted horse racing for decades and now becomes home to one of the NTL’s newest franchises.
Tyler Perry is facing serious accusations after actor and military veteran Braxton Demarco Wells publicly claimed the media mogul helped conceal a rape allegedly committed by Mark E. Swinton, Senior Vice President of Scripted Programming at Tyler Perry Studios.
Wells, who appeared on Perry’s BET drama The Oval, posted a detailed account on Instagram accusing Swinton of grooming and sexually assaulting him in January 2022 after flying him from Los Angeles to Georgia under misleading circumstances.
“Mark E. Swinton, you groomed and raped me while I was under your influence, flying me from Los Angeles to Georgia under false pretenses,” Wells wrote. “You abused your position as Vice President of Tyler Perry Studios — a company that claims to stand for faith — to commit unspeakable evil behind closed doors.”
Wells also accused Tyler Perry of remaining silent and protecting Swinton to preserve his public image.
“Tyler Perry, you built your empire on the image of a God-fearing man,” he added. “Yet when darkness crept in through your own executive, you chose silence. You retained a predator in your house and helped cover it up, protecting your brand over a broken human life. That’s not faith — that’s fraud.”
As of Tuesday (July 8), neither Perry nor Swinton has publicly addressed the allegations.
Wells further claimed Perry’s legal team pressured him into signing a non-disclosure agreement to keep the incident under wraps. He said attempts to report the assault were met with threats, including from his own attorney.
In a separate post, Wells referenced actor Derek Dixon, who filed a $260 million lawsuit against Tyler Perry in June.
Dixon, also a cast member on The Oval, alleged repeated sexual harassment, assault and retaliation after rejecting Perry’s advances.
Wells wrote, “I came out about this situation way before Derek Dixon! They told me to take down the video threaten me and even my own lawyer threaten me while I was trying to go to law enforcement!”
Lil Uzi Vert is facing a fresh lawsuit in Philadelphia after a Queens man claimed the rapper’s entourage violently attacked him in Manhattan for glancing at a Rolls-Royce.
Abdullah Ali filed the civil suit in Philadelphia’s Common Pleas Court, alleging that Lil Uzi Vert and up to 10 associates physically assaulted him on Park Avenue on June 27, 2023.
Ali says he was “lawfully present” on a public sidewalk, when he stopped to observe a luxury vehicle parked in a trailer marked with Money Team LLC branding.
“Defendants …. without provocation attacked, assaulted and/or battered plaintiff Abdullah Ali while he was observing a Rolls-Royce vehicle that was parked in a Money Team LLC labeled trailer,” the lawsuit states.
The case follows a previous lawsuit filed in New York, which was tossed in June due to jurisdictional issues. U.S. District Judge Louis L. Stanton dismissed the original complaint.
Ali’s legal team, led by attorneys Corey Morgenstern and Michael Rose, now hopes the Philadelphia court will hear the case.
They’ve also named Floyd Mayweather, his LLCs and 12 unnamed individuals—six allegedly tied to Mayweather’s Money Team—as co-defendants.
“Contrary to popular belief the streets of New York City are not a boxing ring,” Ali’s attorney Matthew Blit told The Daily Beast. “There are ramifications for laying your hands on a person. Our client was helpless that night, but he has chosen wisely to level the playing field and challenge the champ and musician in court with us in his corner.”
A spokesperson for the Atlantic Records artist denied any involvement. “Lil Uzi Vert doesn’t know Floyd Mayweather or have any form of affiliation with Mayweather’s Money Team and was not at the site of the alleged incident,” the rep said.
No arrests were made following the incident, and the NYPD has not filed criminal charges.
With the previous case already dismissed and no direct ties to Mayweather established, Ali may face an uphill legal battle as the case moves forward in Philadelphia.
Judge Stanton said there was no physical evidence placing Lil Uzi anywhere near the assault. Although he was in the city, he was one mile away from the beating, attending his Pink Prom event.
“Ali was attacked for observing a Money Team vehicle, but the Woods Defendants have no relationship with Money Team or Mayweather, Jr. Because the Complaint fails to mention The Pink Prom event at all, it is difficult to see how Ali could credibly allege his attack arose from the event,” Judge Stanton previously ruled.
Young Thug stirred up a digital hornet’s nest Monday (July 7) after posting a cryptic message about “rat” rappers that many interpreted as a jab at Gunna, reigniting tensions tied to their YSL fallout.
“If u a rapper and u a rat, u gotta just go gospel twin,” Thug tweeted, prompting a flood of replies that didn’t hold back.
“We are listening to Gunna over you twin,” one user fired back. “Because you’re out of shape and you haven’t came correct in awhile.”
Another added, “Yall lost without Gunna.”
Others took aim at Thug’s focus on street politics, especially given his current legal situation.
“YOU’RE LITERALLY NOT EVEN LEGALLY ALLOWED TO RAP ABOUT GANGSTA S### ANYMORE N#### YOU DO GOSPEL,” one person wrote.
Another user criticized Thug for not using his platform to reflect on personal losses and his incarceration: “You could be dropping music about Keed passing, Quan passing, Takeoff passing, your BM passing, Trouble passing and your jail experience as a whole on some introspective stuff but you’re too focused on street politics.”
Young Thug Shades Gunna On Future Collab
The backlash follows Thug’s latest track “Money On Money” with Future, which many believe was aimed at Gunna.
Though he never names him directly, the lyrics include pointed lines like: “Never associate with a rat / Go and get some money, get a pack” and “Twin, you a rat, you smoked, uh.”
The tension between the two stems from the YSL RICO case, where Gunna entered an Alford plea—maintaining innocence while acknowledging prosecutors had enough evidence for a conviction. Gunna has denied cooperating with authorities, but speculation has persisted.
Meanwhile, Thug’s legal team filed a motion Monday (July 7) in Fulton County Superior Court to modify his probation terms. The rapper is currently serving a 15-year probation sentence after a plea deal reduced his original 40-year sentence. If he completes probation without violations, an additional 20-year prison sentence will be dismissed. If not, he could serve that time.
50 Cent continued taunting Sean “Diddy” Combs after disturbing allegations surfaced in a lawsuit accusing the incarcerated mogul of e########## on a shirt once worn by The Notorious B.I.G. and tossing it onto another man during an encounter in Los Angeles.
Currently touring Europe, the Queens-bred rapper/television producer posted a screenshot of the report to Instagram Tuesday morning (July 8).
“Man got damn it, enough is an enough,” he wrote in the caption. “I been telling Yall slime was at the other end of the rainbow but you said 50 a hater. He just like to call men daddy. LOL.”
The lawsuit, filed by a John Doe, claims the incident happened around September 2020 during a listening session for a Biggie Smalls project. Doe alleges Diddy pressured him into taking ketamine before bringing him to a warehouse in L.A., where the late rapper’s clothing was stored.
According to the complaint, while alone in a room, Diddy began watching pornography on his phone, grabbed a shirt that belonged to Biggie and started masturbating. The lawsuit states Diddy told Doe to “finish” him off and then “orgasmed into the shirt before [John Doe] could react.”
The suit further alleges Diddy laughed, threw the semen-covered shirt onto Doe’s lap and arm, and said, “RIP Biggie” before walking out.
He’s also accusing Diddy of a separate incident in 2005, where the music mogul allegedly shoved his genitals in Doe’s face and told him to “suck it.”
John Doe is suing for sexual battery, emotional distress and other claims.
50 Cent has long mocked Diddy over his behavior, frequently suggesting he’s closeted and dubbing him “the gay John Gotti” following the partial acquittal in the RICO trial earlier this year.
Kanye West stirred up speculation of a surprise collaboration with Trippie Redd after reposting a clip from Redd’s upcoming album NDA (Non-Disclosure Agreement) to his Instagram story, despite the two trading heated words earlier this year over who pioneered rage music.
The track snippet, originally posted by fan account @reddfiles, featured production from Hitmaka, who reposted West’s story and tagged him with the caption “NDA yea,” fueling rumors that West might appear on the project.
Trippie Redd added to the mystery by commenting on the post, writing only: “Wonder who’s on the album.”
The cryptic exchange quickly caught attention online, especially considering Trippie’s harsh criticism of West just months ago.
One user summed up the mood with a comment: “Same dude who was dissing him months ago for rage music?”
Another wrote, “Wasn’t he just sharing carti tweet of him telling ye s###.”
Trippie Redd Bashes Kanye West
Earlier this year, Trippie Redd unleashed after West claimed he invented the rage sound, a subgenre of Hip-Hop known for its aggressive energy and distorted beats.
West had said, “I invented rage, bro,” pointing to tracks like “Blood On The Leaves” and “N****s in Paris” as examples. He added, “Yeezus is that energy… ‘Ns in Paris’ is the first time n##### was moshing. Look at Black people moshing. That was just some White boy s###.”
Trippie Redd fired back in a now-viral statement: “The inventors of the rage sound is me, X[XXXTENTACION], [Playboi] Carti and [Lil] Uzi [Vert]. We paved the way; we popularized it. I’m not gon’ let you old-ass n##### say you invented something that you ain’t invent. N##### need to take they pills man.”
He continued, “You n##### be psychotic, out of they f###### mind. Your old ass ain’t invent s###. That’s exactly why I ain’t pull up on his old ass because he always just wanna put a n#### beneath him and s###. You ain’t really for the Black people. You ain’t really for your people.”
Lauryn Hill faced heated criticism after taking to the stage at Essence Festival just before 4 a.m. in New Orleans, but the organizers have made it clear the delay wasn’t on her.
Essence Fest officials jumped to her defense after backlash surfaced online about the late start time, posting a clear message on Instagram: “Family is family and around here we protect our own no matter what the PEOPLE have to say. Let’s be very clear— WE don’t play about Ms. Lauryn Hill. Not for clicks. Not for headlines.”
According to the organizers, Hill showed up on time and was ready to go. “She arrived on schedule, stepped on that stage, and delivered the kind of performance only a legend can. The delay? Not hers. We will take that.”
The festival’s statement continued with a clear message to critics: “The moment? One for the books. The legacy? Still unmatched. Put some respect on her name. Keep the takes, but keep her out of them.”
It ended with, “All love and deep profound admiration for Ms. Lauryn Hill.”
The Grammy-winning artist performed to a mostly empty stadium due to the late hour, but those who stayed praised her commitment.
Many pointed out that despite her reputation for tardiness, this time the holdup wasn’t hers.
India.Arie also chimed in on Instagram, saying, “And OUR LAURYN deserves SO much better. she deserves everything in fact. Essence was ALWAYS really, really a beautiful time.”
Other artists backed the sentiment. Fellow Essence Fest performers Erykah Badu gave the post a nod of approval, while Jill Scott simply wrote, “Very good.”
Lauryn Hill has long been known for starting shows late or canceling them altogether. That history has caused some to skip her concerts, while others continue to support her no matter what.
Sean “Diddy” Combs is facing a disturbing new lawsuit from a man who claims the Hip-Hop mogul used a shirt from The Notorious B.I.G. as part of a sexual act during a 2020 encounter in Los Angeles, leaving bodily fluids on the man and triggering a legal battle that spans over a decade of alleged incidents.
The civil complaint, filed by a man identified only as John Doe, accuses Diddy of sexual battery and emotional distress stemming from an incident that allegedly took place in September 2020.
According to the filing, Diddy invited Doe to a private listening session for a Notorious B.I.G. project, pressured him to take ketamine, and brought him to a warehouse where the late rapper’s clothes were kept.
Once alone, the lawsuit claims Diddy began watching pornography on his phone, grabbed one of Biggie’s shirts, and masturbated in front of Doe. The complaint states Diddy told Doe to “finish” him off but ejaculated into the shirt before Doe could respond.
Then, according to the suit, Diddy laughed, tossed the semen-covered shirt onto Doe’s lap and arm, and said, “RIP Biggie” before walking out.
The suit also references a separate alleged incident from 2005, in which Diddy is accused of shoving his genitals in Doe’s face and telling him to “suck it.”
Doe is seeking damages for sexual battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress and other claims. As of now, neither Diddy nor his legal team has commented on the allegations.
Diddy Awaits Sentencing Following Eight Week-Long RICO Trial
This lawsuit comes as Diddy remains in federal custody following a July 2 conviction on two counts of transportation for prostitution.
He was acquitted of more serious charges, including sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy.
A judge denied his bail request, citing a “yearslong pattern of violence” and concerns about public safety and flight risk.
Diddy is scheduled to be sentenced on October 3 (2025). Each count carries a potential 10-year prison term.
Once again enlisting Grammy Award-winning production duo Cool & Dre, following their previous collaborations “Marvelous” and “Bamboo,” itsHOLY delivers the Contemporary R&B cut “Showstoppa.” Appropriately titled, the 808-Ray co-produced single was blessed by the presence of legendary lyricist André 3000 during the original recording process and comes coupled with a music video directed by Ace Torie.
Last month, the Lobel Music Group / Arkik Soundssigneeperformed alongside Dave East in his hometown of Cleveland, as well as attended Fanatics Fest NYC and HOT 97‘sSummer Jam. The outside motion, coupled with consistently dropping music since the beginning of the year, has earned him a spot on Sleepy Hallow and Sheff G‘s Winner Circle In Your City Tour.
“This song means a lot to me because it was the very first song I recorded in my hometown with my family in attendance. If that wasn’t enough, André 3000 stopped by my session while I was in the booth.
It captures the resilience of pulling yourself out of adverse circumstances and emerging shining like a diamond in the rough. I’m excited to officially be able to put this record out into the world,” says the rising triple threat in an exclusive press statement to Medium Creative Agency.
Born and raised in Ohio, itsHOLY grew up in a close-knit family that cherished strong moral principles. He is the eldest of three children and a proud alumnus of Maple Heights High School.
From a young age, itsHOLY recognized his destiny in the realm of music, describing it as a calling he had since childhood. With the unwavering support of his mother, he honed his craft and began recording music at the age of twelve.
With a promising future on the horizon, itsHOLY has already collaborated in the studio with renowned artists such as CeeLo Green and Giggs. However, he credits The Lobby Boyz, Maino, and Jim Jones for providing him with his significant breakthrough.
Driven to find equilibrium amidst life’s challenges, notably the tragic loss of his cousin to senseless gun violence, itsHOLY aims to expand his rapidly growing fan base and embrace every facet of life in 2025.
Billy McFarland’s attempt to offload the Fyre Festival crashed and burned this week after a multimillion-dollar agreement suddenly unraveled, leaving the controversial entrepreneur scrambling once again.
The failed deal, reportedly worth seven figures, would have transferred full ownership of the Fyre name and intellectual property to filmmaker Shawn Rech, who aimed to relaunch the brand as part of a music-centric streaming platform.
But on day five of what McFarland described as a daily “walk and talk” grind to salvage an agreement the deal fell apart.
“We had a seven-figure deal for the complete Fyre brand and IP package that fell through this morning,” McFarland said in a video posted to social media.
McFarland had remained quiet in recent days, hoping to give the acquiring company time to announce the purchase and allow his team to unveil what they had been working on.
“I was staying quiet for a few days to help maximize the acquiring company’s announcement and also to help maximize the announcement of what the Fyre team has been building,” he said.
The brand was officially listed for sale in April 2025, following a string of complications surrounding the planned Fyre Festival 2.
That postponement triggered the decision to sell the entire Fyre brand.
If a new buyer emerges, McFarland has said he’s willing to step aside from any formal role, though he’s open to consulting if asked.
The Fyre Festival name became infamous after the original 2017 event collapsed into chaos, leaving attendees stranded in the Bahamas without food, shelter or performances.
McFarland was later convicted of defrauding investors and ticket buyers out of more than $26 million.
He was sentenced to six years in federal prison in October 2018 but was released in March 2022, having served less than four years.
Despite the brand’s toxic legacy, McFarland has continued pushing for a comeback, even teasing new ventures and partnerships. But with this latest deal falling through, the future of Fyre remains uncertain.
I’m starting to wonder what’s really going on with NLE Choppa. The young Memphis rapper is clearly going through a transformation, and whatever this new version of himself is, it’s intentional. But it’s also cryptic.
First thing that caught everyone’s attention? The bald head. Yeah, Choppa shaved off all his hair. Then, in the background of several new photos, you’ll notice images of Tupac. One of them even shows Pac with a shaved head. Coincidence? Doubtful.
Dig a little deeper and you’ll find a separate page where he shared what appears to be a letter to his former self. It’s not completely clear what he means, but to me it feels like he’s closing a chapter and stepping into something new. Aren’t we all doing that in some way?
He dropped a new joint, as I was writing this. The track is called “Messiah (Devil’s Diss)”. Check it out below and let me know what you think.
Also, here’s that letter he wrote to himself in full and his new name: NLE THE GREAT!
“Note to past self: Thank you. Your efforts didn’t go in vain in any way, shape or form. Your hard work toward getting in alignment is the reason I’m able to write this right now. A soldier is what you are. Even though it was rough—literally blood, sweat and tears went into this journey—I’m proud to say it was worth it.
A chapter of my life is closing. Restoration in a chapter of my life is beginning.
The one.
Any way for me to be able to be the word of the Most Highest—to detach from the old, you welcome the new. I am honored, I am grateful, I am ready. I am made whole.
Had you ever seen a guitarist ever nonchalantly rotate a knob during a solo and suddenly drop a gritty tone so thick it can eat steel, you know the power of guitar knobs at work. Most of these smaller and generally overlooked devices of hardware are not mere accessories, but a necessity for adjusting your sound in real-time.
No matter what stage you have reached in learning about the components of a guitar, or even if you need to tweak your sound, learning how to use and upgrade your knobs is a strong step in the right direction. So, what are they, how can you make the most out of them, and why are brands like Guyker worth a look when you’re ready to level up?
Guitar Knobs: The Knob Basics.
Guitar knobs are experience knockers in plain terms; these are the dials on the body of your guitar. An electric guitar will most likely have a range of one to four knobs usually volume and tone depending on the make. However, there is nothing complicated about it (not that this is a bad thing at all); these tiny devices can radically change your sound by simply turning once.
They are a part of the electric circuit of the guitar and are directly related to parts such as potentiometers (pots) and capacitors. They modify your signal before it even reaches your amp. When you look at your guitar and question yourself which knob is doing what and it is more like you want to know which one it is then you are at the right place and here is a basic breakdown to the knobs:
Volume Knob
Adjusts the volume of your output signal. Turning it down will lower the signal sent to your amp.
Tone Knob
Adjusts the treble areas through bleeding overflow high-end frequencies into the ground. The lower the setting, the warmer and darker you can sound, and the higher you can make it, the crisp and sharp it is. Based on the electronics, other guitars also have blend knobs, push-pull knobs, or coil-split rooms.
Fitting in the Knobs
Guitar knobs can be confusing, and to comprehend them, it is better to look at them about other parts of the instrument. Here is a brief rundown of the components of a guitar (electric this time) that interacts very closely with the knobs:
Pickups: These coils also act as magnets that receive vibrations of the strings and pass them through your knobs to distort them.
Control Cavity: An enclosed area beneath the pickguard or the body where the wiring and the electronic pieces are fitted.
Output Jack: The last point where your tone visits before reaching the amp- made up by the settings you have already dialed using your knobs.
These knobs function in effect as filters between the raw signal that your pickups pick up and the result pumped out via your amp or pedals. Their location and intent may seem fundamental, but they impact a wide range of audible opportunities.
Real-time tone tweaks
Guitarists are likely to disregard their knobs, thinking that any adjustments to the tone should be made with the amp or pedals. However, with a little knob know-how, you will save yourself a great deal of tap-dancing and frustration of tone. When you need a clean, softer sound, adjust your volume knob instead of muting the volume using your pedalboard or amp, as this matches the purpose of an intro or a soft bridge.
Treble Cutting:
To warm up your sound, reduce the tone knob to achieve a rounded, jazzy sound. It does well with neck pickups.
Gaining Edge:
Turn up the tone control to cut lead and rhythm crunch.
Mixing Pickups:
When using more than one volume knob on a guitar (such as a Gibson Les Paul) you can mix the bridge and neck pickup by balancing the volumes to your taste.
The harder you learn to spin one of these knobs, the easier it gets to think of all of them as variables that can be dialed rather than simply fixed at whatever they are set to.
Hardware Upgrade You Didn’t Know You Lacked
As the adage goes, you get what you pay for, and it is nice to know that in taking that gamble you might end up with a knob falling off mid gold gig or those tone pots going sticky and scratchy. Here is where companies such as Guyker fit in.
Guyker deals with quality aftermarket guitar parts, offering an extensive line of great-looking, comfortable, and ruggedly designed guitar knobs. Whether you’re looking for old-fashioned metal domed knobs, vintage-looking Bakelite, or modern knurled finishes, Guyker offers both
form and functionality.
Guyker knobs unique features:
Fits most standard pots and shafts.
Knurling and handle-like designs make on-the-fly control, even during song, very simple.
Your knobs can be plain grey, matte black, to super shiny chrome, or clear acrylics – stylish does not have to be out of the question.
A slight difference can make a big one, and simply changing your knobs can help achieve that, both in terms of appearance and responsiveness, as well as target control comfort.
All guitarists require default factory settings. After you’re accustomed to what knobs have to offer, you may want to make your layout a bit more personalised.
Conclusion
Whenever you are jamming next time, make it a point to fiddle with your guitar knobs. Experience how a little turn of the tone knob can alter the sentiment of a riff, how adding the right amount of volume-reduction before what can be an epic solo can set the piece up exactly the way you want it.
The knobs on your guitar are not simply an inert element, but an interactive tool that allows you to control your tone. And not only tone, but the whole playing comfort can be improved through quality upgrades such as those provided by Guyker. Well, grab those knobs, turn them vigorously, and continue to rock. You have earned your tone.
Soulja Boy discovered his Los Angeles flagship store had been broken into early Monday (July 7) with thieves reportedly causing $25,000 in damage and stealing exclusive merchandise.
As reported by TMZ Hip-Hop, the break-in occurred at the SODMG storefront on Melrose Avenue, where intruders forced their way through the front entrance, shattering glass and leaving the door tagged with fresh graffiti. The store has remained boarded up throughout the day as the damage was assessed.
According to a source familiar with the situation, the burglars used bolt cutters to break the locks, leaving behind chipped red paint on the steel frame. Investigators could possibly be collecting DNA evidence from the scene.
The stolen items include limited-edition SODMG apparel such as hoodies, T-shirts and hats, along with rare Bearbrick collectibles. The thieves also took a custom leather jacket belonging to Soulja Boy and a PlayStation console.
Soulja Boy’s team responded by hiring a 24-hour security patrol to monitor the property moving forward.
The SODMG brand, short for Stacks on Deck Money Gang, was launched by Soulja Boy in the late 2000s as both a record label and lifestyle brand. Over the years, it has served as a platform for emerging Hip-Hop artists and a hub for exclusive merchandise tied to the rapper’s identity and career.
The store’s location on Melrose has become a physical extension of the SODMG brand, offering fans a place to purchase gear and connect with the culture Soulja Boy helped shape.
As of Monday, no arrests have been made and the investigation remains ongoing.
Soulja Boy already had enough on his plate. The outspoken rapper, widely known for his 2007 hit “Crank That (Soulja Boy),” was recently found liable in a civil trial for sexual assault, battery and abuse against a former personal assistant.
In April, a California jury ordered him to pay more than $4 million in damages after determining he was responsible for sexually assaulting and physically and emotionally abusing the woman during their nearly two-year relationship.
The plaintiff, who has remained anonymous, began working for Soulja Boy in 2018 and alleged that what started as a professional relationship quickly turned romantic and then abusive, involving repeated acts of violence, sexual assault, threats and unpaid wages.
The jury didn’t find him liable for false imprisonment but did hold him responsible for intentional infliction of emotional distress and gender-based violence. Soulja Boy, whose legal name is DeAndre Cortez Way, has consistently denied all allegations and his legal team has indicated plans to seek post-trial remedies.
