Robbie Pardlo, former lead singer of the Grammy-nominated R&B group City High, has died. TMZ reported that Pardlo died on Thursday, July 17, while surrounded by family and friends in Willingboro, New Jersey. No official cause of death has been revealed. Pardlo was 46.
Pardlo’s brother, Gregory Pardlo, shared a statement with People: “I’ve been taking shelter in the love of family and in my brother’s memory. Even with his body covered in tattoos and the streetwise tough guy persona he cultivated, my little brother will always be a sweet, goofy kid in my eyes.”
Produced by Fugees member Jean, “What Would You Do?” first appeared as part of the soundtrack to the 1999 film Life starring Eddie Murphy and Martin Lawrence. The song was envisioned as a motivational anthem for single parents dealing with poverty and reached the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100. It would later be nominated for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group at the 2002 Grammy Awards.
The album’s second single, “Caramel,” peaked at number 18 on the Hot 100. The track contains vocal samples from “Silent Treatment” by The Roots in addition to a drum sample from Al Green’s “I’m Glad You’re Mine.”
City High disbanded in 2003. Pardlo was later a member of the R&B quartet First Take, who collaborated with Whitney Houston and Lil Kim.
Discover more about the world’s greatest R&B artists | uDiscover Music
Tyler, the Creator announced Don’t Tap the Glass mere days ago and now it is here. The Grammy Award-winning creative has done it again, guys. Tyler was vague about what this album was and he seemed to imply that it wasn’t like anything he’s done in the past.
Now we know what it is—a dance album. There are a lot of House vibes mixed with rap. I’m not mad at this. We know that Tyler is a genre-bender. He took time to explain himself and what he wants to accomplish with this project. (If you see “typos,” that’s because his statement is unedited.)
I ASKED SOME FRIENDS WHY THEY DONT DANCE IN PUBLIC AND SOME SAID BECAUSE OF THE FEAR OF BEING FILMED. I THOUGHT DAMN, A NATURAL FORM OF EXPRESSION AND A CERTAIN CONECTION THEY HAVE WITH MUSIC IS NOW A GHOST. IT MADE ME WONDER HOW MUCH OF OUR HUMAN SPIRIT GOT KILLED BECAUSE OF THE FEAR OF BEING A MEME, ALL FOR HAVING A GOOD TIME, I JUST GOT BACK FROM A ‘LISTENING PARTY’ FOR THIS ALBUM AND MAN WAS IT ONE OF THE GREATEST NITES OF MY LIFE. 300 PEOPLE. NO PHONES ALLOWED. NO CAMERAS, JUST SPEAKERS AND A SWEATBOX. EVERYONE WAS DANCING. MOVING, EXPRESSING, SWEATING. IT WAS TRULY BEAUTIFUL. I PLAYED THE ALBUM FRONT TO BACK TWICE, IT FELT LIKE THAT PENT UP ENERGY FINALLY GOT RELEASED AND WE CRAVED THE IDEA OF LETTING MORE OF IT OUT THERE WAS A FREEDOM THAT FILLED THE ROOM, A BALL OF ENERGY THAT MIGHT NOT TRANSLATE TO EVERY SPEAKER THAT PLAYS THIS ALBUM BUT MAN DID THAT ROOM NAIL IT. THIS ALBUM WAS NOT MADE FOR SITTING STILL. DANCING DRIVING RUNNING ANY TYPE OF MOVEMENT IS RECOMMENDED TO MAYBE UNDERSTAND THE SPIRIT OF IT. ONLY AT AT FULL VOLUME
– Tyler
Tyler has longevity because he pulls elements from different genres but makes it his. You can’t box this dude in, much like Pharrell. He has a very unique sound and loves music. What’s interesting is Don’t Tap the Glasssupposedly has no theme or concept. We’ll be talking about it, but the consensus is there’s a theme.
Don’t Tap The Glass is not CHROMAKOPIA. And that is a good thing!
The album rollout might feel familiar to last year’s CHROMAKOPIA. That project also hit on a Monday morning, but Tyler’s said previously this release stands in contrast to the cinematic vibes of that project. The visuals for Don’t Tap the Glass seems to be a nod to legends like LL COOL J, Ludacris and 50 Cent. These hints of gritty lyricism isn’t what the project is. At least that’s what I think for now. Clipse show up in the video below.
Malcom-Jamal Warner has died at age 54 following what sources say was an accidental drowning. According to a report from PEOPLEon Monday (July 21), Warner was on a family vacation in Costa Rica and drowned while swimming.
The actor, best known for playing Theo Huxtable on the hit NBC sitcom The Cosby Show across all eight seasons, was reportedly found unresponsive, though no official cause of death has been confirmed by authorities.
Warner rose to fame in the 1980s as the youngest son of Cliff and Clair Huxtable, a role that earned him an Emmy nomination and made him a household name.
“I know I can speak for all the cast when I say The Cosby Show is something that we are all still very proud of,” Warner once told PEOPLE of the show. “We share a unique experience that keeps us lovingly bonded no matter how much time goes between seeing or hearing from each other.”
Warner acknowledged how the show’s legacy had changed given the allegations made against Cosby, who was convicted of sexual assault in 2018 but later had the charge overturned in 2021,
“Regardless of how some people may feel about the show now, I’m still proud of the legacy and having been a part of such an iconic show that had such a profound impact on — first and foremost, Black culture — but also American culture,” Warner added.
In his late teens, Warner began directing music videos for acts like New Edition and Special Ed and went on to direct episodes of The Cosby Show, All That and Kenan & Kel. He later co-starred in the UPN comedy Malcolm & Eddie and lent his voice to the animated series The Magic School Bus, where he played the character of the classmate Tim.
In addition to acting, Warner built a respected career in music and spoken word. He won a Grammy Award in 2015 for Best Traditional R&B Performance for his work on Robert Glasper’s Jesus Children alongside Lalah Hathaway. Warner also directed several television episodes and short films over the years, showcasing his range behind the camera.
Most recently, Warner had been hosting a podcast titled “Not All Hood,” which explored themes of identity, culture and personal growth. The most recent episode was released just three days prior to his death. Warner was known for keeping his personal life out of the spotlight. He’s survived by his wife and daughter, whose names he never publicly disclosed.
50 Cent ignited a weekend war of words with Dave Blunt on Instagram while also launching a $1 million lawsuit against his ex-girlfriend Shaniqua Tompkins over alleged contract violations tied to tell-all content.
The rap mogul stirred controversy after posting a photo of Blunts with the caption, “Ye this ya manz? If I catch him im pushing down the stairs,” referencing Blunts’ connection to Kanye West. Blunts didn’t hold back, retaliating with a photo of 50 from his 2011 film, All Things Fall Apart, where he portrayed a college athlete battling a terminal illness.
“I been going to the gym and been locked in on my health journey the world is watching me lose weight,” Blunts wrote in the caption. “But you lost all that weight for that weak ass movie and nobody watched that s###.”
The back-and-forth quickly made its way to Instagram, where reactions ranged from disapproval to amusement. “Thats foul on 50s part that big ass n#### prolly grew up loving 50 cent,” one user commented. Another joked, “Stairs is diabolical bro can’t stand on one he gon break it.”
While the online spat grabbed attention, 50 Cent—real name Curtis Jackson—was also making headlines for legal reasons. According to court filings obtained by AllHipHop, his publishing company, G-Unit Books, is suing Tompkins for allegedly breaching a 2007 agreement by promoting and discussing their past relationship in recent interviews.
“Capitalizing on her recent notoriety from a ‘viral’ post commenting on testimony in the high-profile ‘Diddy’ trial, Tompkins has repeatedly and deliberately exploited the very rights she conveyed to G-Unit Books,” the complaint states.
The lawsuit seeks to halt the distribution of the content and demands $1 million in damages. Tompkins has appeared in multiple interviews in recent months, where she accused 50 Cent of abuse during her pregnancy and throughout their relationship in the 1990s.
The legal filing was submitted earlier this month.
People are really concerned. Over the weekend, Lil Wayne was supposed to walk a UFC fighter to the octagon, basically do a quick performance during the entrance. But that didn’t happen. Why it didn’t happen still remains a mystery. Folks quickly shifted their attention to something else entirely.
Lil Wayne’s physical appearance became the main focus. The Young Money king seemed to be carrying some noticeable weight. I’m not sure what else to say about his demeanor, but he just seemed a little off. And you know, we’ve watched Wayne evolve through the years. Some of us have been frustrated by his journey, while others have stayed loyal fans. One thing’s for sure: he’s been consistently dope that whole time—unless you hated this last album. Again, another story.
Lil Wayne has lived the life of a rockstar for most of his life. At 42, maybe some of those years are finally showing up physically. Or maybe not living that wild lifestyle anymore is what’s having an effect. Honestly, I don’t know. I’m not here to throw stones about what he has or hasn’t done, but let’s keep it a bean. He’s openly promoted a lifestyle that includes habits like sipping lean. And if you know what lean is, you know there’s nothing good that comes from it.
Hopefully he’s in good health and just packing on some extra weight like many OGs do. From lean…not so lean and it’s still hopefully all good.
We still don’t know why he didn’t perform at the UFC event, but maybe that was for the best. In today’s viral world, it could’ve easily turned into a bad look. I’m sure the performance would’ve been cool, but all it takes is one little clip for people to overanalyze it into oblivion—and that’s exactly what happened.
Diddy is facing a legal counterpunch from NBCUniversal, which has asked a judge to throw out his $100 million defamation lawsuit over a documentary that the network argues is protected by free speech and rooted in public interest.
The media giant, along with Peacock TV and Ample Entertainment, filed a motion to dismiss Diddy’s complaint, asserting that the documentary Diddy: The Making of a Bad Boy neither defamed him nor caused new damage to his public image.
The film aired on Peacock in January 2025 and includes commentary on Diddy’s upbringing, career, and a series of lawsuits and criminal charges that have engulfed him in recent years.
Diddy filed the massive suit earlier this year, claiming the documentary falsely portrayed him as a violent predator and criminal mastermind.
NBC contends the film simply reflects a broader conversation already unfolding in the media.
NBC’s legal filing argues that Diddy’s reputation was already under intense scrutiny before the documentary aired and his July 2025 conviction on prostitution-related charges did nothing to help his arguments, not to mention the hundreds of civil lawsuits accusing him of sexual assault and abuse.
The lawsuit also takes issue with segments referencing the deaths of Diddy’s former partner Kimberly Porter and rappers Christopher “The Notorious B.I.G.” Wallace and Heavy D.
NBC says the film did not accuse Diddy of murder but instead explored public speculation and theories, many of which had already circulated through national outlets.
The network states that those statements originated from interviewees and were not endorsed by the producers.
Mitchell appeared on Newsmax with a client who claimed to possess flash drives showing Diddy with minors. Mitchell argues that Diddy’s reputation had already been “irreparably damaged” by his criminal case. Like Mitchell, NBC wants the judge to dismiss the case.
Diddy remains in custody while awaiting sentencing on October 3 after he was convicted on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution.
History stood still over the weekend. The Wu-Tang Clan, one of the greatest hip-hop collectives music has ever seen, rocked the Wells Fargo Center in Philly for what was promoted as their final tour on U.S. soil. I was fortunate enough to be there. This wasn’t just a concert, it was a cultural communion. A moment of extreme reverence. A time capsule. A victory lap of the surreal sort. And, for many of us, it was a full-circle experience.
What unfolded was an unreal, masterfully orchestrated display of greatness. Wu-Tang Clan proved, once again, that they’re not just icons of Hip-Hop—they are the embodiment of all things Hip-Hop. LL COOL J was there. Lauryn Hill was there. Philly’s own Freeway was embraced like a hometown mayor. We, the fans, showed up in full force. It was a smorgasbord of humanity. Fans from every walk of life co-existing in peace. Every race, age, and background—Black, white, Asian, South Asian, Latino and more. Teenagers who weren’t born when Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) dropped were standing next to OGs from the ’70s. RZA asked the crowd when they were born and every era was represented—loud and proud.
It wasn’t lost on me that the show stuck strictly to Wu-Tang group material. There were no solo album joints performed. There were nine (10 if you include Cappadonna) distinct voices, nine philosophies, nine flows converging to form something otherworldly. RZA, the conductor, led the night like the general he’s proven to be. A couple times he poured champagne on the crowd, but it wasn’t offensive. It felt like a symbolic toast to a 30-year championship run by a proud coach.
The show flowed so fluidly. Meth played hype man for LL, Rae and Ghost shared the stage with Lauryn Hill and ODB’s son Young Dirty Bastard brought his father’s spirit back to life in the most uncanny way. But one misstep bothered me. Every member received a city proclamation…except Ol’ Dirty Bastard. That stung. If any spirit deserved formal acknowledgment, it was his. The essence of Wu isn’t whole without ODB. His son deserved to accept that honor on his behalf. In the past, I was blessed to meet and briefly interview him. He was so special.
Still, Wu’s legacy was on full display. From the sea of W logos on shirts, hoodies and jackets. This was a congregation and we were in church.
I thought back to my DJ days, spinning “Protect Ya Neck” on community radio, feeling like I was part of something seismic. Back then, Wu was targeting campuses and indie radio, building a grassroots base. Now, decades later, I’m playing The Emperor’s New Clothes, Raekwon’s new album, en route to see them in what may be their last collective stand. That’s wild.
This show also reminded us of how Hip-Hop can age gracefully. Not neutered and not overly clean. Stylish. Confident. Raekwon came out looking like a fashion week ambassador, but it was a reminder that that elder statesmen in Hip-Hop don’t have to wear suits to be dignified.
They also reminded us of responsibility and what being grown looks like after 50. RZA used his platform to speak on community violence, promoting unity and peace. He name-checked Biggie, Pac, Nip and others. Warriors are often meant to evolve into wise men.
I saw the brotherhood. When one MC faltered even slightly, another jumped in seamlessly. That’s real love: the very foundation Hip-Hop was built on.
They left nothing behind. They passed the torch and offered the blueprint. It’s up to us now to carry on the culture, to protect it, to honor the standard they set.
Wu-Tang taught us that being fly, being smart, being radical and being raw are not contradictions. They exist in the same cipher. Family is more than blood. It’s also the crew that goes to war with you, support you and the people that rally behind you when you need it the most.
Salute to the Wu-Tang Clan. Thank you. For the music. For the message. For the memories. You may never tour again, but the legacy will continue on.
The Cosby Show creator Bill Cosby reacted to the shocking news of Malcolm-Jamal Warner’s death at 54 from an accidental drowning.
Warner drowned in Costa Rica during a family vacation on Sunday (July 20), after he was caught in a high tide. His official cause of death has been listed as asphyxiation.
Warner rose to fame playing Theo Huxtable on NBC’s The Cosby Show, a role that made him a household name in the 1980s and earned him an Emmy nomination at just 16.
“He’s devastated and it’s a sad day,” Bill Cosby spokesperson Andrew Wyatt said in a statement.
Wyatt said the impact of Warner’s death on Bill Cosby was similar to when he got the news that his own son, Ennis Cosby Cosby, was killed in a failed robbery attempt.
Born August 18, 1970, in Jersey City, New Jersey, Warner entered the entertainment industry as a teenager. His breakout role as Theo helped define a generation of television and launched a career that spanned more than four decades.
Following The Cosby Show, Warner starred in the UPN sitcom Malcolm & Eddie alongside Eddie Griffin, which ran for four seasons. He later appeared in recurring roles on shows like Community, Suits and The Resident, where he played Dr. AJ Austin.
Beyond acting, Warner built a reputation as a skilled director, helming episodes of The Cosby Show,All That and Malcolm & Eddie. He also pursued music, blending spoken word and jazz into his performances.
In 2015, Warner won a Grammy Award for Best Traditional R&B; Performance for his contribution to Robert Glasper’s “Jesus Children” featuring Lalah Hathaway. The song honored the victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting.
Throughout his career, Warner remained vocal about the importance of representation and creative control. He often used his platform to advocate for Black artists in Hollywood and the music industry.
His final television appearance aired earlier this year, continuing a steady presence on screen that began in the early 1980s.
Warner’s death comes just weeks before what would have been his 55th birthday.
Jadakiss set it off a few days ago. I just didn’t say anything. But I want it on the site as a matter of record!
He didn’t specify, but there’s a mysterious collaboration with Hip-Hop legend Big Daddy Kane. Something is officially in the works. While the LOX rapper didn’t offer full details, he confirmed during a recent conversation that something special is brewing. Remember, I said it before, because Kiss was educating his son on Kane.
While younger artists like Travis Scott are topping sales charts, it’s the veterans who are getting the acclaim. Tyler, the Creator, at the big age of 34, has been making noise with Don’t Tap the Glass, but he may soon have to slide over. Nas, Clipse, Raekwon and others have been reasserting their dominance in 2025. I love Tyler though. Jadakiss and Big Daddy Kane may be next and “ain’t no half steppin’” with either of them.
“I’ve talked about this before, but now it’s real,” Jadakiss, who took his time, said. He didn’t give specific details, but the confirmation itself is all we need. Whether it’s an album, a single, or something else…let’s go! What could two of Hip-Hop’s most respected wordsmiths cook up? This isn’t gonna be raw.
Jadakiss and Kane have crossed paths over the years and continue to show mutual admiration. Kane, who helped lay the foundation for lyrical excellence in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s, still commands massive respect from every generation of rapper that followed. Jadakiss, known for his gritty delivery and razor-sharp bars, represents that perfect bridge between old school and street-certified contemporary rap.
By the way, Kiss just released a new song. So, with or without Kane, moves are being made.
It’s also part of a wider shift. OGs aren’t just sitting on their legacy—they’re evolving. This is an era where podcasts, tours and live conversations matter as much as mixtapes and albums. Artists like Jadakiss are proving they can talk, perform and still out-rap nearly everyone in the room.
But make no mistake: fans really want is the bars.
Right now, the elders in the culture are dominating not with nostalgia but with BARS. You can’t “vibe” your way out of this. A few years ago, the OGs were about shooting the 30-foot jumper. Not anymore. They are dunking on MFers with both hands.
Ca$h Out was sentenced to life in prison plus 70 years by a Fulton County judge after being convicted on multiple charges tied to a sex trafficking ring that prosecutors say he led across metro Atlanta.
The former rapper, born John-Michael Hakim Gibson, was found guilty of rape, pimping and aggravated sodomy. He was convicted on two sex trafficking counts and acquitted on a third.
Additional charges, including sexual servitude and aggravated assault, were dismissed.
The court ordered that the 70-year sentence run concurrently with the life term, meaning he will not serve additional time beyond the life term.
Ca$h Out must also register as a sex offender, avoid contact with victims or their families and stay away from several locations in Atlanta, including the Fulton Industrial Boulevard corridor.
“I want to start out by thanking you for giving us a fair trial. I want to thank the jurors for the amount of time that they put in to judge this trial. The time being on this trial, I was able to see how the jurors are put in the tough position of sitting there and judge someone’s life. And, you know, it’s a hard decision, and I felt like they made the wrong judgment. I’ve done things in my life. I’m not perfect. But the things I’ve been accused of, I know that I haven’t done those things,” Ca$h Out said.
He was initially offered 25 years, but chose to gamble and take the case to trial and lost miserably.
During Monday’s sentencing (July 21), victims and their families delivered emotional statements describing the trauma they endured. One woman said she felt “disgusting” and “unlovable” after being trafficked.
Others spoke of long-term effects including PTSD, anxiety and depression.
The parents of one victim told the court that Ca$h Out used his celebrity status to manipulate and exploit.
The case revealed a years-long operation that prosecutors said functioned like a criminal enterprise. Authorities charged Ca$h Out under Georgia’s RICO laws, typically used for organized crime, arguing he ran a for-profit sex trafficking ring.
More than 50 witnesses testified throughout the trial. Some women said they were raped or denied food unless they performed sex acts for money.
Others said Ca$h Out or his mother took the money they earned.
Prosecutors also presented video evidence from a prostitution sting to highlight the structured nature of the operation.
Ca$h Out’s mother, Linda Smith, known as “Mama Ca$h Out,” was convicted of one trafficking charge but cleared of another and a prostitution count. She was hit with 30 years.
A third defendant, Tyrone Taylor, was found guilty on all charges except pimping, including rape and aggravated sodomy. Taylor received life plus 70 years.
Ca$h Out first rose to fame with the 2012 hit single “Cashin’ Out”, but had faded from the music scene by the time the investigation began in 2019.
