Mariah Carey just unwrapped a new milestone as her holiday anthem “All I Want for Christmas Is You” became the longest-running No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, holding its spot for a record-setting 20 weeks.
The 1994 classic, co-written with Walter Afanasieff, has become a seasonal juggernaut, returning to the top of the charts every December. Speaking to Billboard, Carey said the achievement was “amazing.”
“Honestly, it really is. I can’t lie,” she said, adding that she never expected the song to have such staying power. “That just became such a thing that I never could have predicted it ever.”
Despite the chart triumph, Carey admitted the song’s reign may be nearing its seasonal end.
“Yeah, but at a certain point it’s not Christmas anymore, and you know, well, but I love it,” she said. “I’m about to get to my holiday destination and go enjoy the holidays myself because I’m putting on this Christmas show.”
Originally featured on her fourth studio album Merry Christmas, the track has become a perennial holiday favorite. In 2023, the Library of Congress added it to the National Recording Registry, cementing its cultural significance.
Now 56, Carey recently wrapped her Mariah Carey’s Christmas Time residency in Las Vegas, bringing her signature holiday spirit to the stage once again.
The Billboard record was confirmed earlier this week, marking a historic moment for the singer and the song nearly 30 years after its release.
Kim Kardashian reached a breaking point just days before sitting for California’s bar exam, revealing on her reality series that physical pain and emotional strain nearly derailed her.
The 45-year-old entrepreneur and aspiring attorney was seen in the latest episode of The Kardashians breaking down in tears with nine days left before the exam. “I’m absolutely gonna cry, cause it’s f**king exhausting,” she said on camera. “I had no clue it was gonna be this emotional. I don’t know how I can get any more information into my brain.”
Kardashian, who has spent six years pursuing her legal ambitions, admitted she was stunned by how overwhelmed she felt. “Everyone, before they take the bar, has a mental breakdown,” she said. “I just knew that wasn’t me, ‘cause I’m not that person, but I get it. It’s really a lot. Now I really, really get it.”
Physical issues compounded her stress. She said she had thrown out her back, which made it difficult to walk or sit comfortably. “I threw my back out, and it’s like, every time I think I get to another step, something pulls me back,” she said. “There’s all these f###### roadblocks, and I’m not a pity party kind of girl, but last night, I was like, why the f### is this happening?”
A producer on the show commented that they had never seen Kardashian want something so badly. She agreed, explaining that if she failed, she likely wouldn’t be able to try again for years. “I wouldn’t have the time for a few years, and then I’m older and then my brain capacity is different,” she said.
Kardashian took the exam in July but later revealed in November that she didn’t pass. Still, she remained determined.
“Six years into this law journey, and I’m still all in until I pass the bar,” she wrote on Instagram. “Failing short isn’t failure – it’s fuel. I was so close to passing the exam and that only motivated me even more. Let’s go!”
According to the State Bar of California, the bar exam is one of the most difficult in the country, with a pass rate that hovers around 50 percent. Kardashian previously passed the baby bar exam in 2021, a required step for those studying law through apprenticeship.
A Georgia woman posted a video asking why her KitchenAid dishwasher only put on four-hour cycles. The internet quickly provided some answers.
On Nov 23, a TikTok user (@mackandersfinds) asked the internet to help explain why her dishwasher only has four-hour cycles.
“Does anybody from maybe KitchenAid know what’s going on?” she asked. “We just got a new dishwasher and every time I start it, it starts on a four-hour cycle. That just cannot be right and I can’t figure it out.”
Why Does the KitchenAid Dishwasher Have a Four-Hour Cycle?
This user was not alone in this problem, as commenters shared they experience the same thing. “Our dishwasher takes just about as long as well!” one person wrote.
Other comments provided insight. “Newer dishwashers have really long normal cycles because they conserve water and are more efficient,” wrote a second viewer.
“That is becoming more normal on newer, high-efficiency dishwashers,” added another.
This “long cycle” phenomenon isn’t unique to KitchenAid as most major manufacturers have shifted to longer default cycles in the name of energy and water efficiency, which is the same reason hybrid cars use lots of low-power phases.
Essentially, slower often means more efficient. And in many models, dishwasher soil sensors actively extend cycle lengths if they detect heavy messes, so your machine may decide on a four-hour program on its own. So while it might seem like a comically long cycle, the dishwasher is deep cleaning with far less water and electricity than older machines or hand-washing ever did.
Does the Cycle Really Have to Go Four Hours?
Some comments provided possible solutions. “I always do an express cycle for an hour,” wrote one comment.
For users puzzled by hours-long dishwasher cycles, there are ways to trim that time, but it usually means selecting a different program or changing settings.
Most KitchenAid dishwashers include a Quick or Express Wash option that’s designed for lighter loads and can finish in around one hour, according to the manufacturer’s cycle guides. These shorter cycles use more water and heat to speed things up, so they’re perfect when you’re in a hurry but less ideal for heavy soil.
If your dishwasher defaults to a long “Normal” or “Sensor/ProWash” wash, you’ll usually have to manually select Express Wash or Rinse Only each time you start it, because many models don’t let you permanently change default cycles. Reddit threads on the topic confirm that users often find themselves choosing Express every run because the default auto cycles simply revert back otherwise.
Another practical tip from KitchenAid’s own support docs is to ensure your dishwasher is starting with hot water straight from the tap. Letting the closest sink run until the water is hot means the machine doesn’t spend extra time heating up internally, which can shave minutes off the total run time on longer cycles.
All Hip Hop reached out for comment to KitchenAid via email an @mackandersfinds via TikTok direct message.
Travis Scott brought together beats and blueprints in Houston, where his Cactus Jack Foundation teamed with Space Center Houston to spotlight student innovations from a new STEM incubator program.
The event marked the finale of an eight-week engineering curriculum that paired Houston Independent School District students with NASA engineers.
The program, hosted alternately at the Cact.Us Design Center and Space Center Houston, provided students with hands-on experience in design, coding, and fabrication.
The young innovators presented their final projects, including a lunar water filtration system, a moon rover, and a food-preserving habitat structure, to Scott and retired NASA astronaut Megan McArthur, who now serves as Space Center Houston’s Chief Science Officer.
The collaboration between the Cactus Jack Foundation and Space Center Houston launched a year-round initiative to nurture the next generation of engineers and designers. Students worked in teams through every phase of the engineering process, from brainstorming and prototyping to testing and refining.
The Cactus Jack Foundation, founded by Scott, continues to focus on expanding educational access for underserved youth. According to its mission, the foundation is “committed to extending educational opportunities to all, regardless of their circumstances to achieve their dreams.”
The CACT.US Design Center, housed at TXRX Labs in Houston, opened in 2021 and serves as a design school for middle and high school students. Programs include a sneaker lab powered by Nike and a fashion curriculum developed with the Fashion Scholarship Fund.
Space Center Houston, the official visitor center of NASA’s Johnson Space Center, attracts more than 1.3 million visitors annually and plays a key role in STEM education throughout the region.
The nonprofit generates an estimated $240 million in economic impact for the Greater Houston area each year.
T.I. dropped the official trailer for his first televised comedy special, “Cheaper Than Therapy,” set to premiere on Christmas Eve.
The Atlanta rapper-turned-comedian announced the December 24 release date while unveiling a teaser that promises “one story at a time,” centered on “the chaos of fame to healing power of laughter.”
T.I. has faced criticism from veteran comedians during his transition from Hip-Hop to comedy.
He got booed during early performances in Brooklyn but kept pushing forward with his comedy goals. The rapper previously told AllHipHop that stand-up comedy became “the place I find peace” as he developed his stage skills.
His comedy collective HaHa Mafia has been performing across the country. T.I. said comedy gives him a different creative outlet than music. He’s been taking the craft seriously with regular performances at comedy clubs nationwide.
The special was filmed at a venue in Atlanta. T.I. said the title “Cheaper Than Therapy” reflects how comedy helps him process life experiences. He’s been balancing his comedy career with his final music projects before retiring from touring.
The Christmas Eve release puts T.I.’s comedy special directly in the holiday entertainment lineup. The timing of T.I.’s announcement is perfect.
He received immense love in Dave Chappelle’s new stand-up special, The Unstoppable, which premiered on Netflix on Friday (December 19). In his closing, Dave Chappelle tells an incredible story about T.I. and Nipsey Hussle, one of the highlights of the stand-up routine.
Doja Cat hopped on Instagram knowing damn well what she was doing, dropping a whole photo dump that had her millions of followers foaming in the comments.
She thanked her Korean fans for selling out the show earlier this month, posting a series of images highlighting her body under red lights in a black bodysuit. The vinyl snapped tight across her hips, fishnets glistening, jewelry glowing like she robbed a disco ball. Then she hit everyone with the backshot.
She turned around and let IG see the exact same view the front row got, sexy cheeks framed by fishnets, legs shining and top-notch posture. Fans in the comments were dying, resurrecting, then dying again.
And Doja Cat was just getting started. Her mid-performance picture with that wild green wig bouncing, a rose between her teeth.
Tongue out. Eyes wide. Confetti flying. She looked like she just finished flirting with half the arena and dared the other half to step up.
By the time she ended the carousel, IG was in shambles. Korea got the live show. Her followers got the aftershock.
A man has been arrested for the home invasion that terrorized 6ix9ine‘s family last month.
Cops charged Pedro Rodriguez, 19, with armed home invasion robbery with a firearm, false imprisonment, grand theft and marijuana possession with intent to sell.
TMZ reports that the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office said Rodriguez is just one suspect and they’re still hunting for others.
Surveillance video caught one guy standing guard over his mother, who begged and pleaded with the men. The crew sped off in a getaway car before cops showed up. Police said the suspects wanted money and vehicle keys during the robbery.
People on social media went crazy, accusing the Island Boys of being behind the break-in. But 6ix9ine shut down those rumors during a stream with Adin Ross.
“There are 230 homes in my neighborhood,” he said. “It was kids in the neighborhood. There were no tattoos, so that myth that it was the two brothers, that’s just a myth, an Instagram conspiracy.”
6ix9ine explained the suspects looked young and he thinks they were local kids who saw he was working and took their chance.
This arrest comes as 6ix9ine faces his own legal problems. He got sentenced to three months in federal prison in December for violating his supervised release terms.
The judge also ordered him to complete drug and mental health treatment after he serves his time. 6ix9ine is set to report to the Metropolitan Detention Center in Sunset Park, Brooklyn, on January 6.
Travis Scott brought his past and present together in a new Beats campaign that reimagines his teenage bedroom and the 2011 tweet that predicted his rise to stardom.
The Houston rapper partnered with Apple’s Beats for the “DARE TO DREAM” campaign, a short film that blends nostalgia with ambition.
The scene then shifts into a dreamlike sequence of sold-out arenas from Scott’s record-breaking Circus Maximus Tour, which grossed an industry-topping $265 million.
The tour, which ran for two years across six continents and more than 80 shows, became the highest-grossing solo rap tour in history.
But just as the fantasy builds, his mother’s voice pulls him back to reality. That moment sparks the inspiration for his now-famous 2011 tweet: “One day Travis Scott will be somebody.”
As he walks out the door, the teenage Scott finds a pair of Powerbeats Fit headphones in his pocket—a nod to how far he’s come and the tools that helped him get there.
“This campaign captures something deeply personal, the belief that greatness starts with a single idea and the courage to chase it,” said Beats Chief Marketing Officer Chris Thorne. “It’s the same belief that connects Beats and Travis and this is only the beginning of what we’ll build together.”
The campaign officially launched on December 19, 2025, 14 years to the day after Scott posted the tweet that would eventually become prophetic.
Universal Music Group signed a major deal with Roblox that will bring the label’s biggest rap stars, including Drake, Kendrick Lamar and Eminem, to the gaming platform through new artist activations and commercial integrations.
The partnership announced creates new opportunities for UMG’s roster to connect with Roblox’s massive user base.
The deal includes commercial features designed to boost engagement and revenue for artists and labels. UMG and Roblox will integrate with Shopify to enable the sale of digital and physical merchandise directly on the platform.
“UMG’s strategic relationship with Roblox is built on shared objectives of promoting innovation, empowering artists and deepening fan engagement,” said Michael Nash, EVP & Chief Digital Officer at Universal Music Group. “With this new framework, we are strengthening our commercial, creative and operational collaboration and unlocking new opportunities for our artists and labels.”
The partnership launches with UMG’s flagship “Tastemaker” experience and a Stray Kids activation that went live Thursday. Stray Kids records for JYP Entertainment and Republic Records under the UMG umbrella.
“We have worked closely with Universal Music Group over the years to bring some of their top artists to Roblox to engage with next-gen fans in innovative and creative ways,” said Enrico D’Angelo, Chief Business Officer at Roblox. “This strategic agreement represents a major step forward in building the future of immersive entertainment.”
UMG has already launched several campaigns on Roblox over the past two years.
In 2023, Beat Galaxy created its own curated music-discovery space. Last year saw the launch of Boombox with Styngr, which allowed licensed music streaming to be integrated into gaming experiences for the first time.
Roblox has become a cultural hub for music fan engagement. Recent artist activations included Yeat from Capitol Records, Lady Gaga from Interscope, Chappell Roan from Island Records, Glass Animals from Polydor Records and Sofi Tukker from Virgin Music Group.
Artists will receive direct creative and operational support, as well as access to new Roblox tools and beta features.
Mustapha Kharbouch endured a week of death threats and racist attacks after online influencers falsely linked the Palestinian student to the Brown University mass shooting that killed two students and injured several others on December 13.
The Brown University student became the target of a vicious smear campaign when far-right social media users baselessly accused him of being the gunman who opened fire during finals week.
Kharbouch said he woke up Tuesday morning to “unfounded, vile, Islamophobic, and anti-Palestinian accusations” flooding his social media accounts.
The false accusations spread rapidly across social media platforms before law enforcement identified the actual shooter. Police later confirmed that Claudio Manuel Neves Valente, a 48-year-old Portuguese national and former Brown physics student, carried out the deadly attack.
Kharbouch’s legal team responded to law enforcement inquiries about his whereabouts during the shooting before the real perpetrator was identified. The attorneys said the baseless attacks likely distracted police from pursuing legitimate leads in their investigation.
“Racism against Palestinians is at the core of these baseless attacks,” the legal team stated. “Bad faith actors moved to pin the shooting on Mustapha, on the mere basis of his being Palestinian.”
Brown University removed several webpages that referenced Kharbouch as a precautionary safety measure after he was doxxed online. The university calls this a standard protocol when individuals face targeted harassment.
The incident highlights the dangerous consequences of anti-Palestinian racism that has escalated across college campuses.
Kharbouch’s lawyers referenced previous hate crimes, including the murder of a 6-year-old Palestinian boy, Wadea al-Fayoume, in Chicago and the shooting of three Palestinian-American students in Vermont in 2023.
“I refuse to be silenced by anyone who comes after me for my identity and advocacy for Palestinians,” Kharbouch said. “Even in this nightmare, I have been flooded with incredible messages of support from friends, faculty, staff, and strangers alike.”
The Brown shooting marked one of the deadliest campus attacks in recent years. Valente fired 44 bullets from a 9mm handgun during the December 13 rampage that terrorized students during exam period.
Authorities believe Valente also killed an MIT professor in a separate incident. The motive for both attacks remains under investigation as the Brown community continues processing the tragedy.
Kharbouch described the ordeal as “an unimaginable nightmare” but vowed to continue his Palestinian advocacy work despite the threats. His case demonstrates how quickly misinformation can spread and endanger innocent people during crisis situations.
Jake Paul is swapping his trademark bravado for bandages after a violent night in the ring ended with surgery.
The social media star-turned-boxer confirmed Saturday that he underwent surgery to repair a broken jaw suffered in his sixth round stoppage loss to Anthony Joshua.
Paul shared the update directly with followers, posting from his recovery and striking a noticeably subdued tone.
“Just got out of surgery. Everything went smooth. Thanks for all the love,” Paul wrote. “Lots of pain and stiffness. Gotta eat liquids for seven days. [Shoutout] to the amazing team at Miami University hospital. Everyone was so gracious and caring.”
Paul shared X-ray images showing two fractures in his jaw, injuries caused during a bout that escalated quickly as Joshua’s size and experience took control.
Paul was spitting blood in the aftermath of the fight and did not attend the postfight news conference.
Inside the ring, the ending came fast. Joshua dropped Paul twice in the fifth round and twice more in the sixth before the referee halted the eight round contest. The defeat marked one of the most punishing nights of Paul’s short but highly scrutinized boxing career.
In the post-fight presser, Nakisa Bidarian, CEO of Most Valuable Promotions, Paul handled the immediate aftermath himself.
“He took a shower, he drove himself to hospital,” Bidarian said. “A broken jaw is very common in sports, particularly in boxing or MMA. The recovery time is four to six weeks.”
Paul insisted the injury will not derail his ambitions. “We will heal the broken jaw, come back and fight people my weight,” he said in the ring. “I’m going for the cruiserweight world title.”
The loss followed a risky leap to heavyweight that included a bout with Mike Tyson last year and the decision to face Joshua despite typically competing around 200 pounds.
Dave Chappelle closed his latest Netflix special, “The Unstoppable,”with a pointed jab at political manipulation and a controversial parting shot that has drawn backlash from Jewish communities over his remarks about Israel.
The final moments of the set, which dropped on Netflix in December, featured Chappelle delivering a monologue that swerved from political commentary to a loaded punchline.
“DC, no matter how much this government or anyone else puts pressure on you, keep your wits about you,” he said. “I’m here just to remind you that we are a community and we will stay sane together. We will take care of each other and we will wait this orange n#### out.”
This will be my last time watching Dave Chappelle.
The comedian then expressed concern about being used as a mouthpiece or manipulated by outside forces.
“The fear that I have for myself that I need you to protect me from is co-option,” he said. “My voice has become more powerful than I intended it to be. I cannot let these n##### do me like Charlie Kirk or even worse than that.”
He continued, “What if these n##### trip me up somehow, co-opt me, and then make me say the things that they want me to say? We can’t have that.”
To guard against that hypothetical scenario, Chappelle proposed a “code word” to signal to his audience if he’s ever compromised.
“So, just in case, we need a code. It’s gotta be something that I can say so that if I say it, you know that these n##### got me. And don’t listen to nothing that I say after I say those words,” he said. “But don’t tell anybody what it is, but it’s gotta be something that, you know what I mean, that I would never say.”
Then came the punchline that has sparked outrage: “Oh, I know what the code is. The code word is, I stand with Israel. Thank you very much and good night.”
The remark quickly drew criticism, with many Jewish groups and viewers accusing Chappelle of using Israel as a stand-in for political coercion, suggesting that support for the country is inherently inauthentic or forced.
His use of the phrase as a red flag for being compromised was interpreted by some as a slight against Jewish identity and support for Israel.
The Anti-Defamation League has not yet issued a formal statement about the special, but the line has already stirred debate across social media.
Netflix letting Chappelle s### on Israel is just another reason why Netflix and not Paramount need to get Warner Brothers
Dave Chappell’s newest Netflix special is a Trump hating, Charlie Kirk bashing, Israel hating piece of garbage. Full of hate. Disgusting. Chappelle hits a new low.
50 Cent stepped away from his heated social media wars to energize Oklahoma football fans during their College Football Playoff showdown against Alabama on Friday night.
The G-Unit boss surprised thousands at Oklahoma Memorial Stadium when he walked onto the field between the third and fourth quarters. He wore a “Hard to Kill” hoodie and performed his hit “Many Men” while the Sooners trailed by 10 points.
“Hard to Kill” became Oklahoma’s rallying cry during their late-season push to the playoffs. The timing couldn’t have been better for 50’s appearance.
Rumors about his surprise visit circulated all week, but nothing got confirmed until he hit the field. The crowd went wild when he started performing.
The hype worked perfectly. Oklahoma scored a touchdown just minutes into the fourth quarter, cutting Alabama’s lead significantly. 50’s Oklahoma appearance came during one of his busiest beef seasons in years.
He spent most of December 2025 feuding with Jim Jones and Maino over their podcast “Let’s Rap About It.”
The drama started when Jim Jones called 50’s Netflix documentary Sean Combs: The Reckoning a “mockumentary.” 50 Cent fired back by calling Jones and Maino “bums” on Instagram.
Things escalated when 50 Cent threatened to buy the building that houses their podcast studio. He claimed they owed $200,000 in back rent and said he’d evict the whole crew, including Dave East and Fabolous.
“I’m about to buy this building and throw all these bums out,” 50 posted on social media earlier this month.
Jim Jones reportedly wired the money to settle the debt after 50’s threats went viral. The G-Unit mogul later confirmed the payment came through and said the podcast was “spared.”
But Friday night in Norman showed a different side of 50. Instead of trolling rivals online, he channeled his energy into supporting Oklahoma’s playoff dreams.
The Sooners needed every bit of energy they could get against Alabama.
50’s performance gave them exactly the boost they were looking for at the perfect moment, but despite a valiant effort, Oklahoma fell to Alabama 34-24.
Chris Tucker got caught in a massive scandal after the White House released thousands of Jeffrey Epstein documents, including some showing him posing with the convicted sex offender and Ghislaine Maxwell.
The Rush Hour star appeared in multiple photos released by the U.S. Department of Justice on Friday.
The photos show Tucker standing with Maxwell and appearing in group shots, but the Justice Department provided no evidence of criminal behavior.
Tucker hasn’t publicly responded to the images, but fans are demanding answers.
“no way they got my boy chris tucker in these damn files,” one user said. “Seeing Chris Tucker in these photos got me worried.”
The document dump also included photos of other major celebrities who crossed paths with Epstein. Bill Clinton appeared extensively throughout the files, including images of him with Maxwell at London’s Winston Churchill War Rooms and relaxing in a hot tub.
Music legends Michael Jackson, Diana Ross and Mick Jagger also appeared in various photos with Epstein and Clinton. News anchor Walter Cronkite, entrepreneur Richard Branson and Sarah Ferguson were among other notable figures pictured.
The timing couldn’t be worse for Tucker’s career comeback. He’s been working to revive his Hollywood presence after years away from major films.
Ice Cube has been pushing for Tucker to return as Smokey in a new Friday movie, marking his first appearance in the franchise since the original 1995 film.
Multiple reports in November revealed Trump personally lobbied studio executives to revive the action-comedy franchise that made Tucker one of Hollywood’s highest-paid actors in the late 1990s.
But now Trump’s own administration released the Epstein files that could damage Tucker’s bankability. Tucker built his career on family-friendly comedies and action films that appealed to mainstream audiences.
The Epstein connection threatens that wholesome image, especially as studios become more cautious about actors with controversial associations.
Brett Ratner and Chris Tucker both being in the Epstein files means there is a nonzero chance Rush Hour was Jeff’s idea
Dave Chappelle turned headlines about Sean “Diddy” Combs and Cassie Ventura into comedy fuel during his new Netflix special Dave Chappelle: The Unstoppable… telling a crowd he once hung out at Combs’ Los Angeles home and had no clue what was really going on behind the scenes.
“I’ve been to Puffy’s house,” he said. “No, I didn’t see none of the stuff they said in that trial. I walked to that n####’s living room, house is clean… perfectly normal evening.”
Chappelle told the story with a mix of straightforward honesty and ridiculous hindsight, setting up a punchline about missed opportunity.
“He goes, ‘So Dave, what are you into?’ You know me, I was like, ‘I don’t know, n####, books, video games.’ I didn’t know that was my big chance to f### Cassie.”
Chappelle shifted gears to the fallout from the viral hotel video showing Combs attacking Ventur, the clip that resurfaced after federal charges hit.
“God bless her. I’m not making light of her, the way she went through was terrible,” he said.
He reminded the audience that Combs wasn’t on trial for that assault, and that Ventura’s civil lawsuit, filed in November 2023, was settled almost immediately.
“He paid her $35 million, is what I heard. Which doesn’t make it right, but I mean, come on, n####. I do know n##### that have fought Floyd Mayweather for less money than that. And them n##### had to fight for 36 minutes,” Chappelle said.
Then came the gut punch: “Cassie is a gangster. She did something that I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy. She had to testify about her sex life. Boy, that’s tough.”
For one night in New York City, time stopped. Hip-Hop’s past, present and future stood shoulder to shoulder under one roof in celebration. What unfolded wasn’t just a tribute to DMX on his 55th birthday; it was a living reminder of why Hip-Hop endures, why its energy never dies, and why its icons continue to move the culture long after they’re gone.
A special and unique thing happened DMX’s born day, December 18. It felt like the epitome of Hip-Hop distilled into a single evening—past, present, and future all colliding lovingly in one space.
On what would have been DMX’s 55th birthday, a powerful lineup of artists, legends and culture bearers came together to celebrate his life, his music and his enduring energy. Alicia Keys, Ice-T, Swizz Beatz, Melle Mel, Denzel Curry, IDK and many others showed up in a wonderful homage.
The event took place at SOB’s, a storied, legendary club that has hosted countless Hip-Hop moments over the years. AllHipHop practically lived there back in the 2000s. The venue was sold out, packed wall to wall with people who came to honor DMX, but also to experience the culture in its living, breathing form. Newer artists held nothing back.
ScarLip performed and amped up the crowd with her raw energy and outspoken love for X. She also rapped outside of the venue with those that were unable to get inside. Grafh, Mick Benson and Dupree were in the building, along with Ruff Ryders founders Dee and Waah Dean, putting a real, authentic stamp on the night. This was family business.
For me, this was one of the dopest and purest Hip-Hop events I’ve attended in recent memory. SOB’s remains one of the last truly authentic Hip-Hop spaces in the city. There was a time when New York was overflowing with underground venues dedicated to the culture. But over the years, one by one, many of them disappeared. That night, you could feel what’s been missing.
The performances reflected that respect across generations. IDK, Denzel Curry, Treach of Naughty By Nature, Ice-T, and others performed in front of a crowd that showed love equally. Everyone was respected. Everyone was received.
Visually, the night carried even more weight. Jonathan Mannion, whose lens helped define DMX at the height of his career, had his iconic images splashed across the screens, stage, and merchandise. It gave the room a real sense of who X was while he was still here. Johnny Nunez was also in the house capturing moments throughout the night, along with our photographer Tee. Heck, I was documenting everything too with my amateur eye. We all knew it was historic.
The real star of the show was DMX’s energy. Energy doesn’t disappear, it transfers. It lives on through the people, the music and the moments that bring us together. While DMX is no longer here in physical form, watching his family, friends and fans all in one place – out of love – was one of the most beautiful things I’ve experienced in a long time.
It wasn’t sorrowful. It wasn’t sad. It wasn’t even somber.
It was a joyful reunion. It was celebratory. It was Hip-Hop in its purest form—a reminder of resilience, culture, and spirit. DMX didn’t just get honored that night.
Alicia Keys pulled up to SOBs all smiles (Photo: Chuck “Jigsaw” Creekmur)
X’s family kept the night energized
Ice-T and Desiree flick it up
AHH’s Chuck Jigsaw Creekmur, Grafh and Dupree paid respects to DMX
Treach of Naughty By Nature fame is takes pics with Grafh (above) and Jigsaw and Slops of AllHipHop (below)
Jigsaw, Denzel Curry and IDK – both performed at SOBs
Denzel Curry
ScarLip and Jigsaw
Original DMX producer Dame Grease and Desiree Lindstrom
Rap Icon Melle Mel and Jigsaw
Swizz Beatz was the toast of the event
Photographer Jonathan Mannion showed up and also provided the images, as his iconic pictures helped shape how we saw DMX (Photo: Chuck “Jigsaw” Creekmur)
MBNel broke his silence about the deadly Stockton mass shooting that killed four people at a child’s birthday party. The rapper posted his first statement since the November 29 tragedy that left three children and one adult dead.
Witnesses told authorities MBNel attended the birthday party when gunmen opened fire at the banquet hall. The shooting happened just before 6 P.M. at a venue in unincorporated San Joaquin County.
“My deepest condolences to the families who had to bury their children, and to the innocent lives lost,” MBNel wrote on social media Friday. “What happened in Stockton has left families carrying an unimaginable loss.”
The rapper said he won’t discuss details about what happened.
“There are no words that can make sense of this, and I do not want to add noise where there should be care,” he continued. “This is about the families, and no one else.”
MBNel confirmed he’s staying out of the public eye following the tragedy.
“Out of respect, I am choosing to move quietly and intentionally,” he stated. “I will not be speaking on details or speculation.”
The victims included 8-year-old Maya Lucian, 9-year-old Journey Rose Reotutar Guerrero, 14-year-old Amari Peterson and 21-year-old Susano Archuleta. Thirteen other people suffered injuries in the attack.
Authorities said multiple shooters dressed in black fired more than 50 rounds from at least five weapons. The gunmen wore face coverings during the assault on the 2-year-old’s birthday celebration.
“He just came to drop off a present at his friend’s party, whose daughter was the celebrant,” Junior Dongon told The New York Post. “He was shot, but he is OK. He called me and said, ‘Don’t say anything to anybody.”
Amari Peterson’s father described his son as “the glue to the family,” with younger kids looking up to him. The teenager played basketball and was trying to stay away from gang activity when he was killed.
San Joaquin County Sheriff Patrick Withrow said Thursday the investigation is “going extremely well” but provided no new details about suspects or arrests. Gang leaders in Stockton reportedly brokered a 21-day ceasefire after the shooting.
MBNel, known for his 2020 album Born To Win, had been active on social media before the shooting. The 28-year-old rapper previously survived other violent incidents in the area.
Jake Paul did not just lose. He finally got the ultimatereality check.
Anthony Joshua is a fully formed heavyweight with elite pedigree, size, timing, and ring IQ. At roughly 6’6″ and around 250 pounds, he is built for sustained violence at the highest level of boxing. Jake Paul is not. Jake is a natural cruiserweight, former YouTuber and Disney star, who has succeeded largely for an number of reasons. He controlled the variables like opponent selection, pacing, promotion and narrative. And he thought he could do this with AJ.
The illusion, or whatever it was, is gone.
Jake ran like Jesse Owens in Germany. He held on like he was EnVogue. When Jake’s body slowed down and fatigue set in, he was done. The fight effectively ended. That is when Joshua did what real heavyweights do. The Brit, born Anthony Oluwafemi Olaseni Joshua, finally cut off the ring, knocked a fumbling Jake Paul around…eventually landed flush. When Jake slowed down, it was lights out in spirit and in the physical form. He kept peddling “I’m a crazy white boy,” but we all saw through it.
Symbolism is important. Jake’s presentation, from the Hulk Hogan-inspired entrance to the association with TekashiSnitch9, landed a certain way for a lot of people watching. The screaming N-words on the world’s stage was so off-putting. Hulk Hogan, a hero to some and a racist to others, got his a** beat in there too. Fair or not, many fans did not just see a boxer lose. They saw a clash of cultures in a time where aligning with a wanna-be king can have consequences in entertainment.
That’s why the reaction felt different. It wasn’t joy at someone getting hurt. It was relief that boxing still enforces consequences on multiple levels. Ali did it. Mike Tyson did it. Larry Holmes did. Hell, Ray Mercer did it. It happens all the time.
This Was Not a “Fight”
Anyone still pushing the “rigged fight” angle needs to stop. I mean, AJ is not Mike Tyson. There is no confirmed report of a staged or manipulated scrap with Mike, but it sure felt like it. I was present at that fight and found it incredibly disconcerting. But, people do strange things for $20 million. And, in boxing, stranger things have happened.
Joshua is still an active, high-level heavyweight with legacy and future earnings to protect. He immediately called out Tyson Fury – another elite – in the aftermath of Jake’s decimation. This was reportedly his largest payday, but not a payday that came with a wink and a nod. He was not there to play, perform or participate in theater. He came to do business, and he did. Jake’s broken jaw and body knows this as fact.
This was not a novelty opponent past his prime. This was not a sparring partner. This was a professional heavyweight reminding everyone that boxing has is all real.
Final Word
Jake Paul deserves credit for bringing eyeballs, money and platform power to boxing through Netflix. That matters. He continues to highlight and give women fighters the spotlight (and pay), which I absolutely love. That matters. But last night proved what purists have been saying all along:
You don’t play boxing. You don’t cosplay heavyweight. And eventually, the sport reminds you who it belongs to. Hey, I like to pretend I can box – in the gym or in the basement.
I interviewed Jake Paul once. At that time, which was at the onset of his career in boxing, he was respectful. He was youthful and enthusiastic at the challenge of becoming a boxer. But something changed and he became “the heel” in boxing terms. Perhaps now is the time for more healthy respect, less manipulative tactics and more sweet science.
As always, tell me what you think in the comments.
Dave Chappelle surprised fans with an unannounced Netflix standup special that dropped today. The comedian filmed the 75-minute show Dave Chappelle: The Unstoppable… in Washington, DC, back in October.
The special tackles several hot-button topics. Chappelle defends his controversial decision to perform at Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh Comedy Festival earlier this year. He doesn’t apologize for taking the gig and blasts Bill Maher, who has frequently bashed Chappelle.
“I don’t feel guilty at all,” Chappelle says in the special. “Rest in peace Jamal Khashoggi. I’m sorry that he got murdered in such a heinous fashion. I mean Israel’s killed 240 journalists in the last three months, so I didn’t know y’all was still counting.”
In the special, the comedian explained his reasoning for the Saudi performance. He said the money gives him freedom to speak his mind in America.
“Don’t forget what I just went through. Two years ago, I almost got cancelled, right here in the United States, for transgender jokes. I’ll tell you something,” Chappelle said. “Transgender jokes went over very well in Saudi Arabia. Them n##### couldn’t get enough of that s###. I was in the pocket, n####. I was like, where have you been?”
Dave Chappelle also talked about Charlie Kirk’s death in the special.
“I mean, Charlie Kirk man, a wholesome white guy. And they killed this m###########. He’s white. And then remember the next day in the news, when all the information was still shoddy, they came out, and they were like, apparently, there were transgender messages inscribed on the bullet. I was at home like, oh no! I’m dead as fried chicken!”
The special also covers Jimmy Kimmel’s show getting pulled from ABC and Diddy’s legal troubles.
“It’s not that I think Puffs is innocent. When I got attacked in L.A. at the Hollywood Bowl, people forget Puffs was the guy that tackled my attacker. He saved my life. It’s a hard n#### to be mad at after that. I had security that night, but those n##### just wasn’t ready. Them n##### had some slippery shoes on. All them n##### slipped and fell. Years later, when I heard about that baby oil, I was like, what did those n##### slip on?”
Fans can watch Dave Chappelle: The Unstoppable… on Netflix now. The comedian has been known for surprise releases of his stand-up material on the streaming platform.
Lululemon fans to the front. This Florida woman’s husband has a message for everyone who has an item from the athleisure brand. His message might just add some years to your favorite leggings.
Lululemon, founded in 1998, has become a top competitor in the athleisure game. Coming into the industry at least a decade before many of the other well known athleisure brands like Fabletics, Athleta and Alo, the Lululemon brand and product has some aspects that make it stand out.
The company brands its products as giving performance returns and has several proprietary fabrics that make it stand out amongst the competition, according to Healthline.
Recently, a woman living in Florida posted a video of her husband’s effort to make sure he’s taking care of her Lululemon items.
Florida Husband’s Hack for Keeping Lululemon Out of the Dryer
“My husband put this on the dryer to remind himself,” TikTok creator Amanda (@dramandadelivers) writes in the caption to her video. The video then shows a dryer with a sign that says “Do NOT Put Lululemon Clothes in the Dryer.” Amanda’s video has 437 comments and 1,100,000 views.
In the comment section several people weigh in about their Lululemon care routines. Some are surprised to hear this advice, others, not so much.
“I have so much Lululemon and it all goes in the dryer and never had an issue,” wrote one viewer.
“Guys, I’ve tested the theory and they pill either way!” a second viewer said.
“My LuLu always goes in dryer. It’s fine,” a third argued.
“Lululemon, Aritzia, anything black, anything with cotton. The list goes on and on,” says another person seemingly exhausted by all the laundry care steps.
Lululemon themselves responded to this video stating, “Our version of a haunted house.”
In another video, Amanda shows a pair of her tights with lints and shriveled up after the dryer. “Never will I ever again,” she captions this video.
Should You Avoid Putting Athleisure in the Dryer?
Athleisure, things like tights, sports bras and stretch workout clothes in general, tend to be made from elastics. Whether that’s the elastic in the band of a sports bra or the waist band of leggings, elastics give your athleisure pieces the snap it needs in the right place.
Overtime, the dryer can diminish that snap. “The heat of a dryer is not good for performance fabric; it can diminish its look, feel, and stretch which will interfere with your yoga practice and other exercise routines,” says Heritage Park Laundry.
Dryers use high heat temperatures and friction, created by clothes rubbing against each other, air drying gives your garments a gentler route to be water free.
To extend the life of your garments, Lululemon’s product care instructions page recommends the following:
Wash product in cold water with similar fabrics and colours (avoid cotton fabrics and towels)
Avoid using fabric softeners as they can interfere with the technical capabilities of our fabrics
Hang items to dry
All Hip Hop has reached out to Lululemin for comment via their media contact form and to Amanda via TikTok message and comment.
