On Wednesday (June 25), Fat Joe took to Instagram, issuing a blistering response to a recent lawsuit filed by his former hypeman, Terrance Dixon. “I’ve been tested the last few months- I’ve lost my big brother, my father, my mother, and now I’m fighting against these disgusting lies,” the post begins. “…Please know I will not break and I will never back down,” the post continues. “I’ve had individuals in my circle take my love and kindness for weakness, but how many times must we forgive them? I’ve had people steal from me, grow jealous of me, lie on me. Through it all, me and my family are the ones stuck dealing with the consequences of their bad decisions.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by FAT JOE (@fatjoe) As the lengthy post continues, the Terror Squad rapper says, “If you get fired for doing something wrong, just take the L and live with it. But instead, they plot on your downfall as they watch you move on with your life. They decided to go after one of the things you value the most – your reputation.” Toward the end, Joe makes it clear that he’s “never let anyone on the streets” extort him and states, “so how would I ever let a crooked attorney and a coward ex-hype man extort me??? I’m from the Bronx!” Last week, news broke that a $20 million lawsuit was filed against New York rap legend Fat Joe by former hypeman, Terrance “T.A.” Dixon, accusing the rapper of “coercive labor exploitation, financial fraud, sexual manipulation, violent intimidation, and psychological coercion.” Following the allegations dropping, Fat Joe issued an initial statement via his lawyer, Joe Tacopina, on Thursday, denying the claims. Tacopina told The Independent, addressing Dixon and his attorney, Tyrone Blackburn, that the claims were a “complete fabrication.”

Ebro Darden is known for making bold statements about Hip-Hop, a fact that is well-documented.In the latest episode of Ebro in the Morning, the media personality recognized the contributions of legendary recording artist Nas in an unexpected hot take, stating that Nas has done more for Hip-Hop than any other rapper in history. Ebro’s mentions of Nas are related to the rapper’s company, Mass Appeal, which is preparing to release the highly anticipated sequel to Ghostface Killah’s album, Supreme Clientele 2. “New Ghostface,” said Ebro, following Peter Rosenberg’s announcement of the sequel album. “Shout out to Mass Appeal.” Ebro says Nas has done more for Hip Hop than any other rapper in history pic.twitter.com/ZmpDVpW172 — Navjosh (@Navjosh) June 25, 2025 Ebro’s hot take came after co-hosts Laura Styles and Peter Rosenberg acknowledged the excellent work being done at Mass Appeal right now. Abruptly, he says, “Hot take: Nas has done more for hip hop than any rapper in history.” Rosenberg followed Ebro’s claim, welcoming the debate. “That’s in the convo, right there,” Rosenberg replies. Ebro elaborated further, stating: “He has given back more to hip-hop than any rapper in history.” Nas, arguably one of the greatest lyricists of all time, created a classic catalog of timeless hits throughout the 90s and 2000s, including “If I Ruled The World,” “Street Dreams,” and “One Mic.” By the 2010s, he flipped the script from mic to millions, investing early in tech giants like Coinbase and Ring through QueensBridge Ventures. From bars to boardrooms, he turned hip-hop clout into Silicon Valley cash, building a legacy off equity and vision. In 2013, Nas joined Mass Appeal as investor and creative force, helping relaunch the former hip-hop mag into a multimedia brand. He expanded its reach with a record label and documentaries like Rapture, turning it into a platform that bridges hip-hop roots with bold, future-focused storytelling. Ghostface Killah’s upcoming sequel is a part of a highly publicized music series, titled “Legends Has It.” The Mass Appeal series will drop seven albums in 2025 from icons such as DJ Premier, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, De La Soul, Big L, Mobb Deep, and Nas himself. Honoring hip-hop’s roots and legends, the series celebrates New York’s legacy while spotlighting rap’s most influential voices and timeless impact. Ebro’s Nas claim would receive attention on social media, ranging from fans agreeing with the statement to disagreeing regarding other artists and their contributions. An X user tweeted, “True in the context of championing hiphop globally too. As a rapper, yes, but even more so as an entrepreneur.” Ebro’s comment sparks an ongoing debate that seems never-ending.

Kendrick Lamar’s explosive collaboration with SZA, “Luther,” has crossed the one billion stream threshold on Spotify, hitting the mark faster than any of his previous records. Dropped in November, the track took just seven months to reach the milestone—outpacing the eight-month climb of his viral hit “Not Like Us.” It’s the eleventh time Lamar has joined Spotify’s billion-stream club, a space he already occupies with chart heavyweights like “HUMBLE.,” “Money Trees,” and “All the Stars.” The speed of “Luther’s” ascent underscores Lamar’s unmatched momentum in today’s rap landscape. Beyond its streaming success, “Luther” has dominated the Billboard Hot 100, holding the top slot for 13 straight weeks and leading the hip-hop chart for a staggering 25. The track has become a cultural mainstay, cementing its presence across radio, social media, and live stages alike. Lamar’s BET wins and tour cement his reign Lamar’s recent sweep at the BET Awards added to the victory lap. Returning to his hometown of Los Angeles, he walked away with five wins, including Album of the Year and Best Collaboration—sharing two of the honors with creative partner Dave Free. “I haven’t been here in a long time, but my heart has always been with BET,” he told the crowd. “I’ve made sure they represent our culture authentically, placing me in the heart of the music that resonates with people.” He added, “To my folks in the building and my LA natives in the back, I see you. God first and foremost, to my company pgLang, SZA in the crowd—we’re currently on tour, so don’t miss our show. We’re going to keep this momentum going, and I truly appreciate all of you.” The duo is currently mid-run on their Grand National Tour, closing out North American stops before taking their stage show to stadiums across Europe. The run has drawn massive crowds and critical praise, reinforcing both artists’ cultural and commercial dominance.

Ludacris knows something about taking a risk.  On Incognegro, his debut independent album, which was released on Aug. 17, 1999, he invested $20,000 out of his own money. Speaking with PEOPLE at the Waymo x Uber event on Monday (June 16), Luda recalled how he bet on himself. “Just not knowing how the world would receive it and taking the biggest risk by just putting music out there,” Ludacris said. “The fear of failure is something you have to overcome in order to accomplish great things. And I think that that was a crossroads of my life going into the success that it did because I told myself I wasn’t going to be afraid of the outcome,” Luda continued. “Those are the type of risks that have the reward that I’ve been able to live off the fruits of the label.” Betting on himself was the best decision he ever made. Eventually, Def Jam loved the project and signed him in 2000. The same year, Luda rereleased Incognegro on Oct. 17, 2000, with a new title, Back for the First Time. “I put [Incognegro] out independently, and then it got 50,000 sold, where Def Jam signed me. I took two records off and added three other records. So what people may not know is that it was an independent album way before it got the success.” The album spawned classic hits such as  “What’s Your Fantasy?,” “Southern Hospitality,” “Phat Rabbit,” and sold over 3 million units in the United States and was certified triple platinum. 

The Clipse have opened up about the breakup of the Neptunes. During a recent interview with Popcast, the dynamic spoke about the creative process of their upcoming album, Let God Sort Em Out, which Pharrell produced by himself and his falling out with Chad Hugo. “Absolutely miss Chad. As far as, you know, being on the album,” No Malice said. “But I’ll see Chad in the airport, in the street, at Buffalo Wild Wings, you know, in VA. Whatever they got going on, just hope for the best for that […] Whenever we see each other, it’s always still love. Always.” Pusha T shared that Hugo had been absent on other projects, but that won’t impact their progress. “For me, no, you know, no. Everybody knows my favorite album is Hell Hath No Fury. Pharrell did that alone. That’s it […] Chad’s my guy. I love Chad. Pharrell’s my guy, love Chad, too. We’re brothers, we came up together,” Pusha explained. “But, you know, when you say missing in the music, there is no missing in the music when it comes to the Clipse. And if it’s just P, it don’t matter—we find what we find.” In April 2024, Williams and Hugo were involved in a legal dispute over the group’s name, which HO797 previously reported. “Throughout their over thirty year history, [Hugo] and Williams agreed to, and in fact, have divided all assets,” wrote Hugo’s attorney Kenneth D. Freundlich. “By ignoring and excluding [Hugo] from the any and all applications filed by applicant for the mark ‘The Neptunes,’ applicant has committed fraud in securing the trademarks and acted in bad faith.”

The criminal trial of Sean “Diddy” Combs moved closer to its conclusion this week as both the prosecution and defense wrapped their cases. After weeks of testimony and high-profile allegations, the courtroom entered a quieter phase on June 24, with Diddy’s legal team opting not to call any witnesses of their own. Tuesday’s proceedings focused on evidence introduced by the prosecution, including text messages, hotel bookings, and travel itineraries linked to alleged “freak off” parties. Homeland Security agent Joseph Cerciello returned to the stand, facing cross-examination over records that prosecutors say reflect payments to male escorts and coordination with Diddy’s employees. Diddy faces multiple federal charges, including sex trafficking, racketeering, and transporting individuals for prostitution. He has pleaded not guilty. Prosecutors have sought to portray him as the central organizer of a network of illicit sexual encounters, allegedly aided by staff and associates. Defense Rests Quickly, Framing Relationships as Consensual Once the prosecution concluded its case, the defense began and ended their presentation within a half-hour. Rather than introducing new witnesses, the defense focused on reframing Diddy’s past relationships as consensual and mutual. To support their argument, Diddy’s lawyers pointed to text messages exchanged between him and former girlfriend Cassie Ventura Fine. One message from February 2017 detailed playful plans for Valentine’s Day, while others contained romantic and sexual language. The defense presented these as evidence of an intimate relationship built on mutual understanding—not coercion. In one of his few direct statements, Diddy informed the court of his decision not to testify. “I made this decision with my legal team,” he told Judge Arun Subramanian, signaling confidence in the case’s direction. Following a short recess, Diddy’s attorneys filed a Rule 29 motion—requesting an acquittal on grounds that the government’s evidence fell short of proving guilt. Defense attorney Alexandra Shapiro argued there was no conspiracy and that staff who may have helped book travel or handle logistics were not privy to personal details of Diddy’s private life. “Mr. Combs tried to keep these relationships and the related activities private,” Shapiro said, distancing employees from the alleged misconduct. The defense continued to reject any suggestion of sex trafficking, pointing instead to instances where Ventura appeared to willingly participate. Shapiro emphasized that allegations of domestic violence—while serious—should not be confused with federal trafficking charges, a distinction the defense has highlighted throughout the trial. With the prosecution’s case formally rested and the defense declining to present additional witnesses, the trial enters its final phase. Closing arguments are expected later this week, as both sides prepare to make their final pitches to the jury. The stakes remain high—not only for Diddy, but for the broader conversation unfolding around power, consent, and accountability in the entertainment world.

Nick Cannon may finally be done adding to his large family. During an appearance on The Really Good Podcast, Cannon gave a surprise reply when asked if he was done having children. “I think I’m done,” he said with a smile. As HOT97 previously reported, Cannon has admitted to having trouble remembering the names of all his children.  “You want all 12?” Cannon asked. “This is where I usually get in trouble… I know all of ’em, but can you rattle off just 12 of anything?” There’s Roc, Roe, Golden, Powerful, Rise, Onyx, Legendary, Zion, Zillian, Zen, and…” he began. “And see this is where I, uh…” Cannon admitted that he was “missing two” children, adding Beautiful and his youngest daughter, Halo Marie Cannon.  “There’s a song, and I was like, I don’t want to do that,” Cannon said about his tactics of remembering his children’s names. “I wrote a verse that had all their names in it, and I just, sometimes I recite that,” he said. When asked why he has 12 kids, Cannon said he has a “king complex” while comparing himself to the biblical character King Solomon, who had 700 wives and 300 concubines.  “I don’t want no wives, I just want kids,” Cannon explained In March, Cannon revealed that his family’s size has caused a strain on his finances.  “The way my bank account is set up, I’m going to press hold on this 12 for right now.” In total, Cannon shares twins Moroccan and Monroe with ex-wife Mariah Carey; sons Golden Sagon and Rise Messiah Cannon and daughter Powerful Queen with Brittany Bell; twins Zion Mixolydian and Zillion Heir and daughter Beautiful Zeppelin with Abby De La Rosa; son Legendary Love with Bre Tiesi; and daughter Onyx Ice Cole with LaNisha Cole. Cannon is also father to two children with Alyssa Scott — son Zen, who died at five months old in December 2021 after being diagnosed with brain cancer. His daughter Halo Marie Cannon was born on Dec. 14, 2022.

Offset’s latest appearance is turning heads, and not because of his music. The rapper recently sat down with magician Anna DeGuzman for Complex’s new series Interview With A Magician, and things got interesting fast when she attempted to pull a secret from his mind: his celebrity crush, which was revealed to be Sabrina Carpenter. View this post on Instagram A post shared by COMPLEX (@complex) While Offset played it cool and avoided dropping a name at first, he hinted that the person in question had impressive “taste in her total artistry.” But the real reveal came when DeGuzman magically produced a crumpled piece of paper with the name Sabrina Carpenter written on it. Offset’s reaction? Shocked, amused, and maybe just a little caught off guard. The moment comes at a time when fans are closely watching Offset’s every move, especially following Cardi B’s official announcement of her long-awaited album Am I The Drama? just a day prior. Despite once encouraging her to release it, even after their split, Offset stayed completely silent on her big news. No reposts, no shoutouts, no mentions. While the internet expected some kind of reaction from her ex, Offset seems focused on other things. His magician-revealed admiration for Carpenter, who happens to be on the same label, sparked talk of a possible collaboration or at least a new muse. Insiders previously said Offset had been one of Cardi’s biggest supporters while she was working on the album. But now, with her release date locked in and the spotlight back on her, he’s shifted his attention elsewhere. Whether it was just a fun moment on camera or something deeper, Offset’s unexpected Sabrina Carpenter reveal has added a new twist to the post-breakup narrative. One thing’s clear: Offset’s keeping fans guessing, both with his silence and his new crush.

Oprah Winfrey is setting the record straight following viral rumors and AI-generated images falsely claiming she attended Sean “Diddy” Combs’ infamous parties. Speaking candidly during the Good Soil Forum in Dallas, the media mogul categorically denied any involvement and expressed concern over the spread of misinformation. “I have never been near a Puff party,” Winfrey said emphatically. “Anybody who knows me knows if there is a party, I’m the first one out.” She went on to describe her preference for quiet evenings at home, nestled by the fireplace with her dogs, reinforcing, “That is not who I am.” Winfrey also revealed she has been working with YouTube to remove explicit, AI-manipulated images that falsely depict her at Diddy’s gatherings. She called the situation “troubling and invasive,” spotlighting the growing dangers posed by artificial intelligence in the age of digital disinformation. Joining her onstage was Bishop T.D. Jakes, who also addressed rumors about his alleged presence at Diddy’s so-called “Freak Offs.” Jakes admitted he once stopped by Diddy’s house for a brief birthday visit during the day — a 30-minute appearance he says was misconstrued. “I am almost 70 years old. What do I look like? I am a grandfather,” he said, brushing off salacious speculation. Both Winfrey and Jakes criticized the culture of scandal and gossip dominating digital platforms, warning that such distractions are pulling focus from more meaningful conversations and societal progress. Their remarks come amid a federal investigation into Diddy, involving allegations of sex trafficking and other serious accusations. As the legal scrutiny intensifies, public figures have found themselves inadvertently swept into the controversy — often fueled by AI-generated content and online rumor mills. Oprah and T.D. Jake publicly denies going to Diddy’s parties. “I have never been near a Puff party.” pic.twitter.com/L2u5mBAiTQ — The Art Of Dialogue (@ArtOfDialogue_) June 21, 2025

Damson Idris has become a more cautious driver after filming his new movie F1. Speaking with PEOPLE, Idris explained what made him slow down on the road. During filming, he drove up to 180 mph. I’m not going to lie, it actually made me drive a lot safer,” Idris said. “I have so much respect for F1 drivers and the speeds that they reach and the amount of pressure that they’re under while they reach those speeds.” “So yeah, now when I’m in the car, I’m definitely just cruising and minding my business,” Idris continued. Previously, Idris told PEOPLE that he “watched every single race” he could to prepare for the film. He also shared that Pitt became close, although their characters are at odds in the film. “It was a seamless dynamic between us. As soon as they’d yell ‘Cut!’, we both sat in our seats and giggled,” Idris said. “He’d be telling me stories of when he first met Prince and Sidney Poitier. And I’m like, ‘Oh my God, this is just too iconic; you’re a walking monument.’ “ “I always say [Brad is] the most humble person and such a brilliant actor, and he wants you to win,” Idris added. “And he did that for me the entire movie — made a point of having the two characters be equals — so I’m incredibly indebted to him, and I can’t wait people to see it.” In the film, Idris plays Joshua Pierce, the rookie teammate of Brad Pitt’s character Sonny Hayes, a returning Formula 1 driver who took several years away from the track. F1 premieres in theaters on Friday, June 27.