Day: January 6, 2026

A$AP Rocky launched his latest visual spectacle for the single “Punk Rocky” on Tuesday, enlisting Winona Ryder for a surreal, genre-bending music video that previews his long-anticipated fourth album DON’T BE DUMB, set to arrive January 16 via A$AP Worldwide and RCA Records.

The video, co-directed by Rocky alongside Folkert Verdoorn and Simon Becks, collectively known as The Three Musketeers, features a cast that includes Ryder, Danny Elfman, Thundercat and A$AP Nast.

The clip brings to life five of Rocky’s six alter egos from the upcoming album, including GR1M (played by Rocky), RUGAHAND (Tommy Revenge), BABUSHKA BOI (Thoto), SHIRTHEAD (the Williams twins) and DUMMY.

Ryder, who rose to fame in the late 1980s with standout roles in Beetlejuice, Heathers and Edward Scissorhands, adds a haunting presence to the video.

The two-time Academy Award nominee and Stranger Things star has long been a cult favorite for her offbeat roles and gothic screen presence, making her a natural fit for Rocky’s eccentric visual universe.

“Punk Rocky” is the first official single from DON’T BE DUMB, Rocky’s first full-length album in eight years.

The track was co-written by A$AP Rocky, Ghost, Ging and Zach Fogarty. Its gritty, lo-fi energy sets the tone for what Rocky has described as a push toward more deliberate and creative choices in both music and life.

The album’s cover art was crafted in collaboration with filmmaker Tim Burton, whose signature visual style helped bring Rocky’s six personas to life. Each character reflects a different chapter of Rocky’s career and identity.

A$AP Rocky has been teasing DON’T BE DUMB for more than two years through live performances, fashion collaborations and cryptic previews.

The album rollout follows a high-profile year for the Harlem-born artist, who served as co-chair of the 2025 Met Gala, was named creative director for Ray-Ban and became Chanel’s newest house ambassador.

He also previewed new material during headlining sets at Lollapalooza and Camp Flog Gnaw, giving audiences an early taste of the sonic direction of DON’T BE DUMB.

The album is scheduled to release January 16, 2026.

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50 Cent has found another opportunity to target his longtime rival Diddy by using Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro’s recent arrest and detention at MDC Brooklyn.

The Queens rapper posted an AI-generated Instagram meme showing Maduro speaking with Diddy, with the Venezuelan leader saying “They took my oil also!” in reference to both countries’ oil-related situations.

The timing of 50 Cent’s post connects two major news stories involving the same Brooklyn detention facility where both men have been held.

Maduro was captured by US military forces in Venezuela over the weekend and transported to New York, where he now faces narco-terrorism and cocaine importation charges at the Metropolitan Detention Center.

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50 Cent captioned his Instagram post with motivational language about productivity and success, writing, “Good morning ladies and gentlemen, may today be productive and prosperous towards you and your goals. Make your enemies watch your progress repeatedly.”

The message maintains his typical approach of mixing business motivation with personal attacks against his rivals. The meme specifically references the massive quantity of baby oil that federal agents seized during raids on Diddy’s properties as part of his prosecution.

Authorities discovered over 1,000 bottles of baby oil and lubricant, which prosecutors said were used during what they called “freak offs” – elaborate sexual performances that Diddy allegedly organized and participated in.

Maduro’s oil reference also connects to President Trump’s recent comments about Venezuela’s petroleum resources during a Saturday press conference at Mar-a-Lago. Donald Trump announced plans for major US oil companies to invest billions of dollars in rebuilding Venezuela’s damaged oil infrastructure following Maduro’s removal from power.

The Instagram post represents another chapter in 50 Cent’s sustained campaign against Diddy, which has intensified significantly since the Bad Boy founder’s legal troubles began.

50 Cent has consistently used social media to mock Diddy’s situation, often focusing on the baby oil seizures and other embarrassing details from the federal case. His trolling efforts expanded beyond social media when he partnered with Netflix to serve as executive producer of Sean Combs: The Reckoning, a four-part documentary series that premiered in December.

The project examines numerous allegations against Diddy throughout his career and has become a major success for the streaming platform.

Diddy is currently serving a 50-month prison sentence after being convicted in July on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution. A Manhattan federal jury found him not guilty on more serious racketeering and sex trafficking charges, but the prostitution convictions resulted in his current incarceration plus five years of supervised release.

The Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn has housed several high-profile inmates, including Ghislaine Maxwell and R. Kelly, and has faced criticism for its conditions and security issues.

As for Maduro, he appeared in Manhattan federal court on Monday morning, where he pleaded not guilty to all charges and declared himself a political prisoner and still the president of Venezuela.

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DaBaby delivered a one-two punch of music and meaning on Monday (January 5) with the announcement of his next album, Be More Grateful, and the release of his new single “Don’t Insult Me,” featuring his daughter, Twin.

Directed by Nick Mays, the music video opens with paparazzi swarming the rapper and his daughter before Twin uses her powers to push back the chaos. The scene quickly pivots from confrontation to control, setting the tone for a track that blends personal reflection with sharp lyricism.

Throughout the video, DaBaby warns people not to play with him because he’s “put that iron on a few n#####” as Twin stays by his side.

“Don’t Insult Me” marks one of the most vulnerable entries in DaBaby’s catalog. The track arrives ahead of Be More Grateful, which drops January 16. Listeners who pre-order the album will instantly receive “Don’t Insult Me” and “PBJT,” in addition to previously released tracks “Letter to My YN,” “Paper Low” and “Out Ya Business.”

The rollout began with “Letter to My YN,” a motivational anthem designed to uplift the next generation.

The Belly-inspired video, featuring DaBaby and his nephew, emphasized mentorship and the importance of avoiding destructive paths. That message continues to echo throughout the new project.

On his birthday, DaBaby dropped “Out Ya Business,” a black-and-white visual also directed by Mays.

Shot inside a school, the video focused on discipline and mental clarity, aligning with the rapper’s recent efforts to use his platform for more than just chart-toppers. Offstage, DaBaby has expanded his outreach through his nonprofit initiative, DaBaby Cares.

Launched during Suicide Prevention Month in 2024 in memory of his late brother Glenn Johnson, the program aims to tackle mental health stigma and provide resources for youth.

Its first event, held at West Charlotte High School, provided students with access to mental health resources and a Youth Mental Health 101 guide.

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6ix9ine is heading to federal prison tomorrow and says he’ll be bunking up with none other than Nicolás Maduro and Luigi Mangione.

Both high-profile prisoners are being held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, where 6ix9ine will be heading on January 6 after violating his supervised release.

The rapper, who’s no stranger to wild situations, dropped the news in a video on Monday and couldn’t help but make light of the situation.

“Guys remember when I told you I was arrested and in prison with Diddy, the president of Honduras, and Sam Bankman-Fried and you guys thought I was lying? And then it came out that the president of Honduras was like ‘He’s such a cool guy,’ I put Diddy on the phone with Akademiks. Now, I’m about to go meet the president of Venezuela,” 6ix9ine said.

“I have that luck of just being locked up with presidents. Oh, and I’m about to meet Luigi too. I’m about to play chess with them n#####, eat ramen noodles,” 6ix9ine added.

Maduro is the former Venezuelan president who was snatched up by U.S. forces in Venezuela last Saturday. He’s now facing a whole list of serious charges like narco-terrorism conspiracy, cocaine-importation conspiracy and weapons-related stuff.

On Monday, he pleaded not guilty and said he was still the President of a sovereign nation.

Meanwhile, Mangione is still waiting for his day in court after being accused of killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson back in 2024.

Before getting shipped off to Fort Dix, even Diddy spent some time at MDC Brooklyn while awaiting trial. He’s now serving a 50-month sentence tied to a prostitution transport case.

6ix9ine’s sentence is only three months, but leave it to him to turn a short bid into a circus.

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Big U says his health is deteriorating and his legal defense is unraveling after being thrown in “the hole” at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Los Angeles.

He also claims jail officials confiscated his CPAP breathing machine, withheld critical legal documents and stopped him from attending his murdered son’s viewing despite a court order allowing him to do so.

The jailed record industry executive told a federal judge that he has been unable to sleep safely or prepare for his complex racketeering trial since being transferred to the Special Housing Unit, commonly referred to as “the hole,” on January 1, without explanation or prior notice of disciplinary action.

“Put frankly, death can occur for those who require breathing machines when they sleep if they do not have one. Therefore, since being in the SHU without it, I simply cannot allow myself to fall asleep whatsoever,” Big U wrote in a letter to U.S. District Judge Fernando L. Aenlle-Rocha.

“My additional mattress accommodation due to back and shoulder injury, and my eyeglasses have also not been provided in SHU. My knee brace was returned after a short period, but the lack of sleep support and proper bedding has made my physical discomfort worse,” Big continued.

In the same filing, Big U said his legal preparation has been severely compromised. He claims that jail staff took a USB drive containing discovery materials and personal legal paperwork and failed to properly log it.

“To my knowledge, the USB and those legal materials were not inventoried,” he wrote. “When I have asked about them, staff have not acknowledged that they exist or that they were taken.”

He also stated that his communication with his legal team has been disrupted and that his mail has been tampered with.

“Approximately twenty-five pieces of legal correspondence were extremely delayed or never reached me at all,” he wrote. “On multiple occasions, legal mail has arrived to me already opened, so of course not opened in my presence. On other occasions, I have been told mail was sent but I never received it. These problems have involved important materials such as my indictment and other case documents or legal notes.”

His filing also details a personal tragedy

While in custody, Big U’s son was fatally shot in Los Angeles in late 2025. He stated that the court granted him permission to attend a private viewing, but jail officials prevented it from occurring.

EXCLUSIVE: Big U Blocked From Son’s Burial After Court Rejects His Proposal

“Losing my child while I am in custody has been among the most challenging experiences of my life,” he wrote. “Despite that order, I was not permitted the contact or participation that the Court intended. The order was not followed. I was not able to be present for my son in the way the Court had authorized and made an exception for after his death. I was not allowed private viewing, even though there was a court order for this. Of course, I will never have that opportunity again.”

Big U is at the center of a sweeping federal racketeering case prosecutors say involves the “Big U Enterprise,” a criminal organization allegedly tied to the Rollin’ 60s Neighborhood Crips.

Authorities claim the group operated like a mafia-style syndicate for over a decade, engaging in murder, extortion, fraud, human trafficking and other crimes.

He has pleaded not guilty to all 43 counts in the indictment.

One of the most serious allegations accuses Big U of orchestrating the January 2021 murder of aspiring rapper Rayshawn Williams, allegedly in retaliation for a diss track aimed at him. The case, built on intercepted phone calls and extensive surveillance, was unsealed in March 2025.

Prosecutors argue that the scope and complexity of the charges, which include tax evasion, wire fraud, and robbery, justify delaying the trial to May 5, 2026.

Big U has elected to represent himself in certain aspects of the case and has requested additional legal support, including additional attorneys, investigators, and a communications specialist.

The trial is currently scheduled to begin on May 5, 2026.

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DMX will be posthumously ordained as a minister at the Foster Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church in Tarrytown in a ceremony that honors his deep spiritual influence and lifelong connection to faith.

The late Hip-Hop icon, born Earl Simmons, will be formally recognized by the Gospel Cultural Center with a service at 3 P.M. inside the 164-year-old sanctuary, which once served as a stop on the Underground Railroad.

The church, founded in 1860, is one of the earliest African Methodist Episcopal Zion congregations in Westchester County and has been designated a historic landmark for its role in helping enslaved people escape to freedom.

“Earl Simmons wrestled with God in the public square, turning his pain into a ministry of raw truth,” said Bishop Dr. Osiris Imhotep, founder of the Gospel Cultural Center. “This ordination recognizes the divine calling he fulfilled every time he spoke a prayer into a microphone.”

DMX, who passed away in 2021 at age 50, was known as much for his anthems as for his spiritual vulnerability.

Throughout his career, he often opened shows with heartfelt prayers and closed albums with spoken-word invocations.

In tracks like “Lord Give Me a Sign” and “Prayer,” he blended emotion with spiritual reflection, turning his music into a form of ministry that resonated with millions.

The ordination ceremony will include scripture from Acts 17:31 and is expected to draw Hip-Hop lovers, faith leaders and community members alike to celebrate the legacy of a man who used his platform to preach as much as perform.

The service will be held on Saturday, January 10, 2026.

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‌Dallas rapper Zeethewizard died Monday at a local hospital after being critically wounded in a New Year’s Day shooting at Pink House Dallas nightclub.

The rapper was among five people shot during the club’s grand opening celebration around 4 A.M. Thursday morning.

The 25-year-old artist had built a promising career after transitioning to music following a sports injury that ended his athletic aspirations. Zeethewizard was an active member of the New Dallas collective, a Hip-Hop group that advocates for peace and unity within the city’s music community.

The collective’s mission of promoting harmony stands in stark contrast to the violence that claimed Zeethewizard’s life during what should have been a celebratory event.

BigXthaPlug was present at the Pink House Dallas event and reacted emotionally to the shooting incident that wounded his friend and fellow artist.

The shooting wounded four other individuals besides Zeethewizard, though police have not released information about suspects or potential motives behind the violence.

Dallas authorities continue investigating the incident that transformed a New Year’s celebration into a tragedy for the local Hip-Hop community.

Dallas police are asking anyone with information about the Pink House shooting to contact investigators as they work to identify those responsible for the violence.

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