Actress Quinta Brunson is joining Pharrell’s untitled coming-of-age musical set to transport audiences back to Virginia Beach in 1977.
The Abbott Elementary creator and actress is set to work under the direction of Michel Gondry, known for Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.
The renowned music producer, whose childhood memories form the backdrop of the film, will produce the movie. Brunson, 34, expressed her enthusiasm on Instagram Stories by sharing the casting news initially reported by Deadline. She captioned her post with just the word “Excited” accompanied by a nail-painting emoji.
Universal Pictures announced her involvement adding that Brunson will perform alongside a dynamic ensemble cast that includes Anderson .Paak, Kelvin Harrison Jr., Halle Bailey, Brian Tyree Henry, Missy Elliott, Janelle Monáe and Tim Meadows.
The film’s setting—a vibrant Virginia Beach community during the summer of ’77—draws inspiration from Pharrell’s formative years growing up in the Atlantis Apartments neighborhood.
However, specific details about Brunson’s character remain under wraps. Pharrell will produce the film alongside Mimi Valdés under his I Am Other multimedia umbrella, with the script penned by Martin Hynes and Steven Levenson.
Brunson’s commitment to her role comes on the heels of wrapping up the third season of Abbott Elementary, her celebrated sitcom where she portrays teacher Janine Teagues. Not only does she star in the series, but she also takes on roles as a writer and executive producer. The show’s popularity has secured a renewal for a fourth season.
Some 15 years ago, veganism was considered a fringe movement for a handful of radicals. However, the tide has turned as this plant-based lifestyle choice has diffused into Western mainstream culture—Hollywood inclusive. Yes, beyond the glitz and glamor, celebrities are now more vocal about their pro-vegan stance, especially on the issues of animal rights and environmental conservation.
For others, adopting a strict no-meat dietary plan aligns more with the need to look and feel youthful, thereby maintaining that star image that drives their fans to adore them. As such, the vegan industry is worth over $43 billion and is projected to reach $85 billion by 2030. To celebrate this feat and its perks, let’s explore seven popular personalities you didn’t know were vegans.
Ariana Grande
Okay, this one isn’t a surprise to many, as Ariana Grande is one of the most prominent proponents of veganism in the Hollywood community. The singer-songwriter and actress who grew up in a family that loved all things Italian decided to go green in 2013, embracing fruits and veggies. While chatting with The Mirror, she disclosed that her decision was a result of her love for all animals and a desire to stay healthy.
In her words, “I love animals more than I love most people.” Grande’s commitment to being vegan saw her partner with PETA in 2014 to advocate for animal rights, which roughly 10 years later earned her r.e.m beauty line a PETA certificate for being cruelty-free. One thing is for sure: she isn’t simply a plant-based lover but also a strict macrobiotic and walks 12,000 steps a day.
Billie Eilish
The American singer and songwriter got into music early enough. At eight, she was already a member of the Los Angeles Children’s Choir where she sang. But what really brought her into the limelight was her debut song, “Ocean Eyes,” which she uploaded to SoundCloud in 2016—a move that has led her to release other songs, many of which have bagged her several nominations and awards, including two Oscars.
Beyond her musical success, Eilish is known for her strict vegan lifestyle, which she adopted a year after Grande’s but for a completely different reason—she was moved by the cruelty involved in dairy and meat production. Speaking to British Vogue, Eilish explained, “Once you know that kind of thing and you see it, it’s really hard to go back.”
Her stance on veganism extends to her business ventures, as her two signature perfumes with Parlux are vegan and cruelty-free.
Brad Pitt
One of Hollywood’s leading men and the first man to earn the title “Sexiest Man Alive” twice, Brad Pitt, has been vegan for quite many years. This is a decision that the actor made for environmental reasons. And if you thought avoiding meat was restrictive, you’d be surprised to learn that the award-winning 60-year-old actor has not had a drink in eight years, which could also be the secret to his youthful looks.
Travis Barker
Blink-182 drummer, as most people know him, and Kourney Kardashian’s spouse Travis Barker is the epitome of living a balanced life. The 48-year-old is not only a top rock star and fashion influencer; he is also a father of two and a proud vegan, whose decision to stay gluten-free came right after surviving a plane crash with his friend DJ AM in 2008—a fatal accident that left three of his other closest friends dead.
In an interview with Men’s Journal, Barker revealed that following his vegan dietary shift gave him “endless amounts of energy.” His go-to meals include vegan chicken and waffles, baked sweet potatoes, broccoli, blueberries, strawberries, acai berries, and almonds. Complementing his stance, Barker is also a staunch animal rights advocate and has partnered with PETA in the campaign “Make Some Noise for Animals.”
Fearne Cotton
Here’s one of Britain’s finest TV and radio presenters and founder of Happy Place, a well-being brand. As you may not have known, Fearne Cotton has been a die-hard vegan for over three decades now. Speaking to actress and vegan activist Evanna Lynch on The Chickpeeps podcast, Fearne revealed that she quit meat at age 10 after seeing a live report on the transportation of animals.
Over the years, Fearne gradually transitioned to a vegan lifestyle, with her meals typically consisting of rice or quinoa, eggs, broth, and lots of vegetable soups, along with occasional fish once a month. However, in recent years, she has completely skipped out on eggs to become fully vegan, which she describes as “energizing” and “not hard.”
This transformation inspired her to write “Happy Vegan,” a plant-based cookbook that celebrates the joys of vegan eating.
Will.I.Am
We have all been singing along to Black Eyed Peas’ popular hit, “Be Free,” but if you don’t know, Will.i.am is a long-time vegan advocate—maybe not as long as Fearne or Brad. Nonetheless, the 49-year-old rapper and record producer made the switch in 2017 after being diagnosed with high blood pressure and cholesterol.
Here’s what he had to say about the life-changing moment, “I switched my regimen, went plant-based and it changed my life. I lost 20 lbs. My stress levels came down naturally.” Since then, Will.I.Am has been an unrelenting advocate of the vegan cause.
Lewis Hamilton
The name “Lewis Hamilton” is associated with fast cars and speed on the track. But beyond being a seven-time Formula One world champion, Hamilton is a passionate environmental activist, and his plant-based diet is a big part of this. He made this decision in 2017 and has since used his platform to promote animal rights, encouraging people to boycott leather and protect animals.
Taking it a step further, Hamilton, who received his knighthood in 2021, opened Neat Burger, a vegan fast-food chain in London, with its first U.S. location in New York City. He joins the league of co-sports stars like the Williams Sisters, Colin Kaepernick, and Jermain Defoe, who have gone green for environmental and animal welfare reasons.
Conclusion
Celebrities are no doubt a source of hope to many people all over the world. The fact that they can make a decision as seemingly life-changing as going vegan and then help people looking up to them adopt it is pretty admirable. The celebrities above are great examples of such, and of course, our list is by no way limited to these select few. So, whether you are vegan or not, you’d agree that it’s inspiring to see these people make a difference.
Julia Fox reflected on Kanye West’s influence on her career, describing their brief relationship as a catalyst for reclaiming her creative autonomy.
The actress, who dated the Hip-Hop mogul in 2022, told “The New York Times’ Popcast” that West’s presence in her life was “a blessing.”
According to Fox, West’s disruptive energy allowed her to regain control over her professional image—something she struggled with for years.
“You know, it was actually a blessing that he came into my life,” Fox said. “He kind of shook up my team in a way where a lot of the creative control was then given back to me.”
Julia Fox admitted she had felt immense pressure to conform to a specific Hollywood image.
“I’d get into fights with my creative team about it and be really upset about it, but then ultimately always concede and just do what they wanted me to do because it was easier than arguing.”
Fox credited Kanye West for encouraging her to assert her own vision.
“When he left, it was like, ‘Well, I’m gonna do what I wanna do.’ I kind of felt like, ‘Oh my god, the world is my oyster.’ I’m my own muse,” she expressed.
Julia Fox observed that after their brief romance, she had wrestled back full authority over her image.
The pair’s relationship followed West’s separation from his wife, Kim Kardashian.
Even though their romantic involvement was short-lived, Fox admitted she noticed “red flags” during the time they spent together.
Speaking to the BBC, she revealed, “I chose to turn a blind eye to because it was fun, and exciting, and shiny, and you know just new.”
Fox acknowledged the relationship felt liberating at first.
“It felt like a relief in the beginning: ‘Oh finally, someone else can take the reins,’ but I think you know it became unsustainable and that’s why the relationship only lasted a month.”
Despite her struggles to be taken seriously in the fashion world while dating Kanye West, Fox insisted her style was her own.
“I started to hear this whole thing. ‘She’s only killing it in fashion because it’s Kanye.’ And I was like, ‘No, these are my looks, and I’m putting them together.'”
She emphasized that her efforts to make her own creative decisions often clashed with her team’s desires to keep her image more conventional.
Reflecting on the lessons learned from her time with West, Julia Fox concluded that taking control over one’s creative output is empowering.
“I felt like that was what I needed to push against, and prove that I’m doing this, and I wasn’t doing it before because my team just wanted me to look basic.”
50 Cent, one of Diddy’s loudest critics, surprisingly commiserated with the disgraced mogul over their issues with liquor companies. The outspoken rapper saw parallels between Diddy’s since-settled legal battle with Diageo and the G-Unit head honcho’s dispute with Suntory Global Spirits.
“Puffy made Diageo a lot of money with ciroc, they were fine with that because he didn’t own anything,” 50 Cent wrote on Instagram. “Soon as he owns Deleón their relationship can’t work. I made @suntoryglobalspirits a lot of money with Effen soon as I own my own brands they did me dirty. They want black consumers, but they don’t want black business owners. True story.”
Diddy sued Diageo for racial discrimination in May 2023. The two sides settled the case in January 2024. Diddy gave up ownership of DeLeón Tequila in the settlement.
50 Cent filed a $6 million lawsuit against Suntory Global Spirits, formerly known as Beam Suntory, in March 2024. He accused the company of embezzlement.
“Changing the company name from Beam Suntory to @suntoryglobalspirits without correcting what was done to my brands @bransoncognac and @lecheminduroi doesn’t fix the problem and lacks honor,” he wrote in May. “I attempted to resolve the matter, not once, but twice. Now the legal process will play out publicly for everyone to see what really happened and how @suntoryglobalspirits would rather spend millions to protect and conceal criminal conduct instead of doing the right thing.”
50 Cent went to Capitol Hill to speak to congressional leaders about his beef with Suntory on Wednesday (June 5). His Washington, D.C. trip caused a social media stir due to him posing for photos with Republicans, including Rep. Lauren Boebert.
Diddy faced much bigger problems than online backlash. The Bad Boy Records founder is the subject of a federal investigation and faces multiple sexual assault lawsuits. 50 Cent is producing a documentary about Diddy’s various legal troubles.
Kim Kardashian openly acknowledged being lenient with her children with Kanye, revealing personal struggles with maintaining discipline.
On the latest episode of The Kardashians, the 43-year-old reality TV star expressed her desire to adopt stricter parenting methods akin to those of her younger sister, Khloé Kardashian.
Kim, mother to North, 10, Saint, 8, Chicago, 6, and Psalm, 5, shared candid frustrations over her difficulties in enforcing boundaries.
“Sometimes, it just gets a little intense,” Kim Kardashian said, reflecting on her role as a single parent. “I want to be more strict like Khloé, but I don’t know why I have a hard time just saying no is no.”
Since parting ways with Kanye West in 2021, Kardashian has endeavored to manage the complexities of single parenthood while juggling her entrepreneurial endeavors.
Yet, she admits that her resolve often crumbles under her children’s persistence.
“They know when to con me,” she admitted. “They’ll start with the tears, so I’m like, ‘Stop, stop. Sure, take the iPad. Just stop.’”
This inclination to yield to her children’s demands led her to describe herself as a “pushover,” especially in moments of fatigue or stress.
Recently, Kim recounted an incident where she confiscated North’s mobile phone, only to return it the next day.
“I know I have to get it together,” she acknowledged.
Balancing work and the responsibilities of motherhood has become increasingly challenging for Kardashian, who recounted a chaotic scene where she was forced to lock herself in a bathroom to escape the noise during a work-related Zoom meeting.
“I had a Zoom,” she explained. “Kids were at the house banging on my door, just screaming.”
Kardashian filed for divorce from Kanye in February 2021, ending nearly seven years of marriage.
The divorce was finalized in November 2022, with the former couple agreeing to joint custody of their four children.
Chuck D of legendary Hip-Hop group Public Enemy is speaking out in support of LeBron James’ former teammate Delonte West following news of his arrest.
West’s mugshot began trending earlier this week, which proved to be almost more troubling than the news of his arrest once social media users began reacting and expressing concern for West’s appearance.
West was reportedly taken into custody after being found unresponsive by The Fairfax County Police Department. After he was given a single dose of Narcan, to no effect, he was rushed to a local hospital and given another dose and finally revived.
After being released from the hospital, he was transported to the Adult Detention Center, where he now languishes in custody. Chuck D expressed empathy for the troubled hooper in a message he shared on Twitter (X) in response to West’s mugshot following news of his arrest.
“He is always trying, Its hard as f###,” Chuck D wrote in part. “And drugs are a lifetime battle for many… this is why socially its a serious encounter to not be taking lightly…
“but the game seeks to exploit the green and the unstrong non stop. Legal and non legal its a battle for humans to fight off the barrage or regulate.”
He is always trying. Its hard as f###. And drugs are a lifetime battle for many… this is why socially its a serious encounter to not be taking lightly… but the game seeks to exploit the green and the unstrong non stop. Legal and non legal its a battle for humans to fight off…
Chuck D has long been committed to advocating for drug-free environments and uplifting communities through his activism. A staunch proponent of positive change, Chuck D has tirelessly worked to steer the youth away from substance abuse and toward constructive opportunities. Through his establishment of the Hip-Hop Foundation for Excellence, he has created scholarship programs aimed at empowering young individuals from underprivileged backgrounds to pursue higher education and careers in the arts.
Additionally, Chuck D has been instrumental in launching community-based programs that provide mentorship and resources to at-risk youth, promoting healthy lifestyles and educational attainment. His initiatives, such as the “Youth in Action” campaign, focus on fostering safe, drug-free spaces where young people can thrive and build brighter futures.
Ice Spice and Quavo sparked dating rumors after the two rappers were filmed hanging out at a bowling alley together.
A video making the rounds on Saturday (June 8) shows the Migos rapper’s arm briefly around her waist—possibly during an innocent photo-op—before she goes to greet somebody else. Quavo and Ice Spice have been in each other’s orbits multiple times over the last several months, including alongside Taylor Swift at the Super Bowl.
Quavo was previously linked to rapper Saweetie. The couple began seeing each other in 2018 but broke up in 2021, albeit briefly.
In March 2021, Saweetie announced the split on Twitter. She wrote, “I’m single. I’ve endured too much betrayal and hurt behind the scenes for a false narrative to be circulating that degrades my character. Presents don’t band-aid scars and the love isn’t real when the intimacy is given to other women.”
Quavo responded to Saweetie’s tweet with, “I know you want to make this into a show so I’ll play my part just this one time. I don’t normally put my business out there, especially my personal life. I feel like the internet and the blogs and the publications made it bigger than what it was.”
But controversy soon followed. Video footage of Quavo and Saweetie getting in a heated argument inside an elevator was leaked to the public and showed a different side to their relationship. The clip—captured in 2020–began with both of them standing outside an open elevator. When the video starts, Saweetie started swinging on Quavo, who dropped an orange Call of Duty case. When Saweetie tried to pick it up, they wrestle over it before both hitting the ground.
The couple eventually reconciled and dated until 2023 before finally calling it quits.
Lil Wayne may have been caught up in the fake BAPE craze of the early 2000s thanks to NIGO, the brand’s creator.
Well, that could’ve been how it all played out circa 2006-2007, according to entrepreneur and well known jewelry designer Ben Baller. During a recent live stream conversation, Baller appeared to confirm that NIGO himself played a role in the inauthentic BAPE products, such as the infamous camouflage print hoodies that flooded the market over a decade ago.
“There’s things that I can tell you about, BAPE, that I’m not going to tell you,” Baller said. “I mean, I guess f###k it, I don’t know if you know this, but in ’06, ’07, when everyone was wearing the full zip, the hoodies, anyways, there was fakes everywhere.”
As he continued, Baller revealed that not only was Lil Wayne spotted in fake BAPE, but so was Soulja Boy, who also helped popularize the brand with his song “I Got Me Some Bapes.”
“Lil Wayne was wearing stuff,” Baller added. “Soulja Boy, this was like ’06 when it was getting crazy. Everyone was wearing BAPES instead of Air Force.”
Baller then went on to explain how NIGO may have either contributed to the cycle, and or directly fueled it himself in order to corner the lucrative replica market.
“There was fakes that were so good out there and they were coming out and it was nuts,” he said. “Shark Hoodies. So they were coming out. When I found out that Nego owned the factory that was producing the fakes, I was like, wow, you are f###### bro. He was doing $300 million in counterfeit BAPES.”
Ben Baller claims NIGO owned the factories that made fake Bape shark hoodies in 2006 and profited over $300M selling them himself pic.twitter.com/cWV8GtvRqs
Lil Wayne’s iconic photo in the camouflage print BAPE hoodie is a defining image in both hip-hop and fashion culture. The photograph, taken by Jonathan Mannion, captures the rapper’s charismatic and rebellious spirit, cementing his status as a style icon.
The image not only highlighted Lil Wayne’s unique sense of fashion but also significantly boosted the popularity of BAPE, a Japanese streetwear brand. Lil Wayne’s endorsement of the brand through his frequent appearances in BAPE attire during the mid-2000s played a pivotal role in elevating its status among Hip-Hop artists and fans alike.
And in 2023, Wayne and his massive influence culminated in a full-circle moment via his UGG x BAPE collection released in honor of the brand’s 25th anniversary.
Young MC is the pen behind “Bust A Move,” Tone Lōc’s “Funky Cold Medina” and “Wild Thing,” among many other memorable hits.
Now, the prolific songwriter/MC is back with a new single called “Loose,” his follow-up to 2021’s “Worry About That” and first official solo release since 2009. For both the visual and single art, Young MC recruited his “friend,” Disco Theresa, a cyborg created by artificial intelligence. Throughout the clip, he embraces the future of technology with his classic aesthetic, blending the two into an effortless banger.
“I spent two years going over every aspect of that song,” Young MC tells AllHipHop. “Bottom end, drums, chords, progressions, lyrics and A.I. It sounds simple, but it’s very intricate. You literally hear new stuff in your fifth listen. It took me two years to get the most out of my MPC X and sound module setup. I kept thinking I was done with the song and I heard another element I could add.”
Young MC announced the single and video in an Instagram post on Friday (June 7), writing, “This is the first release on my NEW LABEL Disco Theory and features a cameo from my digital avatar sidekick, Disco Theresa. We’re blending old school, new school and future school together for a sound ya’ll have never heard before!”
Young MC has been having a stellar year—both professionally and personally. In March, the legendary Hip-Hop artist—real name Marvin Young—said “I do” in Phoenix, Arizona. The ceremony, officiated by Montell Jordan, was attended by Tone Lōc, Rob Base, C+C Music Factory frontman Freedom Williams, The Beat Junkies’ DJ Icy Ice and the UFC’s DJ AL3, among others.
Jordan, who became a worship leader at Victory World Church in Norcross, Georgia in 2010, expertly guided the couple through their vows, while adding several comedic comments throughout, including a “this is how we do it” joke, a nod to his 1995 hit “This Is How We Do It.”
“Marriage is a sacred spiritual covenant that reminds us God’s love never fails us … people should see your marriage and know that God is real,” Jordan said at the time. “That’s why we’re here. Now, if anyone that has just cause for why these two should not be married, please feel free to leave now ’cause nobody wants to hear all that. You just have bad timing. This is how we do it.” He later joked, “The miracle is not that Marvin is getting married. The miracle is we get to see one plus one equals one.”
The visual for “Loose” has yet to arrive, but fans can take a peek below.
Young Thug’s YSL RICO trial continues to make headlines. Thugger’s former associate Lil Woody (real name Kenneth Copeland) has been arrested for contempt, despite previously being granted immunity, following a heated court hearing.
On Friday (June 7), Woody was taken into custody after he invoked his Fifth Amendment right and refused to testify against Young Thug. Though a portion of his testimony from his 2021 felony arrest that was given to authorities was leaked through the media, Copeland refused to cooperate with the prosecution once he took the stand, resulting in a tense exchange.
“I’m grown. I’m an adult,” Copeland replied when asked to confirm how old he was. “I take the fifth.” Fulton County Superior Court Chief Judge Ural Glanville then ordered Copeland to be held in willful contempt until June 10, since the prosecution had already granted immunity.
“I just want to make sure that you understand,” Glanville said. “If you don’t testify, then I as the judge in this case have several remedies. One of those is that I can hold you in contempt and jail you because the way that you get out of that contempt is to just testify.”
Copeland was originally arrested in Fulton County in October 2021 after being found with a loaded gun during a traffic stop. It was at the time Copeland reportedly divulged incriminating details about crimes committed by YSL and committed to obtaining a confession from Young Thug.
Brad Steel, Young Thug’s attorney, attempted to move for a mistrial on the grounds that it was known that the witness would plead the Fifth, however Glanville struck the motion down.
According to a fan page on Twitter (X), Copeland shared several posts on social media following the incident, which also reportedly confirmed his plan to plead the fifth once he took the stand.
“I’m good stop calling me I ain’t crying at all f## em,” Copeland wrote in an Instagram Story post. “This my last jail time I love y’all and I have to take this trip my head high nobody didn’t force me to and imma be okay God didn’t bring me this far for nothing it is what it is I’ll be okay.”
Young Thug has been in jail since he was arrested in May 2022 after being named among more than two dozen defendants indicted in the RICO case. YSL recording artist Gunna pleaded guilty in December 2022 to a single charge of racketeering.
Check out the video of the hearing, which includes the incident with Copeland, below.
Donald Trump became the first former President of the United States to be convicted of a felony. Many Trump supporters, like Amber Rose, still plan to cast a ballot for the Republican politician in the 2024 presidential election.
TMZ spoke to Amber Rose about Donald Trump and the race for the White House. Rose was questioned if Trump receiving 34 guilty verdicts in his falsifying business records case changed her mind about voting for him.
“Nope, not at all, still voting for Donald Trump,” Amber Rose responded. The television personality also said, “I think it helps him more. Absolutely. I think people see the injustice and they want to vote for him more than ever.”
Rose went on to claim that her shift to the right politically came after no longer being “brainwashed” by “the left.” In addition, the Philadelphia native suggested she and other Trump-defending celebrities have done “research” about the 45th POTUS which led to their move towards the Republican Party.
Critics called out Rose for backing the conservative MAGA leader. She previously presented herself as an advocate for women’s rights issues. Trump has been accused of promoting anti-women policies, such as the overturning of the constitutionalrightto have an abortion.
Diddy, a former student at Howard University, will no longer hold an honorary degree from the prestigious HBCU.
The Howard University Board of Trustees voted to revoke the degree bestowed upon Sean Combs after their regular meeting on June 7, 2024.
A spokesperson issued the following statement.
“The Howard University Board of Trustees unanimously voted today to accept the return of the honorary degree awarded to Mr. Sean Combs in 2014. This decision effectively revokes all associated honors and privileges. Consequently, the Board has instructed that his name be removed from all official documents listing honorary degree recipients of Howard University.
Mr. Combs’ conduct, as depicted in a recently released video, starkly contrasts with the fundamental values and beliefs upheld by Howard University, rendering him unfit to retain the institution’s highest honor.
The University maintains a steadfast stance against all forms of interpersonal violence.
Additionally, the Board has directed the administration to immediately implement the following measures: terminate the 2016 gift agreement with Mr. Combs, disband the scholarship program established in his name, return his $1 million contribution, and annul the 2023 pledge agreement with the Sean Combs Foundation.
As of this date, no payments have been made under the $1 million pledge, and therefore, no funds are due for return under the 2023 pledge agreement.”
Howard University’s spokesperson said the university will make no further statement on the issue.
Jeezy’s ex-fiancée and a nanny defended his character in his legal dispute with his estranged wife, Jeannie Mai. Mahlet “Mahi” Gebremedhin, the mother of Jeezy’s eldest daughter, said he never abused her or his children in court documents obtained by Page Six.
“For almost four years, Jay’s eldest child lived with us and I was able to see their relationship grow every day,” Mahi declared. “At no point was Jay ever physically, mentally or emotionally abusive to his children or I.”
A nanny who worked for Jeezy and Mai also had nothing but positive things to say about him. The nanny referred to him as a “hardworking dad” in an affidavit.
“As a caretaker, I believe Mr. Jenkins gives his daughters the support they need as they grow into young women in the future,” she said.
A rep for Mai scoffed at the pro-Jeezy sentiments.
“It seems Mr. Jenkins is trying to distort the truth once more by employing people to file false statements and claims against Ms. Mai, attempting to contradict real-time evidence and factual events,” the rep told Page Six. “We are eager to present all the evidence in court.”
Mai accused Jeezy of abusing her on multiple occasions in their custody battle. Jeezy denied the allegations.
“The allegations are not only false but also deeply disturbing, especially coming from someone I loved,” he said. “This malicious attempt to tarnish my character and disrupt my family is ridiculous. It’s disheartening to witness the manipulation and deceit at play and at this time my main concern is being an active father to our daughter as I continue to fight for court-mandated joint custody. Rest assured, the truth will prevail through the proper legal channels.”
Jeezy filed for divorce in 2023, ending his two-year marriage to Mai. She gave birth to their daughter, Monaco, in 2022.
A sad spiraling saga of dispair continues for former NBA star Delonte West, once a teammate of LeBron James, after the baller has been arrested yet again.
Adding yet another chapter to his heartbreaking fall from grace, West was reportedly taken into custody after being found unresponsive by The Fairfax County Police Department. The harrowing details of his arrest reported exclusively by TMZ Sports reveals authorities administered Narcan in a frantic bid to save him, but it didn’t work.
It wasn’t until West was rushed to a local hospital and given another dose that he finally revived. After being released from the hospital, he was transported to the Adult Detention Center, where he now languishes in custody. His mugshot also proved to be almost more troubling than the news of his arrest as social media users expressed concern for West’s appearance.
A tweet from an NBA parody account on Twitter (X) featuring the mugshot, in which West appears to be struggling to keep his eyes open, generated more than two million views.
Delonte West was arrested in Fairfax County, per @fox5dc
Police say he was served a warrant for violation of conditions of release and charged with resisting arrest. pic.twitter.com/o03zsdkkT5
West remains behind bars on a $2,000 bond, with a court appearance slated for Friday. Details of the allegations remain scarce, but the visible toll on West is undeniable.
In 2022, West even attempted a basketball comeback, trying out for the Big 3 league. But hope quickly turned to despair as he faced multiple arrests later that year, including two within just two weeks in the fall.
Once again, TMZ obtained the exclusive on one of West’s run-ins with the police by releasing the bodycam footage of his bizarre anti-gay rant during his arrest. At one point he even drug his former teammate James into his belligerent rambling.
Delonte West’s struggle with the law have been closely linked with his battle with mental health, which has been a significant and tragic aspect of his post-NBA life. After being diagnosed with bipolar disorder during his playing career, West’s mental health challenges have often manifested in erratic behavior and repeated run-ins with the law.
Despite efforts to seek help, including a high-profile stint in rehab supported by Mark Cuban, West has found it difficult to stay on a stable path.
Stay tuned as we follow this heartbreaking story, hoping for a resolution that brings peace to a fallen star.
Interscope Records, Hulu and others sought the dismissal of a lawsuit filed by producer Master Tee, who said he never received proper credit for his work on 2Pac’s song “Dear Mama.”
According to court documents obtained by AllHipHop, the defendants asked a New York court to reopen the case. The move would allow them to pursue a motion to dismiss after the litigation was paused for mediation.
The defendants claimed Master Tee made ridiculous demands in their settlement discussions. Digital Music News was the first to report on the latest developments in the case.
“Prior to entering into the parties’ stipulation to stay the action to accommodate settlement discussions and an MSC, counsel for plaintiff told the undersigned that plaintiff did not want to ‘hold anybody up’ and that a small writer’s royalty, a reasonable fee for use of ‘Dear Mama’ in the Dear Mama documentary … and a credit were all he wanted,” attorney Stephen Rothschild wrote. “Plaintiff’s counsel later repeated that position. That is why moving defendants promoted the idea of a settlement conference.”
The lawyer continued, “However, on April 23, 2024, plaintiff’s counsel sent the email proposing a $1.6 million cash settlement or a $200,000 cash settlement, an award of a 15 percent writer’s royalty for ‘Dear Mama,’ and a doubling of his producer royalty. The demand would be pure fantasy even if plaintiff’s claims were not more than 20 years too late.
“First, a 15 percent writer’s royalty would be nearly twice the Shakur Estate’s 8.33 percent royalty. Second, there is no basis to increase plaintiff’s producer royalty, as his producer royalty is set by a written contract that he signed in the 1990s.”
Interscope and its fellow defendants said they “urged plaintiff to examine the case and formulate a proposal that is realistic.” He hasn’t complied, per Rothschild.
Master Tee sued Interscope, fellow producer Tony Pizarro and more for copyright infringement, among other claims, in 2023. Master Tee argued he was cheated out of credit and compensation for “Dear Mama” by Pizarro, Interscope and Universal Music Group.
The producer pursued litigation months after the release of Hulu’s docuseries Dear Mama: The Saga of Afeni and Tupac Shakur. The documentary’s director, Allen Hughes, was included as a defendant in the lawsuit.
The man who broke into Bun B’s home and traumatized his wife Queenie was sentenced to decades in prison on Friday (June 7). A Texas judge handed down a 40-year sentence to Demonte Jackson for the 2019 incident, per multiplereports.
Bun B and his wife testified at Jackson’s sentencing hearing. Jackson pleaded guilty to aggravated robbery with a deadly weapon and burglary with intent to commit a felony.
Jackson barged into Bun B’s home and put a gun to Queenie’s head in 2019. The UGK member grabbed a gun and ran down from upstairs after hearing his wife scream.
“I wanted to confront the person who put that fear in my wife’s voice when they forced their way into our home,” Bun B told the court. “She was very panicked in the moment. She was very panicked, she was borderline hysterical, and she just did not want me to go out that door and face the person with the gun.”
Bun B exchanged gunfire with Jackson, who was in the driver’s seat of a car in the rapper’s garage. Jackson fell out of the vehicle. The two started fighting.
Jackson was able to break free and flee the scene. Authorities found him suffering from a gunshot wound to his shoulder at a local hospital.
Bun B tearfully explained the violent encounter’s impact on his wife during his testimony.
“It still affects our life,” he said. “My wife had dealt with a lot of anxiety before … This was an entirely new traumatizing incident. It brought up a lot of older things … This is something that we still deal with to this day.”
He continued, “There are times when she gets closed off. She can’t communicate. And I just get so angry all [over] again because she didn’t deserve this. She didn’t ask for this.”
Queenie urged the court to send Jackson to prison. She wanted him to “see how it feels to get robbed of your freedom.”
Promoters rescheduled Mike Tyson’s much-anticipated boxing match against Jake Paul for November 15. The two were supposed to fight in Arlington, Texas on July 20, but promotors postponed the fight after Tyson suffered a health scare in May.
Tyson became dizzy and nauseous during a flight from Miami to Los Angeles. First responders boarded the plane to treat him once it landed. His publicist said he suffered an ulcer flare-up about 30 minutes before his flight arrived in Los Angeles.
“Although we had to postpone the fight, I will resume training shortly,” Tyson said. “I am thankful to the medical staff that treated me and to MVP, Netflix and AT&T Stadium for working diligently to find the best reschedule date for all parties. While we have a new date, the result will be the same no matter when we fight. Jake Paul is getting knocked out.”
Tyson vs. Paul, originally scheduled for a Saturday, shifted to a Friday in the fall to work around conflicts with the NFL season. Promoters wanted to keep the fight at AT&T Stadium, the home of the Dallas Cowboys.
“Our team has worked diligently with all parties involved to reschedule this monumental fight to a date that ensures both Jake Paul and Mike Tyson are fully prepared, with equal training time, as well as allowing us to keep the event at AT&T Stadium in the midst of the Cowboys season,” Most Valuable Promotions co-founder Nakisa Bidarian said. “We appreciate the outstanding dedication, collaboration, and flexibility of our partners at Netflix and AT&T Stadium. Paul vs. Tyson is the most cross-generational sporting event in history, and we are committed to providing fans worldwide with this unforgettable night of boxing, live globally on Netflix.”
Tyson, one of the greatest heavyweight boxers, retired in 2005. He will be 58 years old when he faces the 27-year-old Paul in November.
HotBlock Jmoe wants to be one of the greats. Hailing from the South side of Chicago, home to some of the biggest names in rap, he carries his own unique sound and story, overcoming trials and tribulations before finding music to be his saving grace. With his standout melodies and smooth lyricism, Hotblock Jmoe wears his heart on his sleeve with each release.
Now, Hotblock Jmoe keeps the momentum going by collaborating once again with fellow Chicago rapper G Herbo, this time on a record called “Fasho.” In fact, G Herbo spearheaded the creative direction for the video shoot which took place in Los Angeles, California. It was a Chicago link up, with Polo G even pulling up to support.
“Fasho” is just the beginning for Hotblock Jmoe, with a forthcoming single titled “To The Grave” featuring G Herbo and Polo G following suit in the summer.
AllHipHop spoke with Hotblock Jmoe in Los Angeles at his video shoot for “Fasho.”
AllHipHop: How’d you get your name?
Hotblock Jmoe: It’s where I’m from. I wouldn’t say we’re a gang, it’s more like a family ’cause everybody who I hang with, we’re literally related. It’s funny. It makes up three families: my family, my cousin’s best friend, and… how can I describe bronem? They just always grew up with us, another family that grew up with us. It’s funny how we got the name. So our area was hot, like a red zone. It was just bad over there. The police stay coming over there.
The police had pulled up one day and one of my friends was outside, he’s tweaking. They pulled us all over for no reason. He’s like “Man, why y’all messing with us?” He’s like “Because it’s a hot block!” And we ran with it ever since.
AllHipHop: Favorite artists that made you want to do music?
Hotblock Jmoe: It’s a few people. One of them, it’s funny because I’m doing a feature with him right now: G Herbo.
AllHipHop: How did you and G Herbo tap in?
Hotblock Jmoe: Through mutuals, just knowing mutual people. One of my close friend’s big brothers grew up with his big cousin. Then when I started rapping, we were playing. I met Herb through his cousin, A1. Shouts out to big bro fasho. I’ve been knowing bro for six months years now. Genuine, real genuine. Love everything man, he’s a star for sure.
AllHipHop: I know y’all have collaborated before…
Hotblock Jmoe: Yeah, we got probably five, six songs now. This the second one we finna drop, “Fasho.” Then I got something else coming with him featuring Polo.
AllHipHop: I saw that too. Did someone leak that song?
Hotblock Jmoe: I think they tried to. I don’t know if it was the whole version, people be crazy. It ain’t out for sure though, but we got that coming too.
AllHipHop: Talk about shooting the video for “Fasho,” G Herbo just pulled up!
Hotblock Jmoe: This s### crazy. I’m in the process of doing “Fasho.” I ain’t gon’ lie, I love shooting songs with my brothers. I can honestly say bro one of my brothers too, because he’s a genuine guy. It don’t feel forced or nothing. You just have a good time, tweaking in front of the camera.
AllHipHop: What do you like about G Herbo?
Hotblock Jmoe: I’ve been a fan of bro since — I can say fan because n*ggas know I ain’t no dickriding. I’ve been listening to bro since he came out. I watched all his whole transformation and all the steps he took, so it’s crazy to be in this position and seeing it this up close.
AllHipHop: How was “Fasho” made?
Hotblock Jmoe: It’s funny, we were in Chicago for a show. I had a show with my brother Teeski. I just got to the studio. Usually before, I always do that just to pregame before. I didn’t even know the bro’s in Chicago, he had pulled up. He called me like “I’m finna pull up to the studio, you in there?” As he was coming in, I was already in the process of doing the song. The beat was so crazy. It reminded me of — anything under that category gon’ fall under his flow. He be walking in and down.
He came in, he heard how crazy I was going. My CEO said “I ain’t gon’ lie, you gotta hop on this.” He already said, “I was already 10 steps ahead of you.” He went in there, walked it down! Crazy. I just kept playing it. Everybody’s listening to it, and he’s listening to it. Ain’t gon’ lie, we gotta shoot it. Actually, he came up with the treatments.
AllHipHop: What’s the treatment?
Hotblock Jmoe: You gon’ see.
AllHipHop: Do you do the melodies while he’s rapping?
Hotblock Jmoe: Both. I’ve been doing a little bit of both, definitely heavy now. Especially because of the season. It’s kind of a turnt season. I try to go off the vibe of the world, all from here to the end of the summer. But I love doing the melodic s###, so I always try to mix that in too. I don’t steer away from that, because that’s me. But I just so happen to be versatile, thank God. So I can do both.
AllHipHop: What can we expect from “To The Grave” with Polo G and G Herbo? Were y’all in the studio?
Hotblock Jmoe: I made that, I was with a close friend. One of Herb’s close producers/engineers, OzOnTheTrack.
He’s from Chicago, we’ve been locked in for a minute now. He had came to L.A., he was working on something. I pulled up in the studio. We started on a few songs and he played that beat for me. I just knew, it gave me a New York drill type vibe, mixed with Chicago. I knew it was going to be a hit, so I had to do it right. I ain’t gon’ lie, I recorded that song twice.
But I kept it all the same, it was the energy. I wanted to make sure the energy was right. I sent a lot of stuff to bro, s### I think he’d f### with it or s### I want his opinion on. But I was playing that one, he’s like “that s### hard. I’ma hop on that one.” I’ve been trying to get Polo on the record for a while. It ain’t that I reached out to him, it’s just something I always wanted.
S### f### it, see if you can get bro on it. Bro reached out and he made it happen. I pulled up on them both at the studio one night in Burbank. Herb did his verse, then Polo did his verse. That s### was crazy, The energy was crazy. It was phenomenal, the energy. They both did it right there in front of me, and they walked it down.
AllHipHop: Off the dome?
Hotblock Jmoe: Man. Punch in, crazy. N##### different for sure. I’m real grateful for that though, because we both from the same city.
AllHipHop: What does that mean to be Chicago through and though?
Hotblock Jmoe: That’s everything, especially coming from Chicago? Usually people don’t… yeah, I could say that. Usually, we really not big on collaborating with other artists in the city, because there be so much going on in the streets. But now, I can honestly say: the artists that’s coming up — even with Durk, Herb, Polo too — they ain’t really been giving a f### about that. They’ve been sending the ladder back down for us. That’s real n#### s###, I appreciate that. Especially in my position coming up.
AllHipHop: Tes [manager] said you dropped out of high school, and you took music serious after your friend died. How long ago did that happen?
Hotblock Jmoe: I dropped out, damn when was that? 2015. I’m kinda old, I’m 26. [smiles] I started rapping a year or two after that. I’m finna break it all down to you. When I say started rapping, I realized: I think I want to rap. I was telling one of my close homies. He’s like, “S###, try it.” So I used to always write s###, spit it to him back and forth. He’s like “I ain’t gon’ lie, that s### hard. You should let bronem hear it.”
I even went and made a song, record it and everything. Never let nobody hear it but the guys though. Everybody, they all f###### with it. “You going crazy!” Bro always pushed me, my man.
He’s like “You need to take that s### serious. Just drop something, get that reaction.” When he passed away, that’s all I can hear him saying in my head. “Man, you need to take that s### serious bro. It’s that time for you to really take it there. You got it.” Ever since then, I’ve just been locked in.
Nick Cannon—the king of procreation—has taken out a $10 million insurance policy on his family jewels. Cannon, who has 12 children with six different women, used Dr. Squatch’s Ball Valuation Tool, which evaluated size, favorite features and bedroom maneuvers, among other factors. He now holds the title of “Most Valuable Balls.”
Dr. Squatch, a natural men’s soap and personal care company, took out an official policy via MMA/Momentous. Cannon said in a statement, “Haters say it’s time for me to stop having kids and put this super sperm to rest, but I’m doubling down on these valuable balls and my future kids. Shoutout to Dr. Squatch for giving my balls the credit they deserve and hooking me up with the protection I need to keep this family tree rolling.”
Cannon shares twins Moroccan and Monroe with ex-wife Mariah Carey. He also has sons Golden and Rise and daughter Powerful with Brittany Bell; twins Zion and Zillion and daughter Beautiful with Abby De La Rosa; son Legendary with Bre Tiesi; and daughter Onyx with LaNisha Cole. Cannon also shares two children with Alyssa Scott: son Zen, who died at 5 months old in December 2021 after being diagnosed with brain cancer, and daughter Halo Marie Cannon, who was born in December 2022.
Cannon flirted with the idea of having a vasectomy in 2022. As he told E! News “Daily Pop” show at the time. “I already went and got my vasectomy consultation. I ain’t looking to populate the Earth completely, but I’m definitely looking forward to taking care and loving all the children that I currently have.”
But by the following year, he’d already changed his mind. He told Howard Stern he only considered the vasectomy due to societal pressures.
“It’s a scary thing,” Cannon said when asked about the consultation. “I felt pressured. I felt the world was trying to make me get a vasectomy. I don’t operate well under pressure. My body, my choice. You ever know what it’s like to be walking down the street and just a random stranger be like, ‘Man, you need to go get snipped?’ I’m like, ‘I don’t even know you.'”
Cannon even tried a bout with celibacy, but that didn’t last long.
“I got depressed with the loss of my son,” Cannon told the “Lip Service” podcast. “So in December, everybody saw I was so down. So everybody was like, ‘Let’s just give him a little v#####, and that’s gonna cure it all.’ I fell victim to it ’cause I was in a weak state. So December, especially right before Christmas, I started f###### like crazy.”
J. Cole has had a turbulent 2024. After bowing out of a potential battle with Kendrick Lamar, many rap fans slammed the North Carolina native’s recent verse on “Grippy” with Cash Cobain.
However, J. Cole continues to make music with other artists. Nigerian singer/songwriter Tems recruited him as a guest feature on her debut studio LP. Cole provided bars on the Born in the Wild track titled “Free Fall.”
“Toxic, who would’ve thought what’s coming was a plot twist. Soon as you let mе in, you start hunting for the locksmith. Now the key I oncе had to your heart does not fit. I got three choices, batter your door or lock-pick,” J. Cole raps over the P2J production.
At one point, J. Cole found himself in the middle of the Drake versus Kendrick Lamar feud. Lamar called out the other members of the so-called Big 3 of Hip-Hop on Future and Metro Boomin’s “Like That” single.
J. Cole fired back at Kendrick Lamar on “7 Minute Drill” off his Might Delete Later mixtape. However, the Dreamville leader actually deleted the “7 Minute Drill” diss track from DSPs and publicly apologized to Lamar during a live show.
