Raekwon and Ghostface Killah recently dropped the trailer for an upcoming documentary, Only Built 4 Cuban Linx, Raekwon’s legendary 1995 album. Titled the Purple Tape Files and filmed over several years,  the doc celebrates the album on its 30th anniversary and its ongoing influence. During the trailer, Raekwon shared the creative zone he was in while putting the album together.  “I put myself into a serious mindframe,” The Chef said. “A serious storytelling album. I had to make this product stand out. “I knew that purple represents royalty, and that’s exactly what I was looking for,” he continued, referencing its distinctive color palette that led many to call the LP The Purple Album. Raekwon also shared that he was serious about approaching the album and demanded that those around him live up to the same standard. “We had to make a conscious decision,” he explains. “Either we want to stay here and keep holding guns and want to run around playing this game, or did we want to go for the American dream and get on this rap shit.” The documentary also features guest appearances by Kendrick Lamar, Method Man, Nas, and fellow members of the  Wu-Tang Clan who share their insights about the impact of one of the most renowned projects in hip-hop history. “It ushered in the alter egos, the aliases,” RZA says in the clip. “Still, to this day, it’s flows that you haven’t heard before, saying the most wild shit,” Lamar added. Snoop Dogg describes Only Built 4 Cuban Linx as a “lesson on style” and that “it was all created from the Wu-Tang movement.” Released on August 1, 1995, and produced entirely by RZA, Only Built 4 Cuban Linx is renowned for its cinematic, mafioso-rap storytelling, with Ghostface Killah as the “guest-star.” With no skips, some standout songs include “Criminnolgy”, “Heaven & Hell”, “Ice Cream, “Verbal Intercourse”, “Rainy Dayz”, and  “Incarcerated Scarfaces.”

Ice Spice is making waves in Hollywood with a big animated debut on the horizon. The Bronx-born rapper has officially joined the voice cast of The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants, set to hit theaters this December. The announcement came via Deadline on June 9th, with Paramount Animation and Nickelodeon revealing the new additions to the project. Ice Spice will star alongside comedic heavyweights like Regina Hall, George Lopez, Sherry Cola, and Arturo Castro. Not only will she lend her voice to the film, but she’ll also be contributing a brand-new original track to its soundtrack. Excited about the opportunity, she reacted to the news on her Instagram Story with a cheerful, “yay!!!” The moment feels especially personal for Spice, considering her 2022 single “Bikini Bottom”,inspired by the SpongeBob universe, was a standout from her debut EP Like…?, which reached No. 15 on the Billboard 200. Meanwhile, the rapper continues to stir buzz in both the entertainment world and her personal life. Speculation around her relationship with NFL star Sauce Gardner continues, especially after a cozy mirror selfie of the two surfaced on her Instagram in April only to be quickly deleted. The two had already drawn attention after attending Adin Ross’ boxing match together and landing on the kiss cam, though neither has confirmed their relationship status. On the music front, Ice Spice recently dropped a feature on KATSEYE’s “Gnarly” remix, marking her first release of 2025. She’s also stepping further into film, with a role in Spike Lee’s upcoming project Highest 2 Lowest, where she’ll appear alongside Denzel Washington and A$AP Rocky. From the Bronx streets to the SpongeBob universe, Ice Spice is keeping her momentum strong and expanding her brand in every direction.

Ashanti is stepping into motherhood with grace, hustle, and a whole lot of heart. The R&B star hit the red carpet at the 2025 BET Awards glowing, but made it clear her 10-month-old son, Karem “KK,” was still top of mind. “Baby is doing amazing. He’s about to turn one, which is crazy,” she told People. “It just flew by. Navigating into mommy mode has been very different.” Although KK didn’t attend the show, Ashanti made sure he was taken care of behind the scenes. “I actually had to pump and send milk with the driver to the hotel for him, so talk about multitasking! Mommy has to make it happen!” Ashanti and husband Nelly welcomed their son last year, and since then, her perspective has shifted both personally and professionally. Speaking to Revolt in March, she reflected on the changes motherhood has brought. “This is a new chapter for me. Family first, being married and having a child,” she said. “My mind is thinking bigger and better and more out of the box, obviously.” The new mom is already channeling that energy into creative ventures. “I wrote a children’s book, and I kind of want to just dive into the lane of children now,” she added. “I really do because it’s just so natural. I loved kids before… but now it’s like [times] a million.” And what has little KK taught her so far? “Patience,” she said simply. As she prepares to hit the road with Sean Paul and Fat Joe for the Bring It On Tour, Ashanti is adjusting to tour life with a baby in tow. “I’m definitely in Mama Bear protective mode,” she shared. “Wanting to protect the baby.”

For the first time in 15 years, the Clipse will be heading on tour. In support of their album Let God Sort Em Out, which is set for release on July 11, Pusha T and No Malice will be playing live shows all across North America accompanied by Earthgang. The highly anticipated tour kicks off on August 3 and includes stops in Boston, New York City, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, Chicago, and their hometown of Virginia Beach, VA. The first single, “Ace Trumpets,” was released to critical acclaim, and the official video was released on June 4. In an interview with GQ, Malice expressed his excitement about goint out on tour. “Once you’ve delivered and once you have done your part, you got to see how things fall in place,” Malice said. “And a lot of times they fall in place better than you could have planned […] “No matter the day and the age, you just have to deliver. We do what we do. It’s always quality. Everything is always fine-tuned. We could never just give you haphazard. And I think that’s what the fans recognize about us. They know that everything that we do is chiseled and handcrafted.” Below are all the dates of the tour: 08-03 Boston, MA – Roadrunner  08-05 Philadelphia, PA – Franklin Music Hall  08-07 New York, NY – Terminal 5  08-09 Fairfax, VA – EagleBank Arena  08-10 Virginia Beach, VA – The Dome  08-12 Miami, FL – The Fillmore  08-13 Orlando, FL – The Vanguard  08-14 Atlanta, GA – The Eastern  08-16 Cleveland, OH – Agora Theatre  08-17 Milwaukee, WI – The Eagles Ballroom  08-18 St. Louis, MO – The Factory  08-19 Fayetteville, AR – JJ’s Live  08-21 Denver, CO – Mission Ballroom  08-23 Los Angeles, CA – The Novo  08-25 San Francisco, CA – Warfield Theatre  08-27 Phoenix, AZ – Marquee Theater  08-28 San Diego, CA – SOMA  08-29 Las Vegas, NV – The Theater at Virgin Hotels  09-02 Houston, TX – White Oak Music Hall  09-03 Oklahoma City, OK – The Criterion  09-04 Dallas, TX – The Bomb Factory  09-06 Kansas City, MO – Midland Theatre  09-07 Minneapolis, MN – The Armory  09-08 Chicago, IL – The Salt Shed  09-10 Detroit, MI – Masonic Temple 

Sean “Diddy” Combs stands at the center of a high-stakes federal trial as disturbing new testimony from a former girlfriend, known in court as Jane, adds to the scrutiny. Jane dated the artist on and off between 2021 and 2024 and now claims she was coerced into sexual encounters as part of a pattern of manipulation and emotional control. Jane testified that what began as a single encounter with a male sex worker later spiraled into prolonged “hotel nights,” during which she was allegedly pressured into multiple sexual acts over several days. “I don’t want to be used and locked in a room to fulfill your fantasies,” she wrote in a message to Diddy. In court, she added, “I’m not a porn star. I’m not an animal.” She described feeling an eerie sense of recognition when reading Cassie Ventura’s 2023 lawsuit against Diddy. “I felt like I’m reading my own sexual trauma,” Jane told jurors through tears. That moment, she said, forced her to confront her own experience in a new light. Testimony reveals private trauma and manipulation behind Diddy’s public apology Jane also recalled a tense trip to Miami in May 2024, when the two watched the leaked surveillance video showing Diddy assaulting Ventura. The footage, which had already made headlines, left Jane physically ill. While Diddy later issued a public apology, Jane testified that his private explanation downplayed the assault, suggesting it was a one-time incident. During the March 2024 Homeland Security raids on Diddy’s homes, Jane said she was approached by law enforcement but chose not to speak. At that point, she still felt emotionally entangled, though she had begun to question the relationship’s foundation. Text messages between the two reveal a toxic pattern of gaslighting, with Jane writing, “I became a side chick and sex worker in my own relationship.” She testified that threats to release private videos followed emotional breakdowns, including one exchange where she told Diddy, “I’m gonna kill myself.” Her account paints a troubling portrait of emotional and psychological abuse shaped by power imbalance, fame, and fear. “I felt violated and manipulated,” she told the court, summarizing a relationship she described as built on coercion masked by luxury.

Sly Stone, the legendary funk musician who was regarded as one of the most renowned artists of all time, has passed away, Variety reported. He was 82.  Sly’s passing was confirmed by his family, who released an offcial statement. “After a prolonged battle with COPD [chronic obstructive pulmonary disease] and other underlying health issues, Sly passed away peacefully, surrounded by his three children, his closest friend and his extended family,” a statement from his family reads. “While we mourn his absence, we take solace in knowing that his extraordinary musical legacy will continue to resonate and inspire for generations to come.” “Sly was a monumental figure, a groundbreaking innovator, and a true pioneer who redefined the landscape of pop, funk, and rock music. His iconic songs have left an indelible mark on the world, and his influence remains undeniable. In a testament to his enduring creative spirit, Sly recently completed the screenplay for his life story, a project we are eager to share with the world in due course, which follows a memoir published in 2024.” Born Sylvester Stewart in Denton, Texas, in 1943. The family relocated to California.  Sly found his love while singing in the church choir from the age of 4, alongside his siblings. Soon, he would gain local fame as a member of bands in high school before goint to study music theory at Solano Community College. After leaving school, he worked as a DJ for San Francisco’s KSOL. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Keith Boykin (@keithboykin) By the late 60s, Sly and the Family Stone was formed with his brother Freddie Stone, sister Rose Stone, trumpeter Cynthia Robinson, drummer Greg Errico, saxophonist Jerry Martini, and bassist Larry Graham. The trailblazing group was the first multi-gender, interracial band to hit the mainstream. Combining funk, rock, and psychedelic soul, they released their debut album, A Whole New Thing, in 1967. “Dance to the Music,” their first single, was also released in 1967  their album of the same name the next year. In 1969, Stand became their biggest success, featuring classics such as  “Everyday People,” “Hot Fun in the Summertime” and “Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)”/”Everybody Is a Star.”  The same year, the band gave a legendary performance at Woodstock. Although the band would have some more hit songs and albums, such as the highly influential Greatest Hits in 1970 and There’s a Riot Goin’ On in 1971, Sly’s drug use caused the group to fracture. He became notorious for missing concert dates. They officially broke up in 1975. For their immense accomplishments, in 1993, Sly and the Family Stone were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Over the years, Sly stayed out of the public eye, rarely performing due to battling addiction. In 2023, he released his memoir Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin), named after the band’s classic 1970 single. Earlier this year by Grammy and Oscar-winning director Questlove documented his life and career in  Sly Lives: aka the Burden of Black Genius. The doc features commentary from various Black artists about how they cope with challenges with success.  We at HOT97 extend our prayers and deepest condolences to the family and friends of Sly Stone.

The Game is standing in solidarity with Los Angeles protesters as immigration raids spark unrest across the city. On Monday, June 9th, the Compton rapper took to Instagram to show support for Black and brown communities who’ve flooded the streets in response to recent ICE crackdowns. View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Game (@losangelesconfidential) “Ever since I could remember… it’s been black & brown in this city,” The Game wrote, captioning a series of black-and-white photos from the protests. “From the early days of my childhood til now, we’ve been side by side through it all. All of us. All the time. Not always seeing eye to eye but we’ve shared Los Angeles for a very long time. I stand with y’all like I know you’d stand with us. ‘We might fight against each other… but I promise you this.. we’ll burn this b!%?! down get us pissed!!!!!’ To live & die in L.A.” Fans quickly showed love in his comments, thanking him for speaking up. “Meanwhile Snoop Dogg entertaining the king… thanks for using your platform,” one person wrote. Another added, “You always speak about unity. My respect for you.” Protests erupted after ICE agents launched sweeping immigration raids across L.A., including the controversial arrest of union leader David Huerta, who officials claim interfered with the operation. Thousands of demonstrators have since taken to the streets. Chaos followed—protesters set self-driving cars on fire, while officers responded with tear gas, rubber bullets, and flash-bangs. According to CBS News, LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell said 39 arrests were made over the weekend. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump escalated tensions by calling for military action. “Looking really bad in L.A. BRING IN THE TROOPS!!!” he wrote on Truth Social, prompting even more backlash as scenes of unrest continued to unfold across the city.

Hitmaka recently revealed that Diddy once came on to him at his home in Miami. During a livestream with Ray J, the multiplatinum producer recalled a moment when Diddy gave him a compliment that he felt was suspect. “Ayo, I never told this story,” Hitmaka began. “Diddy be doing some real wild sh*t…he was like, ‘Come here, you little pretty motherf**ker!’” Showing his discomfort witht the incident, Hitmaka gave a side-eye as he rolled in his seat. According to the Hitmaka, that was just the beginning. Producer Hitmaka aka Yung Berg reveals to Ray J that Diddy tried to flirt with him at his house on Star Island “come here you little pretty motherf*cker… imagine when I put my arms around your fine a**… and I left… Diddy is one of the nastiest n*ggas ever…” pic.twitter.com/RKSLDlsI07 — SOUND | Victor Baez (@itsavibe) June 8, 2025 “We at his crib, we at Star Island, and I’m like, ‘huh?’ He like, ‘Yo, I made motherf**kers forget that such-and-such was this, imagine when I put my arms around yo lil fine a**.’ I said, ‘WHAT?!?’” Hitmaka then said he left the house after Diddy’s latest compliment. He then gave a shout-out to musician Rob Holliday, who he said was in attendance at the event before calling Diddy “one of thee nastiest ni**as ever in life.” Currently, Diddy is on trial for sex trafficking and racketeering in Manhattan. “Jane” an anonymous woman claiming to be his girlfriend for several years, took the stand again. During testimony on Monday (June 9), Jane testified that after having a single encounter with a male sex worker later it turned into many “hotel nights,” during which she was allegedly pressured into multiple sexual acts over several days.  “I don’t want to be used and locked in a room to fulfill your fantasies,” she wrote in a message to Diddy. In court, she added, “I’m not a porn star. I’m not an animal.” She went on to detail how she was caught in a toxic situation. “I became a side chick and sex worker in my own relationship.” If found guilty on all charges Diddy faces life in prison.

Earlier this week, Samuel L. Jackson sat down with the Mad Sad Bad podcast. In a shocking revelation, the veteran actor revealed he didn’t understand Kendrick Lamar’s intention behind the halftime show until dress rehearsal. “I didn’t know what they were doing,” he tells host Paloma Faith. “It was kinda trippy because it wasn’t until dress rehearsal that when I looked up, and I looked on that stage, and I go, ‘Oh sh*t, that’s a flag. Ah, f*ck, we’re being revolutionaries.’ Because I wasn’t listening or paying attention.” Being a “revolutionary” isn’t entirely foreign to Jackson. Along with being an award-winning actor, he has a long history as a civil rights activist — so much so that Jackson even served as a pallbearer at Martin Luther King Jr.’s funeral. He continued, “Something about me or my persona has put me in the right place at the right time… in a lot of different moments in my life. And I have to accept that that’s what I’m meant to be sometimes: an agent of change, whether I know it or not.” He added, “I wanna be on the right side of history in terms of what’s going on, and sometimes it’s not by choice.” NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – FEBRUARY 09: (L-R) Samuel Jackson and Kendrick Lamar are seen onstage during Apple Music Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show at Caesars Superdome on February 09, 2025, in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) SiR Says Kendrick Lamar And Drake’s Beef Caused His Show To Be Cancelled In other Kendrick Lamar news, TDE singer SiR was unfortunately caught in the middle of Kendrick Lamar and Drake’s feud, and it ultimately led to a scheduled concert in Toronto last year being canceled. “So the venue in Toronto, which was partially owned by Drake, canceled the show completely,” Sir revealed to the crowd. “Then when we tried to switch venues, the next venue was like, ‘Nah, we ain’t f*cking with it, I ain’t taking no motherf*cking chance.” At the time of the show’s cancellation, SiR took to Instagram to apologize to fans for the unfortunate situation. “So sorry to my Toronto fans. The show has been canceled. We’re working on rescheduling for a later date,” he wrote on social media. “For those wondering, we sold that show out. It was canceled by the venue. Not sure why. My apologies again to those that came just to see me.” However, SiR wasn’t the only Top Dawg Entertainment artist to have trouble selling out shows in Canada. Last year, ScHoolboy Q had one of his shows in Toronto at the height of K-Dot and Drake’s war of words.

In an Instagram post on Thursday (Jun 5), Michelle Obama shared the cover for the upcoming book, The Look, which chronicles her journey with fashion, hair, and beauty. “During our family’s time in the White House, the way I looked was constantly being dissected — what I wore, how my hair was styled,” Michelle begins in the post’s lengthy caption. “For a while now, I’ve been wanting to reclaim more of that story, to share it in my way. I’m thankful to be at a stage in life where I feel comfortable expressing myself freely — wearing what I love and doing what feels true to me. And I’m excited to share some of what I’ve learned along the way.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Michelle Obama (@michelleobama) She continued, “It’s a reflection on my lifelong journey with fashion, hair, and beauty. Inside, you’ll find some of the outfits that have meant the most to me, but more importantly, the moments that I lived through in them — big and small, personal and political, historic and ordinary — that were as memorable as the clothes themselves.” “You’ll also get to know the incredible team that supported me through it all and defined my look — my thoughtful stylist @MeredithKoop, my talented makeup artist @CarlRayMUA, and my wonderful hairstylists @JohnnyWright220, @YeneDamtew, and @KitchenTalkwithNjeri. Each of them brings their own story, heart, and perspective to this journey,” the former First Lady added. “The Look is about more than fashion. It’s about confidence. It’s about identity. It’s about the power of authenticity. My hope is that this book sparks conversation and reflection about the ways we see ourselves — and the way our society defines beauty,” she continued. The book is scheduled for release on November 4. Pre-orders for The Look are currently available at michelleobamabooks.com or wherever books are sold.