Kanye has another week full of controversies, Cardi B has a big birthday bash and a huge star can’t get in, Bad Bunny leads the 2022 American Music Award nominations, Blueface and Chrisean get their own reality show on Zeus, Rihanna is ready for fall and more!
Beyoncé sent a beautiful birthday card and gift to Cardi B, who celebrated her 30th birthday this week.
Cardi B shared a look at some pretty flowers to her Instagram Stories on Friday (Oct. 14), a few days after her Oct. 11 birthday. On top of the gift was a card opened to reveal a sweet message inside, which Beyoncé simply signed with “B.”
Bey’s note on the card said: “Cardi, Happy Birthday! I hope you had a beautiful day. All my love. God Bless, B.”
“B—!!! Thank you @beyonce,” wrote Cardi, who rang in her 30th on Tuesday night with a burlesque-themed party at Los Angeles. Husband Offset, Tiffany Haddish, Chloe and Halle Bailey and Jamie Foxx were among the stars who took part in the festivities.
Offset gifted his wife a rare Richard Mille watch.
“Made it to 30 with 2 cribs, 6 whips, multiple properties and bless kids,” she said earlier this week.
Last month, Beyoncé sent Cardi a handwritten note across the top of a vinyl copy of her Renaissance album. Cardi said she was going to preserve it “in a glass frame with laser beams on it.”
“To: Cardi B,” Bey had written. “Hard working, beautiful and talented queen, thank you for always supporting me. Sending so much love to you and yours. Respect, Beyoncé.”
Check out Cardi’s latest Instagram Story about Beyoncé here, and see the clip embedded in the fan tweet below.
Megan Thee Stallion is “excited AF” for her SNL gig, but planning to take some time off after it’s done.
The rapper is in New York City, pulling double duty as host and musical guest on Saturday night’s (Oct. 15) episode. The day before, TMZ reported that her Los Angeles home was broken into and more than $300,000 worth of personal property was stolen.
“Wow,” she wrote on Twitter Friday night, presumably responding to the alleged burglary. “Material things can be replaced but I’m glad everyone is safe.”
“Hotties im really sorry but after SNL I really gotta take a break I’m so tired, physically and emotionally,” she said in her next tweet.
Saturday night will be Meg’s first time hosting SNL, but second time appearing as the official musical guest. As the musical guest in 2020, she performed her hits “Savage” and “Don’t Stop.” This time around, she’s expected to play songs from her sophomore album, 2022’s Traumazine, which debuted at No. 4 on the Billboard 200.
See Megan’s latest tweets below and a series of hot pink “SNL DAY” photos on Instagram here.
50 Cent‘s penis enlargement lawsuit has been brushed off by lawyers representing defendant Angela Kogan and her company Perfection Plastic Surgery.
In September, the G-Unit mogul filed a suit arguing that the plastic surgeon and MedSpa owner used a photo of him the two took during a trip to Miami in February 2020 to promote her company and its services.
The lawsuit alleges Kogan used the photo — which 50 Cent said he took believing Kogan was merely a fan — to promote Perfection Plastic Surgery without authorization and falsely implied 50 underwent a penis enlargement procedure. He maintains he’s never had a penis enlargement surgery or any kind of surgery at MedSpa.
He further argues the defendants use of the photo has opened him up to “ridicule” and has damaged his professional and personal reputation and is seeking an unspecified amount in damages.
According to AllHipHop, Kogan has petitioned the United States District Court in the Southern District of Florida to dismiss the case.
“It is clear from the Photo itself that the taking thereof was not a random happenstance or unsolicited occasion. The content of the Photo shows [50 Cent] in [Kogan’s’] office, next to [Kogan] in her role as a businesswoman/aesthetician (i.e. in professional attire),” attorneys wrote in the filing.
“Thus, it is disingenuous.. to claim or allege that [50 Cent] – who wishes for the Court to believe randomly stumbled into a medspa without purpose or specific intent – agreed to take the Photo under the ‘sole impression that [Kogan] was a fan seeking the photograph for her private and personal enjoyment.’”
Kogan claims 50 Cent agreed to take the photo and allow it to be shared on the defendant’s social media pages. Her lawyers have further stated that she never “implied that Plaintiff received plastic surgery services or penile enhancement surgery.”
“Neither the Photo itself, nor the caption thereof, purports to show the use of the Photo in direct promotion with any commercial product or service (i.e. offered medspa treatments, products, endorsement of plastic surgery services, endorsement of penile enhancement services, etc.),” the recently filed motion notes.
Meanwhile, 50 Cent has been caught up in a dispute with his eldest son Marquise over his complaints that the rapper’s $6,700 a month child support payments are not enough.
On Thursday (October 13), which happened to be Marquise’s 26th birthday, 50 shared a video on Instagram elaborately trolling his son.
The almost minute-long clip finds the Queens, New York rapper watching TV in the tub in a hotel in Germany when Marquise’s comments appear on the screen as “breaking news.” 50 turns the TV off in disgust and says: “This n-gga’s crazy. You’re 25 years old; why are you still talking about child support?”
Kodak Black and Saucy Santana have been going back and forth on social media after the latter claimed Kodak stole his viral hit “Walk.”
On Thursday (October 13), The Shade Room posted side by side photos of the two Florida artists wearing similar two-piece outfits to its Instagram account, asking followers to decide who wore it better.
Kodak Black hit up the comments section and wrote: “ALL LIVES MATTER.”
Though some believe that Kodak’s comment was meant to be positive, Santana responded with the hashtag: “#TSBroStoleMySong.”
Kodak Black accused of stealing Saucy Santana song ?https://t.co/FoC4kydEIQ pic.twitter.com/4BAFu8E2y4
— HipHopDX (@HipHopDX) October 15, 2022
It’s believed that Saucy Santana was referring to Kodak Black’s “Spin,” and how it sounds similar to his own hit “Walk.” Both tracks have the word “walk” repeated throughout their respective compositions.
“I know that you can talk/ You talkin’ all that shit, but let me see if you walk/ Let me see you walk (Walk, walk, walk, walk, walk, walk),” Santana raps on “Walk.”
Whereas Kodak Black’s Tye Beats-produced song “Spin” goes: “Walkin’ and slidin’ and steppin’ and spinnin’/ And standin’ on bitches and standin’ on business/ Walk, walk, walk, walk, walk, walk, walk, walk.”
The similarities of each track had fans of both artists flocking to the comments section of The Shade Room‘s post to determine both similarities and stark differences between the two songs, with some of the opinion that they represent the masculine and feminine sides of the same coin.
Kodak Black is no stranger to online drama. Just last week he made it loud and clear how he feels about Latto’s “Big Energy” winning Song of the Year at the 2022 BET Hip Hop Awards.
The Florida native — whose “Super Gremlin” hit was also up for the award — voiced his displeasure with the decision, firing off a disparaging Instagram post in which he called for a boycott of the awards show.
However, the 777 rapper is shrugged off the slander, posting a series of sassy photos on Instagram, including one of her flipping her middle finger to the camera. Her caption read: “#Frappuccino,” reclaiming one of Kodak’s insults.
Wiz Khalifa isn’t a fan of people who boast about wearing a clothing item just once, instead he’s all about maximizing his wardrobe.
On Friday (October 14), the Taylor Gang general took to Twitter to share his thoughts on current taboo fashion trends such as shelving and recycle styling in a series of tweets.
In addition to sharing his highly curated stylistic opinion, Wiz Khalifa provided a fit pic complete with a plug for McQueen Gin.
“I literally know every piece of clothing in my closet,” he wrote in part before concluding: “Either that or im havin dreams about shit i own in storage.” In a follow-up tweet, Wiz wrote: “That never wearing anything twice is NOT a flex.”
That never wearing anything twice is NOT a flex
— Wiz Khalifa (@wizkhalifa) October 14, 2022
Since ig don’t like pics no more @McQueenVF pic.twitter.com/8iRGsDlrVg
— Wiz Khalifa (@wizkhalifa) October 14, 2022
Wiz Khalifa has been very vocal about his own fashion choices and preferences all year long, including back in April when he spoke out against Million Dollaz Worth of Game podcast host Gillie Da Kid following Gillie’s negative comments about Wiz’s short form-fitting workout attire.
In May, he gave high praise to Planet Her vocalist Doja Cat and his frequent collaborator Ty Dolla $ign for the high-brow looks they debuted during the 2022 Billboard Music Awards.
During a recent interview with DJ Whoo Kid, following the release of his Multiverse album in July, Wiz Khalifa shared why he chooses Biggie over 2Pac when it comes to the G.O.A.T. rapper debate, partially because of BIG’s approach to integrating style into his rhymes.
“Biggie. I like Biggie because lyrically you could still listen to Biggie’s shit today and be like, ‘Wow, he really said that,’” Wiz Khalifa said. “He talks about clothes, like brands in a crazy way and he talks about cars in a crazy way and he talks about women. He’s just really poetic.”
Aside from his misadventures as a contemporary fashion icon, Wiz Khalifa is in the midst of rolling out a ton of new music both on a solo tip and via his Taylor Gang imprint, which has welcomed new Pittsburgh artists Fedd The Godd and Stixx into the fold.
On the heels of the release of his “Keys To The Citye,” visual single, Wiz Khalifa has connected with his TGOD family for “Creatures,” an all new drill-facing bop that features Fedd The Godd, Stixx and Don Lito.
BTS‘ Jin will release a solo single soon, making him the second member of the superstar K-pop group to release a new solo project since they announced their hiatus.
Jin’s news was delivered from the stage Oct. 15 at the massive BTS “Yet to Come” concert in Busan, South Korea, which was livestreamed in partnership with Weverse. The boy band announced in June that its seven members — Jin, Suga, J-Hope, RM, Jimin, V, and Jungkook — would be taking a temporary break from active group activities to pursue solo work.
“I got the opportunity to work with someone I like, so a single will come out soon,” Jin revealed to screaming ARMY at the show. Fans have previously gotten a taste of solo material from Jin with a handful of one-off tunes, including “Tonight” (2019), “Abyss” (2020) and “Yours” and “Super Tuna” (2021).
Elsewhere from the stage, J-Hope addressed the future of BTS when he said to fans, “I think we’re in a phase where we need your trust.”
In July J-Hope unveiled an official solo project of his own, the album Jack in the Box, following BTS sharing their plans for a break. Released on BTS’ label Big Hit Music, the set was J-Hope’s first real studio album (although he dropped a solo mixtape in 2018 and a song with Becky G in 2019) and featured singles “MORE.” and “Arson.”
“Although it’s so sad that the concert is ending already, it’s not like we only have today. We will continue for 30 years … and even perform when we are 70 years old,” Jimin said at the Busan performance on Saturday.
RM later added, “All seven members have the same thoughts right now. We will continue to make and perform music if you give us your trust, like Jimin said.”
Lil Baby has opened up about the impact his earliest success had on his life, revealing that it forced him into a “dark spot.”
Speaking to The Experience Podcast, the “In A Minute” rapper revealed that while he considers himself happy now, that hasn’t always been the case.
“There was a long time, I wasn’t happy,” he told host Big Loon. “I had a lot of shit I was going through. Getting adjusted to this shit, changing, having to stop being around people I’m used to being around, doing shit I used to be doing. Like, this is over time, I feel — and I know I can adapt to any environment. So it was just like, adapting to my new environment put me in a dark spot for a minute.”
Lil Baby was then asked what it was that the hardest thing for him to get over when adjusting. “Really starting everything over, all the way down to your thoughts,” he explained. “That shit can kinda fuck with you Now you really gotta tell yourself, ‘You can’t think like that no more.’ That shit can be a little depressing.”
While he recognizes that he’s in a better place, Baby also pointed out that, what keeps him grounded is knowing that he hasn’t quite met all of his goals yet.
“I see how [people] can get blurry,” he explained. “And that’s because they finally getting everything they wanted. I ain’t get everything I wanted yet out this shit. Now, when I get it, I might go to actin’ different. But for right now, I ain’t got what I want yet.”
Despite that humble assertion, 2022 has seen Baby achieve quite a bit. In September, the Atlanta rapper was honored with the Quincy Jones Humanitarian Award at the Black Music Action Coalition’s second annual Music in Action Awards Gala. The prize was awarded in recognition for his contributions to racial and social justice within the music industry and beyond.
One of those many contributions happened recently when the rapper hosted his third annual “Back to School Fest” at Atlanta’s West End Mall.
The September release of his teaser single “Detox” also saw Baby tie Elvis Presley‘s number of Billboard Hot 100 singles, at 109. The distinction places Baby among just 12 artists or groups to land over 100 singles on the chart, alongside Nicki Minaj, JAY-Z, Drake, Future, Justin Bieber and Taylor Swift.
On Friday (October 14), Lil Baby delivered his third full-length studio album, the 23-track It’s Only Me. Arriving two years after the success of his critically acclaimed sophomore effort My Turn, the new album boasts appearances by Young Thug, Pooh Shiesty, EST Gee as well as Baby’s 4PF signee Rylo Rodriguez.
Megan Thee Stallion has announced that she will be taking a hiatus following the break-in of her home in Los Angeles.
It was reported earlier this week that two men dressed in hoodies and gloves entered the rapper’s home by smashing a glass door at the rear of the property, after which they made off with almost $500,000 in jewelry, cash, and electronics. The Houston Hottie was not home at the time of the robbery.
Taking to Twitter on Friday (October 14), Megan Thee Stallion announced that she will be going on break and withdrawing from the public eye following her appearance on this weekend’s episode of Saturday Night Live.
“Hotties I’m really sorry but after SNL I really gotta take a break I’m so tired, physically and emotionally,” she told fans. In a follow-up tweet, she wrote: “Material things can be replaced but I’m glad everyone is safe.”
Hotties im really sorry but after SNL I really gotta take a break I’m so tired, physically and emotionally
— TINA SNOW (@theestallion) October 14, 2022
Material things can be replaced but I’m glad everyone is safe ???
— TINA SNOW (@theestallion) October 14, 2022
Although she’ll be taking some time to focus on self-care, Megan Thee Stallion has expanded her profile as a budding actor. Recently, she gave a scene-stealing performance with her cameo in She-Hulk: Attorney at Law.
In a post-credits scene of the Marvel series, Megan can be seen twerking alongside Jennifer Walters (Tatiana Maslany) as her track “Body” plays through the speakers in the conference room.
“Oh you are way more fun than my last lawyer,” Meg said, after which Walters responds nonchalantly: “I will kill for you, Megan Thee Stallion.”
Meg also teased her fans on Instragam by hinting that she may have a role in the fifth season of the hit Netflix thriller Stranger Things.
In a series of Instagram posts, Meg is seen in front of what appears to be a green screen while holding a card that reads Stranger Things. Another photo shows the “Savage” rapper sitting in a director’s chair in a dressing room with “Netflix” written on the back.
Before she takes some time off, Megan Thee Stallion will host and be the musical guest on Saturday’s (October 15) episode of SNL.
Ice Cube and the team behind the BIG3 League have reached another milestone with the organization now certified as the first and only Black-owned sports league.
The 3-on-3 basketball league announced on Friday (October 14) that it has been fully recognized as a Black-owned and Operated business by the U.S. Black Chambers, Inc. and ByBlack.
With its inclusion in the ByBlack network, BIG3 will now be in position to work directly with Black businesses at every stage and foster relationships with Black Chambers across the country, the supporting the league’s commitment to supporting Black entrepreneurs.
“Myself and the entire league are honored to be officially certified by ByBlack and the U.S. Black Chambers,” the West Coast rap pioneer turned entertainment mogul said in a statement. “From day one, the league has been dedicated to providing opportunities for Black players, fans, investors, and partners, and we are proud to be a part of a nationwide network of Black business owners.”
Ice Cube added: “Supporting Black enterprise is a lifelong passion of mine and the BIG3 will continue to build upon its successes and lift up other Black entrepreneurs.”
The new relationship with ByBlack and the USBC also puts the BIG3 and Cube, its CEO, in a better position to leverage a deal which he struck with the NFL earlier this year. Through the newly established Contract with Black America, which the actor and director also co-founded, the NFL has earmarked $125 million to invest in and partner directly with Black-owned businesses.
BIG3 Officially Certified as First Black-owned Sports League https://t.co/heBnxHUiQZ
— Ice Cube (@icecube) October 14, 2022
“USBC is energized by the BIG3 basketball league becoming a certified ByBlack business,” said USBC CEO and President Ron Busby Sr. “This is the first step of what we deem to be a fruitful partnership, with Ice Cube’s commitment to helping other Black-owned businesses get ByBlack certified.
“We applaud Ice Cube for leading the way in this initiative and it is our goal to continue this partnership by collaborating with Ice Cube, BIG3, and other Black-owned businesses in the sports and entertainment industry.”
The new certification is one of several major moves BIG3 has announced as it gears up for its sixth season. During season five, which wrapped in September, the league introduced a series of NFTs called Forever Experience Action Tokens (FEATs), which not only let consumers buy into the league by leveraging blockchain technology, but also give token holders access to exclusive real life experiences.
Season five also saw BIG3 introduce a new technological advancement called Heat Vision, which allows players and coaches access to real-time data on every single shot, including arc, rotation, and depth. The exclusive 3-on-3 tracking software is powered by Microsoft Azure and Noah Basketball Analytics.
During an interview last year, Cube called BIG3 his most challenging career accomplishment.
“This the biggest thing ever and the hardest,” he said. “Doing music, I grew up with Dr. Dre living down the street from me, so, you know. Not saying that was easy, but I was in a position to really be right there. In movies, John Singleton saw me one day and said, ‘Hey, I wanna put you in a movie.’ So, that career took off, you know, with being discovered like that.
“This is something we had to conceive from scratch with all kind of people telling us that we was crazy, what are y’all doing, you rap what are you doin’ in sports, you do movies and now you doin’ basketball. So, we had to push this rock uphill. This has been the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life.”
Meanwhile, Ice Cube recently revealed he submitted two scripts for the fourth film in his stoner comedy franchise Friday, but that both were rejected by the studio.
Cube joined N.O.R.E. and DJ EFN as part of a live taping of Drink Champs during LL Cool J’s Rock The Bells weekend in August, and criticized Warner Brothers for not supporting the culture.
