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Music

Craig Morgan Gets Emotional Discussing Memoir And Son’s Death With Bunnie XO

Craig Morgan recently joined Jelly Roll’s wife, Bunnie XO, on her Dumb Blonde Podcast to discuss the contents of his powerful memoir, God, Family, Country: Soldier, Singer, Husband, Dad—There’s a Whole Lot More to Me, including the heartbreaking moment he lost his 19-year-old son Jerry to a boating accident in 2016.

During the conversation, Morgan expressed some heavy emotions as he reflected on how the tragedy tested his faith and why he felt compelled to share his experience with the world in the book.

“That was a ‘really God?’ moment,” he said, explaining how the devastating loss led to an opportunity to empower others and explore the depths of his faith.

Craig Morgan; Photo by Nate Griffin
Craig Morgan; Photo by Nate Griffin

Morgan admitted the loss brought enduring sorrow to his family, but he was quick to say that he never once questioned his faith in God as a result.

“I can’t say that I was mad at him. I would not question the question like, ‘really God?’As a Christian, I really thought, I mean, I know I made mistakes, I’ve done things wrong, but I thought I was doing pretty good. You know, bad sh** shouldn’t happen to you…not the way it works though,” he shared candidly. “As I worked through all that, I realized God was never punishing me. He never was this, and I don’t believe in one second that God took my son. I believe the devil did it. And I do know that God could stop him and he didn’t for some reason. And what I have to accept is that that happened.”

@xomgitsbunnie Such a beautiful message from a beautiful soul. I’m so thankful for this interview. The legend himself Mr. Craig Morgan 🤍 Out Now- YT: DumbBlondePod #dbpodcast ♬ original sound – Bunnie Xo 🪄

He continued to open up about his journey of trying to balance mourning his son and holding onto his faith, acknowledging that the questions about why it happened will never be answered and he has come to accept that truth.

“A lot of people seek out the reason why God let that happen. Was it so that all those kids that got baptized after my son died would get baptized? Was it because of this? Was it because of the charity that was established in his name that’s going to help all these kids? Is it going to affect that? I don’t do that. I can’t because you’ll chase that sh** forever and all you’re doing is looking for justification and for me, there is no justification. He’s gone and that’s it. My youngest said it, we just have to live with the suck for the rest of our lives and we miss him. But my faith in God will not waver.”

“But it doesn’t mean that you don’t have bad days. I think there’s moments in your life where you’re supposed to question him,” he continued as tears started to fill his eyes. “I think when you question God, your faith grows because he educates you.”

Morgan and Bunnie both stepped away from their respective mics for a moment to share a hug in the emotional moment. In the background, he can be heard assuring listeners that he doesn’t want to upset anyone, but instead he wants to be a voice of encouragement. This is why he not only wanted to share the book, but also his deeply personal song, “The Father, My Son, And The Holy Ghost,” which arrived in 2019.

“When I wrote that, I never had any intentions of anyone ever hearing that song. We released it to the platforms. We didn’t even go to radio with that song. We didn’t go to radio. It became the number one most downloaded song in the history of music.”

Through his memoir and music, Morgan continues to honor his son’s memory while offering hope to others who may be navigating grief, showing that even in the darkest moments, your faith can remain strong.

Partnering with Jim DeFelice, Craig Morgan penned his powerful memoir, God, Family, Country: Soldier, Singer, Husband, Dad—There’s a Whole Lot More to Me, which was published by Blackstone Publishing on Sept. 27.

Along with reflecting on Jerry’s death, the book also chronicles plenty of other notable moments from Morgan’s remarkable life journey, from his years in the military and working with the CIA in Panama and combating sex traffickers in Thailand as an undercover agent, to his rise in country music and his life as a devoted husband and father.

Morgan now lives his life with a new perspective and is constantly sharing messages of faith, resilience, and hope with others alongside the support of his surviving adult children, Aly, Kyle, and Wyatt, whom he shares with his wife Karen Greer.

The post Craig Morgan Gets Emotional Discussing Memoir And Son’s Death With Bunnie XO appeared first on Country Now.

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Music

25+ Grand Ole Opry Members Unite for Once-in-a-Lifetime 100th Anniversary Celebration

More than 25 Grand Ole Opry members gathered on Friday night to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Opry’s very first broadcast on November 28, 1925.

The milestone show aired on the Opry’s flagship station WSM, streamed on SiriusXM, and was broadcast worldwide via the Opry’s social media channels.

Ricky Skaggs; Photo by Grand Ole Opry, by Rachael Black
Ricky Skaggs; Photo by Grand Ole Opry, by Rachael Black

The historic evening honored a century of Opry tradition with several unforgettable moments. Ricky Skaggs, an Opry member since 1982, opened the show with “Tennessee Wagoner,” playing the same fiddle Uncle Jimmy Thompson used during the Opry’s inaugural broadcast 100 years ago. He performed surrounded by more than two dozen fellow Opry members.

Later in the night, Scotty McCreery, an Opry member since 2024, Mandy Barnett (2021), T. Graham Brown (2024), and Mark Wills (2019) stepped into the circle to lead the cast in a moving performance of the George Jones classic “Who’s Gonna Fill Their Shoes.”

Jamey Johnson, a proud member since 2022, also took the stage for a powerful rendition of his hit “In Color,” paying tribute to legendary Opry photographer Les Leverett, who captured decades of iconic moments.

Another standout moment came when the Opry honored its longest-serving member, Bill Anderson, ahead of his performance of “Thankful.”

Throughout 2024, fans voted on the Opry’s all-time greatest songs as part of the Opry 100 celebration. To close the night, Vince Gill returned to reveal the winning song and delivered an emotional performance of “He Stopped Loving Her Today.”

Vince Gill; Photo by Grand Ole Opry, by Rachael Black
Vince Gill; Photo by Grand Ole Opry, by Rachael Black

Ahead of the show, several Opry members spoke with Country Now about what it meant to take part in such a historic night. Ricky Skaggs shared that opening the evening with Uncle Jimmy Thompson’s fiddle was a profound moment for him.

“It was a tremendous honor,” Skaggs said. “My mother was a Thompson, no relation that I know of, but it’s just really special as a fiddler to get to bring notice and bring light back to his life. He fought in the Civil War… He was 77 when he played on the Opry that first night in 1925. I’m 71, so not too far away in age.”

Scotty McCreery expressed a deep appreciation for the Opry’s lasting legacy.

“I just love the Opry. I love what it stands for. I love the history behind it, and I hope folks realize the Opry has played such a huge role in making country music what it is today,” he told us. “I’m just proud to be part of the family.”

For Jamey Johnson, the milestone carries personal meaning that extends far beyond the stage.

“To be a member of the Grand Ole Opry is special to begin with, but to get to be a member during the 100th birthday… it’s the same year that I got to go to the Marine Corps Ball and celebrate their 250th, and it’s the same year I celebrated my 50th,” he reflected. “There’s a lot of perspective in these times, and for me, it really brings it home to be standing here November 28, 2025.”

Marty Stuart added that longevity alone makes the celebration extraordinary.

“It’s a big night. I mean, come on, nothing lasts a hundred years, especially in show business,” he said. “This show has never been off the air in a hundred years. I was raised listening to this show, and I got here when I was 13 and got a job. I love the Grand Ole Opry, and the cast members are like family. The minute I got here, I was treated like family. This is an extended family to me.”

It was an emotional night for many, including Lorrie Morgan, who summed up the moment perfectly: “There’s just a magical feeling… Tonight’s like Christmas.”

The post 25+ Grand Ole Opry Members Unite for Once-in-a-Lifetime 100th Anniversary Celebration appeared first on Country Now.

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R&B

Super Bowl LX Announce Pregame Performers

Super Bowl LX is set to take place at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara on Sunday, February 8, 2026. As previously announced, Bad Bunny will headline the Apple Music Super Bowl LX Halftime Show, produced by DPS with Roc Nation and Jesse Collins serving as executive producers. Now, the NFL has announced the pregame entertainment. Super Bowl LX will air live on NBC, Telemundo and Peacock.

Grammy-nominated singer, songwriter and producer Charlie Puth will perform the National Anthem. Puth, who is known for singles like “Attention,” “We Don’t Talk Anymore,” and “See You Again,” is releasing his fourth studio album, Whatever’s Clever!, on March 6, 2026.

Brandi Carlile will perform “America the Beautiful.” In October, Carlile released a new solo album, Returning To Myself. It follows Who Believes in Angels?, a collaboration with Elton John, which recently earned a Grammy nomination for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album.

The R&B breakout star Coco Jones will perform “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” which is considered the Black national anthem. Jones was recently nominated for Best R&B Album Grammy for her debut project Why Not More?. The singer, who also stars in Peacock’s Bel-Air, previously won a Grammy award in 2024 for Best R&B Performance for her platinum-certified hit “ICU.”

“Charlie, Brandi, and Coco are generational talents, and we are honored to have them – alongside our extraordinary deaf performers – on Super Bowl LX’s world stage,” stated Desiree Perez, CEO, Roc Nation. “This moment embodies the very best of culture, live performance, and our country, perfectly kicking off game day.”

The Super Bowl LX pregame entertainment will spotlight powerful American Sign Language (ASL) performances. Renowned Deaf music artist Fred Beam will perform the National Anthem and “Lift Every Voice and Sing” and Deaf music performer Julian Ortiz will deliver “America the Beautiful.”

In a historic first, the signed rendition of the Apple Music Halftime Show will feature a multilingual signing program incorporating Puerto Rican Sign Language, led by Deaf Puerto Rican performer Celimar Rivera Cosme. All signed performances for the Super Bowl pregame and the Apple Music Halftime Show are collaborations with Alexis Kashar of LOVE SIGN and Howard Rosenblum of Deaf Equality.

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Hip Hop

Rapper MBNel Was Target Of Children’s Birthday Party Massacre

MBNel revealed his whereabouts on social media shortly before a deadly ambush at a Stockton banquet hall that police now believe was a calculated attempt on his life and that of fellow rapper Fly Boy Doughy, leaving four people dead and ten others injured Friday night.

The Filipino-American Hip-Hop artist, born in Stockton and known for his 2020 album Born To Win, was attending a child’s birthday party when gunfire erupted around 9 P.M. on Lucile Avenue.

The celebration, meant for a 6-year-old girl, turned into a massacre that claimed victims as young as 8 and as old as 30, according to the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office.

Authorities say the shooting was no random act. “This was a targeted act,” Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Heather Brent told reporters during a late-night press conference.

Investigators believe multiple gunmen opened fire with the intent to kill MBNel and Fly Boy Doughy, both of whom were present at the party. As of Monday, no arrests had been made, and the shooters remain unidentified.

The attack has reignited fears of gang-related violence in Stockton, a city long plagued by gun crime. Brent stated the shooting appears to be linked to local criminal groups, though she did not name any specific affiliations.

Vice Mayor Christina Fugazi addressed the tragedy in a public statement, calling for urgent community intervention. “Our hearts are broken for the families. This senseless act must end, we need to protect our children,” she said.

MBNel, 28, has previously survived a similar attempt on his life.

In September 2020, he was targeted in another shooting and later arrested during a gang-related investigation. Despite the past violence, his social media presence has primarily focused on family life, including the birth of his daughter in late 2019.

The Stockton community has responded with grief and outrage. Local leaders are organizing vigils, while residents have taken to social media to demand action and accountability.

The city, already grappling with a surge in gun violence, now faces renewed pressure to address the root causes of its ongoing crisis.

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Hip Hop

John Legend, Daughter Gives Chrissy Teigen Homemade “Courage Award”

John Legend celebrated Chrissy Teigen’s 40th birthday on Sunday with a heartfelt Instagram tribute and a touching moment from their daughter Luna that stole the spotlight.

The icon shared a carousel of personal photos that showed the couple’s life at home and on the red carpet.

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In the caption, John Legend praised his wife with a message that read, “Our brave, beautiful queen is 40 today. We love you to infinity and beyond, Chrissy. Thank you for being such a wonderful wife and mother. You are the heart of our family, the love of my life.”

While Chrissy Teigen didn’t reveal whether she hosted a celebration, Legend did post a video of their 9-year-old daughter Luna presenting her mom with a homemade “courage award.”

In the clip, Luna said, “This is because you always stand up for what’s right even when it’s hard. You stand up for women, you help people in need, and you fight for a better world.”

The couple, who tied the knot in 2013, also shares three other children: Miles, 7, and 2-year-old twins Esti and Wren.

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Hip Hop

Diddy Blasts 50 Cent’s “Illegal” Netflix Doc As A Shameful “Hit Piece”

Diddy slammed 50 Cent and Netflix over a new documentary series that revisits the multiple allegations made against him, calling the project “illegal” and “unequivocally false” in a strongly worded statement.

The four-part docuseries, titled Sean Combs: The Reckoning, was produced by 50 Cent’s G-Unit Film & Television and debuts on Netflix tomorrow (December 2).

The series will explore the numerous accusations made against Combs, including sexual assault and abuse claims, which have led to over 100 civil lawsuits and a federal investigation that landed the Bad Boy founder in the slammer for the next four years, at Fort Dix.

A spokesperson for Combs issued a firm response to The Hollywood Reporter, stating, “Netflix’s so-called ‘documentary’ is a shameful hit piece. Today’s GMA teaser confirms that Netflix relied on stolen footage that was never authorized for release. “As Netflix and CEO Ted Sarandos know, Mr. Combs has been amassing footage since he was 19 to tell his own story, in his own way. It is fundamentally unfair, and illegal, for Netflix to misappropriate that work.”

The statement continued, “It is equally staggering that Netflix handed creative control to Curtis ‘50 Cent’ Jackson — a longtime adversary with a personal vendetta who has spent too much time slandering Mr. Combs. Beyond the legal issues, this is a personal breach of trust. Mr. Combs has long respected Ted Sarandos and admired the legacy of [Sarandos’ late father-in-law] Clarence Avant. For Netflix to give his life story to someone who has publicly attacked him for decades feels like an unnecessary and deeply personal affront.”

Earlier today, 50 Cent went on Good Morning America to discuss his reasoning for producing Sean Combs: The Reckoning. The G-Unit boss denied it was personal.

According to Fif, the imprisoned mogul was giving Hip-Hop a bad name and to top it all off, no one was speaking out against Diddy, which is why he produced the documentary.

“If I didn’t say anything, you would have you would interpret it as Hip-Hop is fine with his behaviors,” 50 said. “There’s no one else being vocal. So you would look at it and say ‘mind your business, or let me not say nothing,’ it would allow the entire culture to register as if they’re for that behavior.”

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Hip Hop

Latto’s Alleged Hot Half-Sister Threatens To Expose Rapper

Latto’s alleged sister and family friction just collided with the spotlight in a way nobody asked for but everybody is talking about.

The bi-racial rapper has been cruising in her own lane for a while now, but you know what Biggie said: “Mo’ Money, Mo Problems.” That is the trade off. When you reach a certain level, the price tag includes a handful of relatives who suddenly have a lot to say.

This time it is her half sister – or somebody claiming to be such. She said they share the same father and honestly look like they were copied and pasted. They look like twins. She has stepped into the mix and it feels more heated than helpful. According to her, Latto wants nothing to do with her. She claims she is clueless about the reason and says she is confused by the distance. You and I both know there is always a backstory and two sides.

Here is the twist.

She is saying she might expose her famous sibling. She even floated the idea of writing a book or doing a longform podcast to lay it all out. DAMN. That is not sisterly at all. That means she has a lot to say. Even though she repeatedly says she does not know the reason for the disconnect, she also suggests something pretty revealing. She says she is broke and hints that she is the broke half sibling that Latto would rather not acknowledge. That part feels incredibly familiar. Could this be a shake down?

The energy feels off. There are ways to reach out with grace and love but that does not seem to be the path. If she wants to change her life, she might consider creating her own lane. She looks so much like Latto that she could probably walk into a label office and get a meeting. She should rap. There, I said it. She does not even need to be a lyricist. Writers exist and nobody really cares if you use ghost writers. People would love a wild sister versus sister storyline. Conflict sells. Do I want that for them? Not particularly. Would the public tune in? Absolutely.

Right now this whole situation feels silly.

Yes, she has been accused of clout chasing but that is the standard play when survival kicks in. People do what they feel they must. Times are wild. A lot of folks are struggling to figure out how to climb out of their circumstances and will do whatever they gotta do.

I hope they sort it out privately but the internet is already ready with popcorn.

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By the way, Latto has seemingly denied all of this:

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Hip Hop

Rihanna Celebrates Barbados’ Independence Day

Rihanna marked Barbados’ 59th Independence Day and its fourth year as a republic with a deeply personal Instagram tribute celebrating her homeland’s political progress and family roots.

The Barbadian-born music icon and entrepreneur posted a series of images on Sunday showcasing her connection to the island, including scenic shots of beaches and local culture, as well as a nostalgic photo of herself, pregnant, holding hands with her two sons near a pool.

“Congratulations to Barbados, MY HOME, on our 59th year of Independence and our 4th year as a Republic!” she wrote. “Today also marks the installation of our 2nd President, His Excellency Lieutenant Colonel The Most Honorable Jeffrey Bostic, who alongside our Honorable Prime Minister Mia Mottley, will continue to lead Barbados with excellence!!”

The slideshow included close-ups of native plants, traditional dishes and the cover of her Barbadian passport, reinforcing her deep ties to the Caribbean nation.

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Rihanna, 37, has long used her platform to uplift her country, which officially became a republic on November 30, 2021, cutting ties with the British monarchy.

The final image in her post was a tender family moment. The “Umbrella” singer, who shares sons RZA, 3, and Riot, 2 and a daughter, Rocki, with A$AP Rocky, included a photo from her pregnancy with Rocki, who was born on September 13.

She ended her post with a bold declaration: “Barbados I LOVE YOU!!!! #Bajan2DeBone.”

Barbados installed its second president, Jeffrey Bostic, on November 30, 2023.

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Hip Hop

Megan Thee Stallion: A Breakdown Of Damages In Dollars

Megan Thee Stallion won a $75,000 judgment in a Miami federal courtroom after a jury found blogger Milagro Gramz liable for defamation, emotional distress and distributing a digitally altered explicit video without the rapper’s consent.

The decision, delivered December 1 in the Southern District of Florida, capped off a contentious trial that scrutinized the boundaries of online commentary, particularly in Hip-Hop media. Jurors concluded that Gramz, a social media personality known for covering high-profile rap cases, deliberately spread false claims and harmful content about Megan Thee Stallion.

The jury awarded $15,000 for defamation per se, $8,000 for intentional infliction of emotional distress and $50,000 for promoting an AI-generated pornographic video falsely depicting Megan. They also added $1,000 in punitive damages for each of the two claims, bringing the total to $75,000.

The trial stemmed from Milagro Gramz’s online activity during the Tory Lanez shooting case. She repeatedly accused Megan of lying under oath and pushed a manipulated video that falsely portrayed the rapper in a sexual act.

The jury determined those actions were not only false but malicious.

Megan testified that the online harassment led her to spend $240,000 on therapy. Her legal team argued that Gramz’s campaign cost her significant business opportunities, including a potential deal with Google, and damaged her mental health and public image.

Gramz’s defense claimed her content was protected under the First Amendment and argued Megan failed to prove actual malice or measurable reputational damage.

However, the jury rejected that defense after hearing evidence that Gramz deleted key WhatsApp and text messages, including alleged conversations with Tory Lanez and his father, both accused of helping fuel the online attacks.

While the jury’s verdict settles the damages, the judge must still resolve a procedural issue regarding whether Megan gave proper pre-suit notice of the defamation claim.

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Hip Hop

070 Shake Stuns Fashion World With Dior Ambassador Role

070 Shake landed a high-profile partnership with luxury fashion powerhouse Dior as the New Jersey-born artist continues to expand her reach beyond the music world.

The 28-year-old rapper and singer, born Danielle Balbuena, has officially joined Dior’s ambassador lineup under the creative direction of Jonathan Anderson.

The French fashion label praised her genre-defying style and creative energy, calling her “unique and visionary” and noting her place “at the convergence of rap and alternative pop.”

Dior added that her “instinctive creativity, authenticity and energy resonate with the essence of Dior, embodying sensitive elegance in perpetual motion.”

Shake’s rise in music began with the 070 collective, a group named after her New Jersey zip code. Her career gained momentum after Kanye West signed her to GOOD Music in 2016, leading to guest spots on his Ye album, including “Ghost Town” and “Violent Crimes.”

Her solo catalog includes three albums: Modus Vivendi, You Can’t Kill Me and Petrichor, the latter of which she dedicated to her girlfriend and creative inspiration, Lily-Rose Depp. Shake also saw commercial success with her collaboration on “Escapism” alongside Raye, which went viral on TikTok and became her most charted release to date.

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Anderson has broadened Dior’s ambassador roster to include a mix of unconventional talent such as Mikey Madison, Mia Goth, Greta Lee and Thai stars Lingling Kwong and Orm Kornnaphat.

Shake’s addition aligns with the brand’s ongoing strategy to spotlight artists who challenge genre norms and reflect evolving cultural aesthetics.

Shake is currently working on her fourth studio album, continuing to develop a sound that blends Hip-Hop, alternative pop and ambient textures.

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