Category: Hip Hop

The White House on Tuesday (October 21) firmly rejected claims that President Donald Trump is considering pardoning music mogul Diddy.

The denial came after TMZ reported that Trump was “vacillating” on granting clemency to the convicted entertainer.

“There is zero truth to the TMZ report,” a White House official told NBC News. The official criticized TMZ for not reaching out before publishing what they called “fake news.”

The White House emphasized that “the president, not anonymous sources, is the final decider on pardons and commutations.”

Diddy was convicted in July on federal prostitution-related charges. A jury found him guilty of two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution. However, he was acquitted on more serious charges of sex trafficking and racketeering. Those charges could have resulted in a life sentence.

The 55-year-old music executive received a 50-month prison sentence. He remains locked up at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn. His legal team has filed appeals seeking to overturn the verdict.

Federal prosecutors alleged Diddy ran a criminal enterprise through his entertainment businesses. They claimed he used Bad Boy Entertainment and other ventures to facilitate illegal activities. The charges centered on allegations that he transported people across state lines for prostitution.

Diddy built his empire starting in the 1990s with Bad Boy Entertainment. The label launched the careers of artists like The Notorious B.I.G., Mase and Faith Evans.

He later expanded into fashion with Sean John clothing and various liquor brands.

The conviction marked a dramatic fall for one of Hip-Hop’s most influential figures. Diddy had previously faced various legal challenges throughout his career, but avoided serious criminal convictions.

TMZ stood by their reporting despite the White House denial. Casey Carver, a TMZ spokesperson, told NBC News: “We stand by our story.”

Presidential pardons can completely erase federal convictions. Commutations reduce sentences without clearing the underlying conviction. Trump has constitutional authority to grant either form of clemency for federal crimes.

Diddy’s time already served will count toward his sentence. This means he could be released in approximately three years if Trump does not set him free and his appeal fails.

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Memphis rapper Finesse2Tymes is a free man after he was arrested in Dallas-Fort Worth on Monday (October 20).

The 33-year-old artist faces eight separate charges, including possession of controlled substances from penalty groups 1 and 2. He also faces charges for marijuana possession and tampering with evidence.

The most serious charge involves tampering with physical evidence. This felony suggests Finesse2Tymes may have tried to destroy or hide materials during the investigation.

Another count accuses him of possessing prohibited items while in custody.

Court records show Finesse2Tymes faces two counts under Penalty Group 1 or 1-B. These typically involve high-risk drugs like cocaine or opioids. He also has two charges under Penalty Group 2, which often includes substances like ecstasy or hallucinogens.

Additional charges include misdemeanor marijuana possession under two ounces. Finesse2Tymes also faces a count for possessing dangerous drugs, usually prescription medications, without authorization.

This arrest marks Hampton’s second drug-related incident in Texas within two months. In September 2025, Smith County authorities arrested him during a traffic stop in Tyler.

According to arrest records from the September incident, Finesse2Tymes was driving a red Corvette when officers pulled him over for not wearing a seatbelt. Police reported smelling marijuana and spotted a hand-rolled blunt in the ashtray.

During that search, officers found 0.7 ounces of marijuana, 12 oxycodone pills, and seven methylphenidate pills. Hampton’s girlfriend, Halie Buckingham, was also arrested in that incident.

Both made bail on September 20.

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Black Thought opened up about his decades-long admiration for Redman during a candid Rolling Stone Musicians on Musicians conversation that showcased the deep respect between two Hip-Hop legends.

The Roots frontman and the Newark native spent nearly two hours discussing their parallel journeys through Hip-Hop culture, revealing how they’ve influenced each other’s artistry since the 1990s.

Their conversation, part of Rolling Stone’s seventh annual Musicians on Musicians series, highlighted the professional bond that has strengthened through recent collaborations at Roots Picnic events.

“Me and Malik [B], who, rest in peace, was the other MC earlier on in the Roots — in college, all we used to listen to was your s###!” Black Thought told Redman during their filmed discussion. “I had a suspicion that you were a Roots fan. But when you dropped that line, ‘I love to burn to the roots’ [on LL Cool J’s 1997 song ‘4, 3, 2, 1’], that was it.”

Redman, 55, reciprocated the praise while discussing his creative process during the making of his classic 1996 album Muddy Waters. “I can honestly say, bro, on the Muddy Waters album, when me and [Method Man] did this song called ‘Do What Ya Feel,’ that whole round was inspired from you,” he revealed. “If you listen to it, you’ll hear how I caught your flow a little bit.”

The conversation touched on their recent performance collaborations, including appearances at Roots Picnic events in Los Angeles and Philadelphia.

These performances have included Method Man, Common and other Hip-Hop veterans.

The 2024 Roots Picnic featured a particularly notable performance where Black Thought, Common and Freeway joined Method Man and Redman for a remix of LL Cool J’s “4,3,2,1.”

Black Thought also shared that The Roots are nearing completion of their first album since 2014.

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Drake delivered a cryptic message to his 142 million Instagram followers Sunday, signaling the start of what he calls his newest chapter.

The Toronto superstar posted a photo series with the caption “Welcome to the era of every action has a reaction…video” while showcasing himself shirtless on a luxury apartment balcony.

The 38-year-old rapper is setting the stage for his highly anticipated album Iceman, which has been generating buzz throughout 2025.

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His latest Instagram dump included images of him playing tennis, enjoying mozzarella sticks and spending time with women during what appears to be a Bahamas getaway.

Drake’s message comes as an unexpected collision occurs between Hip-Hop’s most contentious rivalry and America’s pastime, positioning the Canadian superstar’s hometown, the Toronto Blue Jays, against Kendrick Lamar’s Los Angeles Dodgers in what promises to be more than just a championship battle.

The five-time Grammy winner has long served as Toronto’s unofficial sports ambassador, frequently spotted celebrating Blue Jays victories and throwing ceremonial first pitches.

Meanwhile, Kendrick Lamar represents Los Angeles through his support of sports teams like the Lakers, Rams and of course, the Dodgers.

The Blue Jays seek to restore Canada’s baseball glory after three decades away from the World Series, while the Dodgers chase consecutive championships – a feat not accomplished since the Yankees’ late-1990s dynasty.

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This creates a narrative of established dominance versus hungry determination, especially in the wake of Drake’s second loss to Kendrick after his “Not Like Us” defamation lawsuit was thrown out of court.

Meanwhile, Drake’s Iceman project follows recent single releases, including “What Did I Miss” and “Which One,” both of which have kept fans speculating about the album’s direction.

The Iceman album represents Drake’s ninth studio project and his first major release since navigating various industry controversies throughout 2025.

Drake’s birthday falls on October 24, the same day Game 1 of The World Series kicks off in Toronto.

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Outkast will mark the milestone on October 30 with a celebration at Cascade, the famed Atlanta skating rink, where the duo will host an adults-only night of music, giveaways and special appearances from 7 p.m. to midnight.

The event is free but limited to skaters 21 and older who RSVP in advance.

The announcement came straight from their Instagram page, where the duo shared the RSVP link and revealed the event’s location. The night of skating and sound lands just one day before the official anniversary of Stankonia, which dropped on October 31, 2000.

The record, a genre-bending force in Southern Hip-Hop, earned Andre 3000 and Big Boi three Grammy Awards, including Best Rap Album and Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group for “Ms. Jackson,” which also took home Song of the Year.

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The album helped solidify Atlanta’s place in Hip-Hop’s national landscape and pushed the boundaries of sound and style in the early 2000s.

In addition to the party, Outkast will team up with Live Thrive for a “So Fresh, So Green” electronics recycling drive on October 29. That event runs from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Headland Delowe Shopping Center, a nod to the duo’s early beginnings in East Point.

The celebration also comes ahead of another major honor for the group. Outkast is scheduled to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame on November 8, 2025, cementing their legacy beyond Hip-Hop.

The skating party falls on the 25th anniversary of Stankonia reaching No. 2 on the Billboard 200 chart.

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Chris Brown fired back at Kevin McCall Tuesday night (October 21) on Instagram after the songwriter’s emotional podcast appearance made waves and Young Thug stepped in to offer financial help.

“Remember this: you can’t walk across a burnt bridge. And you know what’s funnier than a troll? A BROKE ONE,” Brown wrote on his Instagram Story. He didn’t name McCall, but the timing and tone made the target obvious.

The jab followed McCall’s tearful appearance on the “Back On Figg” podcast, where he revealed he’s struggling financially despite penning several of Brown’s early hits, including “Deuces” and “Strip.”

During the nearly three-hour episode, McCall pulled out his EBT card and asked why he’s in poverty while Brown lives lavishly.

“Why the f### I got an EBT card? And this n#### is at Breezy Bowl and made ninety-or-whatever-the-f###-million,” McCall said, visibly emotional. “Can I get $25K for them four songs I owe you, bro?”

He broke down in tears, saying, “That s### ain’t fair, bro!”

Kevin McCall breaks down in tears after revealing he relies on an EBT card, despite having written songs for Chris Brown—who recently made $90 million from his tour

pic.twitter.com/mhpPaCYgDr

— My Mixtapez (@mymixtapez) October 21, 2025

Young Thug Defends Chris Brown, Offers To Cover Alleged Debt

The clip quickly went viral, prompting Young Thug to offer his support. The Atlanta rapper posted on X, formerly Twitter, telling McCall he’d cover the alleged $25,000 debt himself.

“Kevin McCall hit me my n####, I’ll give u the 25k u need, and i no CB would give it to u also bro he a real one. N##### is busy sometimes brada,” Thug wrote.

McCall’s relationship with Brown has been fractured for nearly a decade. The two collaborated on several successful records in the early 2010s before falling out publicly.

Between 2014 and 2016, McCall accused Brown of withholding royalties and pleaded for a meeting to sort out business matters. Brown responded by mocking him online, calling him a “bottom feeder” and threatening violence.

In resurfaced footage, Brown dismissed McCall’s complaints, saying he used the money from their collaborations to buy awards and cars, then added, “with [McCall’s] money,” before calling him a “b####.”

Chris Brown already replied to this clown years ago… https://t.co/47wWrrxgXC pic.twitter.com/VHZaSauLXF

— 𝖍𝖊𝖑𝖔 (@hwloiza) October 21, 2025

McCall also opened up during the podcast about his estrangement from his children, including a daughter he shares with model Eva Marcille, and admitted to having suicidal thoughts.

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Suge Knight stirred up old industry drama and revisited his admiration for Eve during a recent sit-down with The Art of Dialogue_,_ where he danced around dating rumors and took a verbal jab at Dr. Dre.

Knight didn’t confirm a romantic relationship with the Grammy-winning rapper but made it clear she still holds a special place in his memory.

“I still got a love for Eve today. I like gangsta b######. I like b###### that bout their money, bout their life, to fight for what they want,” he said.

The conversation was sparked by a claim from Eve’s memoir, Who’s That Girl?, where she allegedly said she dated Knight to get back at Dr. Dre for dropping her from Aftermath Records.

Knight didn’t directly address that claim but referred to Eve as “the home girl,” speaking with evident admiration.

“All Eve had to do is nod her m###########’ head and I would’ve broke Andre’s m###########’ jaw,” Knight said, referencing her fallout with Dre.

Eve signed to Aftermath at just 17 after impressing Dre during an impromptu audition in Philadelphia. He flew her to Los Angeles and added her to his roster early in the label’s formation. However, the partnership didn’t last long.

According to Eve, her youthful impatience and constant demands to record frustrated Dre. She admitted she repeatedly showed up to his studio sessions uninvited, which eventually led to her being dropped.

Knight suggested Eve’s early struggles weren’t due to her talent but rather industry politics.

“Eve is a survivor. I think Eve’s platform and Interscope was smaller than her. And she was so ahead of the game and her lyrics and when she knew what she wanted to do, it probably got jealousy involved in it. And that’s probably what happened,” he said.

Knight went on to compare Eve to Cardi B, calling them “two of the same baddest [b######] around” and added, “Cardi B is still the best to ever do it.”

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Finesse2Tymes wasted no time speaking out after his release from jail Tuesday night (October 21) following a major drug bust in Texas, using Instagram to deliver an unfiltered message and preview new music.

Hours after bonding out of Harris County Jail, the Memphis rapper addressed the situation head-on in a lengthy post.

“See the difference between me and most is idc about showing my growth, I ain’t running from my flaws, I ain’t hiding behind no PR, I aint hiding behind no money, I ain’t doin what no label tell me to don’t,” he wrote. “I ‘SHOW’ that I don’t like u Nygas I don’t sugar coat and shake hands when I see ya, and I ain’t fakin. This my real life, and yeah ima shake back I always do. God never put me through more than I can handle.”

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The post came just one day after his arrest in the Dallas–Fort Worth area on Monday (October 20).

According to court records, the rapper faces eight charges, including four counts of possession of controlled substances, possession of marijuana under two ounces, possession of a dangerous drug, bringing prohibited items into a correctional facility and tampering with evidence.

Authorities say the controlled substances fall under Texas Penalty Groups 1 and 2, which include drugs such as cocaine, opioids, ecstasy and hallucinogens. He was initially held without bond but was released on bail by Tuesday evening.

Finesse2Tymes Teases New Song Snippet

Finesse2Tymes also used the moment to remind his supporters of his talent, writing, “But while yall posting my downfall, Post what’s gone bring me up to. I ain’t just a fukk up, I got talent, and it ain’t my fault that I gotta catch on to life late, i ain’t have a mama, daddy, to hold my hand they was fukk ups to but At least i know what loyalty is. #LoyaltyOvaLove Black sheep in the flesh.”

Alongside the post, he dropped a snippet of his upcoming track “Money And Peace,” which samples Fabolous’ 2007 hit “Make Me Bette.”

He tagged Jermaine Dupri in the caption and added, “@jermainedupri It’s time.”

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Supporters quickly flooded the comments with praise for the track. “Bro be sliding on s###,” one wrote. Another added, “Dude you can rap good asf. Just keep dropping & stay out.”

This marks Finesse2Tymes’ second drug-related arrest in Texas in just two months.

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Lil Yachty found himself at the center of controversy Saturday night when his post-game concert at Sacramento State’s homecoming celebration ended abruptly due to unruly behavior from attendees.

The Atlanta rapper was scheduled to perform following the Hornets’ 40-35 victory over Northern Colorado at Hornet Stadium, where over 20,000 fans witnessed the high-scoring matchup.

The trouble began during the fireworks display as concert organizers set up the stage in the endzone.

Attendees rushed the field from bleachers and surrounding areas, creating chaos as they scrambled for better viewing positions. The crowd surge prompted university officials to prioritize safety over entertainment.

Sacramento State President Dr. Luke Wood addressed the incident on Instagram, stating “The postgame concert concluded earlier than planned due to behavior from some community members (not our students) that did not meet our standards of decorum.”

Wood emphasized that the rapper wanted to continue performing, but the university made the decision to end the show early.

According to California State University, Sacramento’s, CapRadio, the concert was part of Sacramento State’s new initiative to enhance student experiences by combining athletics with live music performances.

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Assistant Director for President Projects and Strategic Partnerships Shawki Moore explained the program emerged from a student survey called “Operation Lit” that identified R&B and Hip-Hop concerts as a top priority for campus events.

The incident hasn’t derailed the university’s concert plans. Rappers Quavo and Blxst are scheduled to perform at the next two home games against Montana and Idaho.

Wood confirmed that a revised security plan is being developed for Friday’s game against Montana.

Lil Yachty, whose 2023 album Let’s Start Here debuted at number nine on the Billboard 200, has built a reputation for genre-bending music and energetic live performances. The 28-year-old artist has released five studio albums and collaborated with major artists throughout his career.

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BIA delivered her long-awaited debut album BIANCA last Friday (October 10) through Epic Records, marking a decade-long journey since signing with Pharrell Williams’ I Am Other label.

The Massachusetts-bred rapper chose strategic timing over quick momentum, despite opportunities following her Billboard Hot 100 top 20 collaboration “Whole Lotta Money” remix with Nicki Minaj.

The 16-track project showcases BIA’s versatility across multiple genres. She taps into her Latin heritage on “Hard Way” featuring Becky G, which samples Shakira’s “Hips Don’t Lie.”

The album also features collaborations with Denzel Curry, Ty Dolla $ign and Young Miko, while tracks like “October” highlight her vocal range as she transforms into “R&BIA.”

“They’re kind of figuring out how we can work together and be our truest, most authentic self,” BIA told Billboard about merging her rap persona with her legal name Bianca. “Sometimes our flaws, or sometimes like things that are most forward about us, or the most vulnerable things — those are all the things I put into a blender with this album, and I wanted to feel super authentic and relatable.”

Many expected BIA to use BIANCA to respond to Cardi B’s recent disses on “Pretty & Petty” from her AM I THE DRAMA? project. However, BIA deliberately avoided attaching negative energy to her debut effort.

“If I was to ever address it again, I would never attach it to my album, because this is a beautiful body of work that I believe in,” she stated. “I wouldn’t want to disservice this and overshadow it with noise or negativity.”

When pressed about potential future responses to Cardi B, BIA remained measured in her approach. “I think if this was me a year ago, I would’ve went [back at her] in 24 hours, but I think now where I’m at is such a beautiful place. I’m way more intentional with my music, and what I’m putting out.”

The feud originated from creative similarities between different projects, according to BIA.

“There were similarities between different things in the creative. And when I responded to the tweet, acknowledging it, she came aggressively, calling me, trying to bully me,” BIA explained.

Regarding the “Whole Lotta Money” controversy, BIA clarified her writing contributions after Cardi B mentioned receiving a reference track.

“The reference that she’s speaking of is the part ‘it’s a whole lot of money,’ and maybe a verse. I wrote the first verse on that song, and the hook, ‘I put on my jewelry just to go to the bodega,’” BIA said. “So I’m so glad you clarified that, because there would be no ‘Whole Lotta Money’ if there was no, ‘I put on my jewelry just to go to the bodega.’”

BIA also revealed details about unreleased collaborations with Ariana Grande, including “Esta Noche” which faced clearance issues, and “More” which appeared on Grande’s Sweetener album.

She praised Grande’s work ethic, noting: “I’ve seen Ariana comp her own vocals. I always tell people that, because that was crazy to me. That’s a different level of taking your artistry into your own hands.”

The album represents BIA’s evolution from her early EPs For Certain and Really Her, incorporating songs recorded over several years that finally found their proper home.

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