Category: Hip Hop

Beyoncé and Sydney Sweeney somehow ended up in the same convo this week after Sweeney’s American Eagle campaign got bashed online for being racially tone-deaf—and a pic of Queen Bey’s Levi’s ad got dragged into the mess.

The chaos started when Sydney Sweeney starred in a new American Eagle promo with a brash pun: “Sydney Sweeney has great jeans.”

In the ad, Sweeney says, “Genes are passed down from parents to offspring, often determining traits like hair color, personality, and even eye color. My jeans are blue.”

The camera zooms in on her icy blue eyes and denim fit and that’s when the internet lost it. Folks on social media, including Doja Cat, slammed the campaign, calling it creepy and saying it pushed eugenics-era vibes.

Critics said the whole “great genes” thing, paired with Sweeney’s white, blonde, blue-eyed look, felt like a nod to white superiority. Some even called it “Nazi propaganda.”

Now, conservative voices jumped in. Senator Ted Cruz and Fox News contributor Nicole Saphier tried to flip the outrage.

Cruz defended the ad by calling Sweeney “beautiful” and trashed the “left” for pushing woke ideology.

“Wow. Now the crazy Left has come out against beautiful women. I’m sure that will poll well,” Ted Cruz wrote on X.

Just going to leave this pic from Beyoncé Levi’s campaign right here for those saying Sydney Sweeney with her blond hair/denim/sultry look is racist… pic.twitter.com/ZyeMF6ouCI

— Nicole Saphier, MD (@NBSaphierMD) July 30, 2025

Saphier posted a still from Beyoncé‘s Levi’s “REIIMAGINE” campaign and wrote, “Just going to leave this pic from Beyoncé Levi’s campaign right here for those saying Sydney Sweeney with her blond hair/denim/sultry look is racist.”

That post lit up timelines with people debating whether Beyoncé’s denim campaign was even comparable. Bey’s Levi’s project is a 2025 reboot of old-school Levi’s ads, including “Launderette,” “Pool Hall” and “Refrigerator.”

It’s a full-on aesthetic tribute to vintage denim culture, not a science lesson about DNA.

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Cam Newton picked the perfect time to roast Gillie Da Kid—his birthday. On Thursday (July 31), the former NFL MVP showed up to the “party” with a blowtorch.

Gillie, a true Philly boy to the core, had something to say last week when Cam Newton made what some would call “constructive criticism” (others would say shade) about Jalen Hurts, the current QB1 of the Philadelphia Eagles and a champion. Hurts did bring a ring back to Philly and Cam… well… didn’t.

Now, if you know Gillie, you know he bleeds green. Disrespect Jalen Hurts? Not on Gillie’s time. You might as well be talking about Wallo. So Gillie snapped. “Jalen did what Cam couldn’t do,” he barked. That Super Blow sore spot was crazy low.

The original vid came out the day before the IG vid, which was on his birthday.

But Cam Newton wasn’t just gonna eat that slice of humble pie. Oh no. He clapped back with a vengeance. He did not even mention Hurts. Cam sidestepped all that and went straight for the man himself. “I can beat you at anything.” YIKES. Football, life, chess, checkers, hopscotch, podcast ratings, arm wrestling … anything. Well, he cannot rap better than Gillie. I know that for sure!

But, roast was surgical. Cam did not even raise his voice. The tone was somewhere between locker room jabs and cold-blooded shade. Gillie’s initial rant had energy, but Cam’s rebuttal had strategy. And it hurt more coming from a dude who’s actually taken NFL snaps and danced in the end zone.

But, it did not stop the celebration.

Gillie turned 49 in style. He was joined by Wallo, exchanging gifts and stacks of cash. They like two uncles at a block party! Oh, and Big Dom, the legendary Eagles security guard brought Gillie the actual Eagles championship trophy to hold. That’s fan royalty. Gillie even sported his custom Eagles ring.

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This back-and-forth? Pure entertainment. Nobody’s catching a case. But if you were keeping score, Cam landed a sneaky W with that birthday burn. Still, both these men are solidified winners in their lanes—Gillie in the content world and Cam in the football annals.

But the next time Cam’s in Philly? He might wanna wear neutral colors.

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Donald Trump threw some serious weight around after Dmitry Medvedev ran his mouth with some wild threats that the U.S. President didn’t take lightly.

The ex-Russian prez, now the deputy chair of Russia’s Security Council, clapped back at Trump’s warning to end the Ukraine war in 10 days or face tariffs.

Medvedev dismissed it as a “game” and said Trump’s pressure moves were “a step toward war.” Not just with Ukraine—he called out the U.S. directly.

Trump wasn’t feeling the war rhetoric and dropped a bomb —figuratively— by revealing he was ordering two U.S. nuclear subs to move into “appropriate regions” on August 1, 2025.

President Trump jumped on Truth Social and fired off: “Just in case these foolish and inflammatory statements are more than just that… words are very important, and can often lead to unintended consequences.”

He also told Medvedev to “watch his words” and called him a “failed former President of Russia who thinks he’s still president.” Trump added that Medvedev was walking into “very dangerous territory.”

Medvedev didn’t exactly back down. He reminded everyone that Russia still has its Soviet-era “Dead Hand” system—a nuclear retaliation setup that launches even if the top brass gets wiped out.

The whole thing’s been playing out like a global beef on social media, which is crazy considering they’re both tied to countries with massive nuclear arsenals.

Right now, no one knows if those subs Trump moved are actually loaded with nukes or just running on nuclear power. And there’s been zero info on where exactly they went.

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Tory Lanez acted crazy during a court-ordered Zoom deposition from behind bars and now a judge says he owes Megan Thee Stallion money for wasting everyone’s time.

A Florida federal judge smacked Lanez with a bill for Megan’s legal fees after he gave the most outrageous deposition tied to her defamation case against Milagro Gramz.

The court ruled he has to cough up the attorney costs from the first round of questioning, where he reportedly mocked her lawyer and acted like the whole thing was a joke.

The deposition was supposed to go down smoothly on April 9. Instead, Tory Lanez acted like it was open mic night at Tehachapi prison. He interrupted questions, threw insults, and even clowned Megan’s lawyer’s hair by begging her to comb it.

The original deposition barely lasted an hour before it got shut down due to Lanez’s antics.

Megan’s legal team filed a motion back in April asking why Lanez shouldn’t be held in contempt for derailing the deposition. The judge gave him until April 30 to respond. He didn’t. He didn’t even ask for more time.

Now, the court ruled Tory Lanez has to pay up for the legal fees Megan racked up trying to get answers out of him. And next time, his deposition will be supervised by a magistrate judge to make sure he doesn’t treat it like a roast session.

Megan’s team is also pushing for the court to assign a special master, on Tory Lanez’s dime, to oversee future testimony.

All of this drama is part of Megan’s case against YouTuber Milagro Gramz, who she claims spread lies about her mental health, substance use and integrity—allegedly with some help from Lanez and his dad.

Last month, Megan Thee Stallion also scored a victory against Milagro Gramz. The blogger was also ordered to pay the rapper’s legal fees to the tune of $5,000 for stalling on getting Meg’s team access to her social media accounts for a forensic analysis.

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Jay-Z tried to get his legal bills covered by the guy claiming to be his long-lost kid, but the judge hit pause on that move… for now.

The rap billionaire’s lawyers asked the court to make Rymir Satterthwaite cough up some cash after he pulled the plug on his paternity lawsuit.

But the judge wasn’t buying it because Team Hov didn’t bother to explain why Rymir should pay. They’ve got 30 days to try again with a real argument. If they don’t, the whole thing gets tossed for good.

This all blew up after Rymir, who’s been saying for years that Jay-Z is his biological father, dropped his attempt to force the rapper to take a DNA test to prove he’s his dad.

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Rymir said it was a “strategic move” and claimed celebrity power games were blocking his shot at justice.

He also made it clear he’s not chasing money—he just wants the truth out.

The judge had a hearing lined up to go over Jay-Z’s request to get the case dismissed, but since Rymir bailed, that got canceled too.

Still, about 90 minutes after Rymir pulled out, Jay-Z’s lawyers hit back with a legal brief asking the court to shut the case down for good and cover his court costs.

That filing came with a laundry list of reasons why the case should never have been filed in the first place, saying the claims were either vague, legally weak, or already shot down before.

Jay-Z’s team also argued that Rymir’s legal crusade has been dragging on since 2010 and has been repeatedly dismissed by judges.

They say it’s all part of a long-running pattern of harassment by Rymir and his godmother.

Even though this lawsuit’s been dropped, Rymir isn’t done. On Instagram, he made it clear he’s still coming for the truth, saying this isn’t the end of the road.

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Remy Ma’s Divorce From Papoose Delay May Derail Claressa Shields’ Wedding Plans

Papoose and Claressa Shields are killing it right now. They are a great team and appear to be knocking out wins in the ring and outside of it. But don’t think you are going to hear wedding bells just yet. Remy Ma does not seem to be budging on the divorce papers!

Word on the curb is that Remy is putting up a “Philly shell” divorce defense. According to behind-the-scenes sources, Remy Ma is now reportedly REFUSING to sign those divorce docs unless every coin connected to Pap’s new “situation” is accounted for. Seems like she is trying to get to the money Pap has recently acquired. That means management, songwriting, production and anything he is doing with Claressa Shields. This is what I am hearing.

READ ALSO: Claressa Shields Reveals Baby Plans With Papoose; Shuts Down Remy Ma Drama

For those that did not know: Pap is now allegedly managing his boxing boo. He is also apparently behind her musical dreams too. We’ve seen her rap a bit here and there, but I was not sure she wanted to rap rap. Well, apparently she does. And, Pap is her behind-the-scenes “executive,” basically attached to her whole”bag.” This all sounds a bit weird to me. I am not a divorce expert, but they are done. If he had nothing with you…he got nothing.

Just last year, after the break-up, Remy said Papoose was broke and “living off her” before she went to jail. “this plot twist feels extra spicy. And THEN Remy said, and I quote: “Why are you attaching yourself to this 47-year-old man that doesn’t have anything going, has no career, no job, no income except for the income that he’s claiming off of you?,” he said, talking to Claressa.

Now, it seems like Claressa has adjusted his role, saying he was not her manager. Pap posted, “Glad I’m able to add value from a behind the scenes executive standpoint.” OK. I see what’s happening and that is necessary. By New Jersey divorce law, where they were married, she could be entitled to a piece of whatever he’s earning right now. I am not sure how far this will go, but Pap will need a great lawyer.

This could be drawn way out in a way that could be a nightmare for both Pap and Claressa. Some say Remy’s dragging this out intentionally. Remember, she is/was with Easy the Block Captain, the battle rap king. This could easily last for another 2–3 years. If Claressa’s trying to get hitched or wants a baby, she might have to hold tight

For the record, we love all parties. I hope this works out soon!

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Sean Kingston is done with his lawyer and his lawyer might be even more done with him.

Robert A. Rosenblatt, who was representing Kingston in his federal fraud case, is trying to distance himself from the singer after their attorney-client relationship crashed and burned.

The drama’s been bubbling for months, but now Rosenblatt is officially begging the judge to let him walk away from the case, claiming things between him and Kingston are so bad they’re basically on opposite teams.

This all hit the fan after Kingston fired off a blunt email back in May telling Rosenblatt to zip it.

“I am writing to formally request that you cease speaking to the media or any other third parties regarding my case, as the information being shared is incorrect and potentially damaging. I also want to remind you of the importance of maintaining attorney client privilege…Furthermore, do not speak on my behalf to the prosecutor, judge or anyone else from this point forward,” Kingston said.

Rosenblatt first tried to ditch the case back in May 2025, but the court blocked him. Now he’s back with receipts saying the relationship is toast. Kingston doesn’t trust him and has accused him of leaking information to a local journalist.

Rosenblatt swears he didn’t, but the damage was done.

“It is apparent from [Kingston’s] emails and texts that he does not want the undersigned to ‘talk judges or prosecutors’ on his behalf,” Rosenblatt wrote. “He did not oppose the withdrawal of counsel in the state case. Further, it is clear that irreconcilable differences have terminated the attorney-client relationship to the extent that it has become adversarial.”

Rosenblatt says Kingston’s got another lawyer, Zeljka Bozanic, who will handle things from here, including sentencing. The feds don’t care if Rosenblatt dips either, so he’s asking the court again to let him off the hook.

Kingston has already been convicted on multiple fraud charges along with his mom, Janice Turner. The feds say they ran a million-dollar scam using fake wire receipts to score luxury cars, jewelry and even a massive LED TV.

Turner’s already been sentenced to five years in prison. Kingston’s hearing is set for August 28 and he’s looking at up to 100 years, though prosecutors only want around six and a half.

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Cardi B scored a big legal W in LA this week after a judge tossed out a bunch of stuff that could’ve made her look bad in court.

She’s prepping for trial next month over claims she roughed up a security guard named Emani Ellis outside a Beverly Hills medical office back in 2018—while she was pregnant and trying to keep it quiet.

According to Rolling Stone, the judge gave her team the green light to split the trial into two parts and shut down any talk about her money unless she’s found liable first.

The court also blocked anything about her past—including fights, police run-ins, gang rumors, strip club history or anything the media’s said about her.

The judge also shut down testimony from a retired cop and a psychologist that Ellis’ team wanted to bring in.

Ellis filed the lawsuit in 2020, claiming Cardi B smacked her around, spat on her, dropped racial slurs and got her fired. She even said Cardi’s nails cut her face so bad she needed plastic surgery.

But Cardi’s lawyer, Peter Anderson, says there’s an eyewitness who saw Ellis go after Cardi instead. He also pointed out that Ellis told them she only takes aspirin now and then, yet she magically saw a new doctor last week who prescribed her antidepressants.

He called it “gamesmanship” and “preposterous.”

Cardi’s expected to show up and testify, but her schedule’s tight. She’s got three kids and a new album, Am I the Drama?, dropping September 19.

Her lawyers might ask for a delay if the trial doesn’t kick off on time.

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Justin Timberlake closed out his two-year Forget Tomorrow Tour with a personal revelation and a message of resilience, telling fans Thursday (July 31) that he’s been quietly battling Lyme disease while performing across the globe.

“Among other things, I’ve been battling some health issues, and was diagnosed with Lyme disease — which I don’t say so you feel bad for me –– but to shed some light on what I’ve been up against behind the scenes,” Timberlake wrote in a lengthy Instagram post reflecting on the tour’s end.

The Everything I Thought It Was singer said he initially kept the diagnosis private but chose to speak out now to help others understand the toll it has taken on him physically and mentally.

“If you’ve experienced this disease or know someone who has — then you’re aware: living with this can be relentlessly debilitating, both mentally and physically,” he wrote. “When I first got the diagnosis I was shocked for sure. But, at least I could understand why I would be onstage and in a massive amount of nerve pain or, just feeling crazy fatigue or sickness.”

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Despite the symptoms, Timberlake said he made a conscious decision to keep performing.

“I was faced with a personal decision. Stop touring? Or, keep going and figure it out. I decided the joy that performing brings me far outweighs the fleeting stress my body was feeling. I’m so glad I kept going.”

The 43-year-old artist said pushing through the illness helped him prove his “mental tenacity” and gave him “so many special moments” with his audience.

“I was reluctant to talk about this because I was always raised to keep something like this to yourself,” he wrote. “But I am trying to be more transparent about my struggles so that they aren’t misinterpreted.”

Timberlake also expressed a desire to support others living with Lyme disease, adding, “Sharing all of this with the hope that we can all find a way to be more connected. I’d like to do my part to help others experiencing this disease too.”

He ended the post by thanking his crew, band and concertgoers, calling them “the stuff of LEGEND.”

“There really is no way to put into words the feeling of being on a stage and getting to share the experience of live music with all of you,” he wrote. “It’s a vibration of frequency that is unmatched. Sacred to me. I honestly don’t know what my future is onstage but I’ll always cherish this run! And all of them before!”

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Timberlake also gave a heartfelt shoutout to his wife, Jessica Biel, and their two sons, Silas and Phin.

“My heart is filled with gratitude! Love each other. Be good to each other. Don’t take it for granted. To Jess, Silas, and Phin… nothing is more powerful than your unconditional love. You are my heart and my home. I’m on my way.”

Timberlake’s message comes after some concertgoers criticized his recent performances, calling them low-energy. Despite that, the tour grossed $73.2 million across 41 shows as of late May, according to Billboard, placing him among the top 10 touring acts of the year.

The tour launched in April 2024, one month after the release of his latest album. Timberlake joins a list of celebrities, including Shania Twain, Avril Lavigne and Justin Bieber, who have also gone public with Lyme disease diagnoses.

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Issa Rae is getting dragged into court after three Los Angeles creatives say her movie “One of Them Days” is lifted from their original screenplay.

Writers Joshua Isaacson, Shon Oku and Tyrone Perry claim they penned a script back in 2020 called One of Those Days and registered the copyright. Fast forward to 2025, and they say Rae’s team dropped a flick with a nearly identical title and a storyline that hits way too close to home.

The trio filed their lawsuit on July 30, naming Issa Rae’s company Color Creative, Sony Pictures, TriStar and screenwriter Syreeta Singleton. They’re accusing them of copyright infringement, idea theft, and conversion—basically saying Rae and crew jacked their story and ran with it like it was theirs.

According to court docs, the writers say they shared their screenplay with producer Danny Hamouie in late 2023, the first time anyone outside of the trio had ever seen the script.

They never heard back from Hamouie, who is not named in the lawsuit.

Next, they later handed it over to Roman Arabia and his partner Xavier Charles, who own a company called Green Eggs Go H.A.M. (GEG), in April 2024, hoping to secure some funding.

GEG passed on the project, but the twist? Charles used to work on Rae’s show Insecure. Weeks after that rejection, news broke that Issa Rae was gearing up to produce a film called One of Them Days.

The writers claim the movie, which hit theaters on January 17, 2025, copies their script’s entire flow—plot, characters, and all. They even brought in screenwriting expert John Brancato, who backed them up, saying the “underlying story structure” was way too similar.

The movie, directed by Lawrence Lamont and written by Singleton, starred Keke Palmer and SZA. It followed two friends trying to hustle up rent money.

The film pulled in over $51 million on a $14 million budget and was a box office win for Sony and TriStar. Now, the original writers want that bag. They’re asking for damages, attorneys’ fees and a jury trial to settle the dispute.

The lawsuit says the Issa Rae and others involved with the flick “misappropriated Plaintiffs’ original expression and passed it off as their own without authorization, credit, or compensation.”

Whether Rae’s crew copied or not, this case could end up costing somebody a lot more than rent money.

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