2025 has been a memorable year for Chayce Beckham. He’s been touring across the country, tied the knot with his longtime love Ashley Britt, was selected as a 2025 Opry NextStage artist, and even bought a new house. The American Idol winner shared an update with Country Now on everything happening in his life ahead of his appearance at Category 10 in Nashville for the fifth annual “Opry NextStage Live” event.
New House, New Puppy!
“We had the wedding. We’re in between two houses right now. We just bought a house this year,” he revealed. “We’re kind of in existing mode where everything’s been so crazy.”
Chayce Beckham with Wife, Ashley; Photo by Emma Manning
Amid all the chaos, Beckham and his wife also welcomed a new member to the family, a rescue dog.
“We got a new puppy. His name’s Tater, and he is a handful,” the singer-songwriter said with a laugh.
As he looks forward to celebrating his first Christmas as a married man, Beckham joked, “I feel like this Christmas will be a lot of me chasing Tater around the house!”
Chayce Beckham – Holdin’ You, Lovin’ You
“Holdin’ You, Lovin’ You”
The chart-topping artist is also staying busy on the music front. He recently released “Holdin’ You, Lovin’ You,” the tender ballad he used to propose to Ashley, and followed it up with a heartfelt music video. The clip weaves together live performance shots with personal home videos from their love story, beginning when he was just 17 years old.
“It’s a neat video. It’s not like what you would turn on a music video show or channel, and that’s not really one that you would see on there. It is all very kind of home video footage and stuff from our wedding,” he explained. “And I proposed to my wife with that song, so it’s a special song for both of us. But we did the video with a lot of the content from our engagement and from our actual wedding and then home videos that we had when we met whenever I was 17 years old. So it’s just kind of pieced together all these little moments of memories and the video ultimately is our journey through life until we got to the point where we got married.”
He added, “It’s such a special song to me and her, and the video couldn’t be more us. It’s a cool video. I’m excited for everybody to see it and kind of get a little peek into our life.”
New Music In 2026
Looking ahead to 2026, Beckham is excited to share that new music is on the way.
“I have singles slotted out for pretty much the first half of the year. This year, we didn’t release a lot of music until the last couple months. And I’m really just looking forward to putting a lot of music out next year, kind of consistently putting out new songs and new singles,” he said. “I just cut five more last week in the studio that I’m really excited about.”
Chayce Beckham is set to wrap up his year of touring on December 9 with a performance at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, TN.
In the middle of a whirlwind year, which included touring with artists like Megan Moroney, Blake Shelton, and Cody Johnson, rising star Emily Ann Roberts enjoyed a rare day off in Nashville, where she joined us for the Pupdate. She shared updates on new music, life as a “Yeehaw Meemaw,” and offered fans a glimpse into life with her husband, Chris.
Roberts instantly lifted the room with her bubbly personality, greeting us with her sweet Southern accent, which, by the way, is completely authentic as she grew up in East Tennessee.
Wasting no time, Roberts took a seat on the floor as Kobe, Karl, and Kaleb, three adorable rescue pups from Proverbs 12:10 Animal Rescue, gathered around her, greeting her with puppy kisses and plenty of playful chaos.
Emily Ann Roberts; Photo by Osprey Media
Signing A Record Deal
As the puppies tumbled around her, Roberts dove right in, reflecting on the biggest moment of her year so far: signing a record deal with RECORDS/Sony Music Nashville, a milestone that arrived after a decade of hard work and unwavering dedication.
“Ever since I got to Nashville, I’ve been independently releasing my music, but this year, my 10th year after getting off The Voice, I was able to sign my first record deal. And I am so excited,” she shared. “We have built so much just on our own, but there is nothing like having an incredible team of people who are absolute professionals helping support this music and get it out to the people. So I can’t wait to see what we’re able to accomplish together now that I’m signed.”
Following the big announcement, Roberts shared a new EP with fans. The project, dubbed Memory Lane, includes seven songs, each co-written by Roberts herself. This comes as no surprise, according to the singer/songwriter, storytelling is the core of everything she creates.
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“Well, my favorite thing about country music is the storytelling. And so when I was thinking about the songs that I wanted to record for the Memory Lane EP, I knew that I wanted to keep telling great stories. And so we have songs that are about my life and things that I’ve gone through. And then we have stories that we have made up just from scratchy scratch. And so I think that that makes for a really fun project when there’s a lot of things to talk about and not just one thing,” she explained.
New EP
The East Tennessee native hopes fans can find songs that resonate with them on the project, but for her, the most personal track is “Easy Does It.”
“That is literally my story with my husband, and he showed me a different way that love could be. I always thought it was supposed to be like a roller coaster ride of he loves me, he loves me not. But I have learned that while a roller coaster ride can be thrilling for a moment in a relationship when you are looking for a partner for life, easy does it for sure,” she smiled.
Emily Ann Roberts; Photo by Osprey Media
Sasser House
Many fans have come to love Roberts not only for her music, but also through her Sasser House account with her husband, where they invite fans into their everyday life – gardening, home projects, cooking, and their various adventures together.
“Well, it’s no secret that I have a lot of fun online on TikTok and Instagram and all the different places that I get to share my life… We just live a crazy life, but we try to prioritize time at home as well whenever we have it. So we love getting to share that on there.”
“Yeehaw Meemaw”
Through this account, Emily Ann Roberts has lovingly dubbed herself a “Yeehaw Meemaw.” So, we asked her what that means to her.
Emily Ann Roberts; Photo by Osprey Media
“I call myself ‘Yeehaw Memaw’ because I’m really into the old stuff. So I’m one part ‘Yeehaw’ because I’m young and I’m a country music singer and there’s a whole lot of ‘Yeehaw’ that is involved in that. But then also I am just into old timey things that are maybe out of style for some folks. So like crochet and bread baking and homemaking and gardening. And even my fashion choices can be a little ‘Meemaw’ at times. And so that’s where ‘YeeHaw Meemaw’ comes from because you don’t have to just pick one. You can be both.”
Touring With Megan Moroney, Cody Johnson, & Blake Shelton
Reflecting on her incredible 2025, Roberts shared what she’s taken away from touring with the artists she opened for throughout the year.
“I have been so blessed to go out on the road with so many incredible artists this year, but I have to say I’ve learned different things from all of ’em. From Megan [Moroney], I have learned how important it is to create a whole experience for your audience. I mean, her fans are unlike any fans I have ever seen in country music. They’re absolutely incredible, and it’s more than just a concert, it is an event, and that’s been really cool to see what she has built.”
Emily Ann Roberts; Photo by Osprey Media
Roberts said touring with Cody Johnson offered a different kind of lesson.
“With Cody, I have learned that there’s a place for all kinds of country music and traditional country music is not dead. It is alive and well. And that’s something cool to see him carry a torch for.”
Finally, she reflected on what Blake Shelton taught her.
“And then with Blake, I have learned that you are never too far along in your career to reach out a helping hand to somebody else who’s coming up. He has shown me that time and time again, and I’m really thankful I’ve been able to learn from him.”
2026 is shaping up to be another milestone year for Roberts, who will hit the road again with Cody Johnson on select dates, take her music overseas with the C2C Festival, and perform at several major U.S. festivals, including Tortuga Music Festival, Cattle Country Music Fest, and more.
Adopt These Puppies
Two of these sweet pups, Karl and Kaleb, are still looking for their forever homes. Those interested in adopting should contact Proverbs 12:10 Animal Rescue, a foster-based 501(c)(3) charitable organization based in Middle Tennessee and run primarily by volunteers. Proverbs is fully dedicated to the care and well-being of every animal they rescue. To learn more or make a donation, click HERE.
B.G. sits down with us for a robust, unfiltered conversation about the Cash Money reunion, new albums, his relationship with Mannie Fresh, the long-standing tension with No Limit, his advice for Max B after prison, and where things stand with Juvenile today.
From Chopper City to 2025, B.G. opens up about life after doing 12½ years, adjusting to a new industry, dropping his next album the day he gets off probation, and rebuilding everything from the ground up. He speaks on the real reasons Cash Money and No Limit never collaborated in the early days, what kept the camps divided, and why the artists always had love even when the business didn’t. This and much more is included in this exclusive chat.
This is HISTORY. This is CULTURE. This is B.G. being B.G.
AllHipHop: Chopper City style, man. You already know what it is. We’re here with an absolute legend—Mr. “Bling Bling” himself. How you feeling?
B.G.: I’m good, man. Appreciate the love. I’m excited. I remember them Rap City days too. Cash Money… yeah, this really feels full circle.
THE CASH MONEY REUNION
AllHipHop: Let’s get into it. How’s the reunion been going?
B.G.: Man, it’s been love. For real. We had to cancel a couple dates, move some things around—everybody got their own situations, their own movements happening. Promoters be having their schedules locked in too. But overall, it’s been all love.
NEW MUSIC
AllHipHop: Are you working on new music for the fans?
B.G.: Absolutely. I got a new album coming out. I’m trying to drop it the day I get off probation. That’s in about two months. I haven’t been able to be 100% B.G. because I’ve had to turn lyrics in to my PO, knowing the prosecutor and judge listening. But this album…that’s gon’ be the real B.G. The one the streets grew up on.
I also got a project with Boosie coming—Landlords of Louisiana. And me and Mike Will Made-It got a whole album in the chamber too.
WORKING WITH MANNIE FRESH AGAIN?
AllHipHop: What’s up with Mannie Fresh? Any new music together?
B.G.: Oh yeah, Mannie got some heat. He been on his DJ wave heavy. But he told me once that slows down, we gon’ lock in again, get back to that old Cash Money vibe. In the meantime—trust me—what we got coming sounds like straight Chopper City.
CASH MONEY VS. NO LIMIT: VERZUZ VIBES
AllHipHop: Y’all recently did a joint event with No Limit. Who do you think won?
B.G.:Song for song? They can’t see us. We crushed that. But presentation-wise? I’ll keep it a hundred—No Limit might’ve edged us out. I wanted us all to come through unified with the tees and represent, but I couldn’t get everybody on the same page.
Still, it was all love. Something that could’ve never happened 20–25 years ago. We shared the stage, represented the culture. And yeah, it was a big bag involved too. (Laughs)
WHY CASH MONEY & NO LIMIT NEVER COLLAB’D BACK THEN
AllHipHop: For years, y’all had issues but never dissed each other. Why didn’t we see more songs between the camps?
B.G.: Honestly, it was the entourages. They’re from the Calliope. We had Magnolia dudes with us—VL, 13th, Hollywood. A lot of street beef between the people around us, not us directly. That kept us from working together.
Plus Baby and P had their own issues. I’m not going too deep into that.
RELATIONSHIPS WITH MIA X, MAC, C-MURDER & OTHERS
AllHipHop: Despite everything, you always seemed to have love for individual No Limit artists.
B.G.: Facts. Mia X is my big sister—I love her to death. Fiend? That’s my dog. Mac was on my first Chopper City album. Slim? You already know. Free C-Murder—we even did a track while he was locked up.
KLC (producer Craig “KLC” Lawson) been producing for me for years. We’re working on an album together. It’s real love among the artists. The business heads were the ones clashing, not us.
We’re lining up Cash Money vs. No Limit again for the new year. It’s gon’ be huge.
ADVICE TO MAX B AFTER HIS RELEASE
AllHipHop: You’re in New York, and Max B just came home. You’ve been walking the straight path since your release—what advice do you have for him?
B.G.: Man, I’m still figuring things out myself. He did like 16 or 18 years. I did 12 and a half. Coming back to social media, the new way of promoting, marketing—it’s a whole new world.
I’d tell him: Stay focused. Take your time. Don’t rush nothing. Enjoy your freedom, your family, your kids. Get in the studio and let the music speak for itself.
My motto: Do it right, don’t rush.
THE SITUATION WITH TURK
AllHipHop: Before you go—fans are asking: what’s up with the situation between you and Juvenile?
B.G.: (Pauses) It is what it is. I’m not here to bash him or downplay him. People know the history with the Hot Boys.
He knows what he did. I know what he did. When the time is right, we’ll sit down and talk. But that time hasn’t come yet.
Tim Westwood stood in a London courtroom today (December 8) and denied every single charge against him.
The 68-year-old Hip-Hop legend entered not guilty pleas to all 15 counts at Southwark Crown Court. He’s accused of rape, sexual assault and indecent assault involving seven women over 33 years.
Three alleged incidents happened at BBC Studios in 1996 when Westwood hosted Radio 1’s groundbreaking rap show. Prosecutors say he committed four indecent assaults in London during the 1980s.
They claim he raped a woman at a hotel in 1996. Two more rape charges involve incidents in the 2010s. Westwood also faces sexual assault charges from a Gloucestershire nightclub in 2010 and North London in 2016.
The former DJ revolutionized UK Hip-Hop when he launched BBC Radio 1’s first rap show in 1994. He interviewed everyone from Eminem to Jay-Z during his 20-year run at the BBC.
He left Radio 1 in 2013 and moved to Capital Xtra. That gig ended in April 2022 after misconduct allegations surfaced.
Westwood previously said he “strongly denies all allegations of inappropriate behavior.”
His legal team maintained that position during today’s hearing. The judge granted him conditional bail. He can’t contact any witnesses before his pre-trial review in December 2026.
Jay-Z complimented Rachel Roy on her black lace gown during the 2014 Met Gala afterparty and that small gesture reportedly triggered the now-infamous elevator confrontation with Solange Knowles.
Fashion designer Oscar G. Lopez, who created Roy’s dress for the event, recently spoke out about the chaotic night that played out behind closed doors at the Standard Hotel in Manhattan.
“I think that Jay complimented her about the gown and Beyoncé’s sister felt that it was not proper, so it was a kind of a drama there,” Lopez told the Daily Mail.
The elevator footage from that 2014 night showed Solange physically confronting Jay-Z while Beyoncé stood silently nearby. The surveillance video, which leaked days later, became one of the decade’s most talked-about celebrity moments.
Lopez, who designed Roy’s French-sequined gown in under two weeks, said the dress received more attention than expected. Roy arrived late to the red carpet and missed most photo ops, but the drama that followed made the outfit unforgettable.
“Any press is good press,” Lopez said. “It’s good that people talk about you.”
Roy and Dash married in 2005 and divorced in 2009. During their marriage, she oversaw the women’s and children’s lines at Rocawear.
The seemingly innocent comment carried greater weight because of Jay-Z’s complicated history with Dash, Roy’s ex-husband and former Roc-A-Fella Records co-founder.
Jay-Z and Dash’s relationship began unraveling in the early 2000s over clashes over business and personal matters. Both men were romantically interested in Aaliyah during the late 1990s, but Dash ultimately dated the R&B singer until her tragic death in 2001.
Jay-Z eventually parted ways with Damon Dash. In 2004, the remaining half of Roc-A-Fella Records was sold to Def Jam for $10 million. In 2007, Rocawear was sold to Iconix for $204 million.
In 2004, Damon Dash helped Rachel Roy found Royale Etenia LLC, which launched her popular Rachel Roy brand. By 2009, Roy and Dash had divorced.
Lopez denied Jay-Z was sleeping with his former business partner’s ex-wife and said he and Roy laughed off the rumors about an affair. They didn’t take it seriously.
Speculation about Roy’s connection to Jay-Z reignited in 2016 when Beyoncé released her Lemonade album. The track “Sorry” referenced “Becky with the good hair,” which many interpreted as a jab at Roy.
Roy posted “Good hair don’t care” on Instagram shortly after the album dropped, but later denied any link to the lyric.
Busta Rhymes wasn’t having it at Art Basel in Miami after a TikTok prankster tried to clown him by calling him Tracy Morgan while posing for a photo.
In the clip, the dude stands next to Busta Rhymes and casually says “Get the video, get the video, Tracy Morgan…Traceeee” mid-pose like it’s funny. Busta wasn’t laughing. He instantly shut the whole thing down.
“Wait…wait…What’d you just say?” Busta says, clearly not amused. “Put your camera down. I’m taking a picture to show love and you trying to be funny? Tracy my boy? What’s that mean?” Busta Rhymes barked as the stunned, terrified teen seemed to realize his prank went totally off the rails.
“You don’t play with a grown man, little boy. You’ll get f##### up for that,” Busta fumed as the teen slinked away.
If you’re not familiar, this Tracy Morgan comparison thing isn’t new. Folks have been trolling Busta with that for a while now. Back in 2020, Busta posted a gym update on Instagram showing off his transformation and hyping up his grind.
Then 50 Cent jumped in with a throwback pic of Busta and Tracy Morgan side by side and wrote, “They really kinda look alike right LOL. He’s gonna curse me out when he wake up.”
Drake has survived a lot of rap chaos over the years, and having Top5 around as his unofficial street cred has helped. But that idea might be done and it is all over the place right now.
Top5 hopped on the phone with DJ Akademiks and unloaded a whole explanation about why he’s suddenly throwing shade at The Boy. According to him, Drake crossed a major line of loyalty: he posted Pressa’s diss track! And Pressa just happens to be Top5’s former friend turned rival. Yes… this is basically a loyalty tug-of-war for Drake’s attention, and yes… it sounds exactly as messy as it feels. Damn.
Things have just spiraled from there. I wonder why Drake would do that? You guys think he is under…pressa? I mean pressure! Either way, Top5 said he’s tired of being overlooked, tired of favoritism and tired of politics in Drake’s circle.
But here’s where it gets wild: Top5 admitted he’s been secretly bumping Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us,” and he finally went public with it because he’s mad at Drake. And then he doubled down on that bar—yes, THAT one:
“They tell me Chubbs the only one that get your hand-me-downs.”
Top5 says that line is FACTS, straight up. Oh man…
To me, it signals that he’s using Drake’s biggest rival to send a message: you played with the wrong one.
Now the big question: What does Drake look like without Top5 in his corner?
Secondly: will there be more leakage? For years, Top5 has been the gritty presence behind OVO, clapping back in the streets so Drake didn’t have to. If that protection disappears… who fills that role?
Right now it’s all strange energy, strange timing and strange things. Drake has a whole album he’s about to drop! But if Drake’s top enforcer is flipping…we have a problem.
More on this soon.
Akademiks says the “Biggest Fall Off of the Year” in HIP HOP.
Ak says Young Thug doesn’t get fall-off… he gets “Biggest Fumble of the Year” for fumbling the moment, the album, and the momentum.
Dae Dae, the Atlanta rapper known for his 2016 hit “Wat U Mean (Aye, Aye, Aye),” was arrested after allegedly stabbing a 17-year-old cashier at a Dunkin’ location in 2021.
The victim, Mekia Bryant, was working behind the counter when the rapper became irate after learning the shop was out of the item he wanted. After initially storming off, he returned ten minutes later, demanding to speak with a manager.
Despite the violent nature of the attack, the court determined Bryant’s injuries were tied directly to her job duties.
“[Dae Dae’s] act of stabbing Bryant arose out of his displeasure with her job performance,” Judge Amanda Mercier wrote in the court’s decision.
The ruling emphasized that even though the two had never interacted before, the attack was triggered by a work-related issue and thus fell under Georgia’s workers’ compensation laws.
Bryant, who was a minor at the time, initially declined medical treatment after the stabbing. She later filed a lawsuit against Dunkin’s parent company, seeking compensation for emotional trauma and physical harm.
But the court denied her request, stating that she is only entitled to the limited benefits provided under Georgia’s workers’ compensation system.
In Georgia, injured workers can receive up to two-thirds of their average weekly wage, capped at $800 per week, for up to 400 weeks. According to data from the I_nsurance Journal__,_ this amount is lower than what many other Southern states offer for comparable injuries.
Dae Dae was arrested in June 2021 after evading law enforcement for six months. Prior to the stabbing, he had already faced legal trouble involving stolen firearms and drug possession.
When the stabbing allegations surfaced, he denied involvement on Instagram, claiming people were trying to damage his name.
Chauncey Billups just sold his $4.3 million Lake Oswego mansion while his co-defendant, Terry Rozier, walked into a Brooklyn courthouse today (December 8).
The embattled Trail Blazers coach unloaded his 7,366-square-foot Oregon estate for $4.275 million after listing it on November 21. He bought the house for $3.9 million back in July 2021 when Portland hired him.
Billups got arrested at that same Lake Oswego house back in October. Federal agents showed up at his door after a multi-year investigation into rigged poker games.
The feds say Billups served as a celebrity “face” for illegal poker games in Manhattan, Las Vegas, Miami and the Hamptons. They claim the operation scammed victims out of $7 million starting in 2019.
Rozier’s case is different but connected. Prosecutors say he gave inside information to gamblers betting on his NBA performance. The scheme allegedly involved $200,000 in bets on his “under” totals.
Former NBA player Damon Jones also got charged in both cases. He pleaded not guilty in November and remains free on bond. The investigation swept up 34 people in total across two separate federal cases. Three defendants – Jones, Eric Earnest and Shane Hennon – face charges in both cases.
Billups hasn’t coached since his October arrest. The NBA placed him on unpaid leave and the Trail Blazers named assistant Tiago Splitter as acting coach.
The home sale signals Billups is cutting ties with Oregon. He’s been living at his primary residence in Greenwood Village, Colorado, since his arrest.
Rozier’s trial could impact his NBA career. The Heat traded for him from Charlotte in January 2024 without knowing about the federal investigation.
Billups faces trial by September 2026. His next court appearance is scheduled for March 4, 2026.
Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani pushed his public safety agenda into bolder territory this week by naming rapper-turned-activist Mysonne Linen to his transition team’s criminal legal system committee. The move places a onetime Bronx defendant who rebuilt his life through advocacy at the center of a sweeping effort to reshape how New York handles public safety.
Mamdani’s transition website listened the New York City-based MC among the members of the Committee on the Criminal Legal System. This is one of 17 advisory groups formed to offer policy and personnel recommendations ahead of Mamdani taking office next month.
Mysonne, along with comrade Tamika Mallory, publicly embraced the role on Instagram, writing: “GODS WORK!!”
Their organization, Until Freedom, issued a broader statement celebrating the appointment as both symbolic and earned.
“We are proud that Until Freedom leaders have been chosen to serve on Mayor-Elect Zohran Mamdani’s transition team on committees for public safety and criminal justice respectively. This is a testament to our decades of work advocating on behalf of Black and Brown communities and our expertise in gun violence prevention, legislative advocacy and criminal justice reform. We are building something different.”
Mamdani has pushed forward a $1.1 billion proposal for a Department of Community Safety, which would route non-violent and mental-health-related 911 calls away from NYPD response and toward trained civilian teams. The plan maintains overall NYPD staffing.
Mamdani has also vowed to halt NYPD-led sweeps of homeless encampments, arguing the practice only displaces unhoused residents without addressing the need for stable shelter.
“It pushes New Yorkers who are living in the cold to another place where they will live in the cold,” he told CBS News.
On the jail front, Mamdani maintains that closing Rikers Island remains essential, though he has said the current administration has made the city’s original 2027 deadline “functionally impossible.”
The addition of Mysonne, Mallory and others with a unique grassroots New York City experience will help Mamdani steer the city’s next era of criminal justice policy.
MIAMI | Busta Rhymes almost lost it after someone called him Tracy Morgan 
cr. @EditionByMisha 
Akademiks says the “Biggest Fall Off of the Year” in HIP HOP.
