AllHipHop

Dual Diagnosis Releases Lyric Video for “Thrice As Hard”

By: Staff WriterCategory: Music

Dual Diagnosis, the underground horror-core hip-hop force led by frontman MAD Mike, has unveiled a powerful new lyric video for “Thrice As Hard,” offering fans an early glimpse into their upcoming album Root of All Evil, dropping June 13, 2025. Known for their genre-blending mix of horror-core rap and rock-infused beats, Dual Diagnosis brings unfiltered emotion and raw energy to every release, and this latest track is no exception.

The official lyric video is out now — watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=izLr1nPvdWQ. It sets the tone for the project’s dark yet redemptive energy, pairing stylized visuals with MAD Mike’s intense delivery and soul-baring lyrics.

“‘Thrice As Hard’ is about the brutal process of unlearning toxic patterns and doing the inner work it takes to heal,” says MAD Mike. “It’s not a clean or easy path. You have to fight for it, sometimes three times as hard as anyone else.”

The single itself will officially land on streaming platforms on May 23, following the early release of the lyric video.

Root of All Evil is Dual Diagnosis’s most personal and collaborative album to date. Every track features a guest artist, with appearances from underground heavyweights like Merkules, Termanology, Mr. Hyde, NEMS, Lex The Hex Master, and The R.O.C. Production is helmed by C-Lance and The Arcitype, with mixing and mastering by Albert Charlemagne at The Brooklyn Dragon’s Lair.

An exciting run of singles and another visualizer are coming very soon, leading up to the full album launch in June.

More than just a horror-core release, “Thrice As Hard” is a cathartic anthem for those doing the hard, often hidden work of healing. It’s a fierce introduction to a project that aims to break cycles, and sound barriers.

Dual Diagnosis is represented by MN2S.

Diddy’s Family Put On United Front On Day One Of Trial

By: London JennnCategory: News

Sean “Diddy” Combs’ family packed into a Manhattan courthouse Monday morning (May 12) as jury selection and opening arguments kicked off in his federal sex trafficking and racketeering trial, drawing a crush of media and onlookers that wrapped around the block.

The Hip-Hop mogul’s mother, Janice Combs, led the tight-knit group. Daughters Chance, D’Lila Star, and Jessie James linked arms with brother  Christian as they made their way into court behind Quincy Brown and Justin. 

The family’s presence marked a show of unity as the 54-year-old faces five felony charges that could land him behind bars for life.

Diddy’s legal team arrived early in the courthouse but declined to say whether he would testify. 

The trial is expected to stretch over eight weeks, with prosecutors laying out more than two decades of allegations.

Federal prosecutors accuse Diddy, born Sean Combs, of running a criminal enterprise that used his entertainment empire to lure women—and at times men—into drug-fueled sexual encounters dubbed “Freak Offs.” 

The charges include racketeering conspiracy, two counts of sex trafficking by coercion and two counts related to transporting individuals for prostitution.

Diddy has pleaded not guilty and remains in federal custody after multiple bail requests were denied. 

His defense team argues the encounters were consensual and that the accusers are motivated by money and revenge. 

They plan to challenge the credibility of witnesses, including at least three women and several former employees expected to testify.

Outside the courthouse, the scene was chaotic. 

Some spectators had camped out since Sunday afternoon, hoping to glimpse the high-profile proceedings. 

Reporters, photographers and court sketch artists jostled for position as the trial began.

Opening statements are scheduled to begin following the completion of jury selection on Monday.

Rapper LGP QUA Killed In Philly On Mother’s Day —Meek Mill Leads Tributes

By: London JennnCategory: News

Rapper LGP QUA was gunned down on Mother’s Day in Philadelphia’s Juniata Park neighborhood, a fatal shooting that ended the life of the 30-year-old known for sharing a positive community-driven message in his viral freestyles.

QUA, born Qidere Johnson, was shot in the chest just before 4:40 p.m. local time on Sunday (May 11) along the 1400 block of East Luzerne Street, according to ABC 6 Action News. 

He was rushed to a nearby hospital but didn’t survive.

A spokesperson confirmed his death as tributes poured in across social media, with fellow artists and supporters mourning the loss of a voice many considered vital to the city’s rap scene.

Known as “the Voice of the Youth,” QUA built a following with his viral rhymes addressing social injustice and inner-city struggles. He earned respect for using his platform to speak on real issues.

Rappers Pay Tribute To LGP QUA

Fellow Philly rapper Meek Mill reacted to the news on Instagram Stories, posting a clip of one of QUA’s freestyles with a call to action.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by VOICE OF THE YOUTH (@lgp_qua)

Meek Mill wrote, “Killing ambitious young bulls like this on Mother’s Day is a Philly type of thing smfh. s### will make you different !!!!!!! Prayers to you family & let’s collect some of them guns s### sad out there!!”

Other rap figures also shared their grief on LGP QUA’s Instagram page. Swizz Beatz wrote, “S### wack man rest up King.” 

DJ Kid Capri added, “I am so hurt behind this, Wow, I can’t believe it, on Mother’s Day too, imagine what his mother is going through…so bad!” 

Rapper Dee-1 echoed the sentiment, saying, “This is so heartbreaking. I’m praying for Philly and praying for this young brother’s family. We gotta do better.”

Police have yet to announce any arrests or suspects in the case.

LGP QUA’s final Instagram posts have since become a digital memorial, with hundreds commenting and sharing clips of his freestyles in remembrance.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by AllHipHop (@allhiphopcom)

Boosie Badazz Unveils First Baby Photos After Losing Federal Appeal

By: London JennnCategory: News

Boosie Badazz introduced his newborn daughter to the world just hours after revealing he lost his federal gun charges appeal, saying, “I need something to smile about.”

On Sunday, the Louisiana rapper posted the first public photos of his daughter, Sevyn Emerald Hatch, on Instagram (May 11).

He called himself a “#prouddaddy” and tagged the post with “#SEVYNEMERALDHATCH” and “#daddysgirl.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by @boosieig2024

Boosie and his fiancée Rajel Nelson welcomed baby Sevyn on April 23. She is the couple’s first child together and Boosie’s ninth overall. His children come from seven different mothers.

Before sharing the baby photos, Boosie broke the news that his legal fight over a 2023 federal gun case had taken a turn for the worse. 

“I lost my battle in court,” he said in an emotional video. “They won their appeal, you know my case had got dropped. They won their appeal. So now I’m going to be fighting these people again.”

Despite the legal setback, Boosie said he was staying positive. 

“I got my faith up,” he added. “I’m finna post my baby. I need something to smile about.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by @boosieig2024

Police arrested Boosie in June 2023 in San Diego after spotting a firearm tucked into his waistband during an Instagram Live session while filming a music video. Authorities charged him with being a felon in possession of a firearm and transporting guns across state lines.

He pleaded not guilty and was released on a $100,000 bond. In July 2024, a federal judge tossed the charges after ruling the law used against him was unconstitutional when applied to non-violent offenders. But prosecutors quickly refiled, hitting him with two new counts: being a felon in possession of a firearm in interstate commerce and knowingly possessing a firearm while dealing with substance abuse issues.

If convicted, Boosie could face up to 10 years in prison. 

While dealing with the legal fallout, Boosie was honored on May 10 with two honorary doctorate degrees in music from Kingdom Heritage University in Saint Petersburg, Florida, for his contributions to Hip-Hop and songwriting.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by AllHipHop (@allhiphopcom)

50 Cent Shuts Down Gang Ties Amid Bang Em Smurf’s U.K. Asylum Plea

By: London JennnCategory: News

50 Cent slammed any suggestion of gang affiliation Sunday after a British tabloid linked him to former G-Unit member Bang Em Smurf, who is now seeking asylum in the United Kingdom.

The Hip-Hop and entertainment mogul posted a screenshot from The Sun on Instagram, showing Smurf—real name Daniel Calliste—who reportedly landed in the U.K. earlier this year, claiming he needed “safety from gangs” in his native Trinidad.

While his asylum request is under review, Smurf is reportedly staying in a government-funded hotel, a detail that’s stirred controversy amid the U.K.’s tightening immigration policies.

50 Cent wasted no time separating himself from the situation, claiming he hadn’t spoken to Bang Em Surf in 23 years.

“I hate that my name is attached to this,” he wrote on Sunday (May 11), adding “I in no way have any association or connection to gangs. I AM NOT GANG GANG!”

He capped off the post with a jab, “And to you tuff guys HAPPY MOTHERS DAY.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by 50 Cent (@50cent)

Smurf, who was deported to Trinidad from the United States after serving time for his role in a shootout, has recently popped up on U.K. podcasts and even posed with British aristocrats at the Houses of Parliament.

Instagram/Bang Em Smurf

Once a G-Unit affiliate, Smurf’s relationship with 50 Cent soured decades ago, leading to a long-standing public feud.

Their falling out has been well-documented, but this latest headline dragged 50’s name back into the mix—something he clearly wasn’t thrilled about.

Lil Wayne’s Relationship Drama Explodes On Mother’s Day—Ex Makes Abuse Claims

By: AllHipHop StaffCategory: News

Lil Wayne’s longtime partner, Denise Bidot, says the Young Money rapper forced her and her daughter out of their shared home on Mother’s Day while she was still healing from surgery. She also claims he physically assaulted her during their relationship.

Bidot, a plus-size model who recently made her debut in the 2025 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue, took to social media Sunday (May 11) to detail what she described as a painful and humiliating breakup.

“Wayne literally kicked me and my daughter out on Mother’s Day today,” she said. “And I am just recovering from surgery. I am 5 weeks out from a full mommy makeover. I can’t even lift boxes. But this man has his assistants and people coming to help kick us out today.”

Bidot also claimed that the Grammy Award-winning artist had ended their relationship via text message on the same day, adding, “He broke up with me on Mother’s Day through text.”

The couple, who began dating publicly in June 2020 after Lil Wayne’s split from model La’Tecia Thomas, had kept their relationship mostly private.

Though rumors of a breakup surfaced in early 2021, speculation of a possible engagement followed after Lil Wayne tweeted about “the beginning of our forever.” He later clarified they were not married.

Bidot said she was preparing to travel to New York this week for press events related to Sports Illustrated when the incident occurred.

“I leave to New York this week for all the Sports Illustrated press,” she said. In the same video, she accused the rapper of more than emotional mistreatment.

“Like these men really be taking advantage,” she said. “And it’s not just the emotional abuse. Like this man has actually laid a hand on me, and I took it. You know what’s crazy is they always say like we’re so stupid for love. And I thought it was like a mistake. But like I know other women he’s put his hands on.”

Bidot didn’t specify dates or further details about the alleged physical abuse but asked viewers for legal advice.

“Like if y’all got lawyer recommendations, please send them,” she said.

Lil Wayne has not publicly responded to the accusations.

Doechii Planning “Hard Conversations” For Next Album – Here’s What She Said

By: AllHipHop StaffCategory: News

Doechii pushed back against being boxed in as the “intellectual” choice in Hip-Hop and hinted at bold themes in her next album during a recent Cosmopolitan interview.

The Grammy-winning rapper addressed how she’s often categorized in contrast to other women in the genre.

“I wouldn’t agree with that perspective,” she said. “I’ve seen people describe me as ‘the female that,’ ‘she’s intellectual,’ ‘she’s hard,’ and ‘she’s scarin’ hos.'”

Known for tackling mental health, sobriety and emotional vulnerability in her lyrics, the “Anxiety” artist said she believes people are still trying to make sense of her identity as a performer.

“I think what’s happening is people are trying to understand who I am as an artist, but they’re doing it in comparison to other artists, which I don’t think is necessary to interpret art at all,” she told the magazine.

Doechii said she’s not interested in being defined by comparisons or surface-level labels. Instead, she plans to use her next project to spark deeper dialogue.

“On my next project, I plan on having conversations,” she said. “They might be hard for some people to have, but I think I want to bring up a dialogue about topics that might be hard for people to hear.”

She kept things vague when asked to elaborate on what those topics might be.

“I don’t want to give them away. But we’re going to have a conversation on the album,” she said.

Spike Lee Claims Donald Trump-Era Hollywood Would Reject “Malcolm X”

By: London JennnCategory: AHHplus

Spike Lee didn’t hold back when asked whether his 1992 film Malcolm X could be produced in today’s political and economic climate, pointing straight at the influence of Trump-era Hollywood gatekeepers.

“I don’t like to get into what-ifs, but a lot of these people [who own movie studios] were at the [Trump] inauguration,” Lee told The Hollywood Reporter. “I’m not naming names, but it is not an exaggeration to say that [Malcolm X] cannot be made today with where we are in this world.”

The Oscar-winning director, known for tackling race, injustice and power in America, said the current environment is too hostile for a film like Malcolm X to find support.

He suggested that the political leanings of studio executives have shifted since the early ’90s, making it harder for bold, socially conscious films to get greenlit.

Spike Lee On Freedom Of Speech Under Trump

When asked if he’s concerned about his freedom of speech as Donald Trump continues to target critics, Lee responded with a mix of defiance and historical perspective.

“Have you seen what De Niro said about him?” Lee said. “I’m a child of the ’70s, and I think the history of this country is artists. The Vietnam War, the songs, the movies. Black, white, brown people stood up against a war that was wrong. Jackson State. Kent State. The Democratic Convention, Chicago, and those cops going crazy cracking heads. And they were saying, ‘The whole world is watching.’ But it is a shock. We haven’t seen this exactly. I mean before, I mean not even Nixon did the stuff this guy is doing.”

Lee, a tenured professor at NYU, also shared how the political climate is affecting students, especially international ones.

“Before spring break, the [school] administration sent an email, ‘Don’t go away for spring break.’ It’s scary,” he said. “I mean, if you are an international student, clean record, and you see what’s happening in the world. This is the year of living dangerously.”

Rick Ross Baby Mama Denies Freakoff With Rapper DDG On Boat

By: Mike WinslowCategory: News

Rick Ross’ child’s mother, Tia Kemp, spent her Mother’s Day weekend shutting down rumors that she was involved in a sexual encounter with rapper DDG.

She went viral after a video showed the pair aboard a boat, where she captured her moaning during the outing, which was streamed via DDG’s Twitch.

The video, which circulated widely on TikTok and other platforms, showed Kemp leaning over the side of a Contender boat — a high-speed fishing vessel known for its open deck and center console — while making audible noises that some viewers interpreted as sexual.

But Kemp, who shares a son with Ross, made it clear she wasn’t getting intimate with anyone — she was throwing up.

“I don’t know who the f### done clip-farmed me off of DDG Twitch, got me moaning. B####, I was throwing up. It ain’t even no bathroom on that m############ boat,” Kemp said in a profanity-laced video response. “B####, we was on a g###### contender with a center console, hoe.”

Clip farming refers to taking short, often misleading snippets from longer videos, usually livestreams and reposting them out of context to drive views and engagement.

Tia Kemp said the boat trip included her son, DDG, the boat captain, security, and a film crew.

“If you think I was on a boat f###### a young n####, you’re out your m############ mind, goofball b######,” she said. “B####, you heard me throwing up. That’s where the f### I was over, hanging over the boat.”

She added that someone even complimented her appearance while she was vomiting.

“If it sound like I was f######, b####, they even told me I was pretty throwing up. So, b####, I might have sound like I was f######, but b####, I was hurling.”

Tia Kemp and DDG were caught on video riding a speedboat in Miami, getting soaked by waves and further fueling speculation online.

Despite the online uproar, Kemp stressed that the outing was innocent and involved multiple people, not a private getaway.

Check out the full 3 hour stream below:

Excerpt:

Denzel Washington’s “Othello” Breaks Records & Gets Zero Tony Nominations

By: Mike WinslowCategory: News

Denzel Washington is at the center of Broadway buzz and Tony Award controversy after his performance in Othello was ignored by voters despite the production smashing box office records.

The revival of Shakespeare’s Othello, featuring Jake Gyllenhaal, raked in a staggering $2.8 million in a single week — the highest weekly gross ever for a Broadway play.

But when Tony nominations were announced earlier this month, the show didn’t receive a single nod, leaving many scratching their heads.

During a press event earlier this week, Pauletta Washington, Denzel’s wife and an actress, didn’t hold back when asked about the snub.

“Now see, that’s not something you want to ask me,” she said with a laugh. “I can’t say that I was surprised that they didn’t.”

She went on to suggest that the lack of recognition wasn’t accidental.

“In my family, we’ve been through this a lot of times. A lot of times,” she said. “And I think I can speak honestly and truthfully and artistically that it was denied, you know, so you wonder why. But we don’t have to wonder why: It’s narrow-minded people that are in charge of making decisions and judgments.”

While the production drew praise for its performances and commercial success, it also faced criticism over its steep ticket prices, with some seats reportedly selling for as much as $900.

Pauletta acknowledged that the backlash over pricing may have played a role in the awards shutout.

“That’s the bottom line. And that’s a part of it. And you know that,” she said.

She also spoke about the high standards within their household, where Denzel and their four children — John David, Olivia, Katia and Malcolm — all work in the entertainment industry.

“In our family, we’re the toughest critics for each other because we are on display, so we know we have to be on the mark at all times. So the work is put in,” she said.

The Tony Awards will be held June 16 in New York City.

Boosie Fights Back Tears During Doctorate Ceremony

By: Mike WinslowCategory: News

Boosie earned two honorary doctorate degrees in music during a ceremony at Kingdom Heritage University in Saint Petersburg, Florida, recognizing his influence in Hip-Hop and his contributions to music composition.

The rapper, whose legal name is Torrence Hatch Jr., was honored on May 10, 2025, with an honorary Ph.D. in Music Composition and a second honorary doctorate, both presented by the university for his impact on the music industry.

The event marked a rare academic acknowledgment for a figure known more for his raw lyrics and streetwise persona than scholarly accolades.

“We are here to honor you. Your pain has not been wasted. Your platform has a purpose. Your legacy is just beginning. We know your name as Lil Boosie. Heaven will now know you as Dr. Hatch,” said Bishop Dr. Michael Bates Sr. during the ceremony.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by RD (@rdmuzik)

Visibly emotional, Boosie addressed the crowd with a brief but heartfelt message.

“I just want to say thank you. I really appreciate it. I aint never been gave anything like this. So I really appreciate it,” he said, holding back tears.

Kingdom Heritage University, a faith-based institution, emphasized his journey and transformation as part of the reasoning behind the honor.

The celebration was widely shared across social media platforms, with fans and supporters congratulating the rapper-turned-doctor.

Donald Trump Set To Accept Flying Palace Worth $400M From Qatar Royal Family

By: Mike WinslowCategory: AHHplus

President Donald Trump is preparing to accept a $400 million Boeing 747-8 from the Qatari royal family during a visit to Doha next week, marking what may be the most expensive gift ever given to a sitting U.S. president.

The aircraft—described by insiders as a “flying palace”—will serve as a temporary Air Force One during Trump’s second term before being transferred to his presidential library foundation in early 2029.

The jet, which Trump personally toured at West Palm Beach International Airport in February 2025, is being retrofitted by defense contractor L3Harris to meet presidential security standards, including encrypted communications and classified tech.

The Department of Justice reviewed the arrangement and determined it does not violate existing laws on foreign gifts, bribery, or emoluments clauses of the U.S. Constitution.  

Still, the deal has stirred debate over the ethics of accepting such a high-value item from a foreign government.

The aircraft is a significant upgrade from Trump’s current personal plane, a Boeing 757 dubbed “Trump Force One,” and comes amid his ongoing criticism of delays and ballooning costs in the official Air Force One replacement program.

The Qatari jet offers a faster, more luxurious alternative, but it lacks some of the advanced defense capabilities of the U.S. government’s fleet.

After Trump leaves office, the jet is expected to be used for private travel and potentially displayed as part of the library’s exhibits.

Drake Says Mom Guided 30 Young Men, As Rappers Celebrate Mother’s Day

By: Nolan StrongCategory: News

Drake led a chorus of Hip-Hop stars who took to social media on May 11 to honor the women who shaped their lives, using Mother’s Day to reflect on love, sacrifice and the strength of motherhood.

The Toronto rapper praised his mother Sandra Graham in a heartfelt message, crediting her with guiding not only him but a tight-knit group of young men since the early days of his career.

“It’s solely because of your relentless dedication that we are all here in this current day life setting,” Drake wrote. “You kept 30 or so young men on the right path since 2007 and encouraged us to take care of each other which prompted us to form a new family that allowed us to become providers and bring joy and peace of mind back to the homes we all started at.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by champagnepapi (@champagnepapi)

DrakeHe closed the tribute with, “Happy Mother’s Day from all the guys…to the kindest and most nurturing woman on earth. Forever Sandra’s Rose.”

Game, never one to hold back his emotions, penned three separate tributes to the mothers of his children.

His first message was for his longtime co-parent Aleska Jordan, whom he thanked for over two decades of unwavering support and motherhood.

“I’ve been celebrating you for 22 Mother’s Day & I don’t think I’ve ever fell short of giving you the love & appreciation you deserve,” he wrote.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by The Game (@losangelesconfidential)

He recalled their early days as first-time parents, saying, “You were scared, I was lost & your mom wanted to kill us both the day we told her you were pregnant but look at us now.”

In another post, Game saluted Tiffney Cambridge, the mother of two of his children, calling her a “Ride Or Die” and praising her for teaching him how to be a better father.

“You are the mother that taught me how to be a better parent,” he wrote. “On the days I fall short, you pick up the slack for me & keep the ship floating & to be perfectly honest.. that ship still sails.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by The Game (@losangelesconfidential)

His final message went to Shaniece Hairston, the mother of his youngest child. He thanked her for embracing motherhood with grace and strength.

“Being a first time mom has its moments but you have triumphed in all areas & made motherhood your new purpose in life,” he wrote. “I am in debt for the blessing you’ve been as his mother in this short time.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by The Game (@losangelesconfidential)

Snoop Dogg kept it short and classic, posting, “Happy Mother’s Day to all the mothers.”

Ludacris offered a more philosophical take, writing, “A Mother has to think TWICE every second of every DAY: once for herself and once for her Children. Being a Mother is the HIGHEST, HOLIEST service to MANKIND! And Your Daily service NEVER goes unnoticed.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Ludacris (@ludacris)

T.I. honored his wife Tameka “Tiny” Harris and other maternal figures in his life.

“Happy Mother’s Day to My Beautiful \@majorgirl, and the other phenomenal mothers in my life…we’re thankful for all that you do…for us & the world. We love you to no end,” T.I. said.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by TIP (@tip)

Swizz Beatz shared a message of gratitude for the women who help raise his family. “

‘The Mother is Strong. The mother is a Hero. The Mother gives Life. The Mother gives Love. Thank you to all the strong Mothers around me that help raise our amazing village,” Swizz said along with a picture of himself, his mother and his wife, Alicia Keys.

Mother’s Day gave Hip-Hop’s biggest names a moment to pause and pay tribute to the women who raised them, supported them, and continue to shape their lives.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Swizz Beatz (@therealswizzz)

SIGNS: New Hampshire Mother Fatally Shoots 3-Year-Old Son Then Herself

By: AllHipHop StaffCategory: AHHplus

A 26-year-old mother and her three-year-old son were found dead from gunshot wounds in their Pembroke, New Hampshire home early Friday morning (May 9), in what authorities are investigating as a murder-suicide.

Police responded to a 911 call at the residence on Pembroke Hill Road around 1 a.m., where a witness reported hearing two gunshots before discovering Julia Byrne and her son, Blake Byrne, injured in an upstairs bedroom.

Julia Byrne was pronounced dead at the scene, while Blake was transported to Concord Hospital, where he later died from his injuries. Autopsies conducted on Friday determined that both died from single gunshot wounds to the head. The medical examiner has ruled Blake’s death a homicide, while the manner of Julia Byrne’s death is still pending.

Officials have stated that there’s no ongoing threat to the public and that the investigation is in its early stages. The New Hampshire Attorney General’s Office is leading the inquiry, treating the incident as a possible murder-suicide involving the two residents of the home.

Byrne’s social media featured joyful images of her and her young son enjoying outdoor activities like hikes and picnics. Authorities have not disclosed any information about what may have led to the tragic incident. Alongside these happy moments, Byrne also posted candidly about her mental health struggles and the difficulties she faced as a mother.

The New Hampshire Department of Justice announced that an investigation is underway into the deaths, but emphasized that there’s currently no threat to the broader community in connection with the incident.

Neighbor Ryan Demers, who has lived nearby for two years, told the Concord Monitor he didn’t know the family and rarely saw anyone at the house, noting they mostly kept to themselves.

Byrne’s social media indicates she enlisted in the US Army in 2018. It’s unclear if she was still enlisted at the time of her death.

John Legend Calls Kanye West Transformation “Sad”

By: Mike WinslowCategory: News

John Legend addressed Kanye West’s recent antisemitic music release and disturbing public behavior during a new interview, calling the rapper’s transformation “sad” and “sometimes shocking.”

The Grammy-winning singer, who once worked closely with West on tracks like “It’s Over” and “Number One,” spoke to The Times about his former collaborator’s descent into controversy.

West released a song titled “Heil Hitler” on May 8 — the same day as the 80th anniversary of VE Day — drawing widespread condemnation for glorifying Adolf Hitler and continuing a pattern of antisemitic remarks.

“Back then, Kanye was very passionate, very gifted, and he had big dreams not only for himself but also for all the people around him,” Legend said, recalling their early work together on his 2004 debut album Get Lifted, which West executive produced.

“He had so much optimism, so much creativity. It does feel sad, sometimes shocking, to see where he is now.”

The Hip-Hop community and music industry have distanced themselves from West in the wake of the track’s release.

Streaming platforms have reportedly refused to carry the song, and critics have widely dismissed it as intentionally offensive and lacking artistic value.

West’s recent output has been met with near-universal backlash, with many in the industry viewing the release as a deliberate provocation rather than a meaningful piece of music.

A$AP Rocky Calls His “Star Wars” Audition “Trash”

By: Mike WinslowCategory: News

A$AP Rocky admitted his audition for Lando Calrissian in Solo: A Star Wars Story was “trash” while reflecting on his acting journey ahead of two major film releases.

The Harlem-born rapper, whose real name is Rakim Mayers, told Variety he once tried out for the role eventually played by Donald Glover in the 2018 Star Wars prequel.

“I auditioned for Star Wars – for Lando – and my audition was trash. I was trash that day,” he said. “My man Childish Gambino (Glover) was a way better Lando than I would’ve provided at that time.”

A$AP Rocky acknowledged Glover’s closer resemblance to Billy Dee Williams, who originated the character in The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, and reprised it in The Rise of Skywalker in 2019.

Despite the misfire, Rocky said he’s still open to stepping into the galaxy far, far away.

The Hip-Hop artist has appeared in indie films like Dope (2015) and Monster (2018), but this year marks a turning point in his acting career with two high-profile projects.

He stars in the upcoming film If I Had Legs I’d Kick You and in Spike Lee’s Highest 2 Lowest, opposite Denzel Washington.

For the latter, Rocky said he immersed himself in the role of Yung Felon using a Method acting approach.

“It’s being alone in your trailer, looking in the mirror, embodying that person,” he explained. “When you’re not on the set, or when you clock out, you’re still embodying that character. Around the beginning of shooting, my family was still in California, so I got to really be this guy and go home (as him).”

Once his partner Rihanna and their two sons returned to New York, Rocky said he had to “shift back and forth” between his character and “daddy mode.”

The couple is currently expecting their third child.

Highest 2 Lowest is set to debut out of competition at the Cannes Film Festival later this month.

Beyonce’s Family Member Beaten, Harassed By Police Says Mom

By: Mike WinslowCategory: News

Tina Knowles detailed a harrowing moment of police violence and its lasting emotional toll on her family in her memoir Matriarch, revealing that her brother Skip was beaten by officers in 1967 after being mistakenly identified as a trespasser.

The incident unfolded when Skip, trying to get home after a date, was dropped off at the wrong house by a cab driver.

Though the home was close to his own, the woman inside didn’t recognize him and called the police. When she realized the error and contacted Tina’s mother, officers had already arrived and arrested him.

Tina, 71, wrote that her family watched helplessly as Skip was taken into custody. “Please don’t let them kill my son,” she recalled her mother pleading.

The next day, when the family picked Skip up from the police station, he was bloodied and battered.

“They could have killed him… we thought he was dead,” Tina wrote. She said the incident left her parents with “constant fear and anxiety.”

According to Tina, the trauma didn’t end there. She said the family endured years of harassment from law enforcement that left them “on guard all the time.”

The memoir Matriarch is in stores now.

Al B. Sure! Subpoenaed To Testify In Diddy Trial

By: Mike WinslowCategory: News

Al B. Sure! said he was subpoenaed in the federal criminal case against Diddy and is prepared to testify if called.

“I was subpoenaed. My attorneys worked something out. So, I believe when the time is right, you know, I’m going to discuss it with my attorneys,” the R&B singer told Fox 5 New York in a recent interview.

When asked if he would take the stand, he didn’t hesitate. “Oh, absolutely. Absolutely I am.”

Diddy, 55, is facing five federal charges, including sex trafficking, racketeering and transporting individuals across state lines for prostitution.

He has pleaded not guilty and remains in federal custody after his arrest in September 2023.

Prosecutors allege he ran a criminal organization dubbed the “Combs Enterprise,” which they say was involved in prostitution, drug distribution, extortion and other serious crimes.

Although Diddy has not been charged with any crimes against Al B. Sure!, the singer said he believes he was targeted.

In 2022, Al B. Sure! was hospitalized with multiple organ failure and placed in a medically induced coma for two months. He suffered kidney failure and underwent extensive treatment.

When asked if he believed Diddy or someone connected to him had something to do with his medical emergency, Al B. Sure! responded, “I believe this to be the case. Yes. Absolutely. Wow. My first time saying it.”

He also suggested that Kim Porter, who died in 2018 from lobar pneumonia, may have been a target.

Porter dated both men at different points in her life. She and Al B. Sure! share a son, Quincy Brown, who was later adopted and raised by Combs after the two began dating in the 1990s.

Her children issued a statement denying the sensational claims made by Al B. Sure! in a statement in September 2024.

“While it has been incredibly difficult to reconcile how she could be taken from us too soon, the cause of her death has long been established,” a statement read. “There was no foul play.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Quincy (@quincy)

Quincy, now an actor and musician, has spoken publicly about his complicated relationship with his biological father.

In a 2009 open letter, he criticized Al B. Sure! for being absent. Years later, he described their relationship as more like “homies” than father and son.

“He tends to try to do the ‘dad thing’ a lot, but that’s not really where we’re at in life,” Quincy told Angela Yee during an interview.

Al B. Sure! has expressed a desire to reconnect with his son. In a March 2024 Instagram post, he wrote, “Come Home. The [door] is wide open. You’re safe here son! I Love you, Popz, Your Biological.”

Diddy’s official trial is scheduled to begin Monday (May 12) in federal court.

The Weeknd’s New Movie Was Fueled By Real-Life Nightmare

By: Mike WinslowCategory: News

The Weeknd turned his real-life sleep paralysis episodes into creative fuel for Hurry Up Tomorrow, a psychological thriller hitting theaters May 16.

The Grammy-winning singer revealed that the terrifying sleep disorder directly influenced the tone and concept of the film.

“There are no antagonists in this film,” he told Fader. “I think that sleep paralysis is the enemy.”

In the movie, The Weeknd plays a stylized version of himself—a pop star navigating a surreal and unsettling world.

He stars alongside Jenna Ortega and Barry Keoghan, bringing their edge to the eerie narrative. The artist described how his own experiences with sleep paralysis shaped the project.

“That is something that I was really dealing with, still am to this day, not as much as before, but they’re very vivid nightmares where you’re in bed and you’re half asleep, half awake,” he said. “You’re aware of your surroundings, but you can’t move. You’re paralysed for almost a minute. Sometimes you see a shadowy figure in the corner and you hear voices, sweet nothings. It’s saying nothing, but there are voices.”

Tesfaye said he eventually found ways to manage the condition through better sleep hygiene.

“I did my research on it, and it’s just a lack of sleep,” he explained. “Your brain is still awake when you’re asleep. So my biggest medicine for it is just turn your phone off, turn the TV off, turn all the lights off. And yeah, you won’t get it. The irony is it’s got to all be dark and scary for you to sleep through the night.”

Hurry Up Tomorrow premieres in theaters nationwide on May 16.

New Astroworld Doc To Challenge Misinformation About Travis Scott Tragedy

By: Mike WinslowCategory: News

Travis Scott’s 2021 Astroworld Festival disaster and its devastating aftermath are at the center of a new Netflix documentary, Trainwreck: The Astroworld Tragedy, set to premiere June 10, 2025.

The documentary is part of the streamer’s new Trainwreck anthology series.

Directed by Yemi Bamiro and co-directed by Hannah Poulter, the film revisits the deadly night at Houston’s NRG Park when a crowd surge during Travis Scott’s headlining set left 10 people dead, hundreds injured and raised urgent questions about safety at large-scale live events.

The documentary features never-before-seen footage, 911 audio, interviews with survivors, first responders, and crowd safety experts.

“Our desire to tell this story stemmed from a very simple question — how can 10 people die at a music festival and no one knows how or why such a catastrophic tragedy happened?” Bamiro told Netflix. “The objective for our film from the very start was to challenge all the misinformation that had become synonymous with Astroworld 2021.”

The Astroworld tragedy unfolded on November 5, 2021, during the third edition of Travis Scott’s festival, which drew around 50,000 attendees. The crowd surge began at 9:02 p.m. when Travis Scott took the stage. By 9:07 p.m., emergency calls started pouring in.

At 9:39 p.m., police were alerted to multiple people receiving CPR. A mass casualty event was declared at 9:47 p.m., but the show didn’t end until 10:12 p.m.

All ten victims died from compressive asphyxiation, including a 9-year-old boy. More than 300 people were treated at the scene, and 25 were hospitalized.

The crowd density at its peak was just 1.85 square feet per person, a dangerously tight space.

The documentary also examines the roles of event organizers like Live Nation and the limitations of the festival’s emergency protocols.

Only two individuals—the executive producer and the festival director—had the authority to stop the show.

Although all wrongful death lawsuits have since been settled out of court, a 2023 grand jury declined to bring criminal charges against any individuals involved.

Produced by Passion Pictures, with Kari Lia and Hamish Fergusson serving as executive producers, the film also highlights the bravery of attendees and emergency workers who tried to help others amid the chaos.

Trainwreck: The Astroworld Tragedy will be the first in eight weekly documentaries exploring real-life disasters.