Category: Hip Hop

Megan Thee Stallion is back in federal court, demanding a Florida judge reinstate her defamation verdict against blogger Milagro Gramz after it was tossed out over a “media defendant” technicality.

The Grammy-winning rapper accused Gramz of waging an online smear campaign bankrolled by Tory Lanez’s family.

Megan’s attorneys said the jury had already ruled in her favor on all counts, including defamation, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and promotion of an altered sexual depiction.

But after the jury also answered that Gramz was a “media defendant,” the judge removed the defamation count from the final judgment, citing Florida’s pre-suit notice law for journalists.

Megan Thee Stallion and her lawyers argue the move was a “manifest legal error.” The court, they said, had previously ruled twice that Gramz was not a media defendant and therefore not entitled to those protections.

“This case should have been tried and was rightfully tried, on the merits of [Megan Thee Stallion’s] defamation claim,” the filing states.

The rapper’s legal team detailed why Gramz shouldn’t be considered press. According to trial evidence, Milagro Gramz wasn’t neutral or independent; she allegedly acted as a paid mouthpiece for Lanez and his father, Sonstar Peterson.

Megan’s lawyers said Gramz received $3,000 in payments, free travel, and gifts while spreading false claims that Megan lied about being shot.

Texts and Instagram DMs entered into evidence showed Gramz calling herself part of the Peterson family and publicly dismissing journalism ethics as “not applicable” to her.

Jurors heard that Gramz built her “Mob Radio” brand off attacking Megan’s reputation, accusing her of mental illness, alcoholism, and fabricating the 2020 shooting. Despite finding those statements defamatory, jurors became confused by a last-minute legal question added to the verdict form: whether Gramz qualified as a media defendant.

Their “yes” answer led the court to strike the defamation count, though Megan still prevailed on her emotional distress and deepfake video claims.

Megan Thee Stallion and lawyers now seek to restore the defamation verdict, asserting that the “media defendant” question was improper. They said the jury had no authority to decide a legal classification that the court had already settled.

“No court has ever extended media defendant status to a defendant who supplies and receives information to affect criminal proceedings while maintaining a paid and intimate relationship with the accused,” the motion argues.

Megan’s motion asks the judge to strike the jury’s media designation and reinstate the original verdict on defamation per se. The court has yet to rule on her request.

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A$AP Rocky watched his limited-edition vinyl collection disappear within hours as collectors and scalpers created a feeding frenzy around his upcoming Don’t Be Dumb album merchandise.

The Harlem rapper dropped four exclusive vinyl variants on his AWGE website on December 22, priced at $50 each. Two featured “Mr. Mayers” artwork with one signed edition, while the remaining pair showcased Tim Burton’s “GR1M” and “Dummy” designs, both personally autographed by Rocky.

The entire collection sold out before most fans could grab copies. Resellers immediately flooded eBay with the coveted items at extremely high markup.

Basic unsigned copies now command $100, while signed editions reach $850, a staggering markup that highlights the intense anticipation surrounding Rocky’s first album since 2018’s Testing.

The vinyl chaos comes as A$AP Rocky prepares for his most significant promotional push in years.

A$AP Rocky will make his Saturday Night Live debut as musical guest on January 17, just one day after Don’t Be Dumb hits streaming platforms on January 16. The SNL appearance gives Rocky a massive national stage to showcase new material from the 17-track project.

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Don’t Be Dumb represents Rocky’s most ambitious artistic collaboration yet, featuring cover art designed by legendary filmmaker Tim Burton, whom he spent months courting. The project faced multiple delays throughout 2024 due to sample clearance complications and unauthorized leaks, forcing him to push back an originally planned August 2024 release date.

The extended timeline only intensified fan demand, creating the perfect storm for yesterday’s vinyl sellout.

Rihanna publicly supported her partner’s album announcement, posting “Let’s Goooo Baby” on social media after Rocky revealed Burton’s cover artwork. The couple’s relationship continues generating headlines as they prepare to welcome their third child together.

The vinyl pre-orders ship in January alongside the album’s digital release, marking the end of a seven-year wait for new A$AP Rocky material.

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Pedro Rodriguez scored a massive haul of luxury items worth over $30,000 when he and two accomplices invaded 6ix9ine’s Palm Beach County home last month, police revealed after recovering the stolen goods.

According to CBS 12, cops found Van Cleef earrings valued at $2,600, a diamond necklace worth $25,000 and designer Balenciaga and Chanel purses totaling $4,000 inside Rodriguez’s West Palm Beach residence.

The 19-year-old suspect also had $400 in cash, a driver’s license and three credit cards belonging to the rapper’s girlfriend. Rodriguez got busted on December 19 when Palm Beach County Sheriff’s deputies executed a search warrant at his home.

Phone records placed his device in the area during the November 16 invasion when three masked gunmen broke into 6ix9ine’s house seeking cash and car keys.

The rapper wasn’t home, but his 60-year-old mother was confronted by the armed men. Deputies said the suspects forced her to wait outside while they ransacked the property looking for valuables.

Investigators also discovered clothing that matched witness descriptions of the robbers’ attire during the break-in.

A firearm believed to be the same type used in the home invasion was recovered along with substantial narcotics consistent with street-level drug sales.

Rodriguez faces charges of residential robbery with a firearm, kidnapping, grand theft over $20,000 and selling a Schedule I substance. Two other suspects remain at large.

The arrest comes as 6ix9ine prepares to surrender to federal authorities on January 6, 2026, to begin a three-month prison sentence for probation violations, including assault and drug possession.

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Spike Lee paid tribute to actor James Ransone following his death in Los Angeles on December 19 at age 46, joining a chorus of Hollywood voices mourning the performer known for The Wire and The Black Phone.

The acclaimed director posted a photo on Instagram of himself with Ransone, whom he directed in Inside Man and Red Hook Summer, writing, “Rest In Peace To My Dear Brother,MR. JAMES RANSONE. We Rocked Together On RED HOOK SUMMER And INSIDE MAN,” followed by blue hearts and prayer emojis.

Wendell Pierce, who starred alongside Ransone in HBO’s The Wire, shared a brief message on X, formerly Twitter: “Sorry I couldn’t be there for you, brother. Rest in Peace James Ransone.”

Ransone’s death by suicide was confirmed over the weekend, prompting a wave of messages from collaborators and friends who remembered his warmth, talent and generosity.

Filmmaker Sean Baker, who directed Ransone in Tangerine and Starlet, posted a photo on Instagram with the caption, “I’ll miss you dearly my friend.”

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Seventeen-year-old actress Madeleine McGraw, who appeared with Ransone in The Black Phone, shared a heartfelt message on her Instagram Stories, writing, “I’m struggling to put into words the profound emptiness I’m feeling since learning of James Ransone’s passing. My heart is absolutely shattered.”

She recalled meeting him at the film’s 2021 premiere, where he offered her and her parents “heartfelt advice” about the entertainment industry. She added, “When he returned for his cameo in Black Phone 2, he was just as humble and grateful, lighting up with pure excitement to be back on the Black Phone set.”

McGraw continued, “We got to catch up, laugh, and connect again, and he was exactly the same: that radiant, passionate man overflowing with love for me, for his craft, and for his family.”

She ended her tribute with, “James, you truly changed me. You inspired me in ways I’ll carry forever. And I promise, with everything in me, to live by the wisdom you shared with me that night at the premiere. I already miss you so deeply. Rest in peace, my friend. You were one of a kind.”

Ransone gained recognition for his portrayal of Ziggy Sobotka in season two of The Wire and appeared in a range of projects, including Generation Kill, Sinister, Treme, and It Chapter Two. His final on-screen appearance was a cameo in Black Phone 2, which premiered in October.

He is survived by his wife, Jamie McPhee, and their son.

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Tory Lanez’s legal team accuses Megan Thee Stallion of filing a $118,000 insurance claim for foot surgery, which his legal team says lasted less than a minute, adding a new twist to his ongoing appeal over the 2020 shooting case.

The imprisoned rapper is serving a 10-year sentence for assault with a semiautomatic firearm after Megan Thee Stallion was shot in the foot following a party in the Hollywood Hills.

Now, Lanez’s attorneys are challenging the integrity of the evidence used to convict him, alleging critical medical documents were either altered or withheld.

In a newly filed court report obtained by TMZ, Lanez’s defense claims a software expert uncovered 60 discrepancies in Megan’s medical records, including doctored text, broken QR codes, inconsistent timestamps and missing pages.

Most notably, they allege a hospital document titled “EVIDENCE” was never shared with the defense, despite showing a security guard reportedly transferred bullet fragments to the hospital, contradicting trial testimony that no fragments were recovered.

Lanez’s lawyers also argue that roughly 300 pages of medical records were never turned over to them before trial.

Among those, they say, is documentation showing Megan billed Blue Cross $118,000 for a surgery that allegedly lasted just 60 seconds. The surgeon, Dr. Little, did not testify and, according to the defense, cannot be located.

The report, submitted as part of Lanez’s appeal, also includes claims that Megan’s medical records feature forged signatures and conflicting procedural details.

His team believes these issues raise serious doubts about the accuracy of the evidence presented during the December 2022 trial.

The appeal stems from the July 2020 shooting that became a flashpoint in Hip-Hop and beyond. Lanez was convicted in December 2022 and continues to fight the verdict.

“I’ve never been violent towards a woman. I would never hit a woman, let alone shoot a woman,” Tory Lanez said in his first televised interview from California Men’s Colony, speaking with NBC News last week.

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Kristi Noem and the Department of Homeland Security just dropped what might be the most controversial holiday offer of the season as immigration enforcement, money, and politics collide in one very loud December announcement.

According to DHS, undocumented immigrants who voluntarily leave the United States by the end of the year using the CBP Home app will receive a $3,000 cash stipend plus a free flight back to their home country. Yes, you read that right. Uncle Sam is cutting checks for self deportation and calling it a holiday gift.

The announcement came straight from Washington on December 22, framed as an incentive driven push to accelerate departures before the calendar flips. DHS says the program is already showing results, claiming that since January 2025 roughly 1.9 million people have voluntarily left the country, with tens of thousands using the CBP Home app specifically. The department is now tripling the incentive through the end of the year in what it calls a limited time offer.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem did not mince words.

“Since January 2025, 1.9 million illegal aliens have voluntarily self-deported and tens of thousands have used the CBP Home program. During the Christmas Season, the U.S. taxpayer is so generously TRIPLING the incentive to leave voluntarily for those in this country illegally offering a $3,000 exit bonus but just until the end of the year,” she said.

“Illegal aliens should take advantage of this gift and self-deport because if they don’t, we will find them, we will arrest them, and they will never return.”

Beyond the cash and airfare, DHS says participants who use the app will also receive forgiveness for any civil fines or penalties related to overstaying or failing to depart previously. The pitch is being marketed as fast, free, and simple. Download the app, submit your information, and the government handles the rest, including travel arrangements.

Critics are already lining up to question the optics and the math. Supporters argue it saves taxpayers money compared to long detention and enforcement processes. Opponents see it as coercive, threatening, or politically performative. Either way, the messaging is crystal clear. Take the deal now or face arrest and permanent exclusion later.

Whether this becomes a blueprint for future immigration policy or a short term political stunt, one thing is certain. This holiday season, the loudest gift under the tree is coming from DHS.

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Sherrone Moore faces mounting accusations from five women who say the disgraced Michigan coach made unwanted advances over several years.

The 39-year-old married father was fired from his $5 million coaching job and arrested for home invasion and stalking after allegedly breaking into his assistant’s apartment.

The latest claims paint Moore as someone who used social media to target women with inappropriate messages.

One woman said Moore slid into her DMs on November 1, right after his team beat Purdue. She thought it was a fake account at first. Moore would respond to women’s Instagram stories with fire emojis and ask.

“How did we start following each other,” when he had followed them first.

In one exchange, he offered to fly a woman to Michigan. When she asked if she’d be “holed up in some hotel,” Moore replied: “I guess we will have to see! I would say yes but you would also have a driver haha.”

The coach’s questionable behavior extends beyond recent allegations.

Moore attended a party hosted by Diddy in 2018, according to his own social media posts.

The music mogul was sentenced to 50 months in federal prison in 2025 after being convicted on charges related to transporting people for prostitution.

Moore’s downfall began when Michigan fired him for having an “inappropriate relationship” with executive assistant Paige Shiver.

Hours later, he allegedly broke into her apartment and threatened to kill himself. Police arrested him on charges of breaking and entering, home invasion and stalking.

The coach spent two nights in jail before posting $25,000 bond. If convicted on all counts, he could face up to six years behind bars. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

His lawyer, Ellen Michaels, said Moore “denies any criminal wrongdoing” and called the allegations speculation. Moore’s wife, Kelli, appears to be standing by him despite the scandal. The couple has three children together.

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Jaylen Brown fired back at critics with championship swagger after his hair product became the talk of the NBA.

The Boston Celtics star didn’t back down from the viral moments that had social media buzzing. Brown’s hair enhancement product left visible marks on three different opponents’ jerseys during games in October and November.

The incidents started when his hair dye rubbed off on New York Knicks player OG Anunoby’s jersey during their October 24 matchup.

Similar transfers occurred with Detroit Pistons player Ron Holland and Washington Wizards player Kyshawn George in subsequent games.

The 29-year-old Finals MVP turned the embarrassment into fuel for his championship mentality.

“They’re lucky that I left my mark on them,” Brown told People. “I should get a thank you card: You have the residue of a champion on you. You’re welcome.”

Brown began experiencing hair thinning about 1 to 2 years ago. He tried topical solutions and serums, but nothing worked effectively.

The stress of Boston’s high-pressure championship environment worsened the problem.

“It’s the high expectation to win [the championship], or the season is a failure,” Brown explained about playing in Boston. The 2024 NBA champion said being a star player means “every win and every loss has an impact.”

Barbers typically use sprays and enhancement products to smooth hairlines and conceal thinning areas. Brown’s intense playing style and physical contact during games caused these products to transfer onto opponents’ clothing.

He is turning the publicity from the humiliation into a massive business opportunity by partnering with hair growth supplement brand Nutrafol to address his thinning hair head-on. The collaboration aims to destigmatize conversations about hair loss for millions who experience similar issues.

The hair loss industry is a massive global business. The treatment market was valued at $2.49 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach $3.57 billion by 2032.

The broader hair care market hit $106.91 billion in 2024. Hair restoration services alone generated $7.52 billion in 2024, with predictions that they will grow to $34.17 billion in the coming years.

“When embarrassment, failure, loss, anything like that happens, there’s two ways you can go,” Brown said. “It can be spirit breaking, and you can go into a little shell and try to hide from it, or you can use it as fuel, get more focus, get more discipline, get more locked in, and go out and maximize your potential.”

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Ralph McDaniels didn’t need a stage or spotlight to command attention.

Holding a microphone on the after a show with Styles P and Millyz, the architect behind Video Music Box spoke with calm authority, exactly how one expects of someone who helped define how Hip-Hop learned to see itself.

“Uncle Ralph,” as he’s affectionately known, made it clear that the brand has always spoken louder than titles.

For many viewers, Video Music Box was their first real connection to Hip-Hop and the companies like BET (“Rap City”) and MTV (“YO! MTV Raps”) followed. The difference is, Uncle Ralph is still here and so is his creation.

Uncle Ralph said he gets stories from viewer that have grown up on VMB all the time.

“I get it all the time from all different types of people,” he told AHH’s SlopsShotYa. “People tell me, I learned how to dress watching Video Music Box. I learned how to talk watching Video Music Box. I learned about Nas. I learned about Jay-Z. I learned about Shabba (Ranks). I learned about Super Cat. Whatever it was, they tell me.”

Those visuals were often captured in unpredictable and sometimes volatile environments. When asked how dangerous the venues really were, McDaniels didn’t hesitate.

“Oh yeah, nah. You don’t realize it when you young, you in danger,” he said. “But I’ve been through many shootouts and all kind of stabbings and all kind of stuff. I mean, not me personally happened to me, but around me. And we went back and did it again the next day. It was nothing.”

Now, that history is being preserved piece by piece.

McDaniels confirmed that a massive archival effort is underway to digitize decades of footage. “If you go to videomusicboxcollection.org, that’s the whole site that we have for digitizing and getting it out there,” he explained. “So curating these type of things like the old shows or just a 90s show or 90s interviews or 90s performances or all the summer jams, we shot all of those.”

Select clips have also been appearing online. “My YouTube is Video Music Box 1,” McDaniels said, noting that some of the recent releases caught even seasoned Hip-Hop heads off guard.

“We recently put out some Jay-Z stuff that people hadn’t seen from the Reasonable Doubt album with Memphis Bleek and Foxy Brown,” he said. “People were like, yo… you never saw it. A lot of jewels and rare footage like that.”

McDaniels admitted he never saw Hip-Hop taking it this far.

Speaking on his early relationship with embattled mogul Sean “Diddy Combs, he said, “I know him as an 18-year old kid. He was my stage manager when I was doing Harlem Week.” Still, McDaniels remains optimistic about his former worker. “God will work everything out. I’ve seen situations where I thought that it was dark. It was too dark and then the light comes through.”

As he signed off, McDaniels gave an appreciative salute.

“Big shout out to all the people that have been following me back in the days from 1983 to now,” he said. “Just do your thing. Have fun.”

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A woman and her sister book a New York City hotel room and come away feeling like the victims of a bait-and-switch scheme. Here’s what happened.

TikTok creator Kenny (@kennycorndog) posted a video about the incident on Nov. 22. The video starts with Kenny showing her sister on the phone with the hotel front desk.

Then, she goes to the window, which has a “view”—a pull-down blind with the New York City skyline screen-printed on it. She lets the blinds up, and the city is visible, as promised. However, it is a lackluster view.

Viewers React to New York City Hotel View

Of course, a gander into the comments will draw a hearty laugh. “Hotel worker here. That’s definitely a city view. What you see outside that window is… city,” said one person.

A second person claimed, without proof, “That’s called a bait-and-switch, and is very much illegal.”

Another commenter said: “It’s a city view… just not the perfect one you dreamed up in your head.” This is likely the most accurate explanation.

Some cited an obvious logistical issue. “I’m genuinely curious as to how you wanted to see the skyline of Manhattan while also being inside Manhattan?” asked one commenter.

Others were more sympathetic. “As a hotel manager I KNOW, and I’m SORRY,” one woman said. “The staff probably hate it as much as you do, since the wording is controlled by sales/corporate. But if you’re nice, I swear we’ll give you free vouchers.”

Booking a Hotel with a Nice View of Manhattan

There are some mid-tier hotels with nice views of Manhattan, such as the somewhat notable Millennium Hilton in Midtown or the Hyatt in Chelsea. However, after a brief scroll down in the comments, things become clearer.

It seems the sisters were staying at the Fairfield Inn & Suites by Times Square South. The entire affair makes more sense just by looking at the filthy couch her sister is sitting on. Unless the fine print promised a specific view, lower-end hotels aren’t likely to deliver.

A true bait-and-switch scheme generally involves a company offering a ridiculous discount. Then, when a customer comes to redeem the deal, the business directs the customer to another (more expensive) product or tacks on additional fees.

People have been tricked into seeing fake skylines for ages. If you’re a fan of the lawyer-centric show “Suits,” then you’ve seen something similar. The show was filmed in Toronto, which is a strong doppelganger for the American metropolis, but they needed to mimic a Manhattan backdrop.

All Hip Hop reached out to Kenny (@kennycorndog) and Marriott for more information.

@kennycorndog

new york what is this

♬ Fire the Cannons (1812 Overture) – Jochen Flach & Peter Ilych Tchaikvsky & Thomas Hewitt Jones

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