Category: Hip Hop

North West stepped into the spotlight alongside Ken Carson and Mariah the Scientist in the latest SKIMS holiday campaign, a collaboration with Cactus Plant Flea Market that merges high-profile names with offbeat fashion for the season.

The limited-edition capsule, SKIMS’ first-ever holiday drop with cult-favorite CPFM, reimagines the brand’s signature loungewear through a playful, irreverent lens.

The campaign, directed by filmmaker Harmony Korine, features a cast that includes North West, Carson, Mariah, Beabadoobee, Madeline Argy, and Veneda Carter, along with her daughter, Bobbi.

“Having North in this campaign makes it really special for me; she brings so much personality to the pieces,” said Kim Kardashian, SKIMS co-founder and chief creative officer. “Our collaboration with CPFM brings a fresh, unexpected twist to holiday loungewear, with pieces that are iconic, playful, and expressive.”

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The visuals, shot through Korine’s experimental lens, reflect the quirky and youthful energy of both brands. Models wear cozy sets in audacious colors and prints, styled with CPFM’s signature graphics and SKIMS’ familiar silhouettes.

The collection spans women’s, men’s and kids’ sizes from XXS to 4X.

“I live for style that doesn’t hold back, and this collection does exactly that,” said Carson. “It’s easy to wear, full of personality, and honestly it just felt right for me.”

The SKIMS x Cactus Plant Flea Market capsule officially launches on November 20 and will be available online at SKIMS.com, Selfridges, Luisaviaroma, and END Clothing.

Pop-up shops will open on the same day in Los Angeles, New York, and London, offering exclusive gifts while supplies last.

Backed by a $225 million funding round led by Goldman Sachs Alternatives, SKIMS hit a $5 billion valuation in November 2025, outpacing brands like Victoria’s Secret and Under Armour.

The company projects over $1 billion in net sales this year and plans to expand into activewear and beauty.

​AllHipHop

Nicki Minaj was set to join Linda Perry in a new take on the 1993 anthem “What’s Up?” for an official version of the viral TikTok mashup blending 4 Non Blondes’ hit with Minaj’s “Beez in the Trap,” but the collaboration fell through due to scheduling conflicts and Perry’s refusal to work remotely.

The unexpected pairing of alternative rock and Hip-Hop took over TikTok last month, racking up more than 460,000 user videos and sending “What’s Up?” back onto several Billboard charts.

The viral momentum caught Perry by surprise.

“This is definitely a different type of blow-up, because it’s happening on TikTok,” Perry told VICE backstage at Mexico City’s Corona Capital Festival. “I embrace anything that happens with anything that I create, because it’s pretty awesome. It also lets kids who never knew the song give it a whole new life with this mash-up. I love it. I’m having fun with it.”

While Perry doesn’t usually dabble in mashups, she immediately saw the appeal of the viral remix. Talks between her and Minaj moved quickly toward a possible studio version. However, geography got in the way.

“She (Minaj) was in New York and we were going to try to do our own and I was like ‘Let’s just end this with her and I,’” Perry explained. “Let’s just put a kibosh on this. But, I can’t go to New York and she can’t come to L.A., so it’s probably not going to happen.”

Perry, known for her analog approach to music-making, refused to compromise on her process. She prefers working in person and ruled out digital file swapping, which ultimately blocked the collaboration from moving forward.

Despite the setback, the viral success of the mashup has drawn attention from other stars.

Perry recently worked with Jennifer Lopez on another version of the trend, proving the song’s lasting cultural impact and its ability to cross genres and generations.

“What’s Up?” has seen several revivals over the past 30 years, but this TikTok-fueled resurgence has pushed the track into a new space—bridging ’90s rock with modern Hip-Hop and introducing it to younger audiences who weren’t even born when it first dropped.

​AllHipHop

Jonathan Hay is pushing back against The Notorious B.I.G. Estate, claiming its countersuit misrepresents the timeline of his collaboration with the late rapper’s brand and its key figure, Biggie’s son CJ Wallace, while also reinforcing his allegations involving Sean “Diddy” Combs.

In a statement sent to AllHipHop, The Beverly Hills Agency, which represents Hay and fellow Diddy accuser Rodney “Lil Rod” Jones, responded to the estate’s latest legal claims, calling out what they describe as “brazen fabrications” in Wallace’s countersuit.

“CJ Wallace’s countersuit contains falsehoods stating Jonathan Hay’s project with The Notorious B.I.G. Estate ended in ‘approximately August 2020,’” the agency said in its statement. “On the contrary, CJ Wallace did an interview with Billboard that was published August 14th 2020 and CJ said ‘Before we met our producer Jonathan Hay [of R.U.S.H. Music], the question was: what does Frank White sound like?’ CJ also stated in the same Billboard interview, ‘Doing this music project with Jonathan was a creative project that I never thought I’d do.’”

The statement also pointed to two other interviews Wallace gave in November 2020—one with the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and another with Variety—where he continued to praise Hay and their creative partnership.

According to Hay’s lawsuit and police report, his relationship with the estate allegedly dissolved after he was physically attacked in 2021. The Largo Police Department in Florida confirmed to Fox 13 that it worked with the Los Angeles Police Department on the case. The outlet also reported the matter was referred to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office for possible criminal charges against Wallace, Combs and Willie Mack.

The estate of The Notorious B.I.G. filed a lawsuit against publicist Hay recently, alleging he fabricated shocking stories about CJ Wallace and Diddy in an attempt to revive his fading career and retaliate after a failed collaboration.

According to the complaint, Hay’s interviews unleashed a wave of online controversy after he shared explicit accounts that the estate describes as entirely false and malicious. Lawyers for Biggie’s estate claim Hay began circulating falsehoods following the estate’s refusal to release his 2020 “Ready to Dance” remixes.

Before the dispute, Hay had publicly praised CJ Wallace, calling it “an honor and a privilege” to work with him. The suit alleges that Hay later reversed course, spreading sensational stories that cast Wallace at the center of fabricated scandals.

The filing cites an October 2024 interview in which Hay stated, “Puffy and Biggie’s son CJ had sexual relations,” and identified Willie Mack as Wallace’s “boyfriend.” Both remarks are characterized in the complaint as deliberate fabrications meant to harm Wallace’s professional reputation.

The allegations reportedly escalated in later interviews where Hay described Wallace attending Diddy’s notorious “freak-off” events and witnessing criminal sexual behavior. He also accused Wallace of luring him into a residence where Diddy allegedly assaulted him—claims the estate calls knowingly false and maliciously constructed.

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Hay claims Diddy assaulted him during a 2021 meeting connected to the remix project, claiming he was restrained by members of Diddy’s entourage and forced into sexual acts as Wallace and Mack looked on. Hay alleged that Diddy “ejaculated on a shirt Biggie once owned, tossed it on Hay and said, ‘Rest in peace BIG,’” according to a police report referenced by the lawsuit.

The estate dismissed these accounts as reckless fantasies, pointing to Hay’s prior emails and behavior as evidence they could not be true.

One such message, dated July 11, 2021, stated: “I have absolutely loved working with CJ and you guys as it’s truly been an honor and a privilege.” Hay also wrote, “I have NO issues whatsoever with anyone else outside of Willie. It’s been a complete joy working with all of you.”

Attorneys argue that these communications show Hay only began mentioning any alleged assaults years later, once such claims could generate publicity. The complaint further says that Hay threatened to release music without authorization after the estate withdrew from his remix project, prompting a cease‑and‑desist letter on July 15, 2021.

The estate is now seeking compensatory and punitive damages, asserting that CJ Wallace lost professional opportunities due to these widely circulated claims. The lawsuit notes that Hay’s interviews have been viewed hundreds of thousands of times across YouTube and social media, continuing to damage Wallace’s reputation.

​AllHipHop

Jesse Jackson was hospitalized in Chicago this week for observation related to progressive supranuclear palsy, a rare neurological condition he’s been battling for more than a decade, and is reportedly on a form of life support to stabilize his blood pressure

CBS News Chicago has also learned that friends and family are flying into Chicago from around the country to be by Jackson’s side.

The Rainbow PUSH Coalition confirmed Wednesday (November 11) that the 84-year-old civil rights leader was admitted for monitoring after doctors officially diagnosed him with PSP in April. That diagnosis came after years of treatment for what was initially believed to be Parkinson’s disease.

“He was originally diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease; however, last April, his PSP condition was confirmed,” the organization said in a statement. “The family appreciates all prayers at this time.”

Progressive supranuclear palsy is a degenerative brain disorder that impacts balance, mobility, eye movement and swallowing. According to the Mayo Clinic, symptoms worsen over time and can lead to life-threatening complications such as aspiration pneumonia.

The illness typically affects people over 60 and can resemble Parkinson’s disease in its early stages, which often leads to misdiagnosis. While there is no cure, treatments like physical therapy, antidepressants, Botox injections and Parkinson’s medications may help ease symptoms.

Jackson first disclosed his health issues in 2017, sharing that his family had noticed changes in his health as early as 2014. He also revealed that his father had suffered from the same condition.

A towering figure in American civil rights history, Jackson began his activism in the 1960s alongside Martin Luther King Jr. and later launched two bids for the Democratic presidential nomination in 1984 and 1988. In 2000, then-president Bill Clinton awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom for his decades of service to social justice.

Jackson founded the National Rainbow Coalition in 1984, which merged with Operation PUSH in 1996 to form the Rainbow PUSH Coalition. Despite his health setbacks, he has remained active in public life and continued his advocacy work well into his 80s.

​AllHipHop

Could Max B and Nas be cooking something? The “Wave God” is free and has the streets on fire. Rumor has it…he just inked a deal with Mass Appeal. Harlem meets Queensbridge! Allegedly! This could be a match made in heaven, but some are saying it is already in jeopardy.

IF…if he signed with the label, it has been rumored that Nas, the Mass Appeal team and Max could be off in terms of their talks. Allegedly, the two have had a few miscommunications — or no communication at all. The streets say Max may have ghosted the legend!

Max is a legend too, for different reasons.

Max just came home after nearly 17 years, so if the man may need a little time to breathe! Nobody can fault him for that. But this is Nas! Other people have brought up Jim Jones’s name. As you know, Jim has had a lot to say about Nas and respective careers. You might recall Jim saying he’s got a “better catalog” than Esco. So, is this deal some kind of quiet chess move from Nas?

But then we gonna have to determine if it is even real.

The gossipers are saying Max B’s upcoming tracks will feature Dave East, another Mass Appeal artist that is close with Jim Jones. But, East recently linked up with Max! So, we all talked about that and thought there may be friction between Dave East and JJ. We see no evidence.

But, it seems like Max wants full independence and why wouldn’t he? He’s been down for nearly 20 years.

Despite the rumors, one thing’s for sure: Max B’s influence on New York culture is still massive. The flip-flops, the jewels, the wavy talk … that’s him! He was Harlem’s smooth outlaw! The melodic hustler!

I guess -time will tell.

​AllHipHop

A superfan who became a viral face of Beyoncé’s 2018 Coachella performance and a symbol of pure joy for thousands saw her life come to a devastating end.

Dallas native Sydney Hardeman died by suicide on November 8. Her younger brother, Jay Hardeman, confirmed her death to the New York Post on Saturday (November 15).

The 25-year-old flight instructor shot to internet fame after Netflix’s 2019 documentary Homecoming captured her stunned expression during Beyoncé’s historic set.

Her wide-eyed reaction, immortalized on screen, quickly spread across social media.

“I was expecting to see myself because I remember the cameraman being in my face the whole time, but I was so happy to be shown because it means Beyoncé knows my face exists,” she told BuzzFeed. “I’m surprised that it blew up, but I knew once Netflix accounts retweeted it, it would catch attention quickly.”

Sydney’s love for Beyoncé started when she was 13 and became a defining part of her identity. In high school, she won first place in a talent show with a full Beyoncé tribute, complete with choreography and backup dancers.

She also played varsity basketball all four years and was named to the prom queen court at what her brother described as the largest high school in Texas.

At St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, she studied criminal justice while excelling on the basketball court, setting a school record for most three-pointers in a single game.

After graduating magna c## laude, she earned a full scholarship to United Aviate Academy and became a certified flight instructor.

“She was so determined and nice and welcoming and happy,” Jay said. “And she never missed a Beyoncé album or tour.”

The viral moment that made her a recognizable face worldwide didn’t happen by chance. Determined to see Beyoncé live, Sydney convinced her mom to let her attend Coachella, then traveled from Texas to California with her brother and best friend.

Once the gates opened, she sprinted half a mile to the main stage and held her spot for 12 hours in the heat.

“I took off running through the gates. Her main stage was a half of mile from the entrance so it was a long run and it was hot outside,” she said in a 2020 interview with The Story of Texas project.

She first saw herself in Homecoming while watching in her dorm room at 2 A.M. Her mother, Jamie Hardeman, told TMZ that Sydney screamed with excitement when she spotted herself on screen.

The moment led to a wave of media attention, including interviews with Oprah Magazine and appearances on EBC Network. Her tweet of the clip racked up thousands of likes and shares.

Outside of her Beyoncé fandom, Sydney had a wide range of interests.

“She loved to fly and travel and meet new people,” Jay said. “She liked to play guitar and piano … she did have a very musical aspect to her.”

She was engaged and planning an April wedding at the time of her death. Her family said she had struggled emotionally after her grandfather’s passing and had canceled therapy appointments they encouraged her to attend.

Her mother offered a message to young people who looked up to Sydney: “You guys are young, and you are excited, you guys haven’t gotten to the good part. Lean on your village, Sydney had a huge village … sometimes you just need to be vulnerable to the people around you so they can help you. Parents are here to support you. It’s OK to be down, it’s normal, you haven’t gotten to the good part yet. Please keep going.”

Jamie added, “She never meant to leave you. She loved all of you. In her name, make sure you guys are OK and find the support when you need it.”

​AllHipHop

Nicki Minaj is set to join U.S. officials at the United Nations this week to address the brutal targeting of Christians in Nigeria, a cause that’s drawn her into the orbit of Donald Trump and his allies.

The Grammy-nominated rapper will appear alongside U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Mike Waltz at a high-level conference on Tuesday in New York, where speakers will spotlight the mass killings, abductions and destruction of Christian communities across Nigeria.

Waltz, a Trump-appointed diplomat, organized the event with help from Trump advisor Alex Bruesewitz, who will also deliver remarks.

“Ambassador, I am so grateful to be entrusted with an opportunity of this magnitude. I do not take it for granted. It means more than you know. The Barbz & I will never stand down in the face of injustice. We’ve been given our influence by God. There must be a bigger purpose,” Nicki Minaj said.

Ambassador, I am so grateful to be entrusted with an opportunity of this magnitude. I do not take it for granted. It means more than you know.

The Barbz & I will never stand down in the face of injustice. We’ve been given our influence by God. There must be a bigger purpose. https://t.co/Mdh0nBWwm1

— Nicki Minaj (@NICKIMINAJ) November 17, 2025

The gathering will bring together diplomats, faith leaders and celebrity advocates to raise awareness and push for international action. Topics include the U.S. response to religious violence in Nigeria and the growing number of mass atrocities targeting Christians.

Waltz publicly thanked Minaj for lending her voice to the cause and invited her to speak on issues related to religious liberty.

“Nicki Minaj is not only arguably the greatest female recording artist, but also a principled individual who refuses to remain silent in the face of injustice. I’m grateful she’s leveraging her massive platform to spotlight the atrocities against Christians in Nigeria, and I look forward to standing with her as we discuss the steps the President and his administration are taking to end the persecution of our Christian brothers and sisters,” Waltz said.

.@NICKIMINAJ is not only arguably the greatest female recording artist, but also a principled individual who refuses to remain silent in the face of injustice.

I’m grateful she’s leveraging her massive platform to spotlight the atrocities against Christians in Nigeria, and I… https://t.co/LOLrU1PZye

— Ambassador Mike Waltz (@michaelgwaltz) November 16, 2025

The Queens-born rapper has faced intense scrutiny after reposting Trump’s statement labeling Nigeria a “Country of Particular Concern” and claiming “Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria.”

Trump’s statement, which Nicki Minaj shared with her own message, said, “Radical Islamists are responsible for this mass slaughter.” Minaj added, “Reading this made me feel a deep sense of gratitude. We live in a country where we can freely worship God. No group should ever be persecuted for practising their religion. We don’t have to share the same beliefs in order for us to respect each other.”

Her post ignited backlash from Nigerian users who accused her of spreading a distorted view of the country’s internal conflicts.

Critics argued the violence stems from a mix of terrorism, land disputes and organized crime—not solely religious persecution.

Still, the numbers are staggering.

According to recent reports, more than 7,000 Christians have been killed in Nigeria in 2025 alone. That’s an average of 32 people per day. Another 7,899 have been abducted, often for ransom or forced conversion.

Since 2009, roughly 125,000 Christians have been killed and over 19,000 churches destroyed.

Despite the controversy, Minaj has held firm on her stance. The U.N. event marks a rare moment where pop culture, politics and global human rights collide on an international stage.

​AllHipHop

Michael Jackson moonwalked into music history again as “Thriller” surged back into the Billboard Hot 100’s Top 10, making him the first artist to notch Top 10 hits in six different decades.

The Halloween-fueled return of the 1982 classic, which jumped from No. 32 to No. 10, pushed the late Michael Jackson past crooner Andy Williams, who held a five-decade Top 10 streak before his death in 2012. According to Luminate, “Thriller” racked up 14 million streams this past week alone.

Originally peaking at No. 4 more than 40 years ago, “Thriller” has proven to be more than a seasonal favorite; it’s a generational anthem. This latest chart entry marks Jackson’s 30th Top 10 hit on the Hot 100, a list that includes 13 No. 1 singles. His solo Top 10 journey began in November 1971 with “Got to Be There.”

Before this week, Jackson’s most recent Top 10 showing came in 2018 when he was featured on Drake’s “Don’t Matter to Me.”

The renewed spotlight on Jackson’s catalog arrives as buzz builds around Michael, the upcoming biopic directed by Antoine Fuqua. The film, slated to hit theaters April 24, 2026, promises to explore the life, rise and legacy of the man known as the King of Pop.

According to the film’s official synopsis, it “explores the global superstar’s journey to becoming the King of Pop, offering an intimate look at the life and enduring legacy of one of the most influential and trailblazing artists the world has ever known.”

Jackson’s posthumous chart milestone not only cements his enduring influence but also sets a new benchmark in pop music history.

​AllHipHop

Max B lit up the Bronx with a high-energy performance Sunday night (November 16) at Salsa Con Fuego, celebrating his release from prison after serving 16 years for a 2006 robbery-turned-homicide in New Jersey.

The Harlem rapper hit the stage for one of the first times since his 2009 conviction, delivering live renditions of fan favorites like “I Gotta Habit” and “Sexy Love” to a packed crowd.

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A post shared by Max B (@thisisbiggavel)

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A post shared by Max B (@thisisbiggavel)

The welcome home event, promoted as “an unforgettable night in the Bronx,” featured a stacked DJ lineup including DJ Funk Flex, Spazo, Smoove Ski and Get On Up, with Hollywood Butta hosting the night.

Max B was originally sentenced to 75 years for his role in the deadly robbery. That conviction was overturned, and in 2016, he accepted a plea deal that cut his sentence to 20 years. He was officially released on November 9.

Beyond the stage, Max B wasted no time getting back to music. Just hours after his release, French Montana shared footage of the two in the studio. “WORKING ON THE GDAY. COKE WAVE 3 LOADING ” he wrote on social media, hinting at the next installment of their “Coke Wave” mixtape series.

Additional clips following his release show Max B in the booth with engineers, checking levels and vibing to beats as he reconnected with longtime collaborator French Montana.

The pair were also seen in the studio with producer Harry Fraud, fueling speculation that new music is on the way.

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The demand for Max B’s return is already proving strong. His January 18 show at Brooklyn Paramount sold out in less than a day, prompting organizers to add a second date on January 17.

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Tory Lanez added another legal setback to his growing list after a judge found him in contempt of court for refusing to answer basic questions during a November 14 deposition tied to Megan Thee Stallion’s defamation lawsuit against blogger Milagro Gramz.

The deposition unraveled quickly when Lanez, born Daystar Peterson, refused to cooperate.

According to legal journalist Meghann Cuniff, the judge fined Lanez $20,000 and ruled that the jury in Megan’s lawsuit will be informed that Lanez cut the deposition short and declined to answer questions.

The three questions Lanez refused to answer were straightforward: “(1) How he first came to know Defendant [Milagro] Cooper; (2) Whether Mr. Peterson communicated with Defendant Cooper; and (3) Whether he sent Ms. Cooper Instagram direct messages or text messages.”

Tory Lanez and his lawyer have been held in contempt of court after Lanez refused to answer questions in a deposition in Megan Thee Stallion’s defamation lawsuit against Milagro Gramz.

He’s to pay $20,000, and jury in Megan’s trial will be told he refused to answer questions. pic.twitter.com/Ahx5ySR0hR

— Meghann Cuniff (@meghanncuniff) November 17, 2025

When warned by the court that his refusal could lead to additional penalties, Lanez responded, “got jail for 10 years right now. You can do whatever you’d like to do.”

Lanez’s conduct during a second deposition in April was described as combative and chaotic.

He challenged the authority of Megan’s legal team, asked for definitions of common words, and even questioned which “Megan Pete” was being referenced, instructing his attorney to “search how many Megan Petes there are globally.”

The court session ended after just 44 minutes.

This contempt ruling comes just days after a California appeals court upheld Lanez’s conviction in the 2020 shooting of Megan Thee Stallion. On November 12, the court affirmed the jury’s decision and his 10-year prison sentence, stating there was “more than sufficient” evidence that Lanez caused “great bodily injury” to the rapper.

Lanez is currently serving his sentence and remains entangled in multiple legal matters stemming from the 2020 incident and its aftermath.

​AllHipHop