Chris Brown has asked a Los Angeles court to seal his deposition in a $90 million lawsuit filed by his former housekeeper, citing fears that public access to personal details could endanger his children and relatives.
The emergency motion, filed Friday (May 2), seeks a protective order to prevent the release of testimony that includes Brown’s home address and other private information, per InTouch Weekly.
His legal team argued that exposing such data could invite unwanted attention or even danger.
“Mr. Brown has historically had issues with intruders and trespassers on his property, a property at which not only he but also his minor children and other family members spend time,” his attorney wrote. “On one occasion, after having returned from a tour, Mr. Brown came home to a stranger who had broken into and was living in his house.”
The filing continued, “These sorts of targeted break-ins not only constitute an ‘unwarranted annoyance’ but also threaten Mr. Brown’s and his family’s safety.”
According to court documents, Brown’s attorneys also advised him not to answer specific questions during the deposition, including those involving his Social Security number, due to privacy concerns.
The request for confidentiality came after Brown’s former housekeeper’s attorney declined to agree to keep the deposition sealed.
Maria Avila Claims Chris Brown’s Dog Attacked Her
Maria Avila filed the lawsuit in 2021, claiming she was mauled by Brown’s dog Hades while working at his Tarzana home in December 2020.
She alleges Brown was present during the incident but failed to intervene and later directed his security team to get rid of the dog to eliminate evidence.
Brown has denied any wrongdoing. His legal team contends that Avila provoked the dog by teasing or mistreating it.
The court has not yet ruled on whether the deposition will remain sealed. The trial is currently set for February 2026.
Michael B. Jordan found himself at the centre of discussion during jury selection for Sean “Diddy” Combs’ federal sex trafficking trial in New York as court officials read through a list of public figures who could be referenced during proceedings.
Jordan isn’t expected to testify or appear in court, but his name was flagged due to a 2023 civil lawsuit filed by singer Cassie Ventura, Diddy’s former partner.
In the bombshell complaint, Ventura alleged that during a brief breakup in 2015, she had a “flirtatious relationship with an actor” — later identified by media outlets as Jordan — and that after she spent New Year’s Eve with him, Diddy “called the actor and threatened him.”
Though Jordan was never named directly in the lawsuit, his identity was confirmed through reporting.
His inclusion during jury vetting was solely to determine whether any potential jurors had prior knowledge or opinions about individuals tied to the case. It does not suggest any wrongdoing or legal involvement on Jordan’s part.
Representatives for Jordan have not issued a public statement.
Kid Cudi Also Referenced During Jury Selection
Other high-profile names mentioned during the jury selection process included Jay-Z and Kid Cudi, both of whom were also referenced in Ventura’s lawsuit.
According to the filing, Ventura had a short-lived romantic connection with Kid Cudi in 2011, allegedly triggering a violent reaction from Combs.
She claimed Diddy threatened to “blow up Kid Cudi’s car,” and shortly after, a vehicle did explode in Cudi’s driveway. A spokesperson for Kid Cudi told The New York Times the allegations were “entirely accurate.”
The lawsuit also described a disturbing incident in which Diddy allegedly discovered emails between Ventura and Kid Cudi during a “freak-off” event, then attacked Ventura with a corkscrew. She later fled to Cudi’s home for safety.
Opening statements in the trial are scheduled to begin May 12, 2025.
JAY-Z has escalated his legal battle, accusing the woman who once sued him for rape and her attorneys of continuing to smear his name even after dropping the case.
The Hip-Hop mogul filed an amended defamation and malicious prosecution lawsuit in Alabama on Tuesday (May 6), targeting the anonymous woman known as Jane Doe and her legal team led by attorney Tony Buzbee.
The updated complaint calls out a TikTok video Doe posted in April 2025 where she lip-synced to an aggressive audio clip saying, “You couldn’t pay me a million dollars to get an apology video out of me, I stand on what I said, f### you” according to Rolling Stone.
JAY-Z’s legal team claims the video is part of a broader pattern of public statements that show “a shocking and reckless disregard for the truth that is both intentional and malicious.”
“Doe never had any reasonable grounds to support any truth in her statements and acted with reckless disregard for the truth,” the complaint states. “In other words, she lied.”
Although Doe dropped her lawsuit in February, she has not walked back her allegations that JAY-Z and Sean “Diddy” Combs raped her after the 2000 MTV Video Music Awards.
JAY-Z’s amended complaint goes further by accusing Buzbee of orchestrating a campaign to damage his public image.
The filing alleges Buzbee directed his staff to make over 100 edits to Wikipedia pages tied to his law firm in an effort to polish his own reputation while tarnishing JAY-Z’s and that of Roc Nation.
The lawsuit also names attorney Antigone Curis as a co-conspirator. JAY-Z’s team claims she allowed Buzbee to misuse her legal credentials to file the original lawsuit and failed to verify the allegations before moving forward.
According to the complaint, Buzbee and Curis “colluded to extort and defraud Carter by making false rape allegations against him.”
JAY-Z’s attorneys say the fallout from the false claims cost him a $55 million personal credit line and a $115 million loan for Roc Nation.
The complaint notes that JAY-Z and Roc Nation are “inextricably linked” and that the reputational harm impacted both.
The lawsuit accuses Doe and her legal team of attempting to pressure JAY-Z into a settlement by threatening to go public with the accusations unless he paid up.
Buzbee has denied the Wikipedia editing claims, calling them “laughable and super weak.”
JAY-Z’s legal team insists Doe “had no reasonable basis to support any of her claims” and “acted with reckless indifference to the truth.”
The case remains active, with additional court proceedings expected in the coming months.
A$AP Rocky couldn’t believe his ears when Denzel Washington rolled up to the set of their upcoming film Highest 2 Lowest blasting tracks by Pooh Shiesty and Moneybagg Yo.
“Denzel pulled up to the movie set, playing Pooh Shiesty and Moneybagg Yo. Swear to God,” Rocky told Vogue, still amused by the moment. “He likes to listen to Memphis rappers, but modern Memphis rappers. Then he started quoting NLE Choppa.”
According to Rocky, Washington didn’t just nod along—he started rapping NLE Choppa’s “Walk Em Down” word for word. “It was crazy. He’s really tapped in,” he added.
The unexpected moment unfolded during production of Highest 2 Lowest, a crime thriller helmed by Spike Lee and set to hit theaters in 2025.
The film reimagines Akira Kurosawa’s 1963 classic High and Low, which was itself adapted from Ed McBain’s 1959 novel King’s Ransom.
Washington plays a legendary music executive with a sharp ear and a moral crisis, while Rocky takes on the lead role in what marks a major step in his acting career.
Spike Lee explained how Rocky landed the part during an episode of the “7PM in Brooklyn” podcast.
“What’s funny is that I was looking at Instagram four or five years ago, and people were saying that A$AP looked like he’s Denzel’s son,” Lee said. “I seen those memes, and then in the film we used that. A$AP, man, he fire.”
Off-screen, Rocky and Rihanna made headlines of their own at the 2025 Met Gala, where they confirmed they’re expecting their third child. Rihanna revealed her pregnancy on the red carpet in a black-and-gray Marc Jacobs ensemble, complete with a corset, bolero jacket and wide-brimmed hat.
Flo Milli clapped back at online critics questioning her decision to hit the stage at RiverBeat Music Festival in Memphis shortly after giving birth to her son.
The Alabama-born rapper, who announced the arrival of her baby boy Sixx on April 25, faced a wave of unsolicited commentary after footage of her performance surfaced.
Some questioned the timing of her return to work, with one user writing, “flo milli was working her entire pregnancy literally up until a week and a half before she gave birth. I think it’s normal for people to be concerned about her performing 6 days postpartum.”
Another chimed in, “Yall was telling Flo Milli that her life and career is over relentlessly for 9 months now yall are surprised that she’s on stage 8 days postpartum.”
Flo Milli didn’t let the speculation slide. She fired off a tweet shutting down the rumors: “its yall really thinking i had my baby 9 days ago.”
She followed up with another post, adding, “God forbid a girl just wanna feel like herself again and perform.”
But the conversation didn’t stop there. One user took it a step further, questioning her partner’s involvement and support. “Flo Milli’s n#### don’t got a job?” they wrote. “Why is she already performing? Where is her family and friends?”
Flo didn’t hold back in her response, writing, “ho go choke on a dick and die before you speak on me, my child’s father or my family.”
Judge David Leibowitz did not explain his decision despite the singer’s claims of financial distress.
The 34-year-old performer, best known for his 2007 chart-topper “Beautiful Girls,” is confined to home detention in South Florida while awaiting sentencing after being convicted on six federal charges tied to a luxury goods fraud scheme.
Sean Kingston and his mother, Janice Turner, were found guilty of using fake wire transfers and forged documents to swindle more than $1 million in high-end merchandise, including jewelry, vehicles, electronics and even mattresses.
Kingston’s legal team argued that the Summerfest appearance was a legitimate booking, not a nightclub gig, and could help him earn income after months of being unable to work due to travel restrictions.
His attorney also emphasized that Sean Kingston has complied with all bond conditions, including GPS monitoring and was willing to submit a full itinerary and check in with his probation officer before and after the trip.
But Judge Leibowitz wasn’t swayed.
The court rejected the motion without comment, leaving Kingston stuck in the Southern District of Florida for the foreseeable future.
Kingston was convicted of one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and four counts of wire fraud, all stemming from a scheme that relied heavily on his celebrity status to convince retailers to release luxury items before receiving payment.
Prosecutors said he and his mother used fraudulent documents to pose as legitimate buyers, then kept the goods without paying.
The singer’s sentencing is scheduled for August 15, 2025. He faces up to 20 years in prison for each count.
André 3000 walked into the 2025 Met Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York with a baby grand piano strapped to his back and a new instrumental album already making waves.
The Outkast co-founder, born André Benjamin, wore a custom Burberry x Benjamin Bixby jumpsuit Monday night, turning heads as he carried the same piano featured on the cover of his freshly released project 7 Piano Sketches.
The album, which contains no lyrics, arrived just days before fashion’s biggest night and reflects the artist’s continued shift from Hip-Hop icon to avant-garde composer.
André said the idea for the piano-carrying concept was his own. “It’s saying a lot for this little bitty piano album, which is kind of hilarious to me,” he said.
Stylist Law Roach, who helped design Burberry’s Met Gala table, said only one person could pull off the look and the stunt.
Andre 3000 – Credit: Matt Crossick/PA Images/INSTARimages
“When Burberry asked me to collaborate with them on the Met and help curate the table, the first person I thought about was André. And they kind of went crazy, because Daniel (Lee, Burberry designer) is a huge fan,” Roach told GQ. “When I heard about the piano, I was like, ‘Only him. He’s the only one.'”
André shared that he nearly titled the album The Best Worst Rap Album In History.
“It’s jokingly the worst rap album in history because there are no lyrics on it at all,” he wrote. “It’s the best because it’s the free-est emotionally and best I’ve felt personally. It’s the best because it’s like a palette cleanser for me.”
The 49-year-old previously released New Blue Sun, a flute-driven album, in 2023.
His latest piano-focused work continues his exploration of instrumental soundscapes far removed from his Hip-Hop roots.
Later this year, André and longtime collaborator Big Boi will be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as Outkast, honoring their decades of influence in music.
Smokey Robinson may be crafting an album titled What the World Needs Now, but four _wo_men who once worked inside his California home say they found no inspiration behind closed doors.
Robinson, the 85-year-old Motown icon whose smooth vocals helped define American pop and soul music, is facing a civil lawsuit in Los Angeles Superior Court.
The complaint, brought by the Harris & Hayden Law Firm on behalf of four former housekeepers, accuses Robinson and his wife, Frances Robinson, of sexual battery, assault, false imprisonment, gender-based violence and fostering a hostile work environment.
The women, listed anonymously as Jane Does, allege the misconduct occurred over more than a decade at the couple’s residence in Chatsworth, California.
The accusations include unwanted sexual contact, coercion and repeated harassment.
Jane Doe 1 claims Smokey Robinson sexually assaulted her at least seven times between March 2023 and February 2024. She says he once locked her in his bedroom and groped her while she told him to stop.
Jane Doe 2 alleges Robinson assaulted her 23 times between 2016 and 2020, often luring her to parts of the house without security cameras. She says he warned her that his wife would retaliate if she rejected him.
Jane Doe 3 accuses Robinson of raping her more than 20 times from 2012 through 2024. She also claims he once offered her $500 for sex, which she refused.
The lawsuit also alleges Frances Robinson knew about her husband’s behavior, had previously settled similar claims and failed to protect the women.
The plaintiffs further accuse Frances of wage theft, denying legally required breaks and using racially offensive language.
“They’re Hispanic women who were employed as housekeepers by the Robinsons, earning below minimum wage. As low-wage workers in vulnerable positions, they lack the resources and options necessary to protect themselves from sexual assaults throughout their tenure as employees for the Robinsons,” said attorney John Harris.
The women are seeking at least $50 million in damages for emotional distress, economic losses and psychological trauma.
“We believe that Mr. Robinson is a serial and sick rapist that must be stopped,” Harris claimed.
Smokey Robinson, a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee and former frontman of The Miracles, helped shape the Motown sound with hits like “Tracks of My Tears” and “Cruisin’.”
His songwriting credits include classics for The Temptations and Marvin Gaye. His music continues to influence generations, sampled by Hip-Hop artists from Kanye West to J Dilla.
Robinson and his legal team have not responded publicly to the lawsuit.
Megan Thee Stallion defied the Met Gala’s long-standing no-phone rule by secretly recording and sharing behind-the-scenes footage from inside the exclusive event at New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art.
The rapper posted a compilation video to Instagram on Monday night (May 5), giving her followers a rare peek into the famously private affair.
The clip opens with Megan seated at a table alongside rapper Doechii and WNBA star Angel Reese, sampling hors d’oeuvres like cornbread and caviar, white truffle lobster rolls and vegan lox.
At several points in the video, Megan can be heard acknowledging the rule-breaking, saying, “We’re not supposed to have our phones,” “I snuck my phone in” and “I’m not supposed to have this.”
Toward the end of the reel, she pans her camera to Ciara, asking the “Goodies” singer to show off her black-and-silver ensemble while zooming in on the gown’s details.
She captioned the post, “Hottie Cam in thee MET GALA.”
The Met Gala enforces a strict no-social-media policy inside the venue to preserve the mystique of the annual fashion event. Despite that, Megan’s video quickly gained traction online, with many commenters applauding her for breaking the rules.
“Thank you for this forbidden footage sis,” one user wrote. Another added, “Typical Aquarius breaking all the rules.” A third joked, “Here before Anna make you delete this,” referencing Vogue editor-in-chief and Met Gala co-chair Anna Wintour.
LeBron James bowed out of the 2025 Met Gala in New York on Monday night (May 5) after suffering a knee injury during the Los Angeles Lakers’ early playoff exit, despite being named an honorary chair for the high-profile event.
“Unfortunately, because of my knee injury I sustained at the end of the season, I won’t be able to attend the Met Gala in NY tonight as so many people have been asking and congratulating me on! Hate to miss an historical event!” James posted on Twitter (X).
According to ESPN, the 39-year-old NBA star revealed he sustained a Grade 2 MCL sprain in his left knee during the Lakers’ first-round playoff loss last week.
Unfortunately because of my knee injury I sustained at the end of the season I won’t be able to attend the Met Gala in NY tonight as so many people have been asking and congratulating me on! Hate to miss an historical event! My beautiful powerful Queen will be there holding the…
The setback ended his postseason run and sidelined him from fashion’s most exclusive red carpet.
James, who has hinted at retirement, told reporters after the Lakers’ elimination that he would need to discuss his future with his “support group” and family.
In his absence, James confirmed his wife Savannah would represent the family at the gala, saying she would be “holding the castle down as she always has done!” He also praised her as a “beautiful powerful Queen.”
The Met Gala, held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, is an annual fundraiser for the Costume Institute.
This year’s event celebrated the opening of “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,” an exhibition inspired by Monica L. Miller’s 2009 book, Slaves to Fashion: Black Dandyism and the Styling of Black Diasporic Identity.
Co-chairs for the evening included Colman Domingo, Lewis Hamilton, A$AP Rocky, Pharrell Williams and longtime Met Gala architect Anna Wintour.
Megan Thee Stallion, Nicki Minaj, Chance the Rapper, André 3000, A$AP Rocky and other popular rap artists walked the red carpet in unique outfits.
Check out some of the night’s most memorable looks:
50 Cent reignited his long-running feud with Ja Rule by reposting a 2020 gyro commercial on Monday (May 5), mocking the rapper’s past endorsement of a Los Angeles Greek deli.
The Queens-born rapper uploaded the now-viral Papa Cristo’s advertisement to Instagram, showing Ja Rule enthusiastically promoting the restaurant’s Mediterranean menu.
The caption read: “You see what happens when you f*** with me. Selling gyros. LMAO a southside ninja is not gonna do that. SMH NAH this ain’t it.”
This marks the second time 50 Cent has used the same commercial to ridicule Ja Rule.
In June 2020, he posted the same clip with the caption, “This what happens … I’ll have you and your whole label selling gyros.”
Initially part of a sponsored campaign, the ad gained attention for its over-the-top delivery and low-budget production.
Ja Rule already replied to 50 Cent’s taunts over the commercial in 2020. He explained that the video was actually for a TV show called “Celebrity Show-Off.”
As part of the show, Ja Rule created a video for Papa Cristo’s to help the business, which struggled during the pandemic.
“I came up with this idea that I would do this silly-ass, cheesy ’80s, ’90s [style] commercial and people will hate on it and try to clown me and it will go viral and of course it did. Half of it is for charity [No Kid Hungry], and Papa Cristo’s gets a lot of free publicity,” Ja Rule told Page Six.
Thanks to 50 Cent’s repost, it’s now resurfacing, without context, as ammunition in their ongoing digital war. The two rappers have traded insults for years, with 50 Cent frequently using social media to poke fun at Ja Rule’s career.
He also accused 50 of cooperating with federal authorities during the Murder Inc. investigation and threatened to release “receipts.”
Ja Rule didn’t hold back, writing, “Until you handle business with the ones who shot you, you can’t troll anymore… take care of your issues, chump lmao…”
Despite the back-and-forth, 50 Cent quietly deleted the latest gyro post from his Instagram account.
“Dear Summer I know you will be overly good 2 me,” he captioned the clip. “Feeling Free and IM STILL LOADED !!!! I love yall more than life. Oh yea … thanks again for loving me.”
Lil Uzi Sparks Concern With Hospital Visit
The post comes after a wave of concern following an April 21 emergency in Lower Manhattan, where paramedics responded to a call for a “sick person” at a luxury condo.
Lil Uzi Vert was seen being wheeled into an ambulance around 2:30 p.m. ET, shielded by black umbrellas held by security and his girlfriend, rapper JT.
He stayed conscious during the ride and entered the emergency room, where doctors kept him under observation through the next day. His team and hospital staff have not released any official diagnosis or medical explanation.
The incident reignited public concern over the rapper’s past use of nitrous oxide, also known as NOS or “whippets,” which he addressed on his 2024 album Eternal Atake 2.
A viral video from 2024 showing Uzi inhaling from a balloon in a studio fueled speculation about his drug use, with some listeners blaming nitrous oxide for what they saw as a dip in the quality of his music.
In a December 2024 interview, Uzi warned others not to follow his path: “Overrated! Don’t do whippets! Them jawns will – they is bad! Yo, don’t do them. They is bad.” He added, “Honestly, with no money and no narrative, whippets is really bad… Whippets are f###### bad, bro.”
By November 2024, he appeared to be turning a corner, posting a selfie on Instagram Stories with the caption “Nomore bad stuff” alongside a salute and balloon emoji.
Justin Combs and Cuba Gooding Jr. walked away from a high-profile legal battle in Los Angeles after a judge dismissed them from Lil Rod’s civil lawsuit against Diddy due to missed service deadlines and procedural missteps.
Lil Rod, born Rodney Jones, had accused Cuba Gooding Jr. of sexually assaulting him on a yacht rented by Diddy in January 2023.
He claimed the actor groped him without consent and only stopped when after he was physically pushed away. Cuba Gooding Jr. was added to the lawsuit in a later amendment.
As for Justin Combs, Lil Rod claimed he was involved in the sex trafficking operation and a shooting at Chalice Recording Studios in Los Angeles and alleged Diddy told him to lie to police to protect his son.
He suggested either Diddy or Justin Combs may have been responsible for the incident.
On Tuesday (May 6), a Judge tossed out the claims against both men after Lil Rod’s lawyer failed to serve them by the November 8, 2024, court-ordered deadline.
According to court documents, Lil Rod’s attorney, Tyrone Blackburn, did not request an extension and made flawed attempts to serve both defendants.
For Cuba Gooding Jr., Blackburn only tried to serve him in California, even though he had previously claimed the actor was in New York or Florida.
The Florida attempt was skipped entirely based on unverified information that Gooding was staying in hotels. The California service attempt came after the deadline had already passed.
In Justin Combs’ case, Blackburn initially gave the wrong address and only submitted the correct one two days before the deadline.
A process server confirmed Combs lived at the property but couldn’t get past a private gate. Although California law allows service through a security guard, the process server declined to do so.
Blackburn didn’t fix the issue before the deadline and later tried to blame the process server.
The claims were dismissed without prejudice, meaning Lil Rod could refile if he properly serves them in the future.
The broader civil lawsuit against Diddy includes accusations of sexual assault, harassment, drug use and threats during the production of Diddy’s Love Album.
The case was initially filed under civil RICO statutes, but those charges were dismissed in March. Other claims, including sexual assault, are still moving forward.
Lil Rod may also be called as a witness in Diddy’s federal criminal case involving sex trafficking and racketeering, which began Monday, May 5.
Sean “Diddy” Combs’ federal sex trafficking trial hit a snag this week as prosecutors admitted they may not be able to secure testimony from one of their central witnesses, raising questions about the strength of their case just as jury selection gets underway.
Diddy, facing a five-count indictment in Manhattan federal court, including sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy, is accused of orchestrating a two-decade pattern of coercion, abuse and forced sex acts.
However, prosecutors revealed in court that “Victim No. 3,” a woman considered crucial to their case, may not take the stand.
The woman, who lives outside the New York area, has expressed hesitation about appearing in court despite being subpoenaed. Prosecutors say they’ve struggled to reach both her and her attorney, prompting Judge Arun Subramanian to instruct them to make diligent efforts to connect with the woman’s attorney and ensure her presence.
Lead prosecutor Maurene Comey told the court they would not reference the woman’s specific allegations during opening statements.
Instead, she said, they would refer to her only as one of several alleged victims and revisit her story later in the trial if she becomes available.
Diddy’s’ defense team pushed back, asking the judge to compel prosecutors to clarify their plans for the witness by the end of the week. They argued that the uncertainty could affect their ability to prepare an effective defense.
Jury selection began May 5 with roughly 150 prospective jurors undergoing individual questioning.
The trial, which is expected to stretch over several months, is not being televised due to federal court rules that ban electronic recordings.
Diddy Tells Judge He’s “Nervous” During Trial
Diddy has pleaded not guilty and turned down a plea deal offered shortly before the trial began.
He appeared visibly anxious during jury selection, telling the judge, “I’m sorry, your honor, I’m a little nervous today.”
Among the evidence prosecutors plan to present is a 2016 hotel surveillance video that allegedly shows Diddy assaulting his then-girlfriend Cassie Ventura.
Prosecutors also accuse him of organizing so-called “Freak Offs,” described in court documents as drug-fueled sex parties involving sex workers and manipulation tactics.
Judge Subramanian has already denied Diddy’s’ request to delay the trial and ruled that expert testimony on “coercive control” will be limited.
Despite widespread media coverage and viral videos involving Diddy, the judge determined that most potential jurors could remain impartial.
Opening statements are expected once jury selection concludes.
Musicians need more than social media to manage their careers. A dedicated website gives you professional credibility, complete creative control, and direct fan access. It serves as a hub for your music, tour dates, social links, and a merch/ticket store. However, building a custom music site can be expensive, and many general site builders lack music-specific tools.
Below we review the best free and freemium website builders for musicians, focusing on features like integrated music players, streaming links, merch/ticket sales, and fan engagement tools. Our top recommendation is Loop Fans, a new all-in-one music platform. We also compare Bandzoogle, Wix Music, Bandcamp, Carrd, and Squarespace, listing pros and cons for each from a musician’s standpoint.
Key musician website features to look for:
Music & Media Integration: Built-in music players (albums, tracks, playlists), audio/video hosting, and tour date management. Easy embedding of Spotify, SoundCloud, YouTube, etc., is ideal.
E-commerce & Fan Engagement: Support for selling digital downloads, physical merch, and tickets; fan subscriptions/memberships; email newsletter tools; all with low transaction fees.
Loop Fans – All-in-One Music Site & Fan Platform
Loop Fans is a new platform built specifically for musicians and labels. It combines an easy drag-and-drop site builder with fan engagement and commerce tools. It’s completely free to set up, and includes all core features; the Basic plan charges a small sales commission (~12%) that decreases on higher plans.
Key features:
Music Website Builder: Music-themed templates let you upload tracks, videos, and images with no coding. Add pages or sections for audio players, photo galleries, tour dates, and more.
Merch & Ticket Store: Integrated shop to sell digital downloads, vinyl/CDs, merch (t-shirts, posters, etc.), and tickets directly to fans.
Fan Community Tools: Fans can sign up on your site (capturing their email/contact info). You can send newsletters or exclusive content to your fanbase. Loop Fans supports fan club memberships (patreon-style subscriptions) and even NFTs (blockchain drops) for superfans.
Link-in-Bio Hub: Your site serves as a central hub linking to your Spotify, Instagram, YouTube, and more. All your social links and music platforms can be aggregated through your Loop Fans page.
Ease of Use: Designed for artists, it’s user-friendly. Pick a template and drag in elements like “Music Player” or “Photo Gallery”. The learning curve is minimal, so you can launch a polished, mobile-responsive site in minutes.
Pros: Built-for-musicians with all the right tools; and a very low cost (free). Includes music players, store, email lists, direct messaging, and fan subscriptions out of the box. Simple interface tailored for artists.
Cons: New platform (smaller community, evolving feature set). Basic plan commission (~12%) is higher than 0% on some rivals. Templates/designs are guided (less free form customization than Wix or Squarespace).
Bandzoogle – Veteran Music-Focused Builder
Bandzoogle is a veteran music site builder created by musicians. It offers a 30-day free trial, then paid plans (Lite ~$9.95/month) that include hosting and a free custom domain.
Key features:
Templates & Player: Mobile-ready music templates for bands/DJs. Built-in audio player lets fans stream full songs or previews.
Store: Integrated shop for digital downloads, CDs/vinyl, merch, and even ticket sales, all commission-free.
Fan Engagement: Tools for building your audience: email newsletter builder, fan subscription (patron) options, and an EPK (press kit) page template. Gig calendar and blog come standard.
Analytics & SEO: Built-in analytics tracks visitors, and SEO tools help your site be found by search engines.
Pros: True all-in-one: hosting, domain, music features, and store included. No sales commission maximizes your revenue. Fan subscriptions and mailing list tools provide professional fan-management. Widely used by artists, with responsive support.
Cons: No free plan beyond trial (must subscribe to keep site live). Template customization is more structured (you tweak themes rather than free-drag). Templates are solid but less “artsy” than some competitors; however, this simplifies setup.
Wix Music – Flexible Drag-and-Drop Builder
Wix is a popular website builder with strong support for musicians via its Wix Music app. It has a free plan (Wix ads, Wix subdomain) and paid plans ($16/month for Combo; $27/month for Business/Ecommerce).
Key features:
Music Player & Sales: Upload tracks or albums with the Wix Music app. Fans can stream, download, or buy tracks directly on your site (Wix takes 0% commission).
Merch Shop: On a Business plan, add an online store to sell t-shirts, vinyl, posters, tickets, etc. Inventory management and checkout are built-in.
Design & Templates: 900+ templates, including many for bands and DJs. The drag-and-drop editor offers full control over layout. There’s also an AI site builder (Wix ADI) for quick setup.
Apps & Extras: Wix App Market has plugins for events (Bandsintown, ticketing), social feeds, and more. Built-in blog and event calendar help engage fans.
SEO & Analytics: Includes strong SEO tools and visitor analytics to help fans find your site.
Pros: Massive template library and flexibility. 0% commission on music sales.
Cons: Free plan shows ads and uses a long URL. To sell and use a custom domain you must upgrade. The enormous design freedom can be overwhelming for beginners. Advanced e-commerce and removing ads require higher-tier plans.
Bandcamp – Free Music & Merch Platform
Bandcamp is a music marketplace (not a full website builder). It’s free to use; Bandcamp only takes a cut of sales (15% on digital tracks, 10% on physical merch).
Key features:
Music & Merch Sales: Upload albums or tracks with a built-in streaming player. Fans can stream your songs and purchase digital downloads or physical items (CDs, vinyl, shirts). Supports “name-your-price” sales and discount codes.
Fan Interaction: Fans can follow your profile. You can email all followers when you release something new – effectively a built-in newsletter to your Bandcamp audience.
Customization: You get a profile page with your banner, logo, and color scheme. (Bandcamp’s layout is fixed across artists.) Bandcamp Pro ($10/mo) lets you use a custom domain; otherwise your page is yourname.bandcamp.com.
Pros: Zero upfront cost and easy setup. Trusted by music fans, with built-in discovery. Great for direct-to-fan sales – you keep most of the sale price.
Cons: Not a multipage site – it’s just your music store/profile. No built-in tour or blog pages. Design is the same as other Bandcamp pages. Many artists use Bandcamp as their music storefront alongside a separate promotional website.
Carrd – Simple One-Page Sites
Carrd is a minimalist builder for single-page sites. The free plan allows up to 3 sites (on a carrd.co subdomain). A Pro subscription (from $19/year) removes ads, adds custom domains, and unlocks advanced features.
Key features:
One-Page Layout: Hundreds of templates for landing pages, portfolios, or link pages. The interface uses blocks/containers to place text, images, and embeds.
Embed Media: Supports embedding audio (SoundCloud, Spotify, etc.), video (YouTube/Vimeo), and custom HTML/JavaScript (Pro) for forms or scripts.
Payments: No built-in store, but you can embed Stripe/PayPal/Gumroad buttons for selling downloads or taking donations.
Simplicity: Quick to build; ideal for a “link-in-bio” or splash page. The free plan is generous for simple needs.
Pros: Very affordable (free or low-cost). Fast setup for a single-page site. Responsive templates and a clean aesthetic. No large company ads (free plan shows only a small Carrd footer).
Cons: Only one page – you can’t have multiple pages or sections beyond the single scroll. Limited design freedom (block-based rather than free-drag). Lacks native e-commerce and email list tools. Not suitable if you need more content like blogs or event pages.
Squarespace – Stylish Multipurpose Builder
Squarespace offers premium design and built-in commerce. After a 14-day trial, plans start at about $16/month (Personal) or $27/month (Commerce, which waives transaction fees) when billed annually.
Key features:
Design Templates: 180+ polished, mobile-responsive themes. Excellent for artists who want a visually striking site.
Audio & Media: Native audio blocks allow MP3 uploads, and you can embed Spotify or SoundCloud players.
Events: Built-in event pages for tour dates. You can integrate ticket links or RSVPs.
E-commerce: On Commerce plans, sell digital downloads, merch, and tickets with inventory management and secure checkout. Business plans charge 3% transaction fees; Commerce plans have none.
Blog & Marketing: Robust blogging tools and a built-in email campaign/newsletter feature. Social media feeds and SEO settings are integrated.
Pros: High-end, professional design; unlimited pages (up to 1,000 theoretically). Reliable all-in-one platform with hosting, commerce, and marketing tools. Good customer support and mobile app.
Cons: No free plan (beyond trial). Higher cost for full features. The editor can feel clunky (no autosave/undo and multi-click edits). Flat navigation (single submenu only) can limit very complex sites. Fewer third-party app integrations (focused mainly on commerce and accounting).
Conclusion
Loop Fans stands out as an all-in-one solution — its music-tailored feature set (streaming, store, fan club tools) and free set up cost make it ideal for independent artists. Bandzoogle is unbeatable for dedicated music features and 0% fees if you’re willing to pay a subscription. Wix Music provides maximum design freedom and a free tier, good for creative control. Bandcamp excels as a free music storefront. Carrd is perfect for a simple splash or link page. Squarespace offers the most polished designs and integrated commerce, at a higher cost.
Recent trends focus on deepening artist–fan connections. In 2024, for example, Bandzoogle added QR-code music sharing to help artists promote tracks, and Loop Fans now emphasizes fan subscriptions and NFT releases to reward supporters. When choosing a website builder, consider what matters most for your band (cost vs. features vs. design). Any of the above platforms can form the foundation of a professional music site. By matching your needs to the right builder, you can create a site that looks great, engages fans, and supports your music career.
Diddy’s lawyer, Mark Geragos, is facing heat from federal prosecutors who want him reprimanded for speaking publicly about the criminal case during his trial.
Although Geragos hasn’t officially joined the defense team—he hasn’t filed a notice of appearance—he’s been advising Diddy and was seen in court during jury selection, which started on Monday (May 5).
Prosecutors say that’s a problem, especially since he’s been yapping about the case on his podcast 2 Angry Men, which was co-hosted with TMZ founder Harvey Levin.
In a court filing, the government asked the judge to formally warn Geragos for potentially violating rules that bar attorneys involved in a criminal trial from making public statements that could sway jurors or impact the fairness of the proceedings.
It applies even during jury selection.
The government’s complaint zeroes in on a May 2 episode of Geragos’ podcast, where he made several pointed remarks about the case.
He called surveillance footage from the Intercontinental Hotel “character assassination,” criticized the prosecution’s team as looking like they’re “prosecuting a cause,” and previewed a possible defense strategy by saying, “the defendant has a violent temper and especially, I think, when you combine it with the drug use, but that isn’t what he’s charged with.”
Geragos also told listeners he would “be back next week to discuss further,” signaling plans to keep talking about the trial while it’s ongoing.
Prosecutors argue that Geragos’ public commentary could taint the jury pool and jeopardize the integrity of the trial.
They also pointed out that Diddy’s legal team had previously complained about lawyers for government witnesses making public statements, yet now one of their advisors is doing the same.
The government is asking the judge to remind Geragos and his firm of their responsibilities under the rule and to stop any further public commentary that could interfere with the trial.
“People see the glory and don’t know the story—if the door won’t open, build your own.” – Markuann Smith
Markuann Smith isn’t just an actor on Godfather of Harlem, he’s the heartbeat behind the hit series. From pitching the show alongside Forest Whitaker to portraying Junie Byrd, Smith’s journey from roadie for his brother, Father MC, to respected producer is Hip-Hop history.
The latest season of the show is here, as a partially fictional—but still authentic—portrayal of Harlem’s history. In this season we see the rise of the Black Panthers, American gangster Frank Lucas and more. Musically, we hear the creative process behind the powerful soundtrack curated by Swizz Beatz.
Markuann also shares stories about his time on the road with legends like 2Pac and Naughty By Nature’s Treach and his upcoming projects, including a C-Murder documentary. Markuann reminds us that nothing is impossible when you build your own door.
Chuck “Jigsaw” Creekmur: Season 4 of Godfather of Harlem is here. Does it still feel surreal to you?
Markuann Smith: Absolutely. We got greenlit in 2017, launched in 2019 and now, we’re on season four. That’s a blessing. Not many shows make it this far, and I’m humbled by how audiences have embraced us.
AllHipHop: What’s the secret sauce that keeps people watching?
Markuann: It’s the richness of the narrative. We’re not just for one demographic. Grandparents, the youth, Hip-Hop heads—we speak to everybody. You can go from Martha and the Vandellas to Benny the Butcher in one episode. Swizz Beatz is curating a cultural gumbo that’s familiar and fresh.
Markuann: Malcolm X is gone. Now, it’s the rise of the Black Panthers. The season explores the Black Power movement and characters like Afeni Shakur and James Baldwin. You also get introduced to Frank Lucas—young, hungry and ready to disrupt everything.
AllHipHop: Are Frank Lucas and Bumpy Johnson allies or enemies this season?
Markuann: That’s the tension. Historically, they weren’t friends. But in our version, Frank’s on a similar path as Bumpy—just from North Carolina instead of South Carolina. He’s green, but ambitious. You’ll have to watch to see if it’s loyalty or manipulation.
AllHipHop: Your character Junie Byrd is back too—what’s his arc?
Markuann: Junie Byrd is getting more shine. He was there when Bumpy died, so we’re building toward that. He’s younger than Nap and Chance but Bumpy saw something in him. He’s loyal to a fault, and people forget he got blamed for stealing dope in Season 2—but that was Nat’s gambling problem. Junie just held it down.
AllHipHop: What’s it been like working with Forest Whitaker?
Markuann: Forest is a giant, but he treats me like a little brother. When we were pitching, he was in every room. He didn’t even take the role of Bumpy right away. He waited until the 17th version of the script before he felt like he could fully embody the character. That’s how much care he puts into the work.
AllHipHop: What keeps you grounded in this business?
Markuann: Forrest always reminds me, “Just be you.” I came up with nothing handed to me. People think success is microwaveable. Nah. You gotta marinate the steak overnight. And when folks hit me like “hook me up,” I’m like—no one hooked me up. I paid my SAG dues. I carried 1200s in coffins. I worked for it.
AllHipHop: Wait—were you really a roadie back in the day?
Markuann: Yeah! I started off as a roadie for my brother, Father MC. I carried equipment, helped set up, and ended up becoming a hype man. That’s how I met 2Pac. He was a roadie for Digital Underground. Treach was a roadie for Latifah. Craig Mack was a roadie for EPMD. We were all just kids trying to make it.
AllHipHop: Do you still keep in touch with people from that era?
Markuann: I still speak to Money B from Digital Underground. RIP Shock G. That’s family. Those days on the bus, listening to the Stylistics and seeing America out the window, it gave me a musical and cultural foundation that still influences me today.
AllHipHop: Hip-Hop plays a big role in Godfather of Harlem. What’s your favorite track from the show?
Markuann: I love “Danger” with Jadakiss and Pusha T. That record is cinematic. Scar Lip, Conway… They all brought heat. Swizz is like a mad scientist, knowing who belongs where like a Hip-Hop professor mixing algebra with soul food.
AllHipHop: You teased some new projects—what’s next?
Markuann: I sold a new series set in the ’80s. Can’t say much yet. I’m also working on a sports drama, think Friday Night Lights meets The Wire. And I’ve been talking to C-Murder about doing his documentary. That one’s going to be powerful.
AllHipHop: How do you feel about the state of Black storytelling in Hollywood right now?
Markuann: I love that we’re expanding. Horror, drama, satire…we’re everywhere. But I hate the competition people try to stir up. Don’t pit Ryan Coogler against Spike Lee. There’s room for everyone. Coppola and Scorsese aren’t beefing. Let’s build—not compare. We gotta stop measuring our value through Instagram followers and start telling stories that matter.
AllHipHop: Do you have a dream project, the kind that seems impossible?
Markuann: Nothing is impossible. I don’t believe in Plan Bs. If you have one, you’re planning for your a## to fail. I tell people: if the door doesn’t open, build your own. I’m just here to tell stories that make people laugh, cry and think.
Markuann:Off the Wall by Michael Jackson. But I love Earth, Wind & Fire, Isaac Hayes… that era had real texture.
AllHipHop: Favorite rap album?
Markuann:The Infamous by Mobb Deep. Also Me Against the World by 2Pac. That was New York ‘Pac, raw, lyrical, honest.
AllHipHop: Favorite TV show (besides Godfather of Harlem)?
Markuann:Top Boy. It started raw and evolved into something incredible.
AllHipHop: Final words for aspiring creators?
Markuann: Start. Just start. Don’t wait for a handout. Build the thing. Nobody knew Godfather would go four seasons—but we believed. AllHipHop believed. That’s how you win.
Megan Thee Stallion slipped her phone past security at the 2025 Met Gala and broadcasted a cheeky behind-the-scenes look on Instagram she dubbed the “Hottie Cam.”
After a three-year break, the Texas rapper returned to the exclusive NYC event on Monday (May 5).
Megan captured moments with fellow stars, including Doechii and WNBA standout Angel Reese, while sampling dishes like “cornbread and caviar,” “white truffle lobster roll” and “vegan lox” from Chef Kwame Onwuachi’s curated menu.
“We’re not supposed to have our phones, but we’re doing it [anyway],” Megan said with a laugh in the video. At one point, she leaned over to another guest and admitted, “I snuck my phone in.”
The footage showed Megan toasting at her table, zooming in on Ciara’s black-and-silver LaQuan Smith gown, hyping her up. She also complimented Lupita Nyong’o as “beautiful” and Serena Williams as “gorgeous.”
The Met Gala’s no-phone, no-social media policy—enforced by Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour—is meant to preserve the event’s exclusivity. Violating the rule can reportedly lead to being blacklisted from future galas.
Still, Megan captioned the video “Hottie Cam in thee MET GALA,” giving her followers a rare peek into the tightly guarded fashion affair.
One user joked, “Here before Anna make you delete this,” while another cautioned she might get a “warning.”
Megan Thee Stallion Walks Carpet At 2025 Met Gala
Megan’s return to the Met Gala marked her third appearance and her first since 2022.
She arrived in a shimmering silver sequin gown by Michael Kors with a sweetheart neckline and thigh-high slit, topped with a dramatic white fur coat that trailed behind her.
Megan Thee Stallion’s entrance is iconic do you hear her name being screamed …. The angles of her body in this beautiful Micheal Kors Dress, the body of this white Pimp Fur Coat, The Queen hair inspired Josephine Baker look, my god the face card
Ray J shocked viewers during a Twitch livestream Monday night (May 5) when he claimed he was sexually assaulted by his babysitter as a child, leaving his guests visibly confused and unsure how to respond.
“My babysitter raped me,” Ray J blurted out, repeating the statement as he pulled his hat down over his face.
The room fell silent, with some of the women on the stream unsure whether he was being serious.
“We listen, and we don’t judge,” one woman said, while others nervously laughed, unsure how to process the moment. Ray J, who also laughed, quickly added, “It’s not funny.”
The conversation took a darker turn as he continued.
“She raped me,” he said, adding, “She had some big t######, she made me suck her t######. They was real big too.”
When one of the women asked if he was traumatized, Ray J described the alleged abuse in graphic detail.
“I tried to do what she told me to do,” he stated. “She said, Go up down, and now go up up down. But think I was just too small to really like, penetrate correctly, inside her hole.”
Ray J claimed the babysitter assaulted him after a game of hide and seek, putting him in a headlock and lifting her shirt.
The group of women on the stream appeared unsure whether to believe him, especially as he continued to make offhand remarks about “big t######.”
Ray J, who has long been known for his unpredictable behavior and controversial moments, did not elaborate further or provide additional details about the alleged incident.
Rihanna turned heads and turned the page on old drama at the 2025 Met Gala in New York City, where she reunited with Ciara in a warm, public moment that showed their years-old feud is officially history.
The two stars posed together on the red carpet, smiling as Ciara gently placed her hand on Rihanna’s baby bump—a sweet gesture that said more than any tweet ever could.
EVERYONE BE QUIET 😭 THIS IS A MOMENT IN HISTORY RIGHT NOW RIHANNA AND CIARA HAVE LINKED UP 😭🩷 pic.twitter.com/EnbFzqAetc
If you weren’t on twitter back in its prime you wouldn’t understand how significant it is seeing Ciara & Rihanna in a photo together!!😭🙏🏾 pic.twitter.com/FUGU1BM9Ez
Rihanna, who confirmed she’s expecting her third child with partner A$AP Rocky, made a dramatic return to fashion’s biggest night wearing a Marc Jacobs ensemble that played into the gala’s theme, “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style.”
Her outfit featured a black pinstripe skirt, cropped blazer, gray corset, and a wide-brimmed hat, topped off with a burgundy polka-dot tie and chunky white collar.
She finished the look with black-and-white spectator mules and a dramatic bow trailing from the back.
Ciara, attending her eighth Met Gala, arrived in a black and silver LaQuan Smith gown with daring cutouts held together by strands of crystals.
She paired the look with black pumps, oversized earrings, and a sleek blonde bob.
Ciara was joined by husband, Russell Wilson, who wore a classic black tuxedo with a long coat, crystal brooch, cane and sunglasses.
The NFL quarterback joked about their night out, saying he hoped to “get Cinco tonight,” hinting at a fifth baby.
The affectionate moment between Rihanna and Ciara marked a full-circle moment for the two women, who once exchanged jabs on social media over a 2011 run-in at a party.
Back then, Ciara told E! ‘s Fashion Police that Rihanna “wasn’t the nicest” and that “it wasn’t the most pleasant run-in,” though she also added she had “always loved and respected what she’s done in fashion.”
Rihanna fired back on Twitter, kicking off a back and forth. Eventually, Rihanna apologized, and the pair seemingly moved on.
Though Ciara later told a radio station in 2013, “I don’t have beef with anybody, but I’m not going to be disrespected either… I don’t know what her problem is. I think she’s nuts right now,” she also said she wished Rihanna well.
By 2016, Ciara brushed off the feud entirely, calling it “pure comedy” on Twitter. Since then, the two have kept things cordial, but their Met Gala moment was the clearest sign yet that the past is behind them.
