Denzel Washington confronted a pushy photographer on the Cannes red carpet Tuesday (May 14) after the man grabbed his arm during a conversation with A$AP Rocky and Spike Lee, prompting the actor to snap back with a pointed warning.
The tense moment unfolded just before the premiere of Washington’s new film, Highest 2 Lowest, when the photographer reached out to get his attention.
Washington immediately pulled away and appeared to say, “stop it, stop it, stop it,” while pointing at the man.
He then yanked his arm back and seemed to say, “Don’t ever put your hands on me again,” before walking off.
The photographer laughed, apparently trying to defuse the situation, but that only seemed to irritate Washington more.
Denzel Washington Surprised With Honorary Palme d’Or At Cannes
Despite the awkward exchange, the night took a sharp turn when Washington was surprised with an honorary Palme d’Or during the film’s out-of-competition debut.
“This is a total surprise for me, so I’m a little emotional,” Washington said as he accepted the award from director Spike Lee. “But from the bottom of my heart, I thank you all.”
He continued, “It was a great opportunity to collaborate with my brother once again — brother from another mother, Spike.”
The two have worked on multiple projects over the years, and Washington clarified how much the moment meant to him.
“To be here once again in Cannes, you know, we’re a very privileged group in this room that we get to make movies and wear tuxedos and nice clothes and dress up and get paid for it as well,” he said. “You know, we’re just blessed beyond measure, I’m blessed beyond measure, and from the bottom of my heart, I thank you all. Thank you.”
Cannes just surprised an emotional Denzel Washington with an honorary Palme d’Or pic.twitter.com/6lUODgwKHf
Diddy trial prosecutors released dozens of disturbing images, including photos of “freak-off” participants and gruesome photos of Cassie Ventura’s injuries.
Sean “Diddy” Combs sat stone-faced in court as prosecutors unveiled graphic photos of Cassie Ventura covered in bruises and a gallery of 13 male escorts allegedly involved in “freak-off” sex parties he orchestrated and watched while masturbating.
Prosecutors reveals photos of the sex workers involved in the Diddy and Cassie 'Freak-offs'. pic.twitter.com/ICUcoZfRBN
— The Art Of Dialogue (@ArtOfDialogue_) May 20, 2025
The disturbing evidence, presented Tuesday (May 14), included stills from Combs’s own video recordings, which prosecutors say depict coerced group sex acts that Ventura testified she was forced to participate in at his demand.
She testified that Combs liked to “direct” them as he watched and masturbated, and said some of the sessions stretched for hours, with one lasting four days.
The photos, prosecutors argued, support a pattern of sexual exploitation, manipulation and violence that Ventura and others say defined their time around Combs.
In addition to the escort photos, prosecutors introduced images of Ventura’s injuries—welts, cuts and bruises she claimed were inflicted by Combs.
🚨🚨🚨NEW: Prosecutors in Diddy’s federal sex trafficking trial have uploaded some of the evidence photos they’ve shown to jurors of the various injuries that Cassie Ventura testified she suffered at the hands of her then-boyfriend, Sean "Diddy" Combs. These two pictures show… pic.twitter.com/1ogiMdUuyy
One photo showed a knife she said she kept nearby to protect herself. Surveillance footage from a Los Angeles hotel in 2016 was also shown, allegedly capturing Combs kicking, dragging and shoving Ventura as she tried to flee one of the “freak-offs.”
Prosecutors also entered into evidence photos from the night of Combs’s arrest, showing $9,000 in cash, bottles of baby oil and drugs that tested positive for ketamine and MDMA.
Former Danity Kane member Dawn Richard testified that she saw Combs assault Ventura and recalled an incident where he allegedly hit her with a frying pan.
Ventura’s former best friend Kerry Morgan told the court she saw Ventura’s injuries firsthand and begged her to leave Combs.
Morgan said she was also assaulted by Combs and later paid $30,000 to stay quiet.
Former assistant David James described an atmosphere of fear and control, detailing how Combs’s security team carried weapons and how hotel rooms were prepped for his encounters.
Prosecutors said the evidence paints a broader picture of coercion, threats and blackmail, including claims that Combs threatened to leak explicit footage to silence Ventura and others.
Joe Biden addressed the public Monday (May 19) after confirming he’s battling an aggressive form of prostate cancer that has spread to his bones.
The 82-year-old former president took to Instagram to thank supporters and reflect on the emotional weight of the diagnosis.
“Cancer touches us all,” he wrote. “Like so many of you, Jill and I have learned that we are strongest in the broken places. Thank you for lifting us up with love and support.”
The message was posted alongside a photo of Biden with his wife Jill Biden and their cat.
Biden’s office released a statement Sunday confirming the diagnosis, which followed a medical evaluation prompted by worsening urinary symptoms.
“Last week, President Joe Biden was seen for a new finding of a prostate nodule after experiencing increasing urinary symptoms,” the statement read.
“On Friday, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer, characterized by a Gleason score of 9 (Grade Group 5) with metastasis to the bone.”
The statement added that although the cancer is aggressive, it is hormone-sensitive, which allows for treatment options that could help manage the disease.
“The President and his family are reviewing treatment options with his physicians,” the statement said.
In an unexpected show of support, Donald Trump posted a message on Truth Social offering well wishes.
“Melania (Trump) and I are saddened to hear about Joe Biden’s recent medical diagnosis,” Trump wrote. “We extend our warmest and best wishes to Jill and the family, and we wish Joe a fast and successful recovery.”
Young Thug didn’t hold back his sarcasm after spotting Gunna’s missing YSL tattoo in a recent gym selfie, poking fun at the move with a pointed Instagram comment.
Gunna issued a statement after he took a plea deal in the YSL RICO case that ensnared Young Thug, Gunna, Lil Rod, Yak Gotti and others.
In December 2022, Gunna issued a statement and acknowledged YSL was a music label and a gang.
“I have chosen to end my own RICO case with an Alford plea and end my personal ordeal by publicly acknowledging my association with YSL,” Gunna said.
The tattoo cover-up, first spotted in shirtless photos Gunna posted online, erased the YSL logo that once symbolized his loyalty to the label. The move apparently rankled Thugger, who decided to comment.
“I mean… he said it must end lol,” Young Thug wrote in response to the tattoo removal.
Despite public backlash and rumors of snitching, Gunna has insisted he never cooperated with prosecutors.
“I have NOT made any statements, I have NOT been interviewed, I have NOT cooperated, I have NOT agreed to testify or be a witness for or against any party in the case,” he said in a statement following his release.
Still, the optics of the plea—and now the tattoo removal—have only deepened the divide between the two rappers.
Young Thug also pleaded guilty in the same RICO case and was sentenced to time served and 15 years of probation.
Lil Durk faced a sharp rebuke from federal prosecutors Monday (May 19) after attempting to dismiss murder-for-hire charges tied to the 2022 killing of a rival rapper’s cousin in Los Angeles.
The government is insisting the case is about orchestrated violence—not lyrics.
“[Lil Durk] is not on trial for his lyrics or his music; he is on trial because he directed, orchestrated, and financed the brazen murder plot at issue in this case,” U.S. Attorney Bilal A. Essayli wrote in a filing opposing the motion to dismiss.
Durk, whose legal name is Durk Banks, is accused of ordering a hit on Quando Rondo, which led to the fatal shooting of Rondo’s cousin, Saviay’a Robinson—known as Lul Pab—on a Los Angeles street in August 2022. Rondo survived the ambush.
The Chicago rapper has pleaded not guilty to conspiracy, murder-for-hire and using interstate facilities to commit murder-for-hire resulting in death.
His legal team filed a motion on April 18 to toss the indictment, arguing that prosecutors improperly used lyrics from his verse on Babyface Ray’s “Wonderful Wayne & Jackie Boy” to sway the grand jury.
Durk’s attorneys claim the lyrics were written and recorded in January 2022—seven months before the shooting—and had no connection to the crime.
They submitted sworn statements from producers to back that up and accused the government of presenting “false evidence” that violated due process.
Shortly after the motion was filed, Durk’s camp promoted the idea that he was being prosecuted for his music, not his actions.
In response, prosecutors revised the indictment on May 1, removing any mention of lyrics. However, they maintained that the core allegations remain unchanged.
“The motion fails to cite any legitimate basis to dismiss the indictment or unseal grand jury transcripts, particularly in this murder case where witnesses and their family members have already been threatened,” Essayli added.
The government emphasized that the charges stem from what they describe as a calculated act of retaliation for the 2020 killing of King Von, a close associate of Durk, not from artistic expression.
Durk remains in federal custody in Los Angeles. He’s scheduled to appear in court again in June for a third attempt to secure bond ahead of trial.
Megan Thee Stallion unloaded on social media after a growing wave of support for Tory Lanez, including a public pardon request from a sitting member of Congress, reignited debate over the 2020 shooting that left her injured.
The Grammy-winning rapper appeared fed up after Florida Rep. Anna Paulina Luna urged California Gov. Gavin Newsom to pardon Lanez, who is serving a 10-year sentence for shooting Megan in the foot.
I am calling on Gov. Newsom @CAgovernor to review Tory Lanez’s case and issue a pardon.
His 10-year sentence was based on flawed evidence, political pressure, and prosecutorial bias. Justice must be blind— not driven by headlines.
Luna claimed the case was politically motivated and called the evidence “flawed,” demanding Lanez be released immediately.
“His 10-year sentence was based on flawed evidence, political pressure, and prosecutorial bias. Justice must be blind— not driven by headlines Free Tory Lanez,” Luna wrote.
In a lengthy post on her Instagram Stories, Megan Thee Stallion didn’t hold back. “At what point are yall gonna stop making me have to re live being shot BY TORY!? At what point are Tory and yall FANS gonna stop lying? Like how much is the check to keep harassing me? Why is this happening EVERY DAY?? One min him/ yall said I was never shot now yall letting him play in yall face AGAIN and say I was shot but it wasn’t him oh okay… ?” she wrote.
Her frustration comes as a petition calling for Lanez’s release has gained more than 266,000 signatures, backed by celebrities like Drake, Chris Brown and Ty Dolla $ign.
The petition, launched by the Caldwell Institute for Public Safety, argues Lanez’s conviction lacked solid physical evidence and was tainted by political bias.
Megan Thee Stallion continued, “I’m sick of this s### LEAVE ME TF ALONE!!!! HE AINT DARE GET ON THAT STAND AND DENY HE SHOT ME AND THAT WAS HIS CHOICE BECAUSE HE KNOWS HE DID THAT S###!”
Tory Lanez was convicted in December 2022 of assault with a semiautomatic firearm and other charges. His legal team has since launched an appeal, citing new witness testimony and alleged mishandling of forensic evidence.
According to James, Harris confessed during a phone call that she fired three shots and that Lanez only tried to stop her by pushing her arm down.
Lanez’s attorneys say James’s account aligns with testimony from Sean Kelly, a neutral witness who said he saw two women fighting before shots were fired from the passenger side of the vehicle.
Despite the new claims, Megan’s legal team maintained that the trial was fair and that the verdict was just. Harris, who was granted immunity during the trial, has not responded publicly to the latest allegations.
Megan added in her post, “FACTS ARE FACTS , he did it , it was PROVEN IN COURT f### the hate campaign on the internet TORY YOU SHOT ME !! Ain’t no new f###### evidence yall been saying the same s### for years TORY PLEASE LEAVE ME ALONE you a f###### demon. I’m off this silly ass internet s###, BYE.”
Diddy allegedly tried to force his way into Cassie Ventura’s home with a hammer after a brutal hotel assault, according to testimony delivered Monday (May 19) in a New York courtroom.
The disturbing claim came from Kerry Morgan, a former assistant and close friend of Ventura, who described a terrifying encounter that followed the now-public 2016 hotel beating.
That incident, captured on surveillance footage and shown in court last week, showed Diddy attacking Ventura in a hallway.
Morgan told jurors the violence didn’t stop there. She said Diddy showed up at Ventura’s residence shortly after she arrived and tried to break in.
“He was hitting the door with a hammer to try to open it,” Morgan testified. “I was freaking out. I don’t think (Ventura) cared if (Diddy) came in and killed her.”
Morgan said Ventura had a black eye at the time and appeared emotionally detached. She claimed Diddy arrived about 30 minutes after she got there.
The assistant also testified that she was assaulted by Diddy in 2018 inside Ventura’s Hollywood Hills apartment. She said the Hip-Hop mogul accused Ventura of cheating and turned violent.
“He choked me,” Morgan told the court, adding that she had “finger marks on my neck.” She continued, “When I got up, he boomeranged a (coat) hanger at my head.”
Morgan said she sought medical help at an urgent care clinic and was diagnosed with a concussion. She told the court that the attack ended her friendship with Ventura.
Diddy is currently facing federal charges including sex trafficking, racketeering and transporting individuals for prostitution. He has pleaded not guilty to all allegations.
Salt-N-Pepa launched a legal battle against UMG on Monday (May 19) in New York federal court, accusing the music giant of refusing to return control of their classic recordings and deliberately pulling their songs from streaming platforms in retaliation.
The Hip-Hop trailblazers—Cheryl James and Sandra Denton—filed suit asserting that UMG Recordings has ignored their 2022 Notices of Termination under Section 203 of the Copyright Act.
That law allows artists to reclaim ownership of their work after a specific period, and Salt-N-Pepa say they followed the rules.
Instead of complying, UMG allegedly yanked their music from streaming services and blocked licensing opportunities, moves the duo claims were meant to punish them and devalue their catalog.
Salt-N-Pepa are asking the court for declaratory and injunctive relief to regain control of their masters, along with damages for what they describe as UMG’s bad-faith conduct and conversion of their property.
The group, which exploded onto the scene in 1985 with “The Showstopper,” became one of the most influential acts in Hip-Hop history.
They were the first female rap group to win a Grammy and have sold over 15 million albums in the U.S. Their music has racked up over 1 billion streams globally and remains a staple in film, television and advertising.
UMG has held the rights to Salt-N-Pepa’s master recordings since 1986. The lawsuit claims the label is now violating federal copyright law by refusing to honor the termination notices and cutting off access to the music entirely in the U.S. market.
This legal clash adds to a growing list of high-profile disputes UMG has faced in 2025.
In January, Drake filed a defamation suit against the label, alleging it profited from Kendrick Lamar’s viral diss track “Not Like Us,” which he claims contained false and damaging statements. Limp Bizkit followed with a $200 million lawsuit accusing UMG of hiding royalties using deceptive software. Meanwhile, Iggy Azalea has publicly threatened legal action over what she says are millions in unpaid royalties, rejecting a reported $18,000 settlement offer.
Salt-N-Pepa’s case is pending in the Southern District of New York.
Several damning photos were introduced into evidence on Monday (May 19) as week two of Diddy’s RICO trial kicked off. The items photographed were collected during the Bad Boy Records mogul’s arrest in September 2024.
As one of the arresting special agents testified last week, the authorities seized several bottles of baby oil, prescription drugs, lubricants, stacks of cash and pink powder, presumed to be the MDMA (ecstasy) previously identified by special agent Yasin Binda.
Last week, Binda testified police found drugs, baby oil and various lubricants in Diddy’s hotel room at the time of his arrest. Specifically, they uncovered bags of Astroglide lubricant and baby oil in a closet, along with additional lubricant bottles on a nightstand and in the bathroom.
Police also recovered a bottle of Klonopin labeled with the name “Frank Black” in a luxury bag, as well as ketamine and MDMA in the nightstand.
Jurors were shown the photos of the hotel room and asked to pass around a bag of pink drugs for inspection.
Regarding witness testimony, Danity Kane singer Dawn Richard stated she witnessed Diddy allegedly abusing his ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura on multiple occasions. She described one particularly violent incident from 2009, after which Diddy allegedly threatened her to remain silent.
Along with the photos, Richard also returned to the stand on Monday, telling the court USHER, Ne-Yo and record executive Jimmy Iovine were present at a West Hollywood restaurant, where Diddy allegedly punched Ventura in the stomach.
Diddy is currently on trial facing serious federal charges, including sex trafficking, racketeering conspiracy and transportation to engage in prostitution. The prosecution alleges that, over a period of years, he orchestrated and participated in a pattern of sexual exploitation, abuse and violence, primarily involving Ventura and others in his inner circle.
Diddy pleaded not guilty to five federal charges: one count of racketeering conspiracy, two counts of sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion and two counts related to the transportation of individuals for prostitution.
If convicted, he faces up to life in prison. Prosecutors have indicated that his substantial assets, including homes, businesses and other properties, could be subject to seizure as proceeds or instruments of the alleged crimes.
The trial began on May 12 and is expected to last eight weeks.
Kid Cudi revealed his upcoming memoir, Cudi: The Memoir, will be a deep introspective look into his life, struggles and triumphs.
The 320-page book, written under his birth name Scott Mescudi, traces his journey from childhood to his 40th birthday, diving into battles with depression, addiction and self-worth.
The rapper announced the project on Instagram and X, describing it as both “raw” and “therapeutic.”
“My memoir is pretty heavy yall. I talk about some very real s###, bringing u into my mind during the most difficult times. But it will help those who struggle not feel so alone,” he wrote.
My memoir is pretty heavy yall. I talk about some very real s###, bringing u into my mind during the most difficult times. But it will help those who struggle not feel so alone.
The memoir also includes Cudi’s original artwork, childhood photos and career milestones.
It’s designed to mirror the emotional support his music has offered listeners for years.
“Life lessons, the rager period of my life and fighting my demons. All the way to the present, where happiness has found me. I hope this book does what my music does for u and gives u guidance and hope that u will make it through those difficult times,” he added.
Cudi: The Memoir will be released August 5 through Simon & Schuster.
The book will be supported by a global book tour and its release aligns with the debut of his new single “Neverland” and a short film premiering at the Tribeca Film Festival in June 2025.
Donald Trump called for a federal investigation into Beyoncé and Bruce Springsteen over their appearances at campaign events for Vice President Kamala Harris, accusing them of accepting millions in illegal payments for political support.
In a series of all-caps social media posts, Trump questioned, “HOW MUCH DID HARRIS PAY BEYONCÉ AND SPRINGSTEEN?” and claimed the involvement of celebrities was a “corrupt & unlawful way to capitalize on a broken system” and “artificially build up her sparse crowds.”
“According to news reports, Beyoncé was paid $11,000,000 to walk onto a stage, quickly ENDORSE KAMALA, and walk off to loud booing for never having performed, NOT EVEN ONE SONG!” President Trump fumed. “Remember, the Democrats and Kamala illegally paid her millions of Dollars for doing nothing other than giving Kamala a full throated ENDORSEMENT. THIS IS AN ILLEGAL ELECTION SCAM AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL!”
Trump also took aim at Springsteen directly, calling him a “dried out prune of a rocker” and telling him to “KEEP HIS MOUTH SHUT” after the singer labeled Trump “corrupt, incompetent and treasonous” during a recent concert.
“Just a pushy, obnoxious JERK, who fervently supported Crooked Joe Biden, a mentally incompetent FOOL, and our WORST EVER President, who came close to destroying our Country,” President Trump said.
The former president didn’t stop there. He lumped in Oprah Winfrey and Bono, demanding to know if they were compensated for their support of Harris.
“Candidates aren’t allowed to pay for endorsements,” President Trump wrote, accusing Harris of doing so “under the guise of paying for entertainment.”
Despite the accusations, Trump offered no proof to back up his claims.
The criticism comes as Trump himself faces scrutiny over a luxury Boeing 747-8 jet, valued at roughly $400 million, offered by Qatar’s royal family for use as Air Force One during his presidency.
The aircraft is expected to be transferred to his presidential library after his term.
Trump defended the arrangement, calling it a “wonderful gesture” and saying it would be “stupid” not to accept it. He insisted the plane was “a gift to the United States government, comparing it to France’s gift of the Statue of Liberty.
Qatari officials, however, pushed back, saying the aircraft was not a gift but part of a temporary agreement still under negotiation.
Critics have pointed out the irony of Trump’s accusations, given his acceptance of high-value perks in office.
DDG hit back after Soulja Boy challenged him to a boxing match during an expletive-filled Instagram Live rant Sunday night (May 18) over the ongoing Halle Bailey drama.
“You know how to fight, right? You a boxer, right? Let’s get in the f###### ring b#### ass n####,” Soulja said on Live, calling on streamer Adin Ross to help set up the bout. “Call Adin, let’s set the fight up.”
The “Crank That” rapper didn’t stop there. He threatened to “beat the skittles out of his pocket” and took a personal jab at DDG’s relationship with Bailey.
“I’ll beat your b#### ass,” he added. “Putting your hands on the Little Mermaid, n####.”
He ended the tirade with, “F### you and your whole family.”
DDG, who has been under scrutiny after Bailey filed a restraining order against him, hit back on his own livestream with a blunt assessment of Soulja’s behavior.
“Soulja Boy on another heroin rant,” he stated. “We gotta get that man clean. That heroin is f###### him up.”
Furthermore, the rapper and streamer dismissed the boxing challenge altogether.
“Soulja Boy you can’t fight, so stop tryna act like you wanna fight me, n####,” DDG continued. “You just talking s###. You was supposed to fight Chris Brown 5 years ago, n#### still ain’t do it.”
DDG calls out Soulja Boy for being a fake thug and offers to put money down so he can get into rehab and quit heroin 💀😭
The tension between the two rappers ignited last week after Soulja publicly sided with Bailey.
“You a b#### ass n#### for putting yo hands on Halle,” Soulja Boy tweeted. “Lil n#### @pontiacmadeddg if I catch u I’m beating the f## out u.”
DDG didn’t hold back in his response, mocking Soulja’s career and appearance.
“Soulja Boy is poor. He’s poor. Ain’t cranked that since we was yay high, buddy,” he said. “I will buy you. Couldn’t get next to me. We know you got crackhead teeth under them veneers.”
He continued, “It’s just certain n##### that was like saying s### just to like feed off of your misfortune. Especially n##### like that. You don’t want to go to war with me on this internet.”
Meanwhile, Soulja Boy continued the antics Sunday night. While on tour, Soulja had the crowd chat “F### DDG.”
USHER, Ne-Yo and Interscope Records co-founder Jimmy Iovine were present at a restaurant when Diddy allegedly punched Cassie Ventura in the stomach. The revelation came during Dawn Richard’s dramatic testimony delivered Monday (May 19) in Diddy’s ongoing federal trial.
The former Danity Kane member was questioned by Diddy’s attorney, Nicole Westmoreland, in Manhattan federal court about why she didn’t mention that these high-profile individuals were at the West Hollywood restaurant where the alleged assault took place.
When asked by Westmoreland if there was a reason she omitted their names in her account to the government, Richard replied, “She just asked me who was there.” Pressed further about why she hadn’t identified them specifically, Richard said, “I’m not sure.”
It remains unclear from Richard’s testimony whether USHER, Ne-Yo or Iovine actually witnessed the alleged assault.
Richard’s appearance on the stand marked the beginning of the second week in Diddy’s sex trafficking and racketeering trial, following earlier testimony from ex Cassie Ventura. Richard, who rose to fame on MTV’s “Making the Band” and later sued Diddy for alleged sexual abuse and for witnessing him physically abuse Ventura, added to the growing list of celebrities connected to the case.
During her testimony, Richard recounted that Diddy and Ventura had a quiet argument at the restaurant before Diddy allegedly struck Ventura in the abdomen. Ventura bent over in pain, after which Diddy told her to leave.
Richard testified that the couple continued arguing in a car, where Diddy allegedly grabbed Ventura by the neck, slapped her, and ordered her to be quiet, while security staff did not intervene and the rest of the ride was silent.
USHER, who previously lived in Diddy’s New York mansion as a teenager during the so-called “Puffy Flavor Camp,” has spoken publicly about witnessing unusual behavior in Diddy’s circle, though not specifically about the alleged assault. Ne-Yo has also faced scrutiny for his association with Diddy’s, though there’s no direct testimony linking him to witnessing any incidents.
Diddy has pleaded not guilty to all charges, which include sex trafficking, racketeering and facilitating prostitution. He faces the possibility of life in prison if convicted
Malcolm X would have turned 100 on Monday (May 19) had he not been assassinated. Anybody who has been touched by Brother Malcolm, who passed as el-Hajj Malik el-Shabazz, is forever impacted by his words, voice and vision. His image still appears on t-shirts and murals, but his ideology has been diluted, commercialized or marginalized. His uncompromising truth lives. We are in a moment where white nationalism is rising, truth is curated by algorithms and history—Black History—is being scrubbed from institutions. Malcolm X’s voice won’t be fading if we have anything to do with it.
From the Streets to the Pulpit to the People Born Malcolm Little in Omaha, Nebraska, in 1925, Malcolm X’s journey from hustler to revolutionary is a Hip-Hop origin story that isn’t officially Hip-Hop. We can call him one of the many precursors. His transformation in prison, the trials and tribulations and his ability to weaponize language without violence is very Hip-Hop. Rappers, particularly Gen X MCs, picked up the baton.
By the way, Nas and Malcolm X are reportedly related.
In Ilyasah Shabazz book The Awakening of Malcolm X: A Novel, she said, “To our cousin, the visionary multiplatinum recording artist Nasir bin Olu Dara Jones, aka Nas. We are so proud of all your accomplishments as you continue to keep your eyes on the prize.”
Nas’ grandfather Mack Little is the grandson of Celia Little; Malcolm X’s grandfather John Little (b. 1859) is cousinof Nas’ great(x2) grandmother Celia Little (b. 1865).
Hip-Hop’s First Political Prophet Malcolm X was the face of radical resistance, a movement that Hip-Hop adopted. Malcolm demanded justice. That demand and fearlessness was infused into Hip-Hop’s DNA early on.
In the ’80s and early ’90s, groups like Public Enemy and Boogie Down Productions sampled his speeches and embodied his teachings. Chuck D once called Malcolm “the blueprint for the truth-teller in Hip-Hop.”
“When we said ‘Fight the Power,’ that was straight from Malcolm,” Chuck D said in Malcolm X: Make It Plain. “He gave us that audacity.”
“Like others before him, such as Malcolm X, it took time for them to evolve in[to] the men they would be. And I think 2Pac was actively making moves…[and]…evolving very rapidly to what I think he would have been,” I told Good Morning America nine years ago.
2Pac was often compared to Brother Malcolm for his mix of street knowledge and revolutionary politics.
“I’m not saying I’m going to change the world,” ‘Pac once said. “But I guarantee that I will spark the brain that will.” Well, Malcolm was that spark.
From Revolutionary to Relic? But where is Malcolm’s voice now?
Today, Hip-Hop’s radical roots seems to have shriveled up. Many of the mainstream artists are trapped in cycles of excess (drugs, liquor, social media), performative street nonsense or corporate-friendly lyrics. The rebel in rap has been defanged, which coincides with a broader trend.
Conservative movements rewriting or banning Black history in schools. Florida’s curriculum downplays slavery. Textbooks are being whitewashed. Radical Black voices—Fred Hampton, Assata Shakur, Angela Davis and Malcolm X—are being edited out. And worse, if they can turn Malcolm into a mascot, they can mute a movement.
But they can’t… Malcolm X’s early life is closer to modern thug rap than any Ivy League scholar. The criminal-turned-conscious archetype is the Malcolm story. His past as “Detroit Red” wasn’t glorified, but it was evidence of what a person could become.
Some rap is apolitical. But, there are many artists are still carrying Malcolm’s fire. Kendrick Lamar’s To Pimp A Butterfly is a modern-day message to the oppressed. J. Cole, Rapsody, Noname, Tef Poe and others continue the lineage of liberation.
Malcolm spoke truth, and that’s all most rappers ever wanted to do.
Why We Need Malcolm Now Malcolm X is not just a figure from the past. He’s the unfinished project of Black liberation. His messages about media bias, the dangers of assimilation and self-determination are relevant in the age of AI disinformation and state-sanctioned violence.
When Malcolm said, “The media’s the most powerful entity on Earth,” he was foreshadowing the social media algorithms that now control public perception.
When he said, “If you’re not careful, the newspapers will have you hating the people who are being oppressed,” he was predicting Fox News, clickbait, and cancel culture.
Hip-Hop, as a culture, must decide what it stands for as it zooms past 50. Does it remain a vessel for Black expression, youthful resistance and straight-up truth-telling or does it become another corporate tool for benign entertainment?
Re-invoking Malcolm X isn’t about quoting him. We have to turn off the screen and channel him. The youth need an update, because Kodak Black isn’t getting it.
It’s about re-centering the rebel spirit, not just the profitable plan. The algorithm is the new power.
So on this 100th birthday of el-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz, let’s make it plain: The Mission Continues.
Kid Rock responded Monday (May 19) to growing criticism after Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations in Nashville reportedly led to his restaurant closing early to avoid undocumented workers from being arrested.
The outspoken entertainer, who has long backed Donald Trump’s immigration policies, issued a statement distancing himself from the staffing at his H#### Tonk Rock N’ Roll Steakhouse, which was reportedly left short-handed after the ICE presence in the city.
“Clearly I do not have anything to do with day to day operations at my H#### Tonk – but it’s good click bait, I get it,” he said. “That being said I 100% support getting illegal criminals out of our country no matter where they are. I also like President Trump want to speed up the process of getting GREAT immigrants into our country – LEGALLY!”
Clearly I do not have anything to do with day to day operations at my H#### Tonk – but it’s good click bait, I get it. That being said I 100% support getting illegal criminals out of our country no matter where they are. I also like President Trump want to speed up the process of… https://t.co/1M0dn8rhLu
The comment followed reports that his restaurant, like many others in the area, had employed undocumented workers in the kitchen, despite Kid Rock’s public stance against illegal immigration.
The contradiction has drawn scrutiny, particularly given his repeated calls for stricter border enforcement and his alignment with Trump’s hardline immigration agenda.
Kid Rock has previously made his views on immigration clear and his support for Trump remains unwavering.
“You think I like Trump because he’s a nice guy? I’m not electing the deacon of a church,” Kid Rock told Rolling Stone. That m########### likes to win. He likes to cheat in his f###### golf game. I want that guy on my team. I want the guy who goes, ‘I’m going to fight with you.'”
Misa Hylton showed up to Diddy’s court proceedings last week not to back the embattled Hip-Hop mogul but to stand by her son, Justin Combs, and his siblings—something she made clear after online critics questioned her intentions.
“When my son said, ‘Mommy I need you,’ I was right there for him, walker and all,” Hylton wrote in an Instagram post over the weekend. “I’m a MOTHER FIRST, FOR REAL and I am my son’s strength and that’s just what it is. Plain and Simple.”
Hylton, who has been recovering from an injury, said she had planned to keep her healing process private until her son needed her.
“God is good all the time!” she added. “Yes, I’m good everyone I’m on my healing journey. When I suffered my injury I had chosen to heal privately but when my son said ‘Mommy I need you’ I was right there for him, walker and all.”
She didn’t mince words when addressing the backlash over her appearance at the trial.
“Whoever doesn’t understand that just simply isn’t in alignment with me or anything that I’m about in life,” Hylton declared. “I’m cool with that. I have a purpose filled life that I live daily. I make impact. I’m not concerned with insecure people attempting to project their insecurities on to me. EVER.”
Her attorney, Nicholas Ramcharitar, also spoke out in her defense last week. He told AllHipHop that her presence was about family, not loyalty to Diddy.
“The number one thing I can say about Misa Hylton is that she is a wonderful mother,” Ramcharitar said. “She has beautiful kids. Both Christian and Justin are fantastic young men. I’ve had the opportunity to meet them, work with them in some capacity, and it’s clear they are a testament to how well Misa and Sean raised them.”
He added that the ongoing legal drama has made it difficult for the family to maintain a sense of normalcy. “Now, with the trial going on, the kids being close to their father, and Misa maintaining a great working relationship with Sean, it’s been tough.”
Last year, Hylton publicly supported Cassie Ventura after surveillance footage surfaced showing Diddy assaulting her.
“My heart goes out to her,” she said at the time. “I know exactly how she feels, and through my empathy, it has triggered my own trauma.”
Aubrey O’Day called out Sean “Diddy” Combs for what she described as a “selfish” move—having six of his children attend court while disturbing sexual assault testimony played out during his federal sex trafficking case.
Speaking on the “Amy & T.J.” podcast, O’Day didn’t hold back when describing the courtroom scene involving Diddy’s daughters, Chance, D’Lila and Jessie Combs, who reportedly left the courtroom twice on Sunday (May 12) as explicit details were read aloud.
“I don’t know any father that would want their children to sit through testimony about how much their daddy liked to watch people lubricated, f######, getting p##### on and urinated in their mouths, having his girlfriend come in the other room and rub their come all over his nipples,” O’Day said.
Aubrey O’Day Accuses Diddy Of Using His Kids For “Optics”
She also questioned Diddy’s motives for having his children present during such graphic proceedings.
“Would you want your children to know about it?” she asked. “It’s telling to me. It means that daddy’s being selfish, and he needs, in my opinion, it feels like daddy needs you in court because daddy needs all the optics to look in his favor, and I don’t really care what you have to sit through. And that, to me, is just showing that same narcissism and ego and dare I say coercion that we’re discussing about this man. You know, his needs come first. What he wants comes first.”
O’Day also said she had been contacted by federal investigators but confirmed she will not be testifying.
The courtroom walkouts happened during testimony from male escort Daniel Phillip, who claimed he was hired by Cassie Ventura to have sex with her while Diddy allegedly watched and masturbated.
The trial is ongoing, with more testimony expected in the coming weeks.
On Sunday (May 18), O’Day announced she will be covering the trial for the Amy & T.J. podcast.
“The intention for this platform is to give you an up close & personal understanding of what was going on,” she stated. “From a perspective only someone that was there in it all could relay to you.”
From viral skits to fire singles, Zeddy Will has become one of the most exciting young artists blending comedy and rap. In his own way, he’s fearlessly authentic.
AllHipHop talked to Zeddy as he opened up about everything. He goes from launching his debut project Set The Tone, to his acting aspirations, dream collabs and navigating the wild world of “vibing” in 2025.
But this isn’t your typical industry Q&A.
Zeddy gets real about his love for old-school rap, shares how French Montana dropped a verse in under an hour, breaks down why he’s glad he did not jump on the Drill trend. He also and hilariously shoots his shot, ahem, manifests, vibing wit Bel-Air star Coco Jones. This one has everything from retirement plans and unrepentant evolution.
The interview is part manifesto, part comedy special and all Zeddy Will. Watch below or read a truncated Q&A.
AllHipHop: Time flies. I caught you real early, before things really took off—before “Cha Cha” did. It’s great to see your growth.
Zeddy: I appreciate that. Life’s been good. I’ve been traveling a lot, getting used to this rap lifestyle. The girls, the money, the family—everything’s been cool.
AllHipHop: Sometimes I worry about young artists. The industry’s brutal—here today, gone today. You can’t trust the system.
Zeddy: That’s why I’m grateful for my team. A lot of people don’t have good people around them—or they do and don’t listen. But I’ve got a solid team and my family too. They keep me grounded.
AllHipHop: Let’s talk about Set The Tone. Why are we still calling these projects “mixtapes”?
Zeddy: [Laughs] This is actually my first full project, first one ever. I’ve been killing them with singles, but albums get too caught up in numbers and charts. I just want people to hear 10 good songs with no pressure.
AllHipHop: So it’s more of a marketing move?
Zeddy: You could say that. I want people to hear what I’ve been working on without all that album pressure.
AllHipHop: Doechii won a Grammy off a mixtape! That alligator-themed (Alligator Bites Never Heal) project? That was a mixtape. It shows it don’t matter what you call it, album or mixtape.
AllHipHop: The first track, “Set The Tone,” is more serious. Talk about that one.
Zeddy: I made that track a while ago, maybe even after our last interview. It’s like I was predicting my own future, talking about my early experiences in the game. Originally it was called “Madness,” but my friend said it had to be “Set The Tone” since it was setting the vibe for the whole project.
AllHipHop: Do you ever worry about the future, taking this nontraditional path?
Zeddy: Honestly? No. I’ve learned it’s simple. Either you’ve got the records or you don’t. If I keep dropping hits, I’ll be fine.
AllHipHop: And comedy. Is that still the main goal?
Zeddy: 100%. I want to act, do movies, sitcoms. I still do skits and Twitch, but yeah, acting’s the dream. I want a “Martin”-style sitcom. Call it “Zeddy.”
AllHipHop: Who’s your agent?
Zeddy: I don’t have one yet. I need a SAG card too, but that’s expensive!
AllHipHop: [Laughs] Let’s get you in Bel-Air. You could be the funny, mischievous student. Speaking of Bel-Air… is it true you’ve got a crush on Coco Jones?
Zeddy: Coco, I love you. She got the voice, she’s gorgeous, she stays out of drama. I love Coco for real.
AllHipHop: I interviewed her before—you’d love her. Super sweet, kind, raised right.
Zeddy: I’m manifesting it. I’ll meet her on a red carpet. I’ll stop my interview mid-question like, “Hold up!” and go get her number. That’ll be our origin story.
AllHipHop: [Laughs] So what’s the dating life looking like?
Zeddy: Nonexistent. Too many cities, too many girls. I can’t commit right now. We don’t even call it dating anymore—it’s “vibing.”
AllHipHop: How much does vibing cost?
Zeddy: Depends on the girl! Some want five-star dinners and Turks and Caicos in week one. Others are chill with a movie or hanging in the car.
AllHipHop: I went on three vibings and didn’t even know it.
Zeddy: [Laughs] You killing me.
AllHipHop: Real talk—start your retirement fund now.
Zeddy: Word?
AllHipHop: Serious. $50–$100 a month. You won’t feel it now, but it adds up. I did it for my daughter. She doesn’t even know.
Zeddy: That’s real. I’m on it.
AllHipHop: Let’s pivot. Who do you look up to musically and business-wise?
Zeddy: Musically—Eminem, Ludacris, Busta Rhymes, Missy Elliott. Business—Jay-Z, Nas, Drake. They all made smart moves. Drake’s probably the biggest influence from my era.
AllHipHop: So during the Drake-Kendrick battle, were you team Drake?
Zeddy: Nah, I love both. Kendrick is a lyrical genius. Drake makes hits. I learned that no matter how big you are, people will still try to bring you down.
AllHipHop: That beef might be the best ever. More exciting than Jay and Nas.
Zeddy: I agree. Jay and Nas were lyrical, more lowkey. This was wild—dances, memes, subs. It’s the 50 Cent vs. Ja Rule for this generation.
AllHipHop: Exactly. Who else are you working with?
Zeddy: French Montana. He sent his verse back in an hour—super professional. That’s the biggest artist I’ve worked with so far. Annalee Chopper’s next. We’ve spoken and the chemistry’s there.
AllHipHop: And Set The Tone has some dope samples—Jay-Z’s “Girls, Girls, Girls,” Joe Budden’s “Pump It Up,” N.O.R.E.’s “Superthug,” and even “Don’t Look Any Further.”
Zeddy: I’m 23—I didn’t even know half those songs! I just loved the beats. But “Girls, Girls, Girls” is a favorite. I love old school. People say I rap like Will Smith or Slick Rick.
AllHipHop: Speaking of Will Smith, we should get him on a track with you.
Zeddy: That would be crazy.
AllHipHop: What’s your take on AI in music?
Zeddy: Mixed feelings. It’s cool now—but once they start making songs that sound like yours and don’t pay you? That’s a problem.
AllHipHop: Exactly. That’s why high-level music matters.
Zeddy: Facts. Set The Tone, let’s go!
AllHipHop: Touring plans?
Zeddy: Definitely. Whether it’s joining someone’s tour or doing my own, that’s next. Set The Tone gives me something solid to perform all summer.
AllHipHop: Tell us about Good Son, your clothing brand.
Zeddy: We got shirts and bracelets right now. It’s just part of my brand. I’m a mama’s boy, so it’s personal. Good Son is Zeddy. Zeddy is Good Son.
AllHipHop: How’s your mom feeling about all this?
Zeddy: She’s scared but supportive. She hears the stories about the industry, but she’s proud of what I’m doing—from the music to the Twitch streams.
AllHipHop: Just don’t call your mom “bro.”
Zeddy: [Laughs] I do sometimes! Different times, man.
AllHipHop: [Laughs] Zeddy Will, always a pleasure. Set The Tone, out now!
Eminem stunned a packed Ford Field crowd on Sunday (May 18) when he jumped onstage with Jelly Roll to perform “Lose Yourself” in their hometown of Detroit, delivering a moment that instantly lit up social media and left over 46,000 people roaring.
Wearing a military-style hoodie and cap, Eminem emerged mid-song to thunderous cheers, joining Jelly Roll for the second verse and finishing the track side by side.
Eminem finally makes his first appearance of 2025 during Jelly Roll’s set at Post Malone’s Big Ass Stadium Tour in Detroit. Listen to that crowd reaction! pic.twitter.com/kTv49oMInw
After the performance, Eminem addressed the sea of people with a quick message: “Long time no see! Detroit one more time, make some noise for Jelly Roll!”
— Woodward Sports Network (@woodwardsports) May 19, 2025
The stage visuals nodded to Eminem’s legacy, featuring his signature backwards “E” and a nod to his Detroit eatery, Mom’s Spaghetti.
The surprise appearance marked Eminem’s first live performance since December 2024 and followed their collaboration at the Michigan Central Open last June.
Clips from the moment quickly spread across TikTok and Instagram, racking up views as fans relived the unexpected duet.
Eminem came out during Jelly Roll's set at Ford Field. How is Posty supposed to top this? pic.twitter.com/6I6aVbynPY
The connection between the two artists runs deeper than just the stage. Eminem sampled Jelly Roll’s “Save Me” on his 2024 album The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce), flipping it into the track “Somebody Save Me.”
Jelly Roll shared his reaction on Instagram, writing, “I always say my childhood hero’s lived somewhere between Willie Nelson and Eminem… I related to every word Eminem wrote. I understand him and felt like he understood me, which was rare cause I spent most of my life feeling misunderstood.”
50 Cent wasted no time poking fun at longtime frenemy Floyd Mayweather over his $100 million defamation lawsuit against Business Insider, mocking the retired boxer’s legal battle on Instagram.
The Hip-Hop mogul posted a clip of Mayweather discussing the lawsuit and added his own commentary.
“Well that case is going nowhere because you didn’t do the deal champ,” he wrote. “He must have named the writer separately to make him have to pay his own legal team. Champ mad.”
50 Cent also questioned the strength of Mayweather’s case, suggesting it has “no legs to stand on.”
The jab came after Mayweather filed a federal lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, targeting Business Insider, its parent company Insider Inc., and reporter Daniel Geiger.
The complaint accuses the outlet of publishing a “knowingly false and defamatory” article that misrepresented Mayweather’s real estate ventures and damaged his reputation.
According to the lawsuit, Geiger “repeatedly ignored documentary proof of Mayweather’s ownership and business success, refused multiple invitations to review verified transaction records, and relied instead on unnamed sources and innuendo.” Mayweather also alleges the article was driven by “racial and political bias.”
The filing claims the story caused Mayweather emotional distress, reputational damage and financial losses, including “lost lease opportunities at his buildings” and “emergency rent-freeze concessions.” He’s seeking $100 million in damages, a formal retraction and injunctive relief.
“This lawsuit isn’t just about setting the record straight,” Mayweather’s attorney Bobby Samini explained. “it’s about holding the press accountable when they cross the line from journalism into calculated character assassination.”
Floyd Mayweather Addresses Lawsuit
Mayweather defended his decision to sue during a recent interview.
“I’m 48 years old, and I’ve never sued a media outlet,” he explained. “But the media outlets, throughout my life, have bashed me, talked bad about me, spoke bad about my family. Now, I have always been judged because of how I have presented myself when I’m promoting a fight. You cannot judge me for entertaining the people when I’m promoting a fight. Judge me for the person that you know.”
Business Insider responded to the lawsuit: “We will vigorously defend against this meritless attempt to discredit our reporting and smear our reporter.”
50 Cent has since taken down the Floyd Mayweather post, but not before stirring up plenty of attention online.
