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It was an overcast and rainy day in NYC, but that didn’t stop Black Hollywood from shining at the 2025 Met Gala. The steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art were adorned with a black and floral print carpet that stretched from the sidewalk to the entrance, guiding the who’s who of fashion into the fashion event of the year. HelloBeautiful’s editorial director, Shamika Sanders, was on the carpet to talk to the likes of Colman Domingo, A$AP Rocky, Pharrell, Law Roach, Ryan Coogler, Anna Wintour, Jazmine Sullivan, Coco Jones, Whoopi Goldberg, Stevie Wonder, Ava Duvernay, Debbie Allen, and more.
The theme for the 2025 Met Gala was “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,” with a spotlight on men’s fashion and Black dandyism. It was a moment for fashion killas like Rocky, Domingo, Lewis Hamilton, and other fly guys to show off their sartorial styles.
For many of the fashionable attendees, it was about more than the labels they were wearing; many of them had sentimental accessories that held a significant meaning to them. Underneath Ryan Coogler’s Fear Of God suit was a locket with his wife and daughter’s picture in it. Colman Domingo wore blue to symbolize the waters that fueled the Transatlantic voyages and the first dandy’s love for the hue. Vogue EIC Anna Wintour wore a brooch gifted to her by Karl Lagerfeld.
And when it came to revealing who tailored their sense of style growing up, Issa Rae revealed her mother, mom of five, loved to put on her Sunday’s best to do just about anything. Pusha T revealed he was inspired by the rappers of his era, while Steffon Diggs reflected on having no choice but to be fly growing up in DC.
Accessories like du-rags, bedazzled fans, top hats, and grills were big on the carpet. But Rihanna sported the best accessory, revealing her baby bump on the carpet after arriving around 10pm. It was a night of Black excellence that has led to the Costume Institute raising the most money for an exhibition ever. Black people, we did that!
HB Style Squad: The 2025 Met Gala Put Black Fashion On The Main Stage
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Ye (formerly Kanye West) joined Piers Morgan for another interview on Tuesday (May 6), but the combative chat was short-lived as West stormed off just minutes into the sit-down.
Within the first few seconds, things got contentious when Morgan called him “Ye West,” with Ye responding that he’s dropped West to lose his “slave name.”
“You see that view,” Yeezy said with a serene balcony view of the ocean off the Mallorca coast behind him. “Judge me by the view,” he said when asked how his life is “at the moment.”
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Morgan felt that reply was in “direct contrast” to the sentiments Ye has expressed with unhinged rants on X in recent months.
“I already disagree,” Ye cut off Morgan. “It’s not in contrast. It’s so many people and artists that are championing the idea of expressing who they really are and having to go through the war of being attacked by the banks and to still be here with this view, that’s the win.”
Right before things went off the rails, Ye was offended that Morgan got his follower count wrong on X. Morgan listed 32 million when the exact number is upward of 33.3 million at press time.
“You’re not gonna take inches off my di–, bro,” the Chicago native said. “I’m a gift, bro. Why do all you people in media act like you haven’t played my songs at your weddings, or graduations or at funerals or when your child was born?”
He continued: “You take someone like that’s living, like a [John] Lennon or a Michael Jackson. That nuance right there is idiotic. It just shows the hate that you put out for people that put out love. There’s so much love in the art that I put out.”
The Uncensored host was taken aback, and then West stormed off. “This is what you get for now, we can circle back when you can count.”
Morgan called Ye a “sniveling little coward” and took out his frustrations on streamer Sneako, who was seated next to Ye during the interview. Morgan wanted to “hold Ye accountable,” and he pressed Sneako about standing next to Ye in recent months after the rapper had expressed antisemitic remarks and praised the likes of Hitler and Diddy.
Watch the full interview with Ye below.
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It seems Big U has been on the federal government’s radar for some time. Prosecutors have revealed they have intercepted over 20,000 of his calls and more.
As per Complex, the entertainment manager might have the fight of his life on his hands when it comes to his upcoming RICO trial. In a recent court filing, the federal government has disclosed that they have whopping amount of material on Big U. In their possession are “20,000 intercepted audio calls, as well as numerous surreptitious audio and video recordings.” One of the calls allegedly captures Big U telling someone that he is still very much an active gang member, which contradicts his public persona as a community organizer. “I’m retired, ni**a? Activist? I’ll pull up on your block right now, ni**a, and show up and show out, ni**a what happened to the last ni**as that thought I was retired,” Big U said. Other pieces of evidence are tied to other reporting, investigative work, search warrants, photographs and other items that add up to about to 60 gigabytes of material.
In order to properly prepare for the looming trial his six co-defendants have requested that it be postponed until May 4, 2026. Big U on the other hand wants to proceed with the original scheduled date. On March 19, Eugene Henley Jr. was charged with conspiracy to violate the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act. More specifically the feds say he and the Rollin’ 60s Neighborhood Crips engaged in robbery, extortion, fraud and the alleged murder of a upcoming rapper.
“The RICO charges against Mr. Henley and his associates reflect a pattern of crimes that runs the gambit from extortion to tax evasion, all under the umbrella of a well-organized criminal organization led by Mr. Henley,” said Special Agent in Charge Tyler Hatcher, IRS Criminal Investigation, Los Angeles Field Office. “Additionally, Mr. Henley allegedly duped the County of Los Angeles by running a charitable organization that promoted anti-gang solutions while continuing criminal activity that was directly contrary to his charity. IRS-CI is proud to partner with fellow law enforcement organizations to investigate these criminal organizations to protect our communities from further harm.”
Big U has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Bebe Rexha is tired of people commenting on her body. The pop singer/songwriter clapped back on social media after Azealia Banks was trying to play Joan Rivers as she watched the 2025 Met Gala. “Sis gives me – hormonal birth control implant or something,” Banks tweeted on Monday night. “It’s giving Implanon/NuvaRing she needs removed […]
Leon Thomas’ “Mutt” improves its case as the early breakthrough R&B song of 2025 with a coronation on Billboard’s Adult R&B Airplay chart dated May 10. The track jumps 4-1 through an 18% increase in U.S. plays in the tracking week of April 25-May 1, according to Luminate, and wins the Greatest Gainer prize, awarded […]
David Oyelowo says he lost points with his children after not knowing who Doechii was. Sitting down for a chat on The Jennifer Hudson Show on Monday (May 5), Oyelowo spoke about his family, which includes his musician wife and his artistic children. However, while the British actor is very close with his family, but […]
Gloria Estefan’s “Raíces” lands atop Billboard’s Latin Airplay, Tropical Airplay and Latin Pop Airplay charts (dated May 10).
Having first led Latin Airplay with “Abriendo Puertas” in October 1995, Estefan boasts the longest span of reigning at No. 1: 29 years, six months and three weeks. She also becomes the seventh act to have topped the chart in the 1990s, 2000s, ‘10s and ‘20s.
“To see ‘Raíces’ reach No. 1 across the Latin Airplay, Tropical Airplay and Latin Pop Airplay charts is both humbling and incredibly emotional for me,” Estefan tells Billboard. “It’s been over a decade since I’ve had a song connect on this level, and I’m beyond grateful.”
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Estefan last reached the summit on Latin Airplay in 2012, when “Hotel Nacional” ruled for one week. Prior to that, she topped the list with “No Llores” for two weeks in 2007, marking her fifth No. 1 of the 2000s. She earned her first five leaders in the ‘90s (dating to the chart’s 1994 start).
“Personally, this song is a tribute to where I come from — to my heritage, my culture and the rhythms that shaped me,” Estefan adds of “Raíces” (which translates in English to “roots”). “Professionally, it’s a reminder that music truly has no expiration date when it comes from the heart, and to see Latin music elevated and crossing charts globally really is a dream come true and a testament to the growth of our culture and sound.”
“Raíces” makes its No. 1 breakthrough on Latin Airplay as the song soars 11-1 with the Greatest Gainer honors, awarded weekly to the song with the largest increase in audience among the chart’s 50 titles. It earned 13 million impressions, up 123%, in the week ending May 1, according to Luminate. “Raíces,” released on March 20 under Crescent Moon/Sony Music Latin, received substantial support from Spanish Broadcasting System radio stations during the latest tracking week, led by WZNT, WODA. WRXD and WMEG in Puerto Rico, as well as Miami’s WCMQ, Orlando’s WPYO and Tampa’s WSUN in Florida.
As Estefan achieves her 12th ruler on Latin Airplay, she secures her place among an elite group of artists who have logged at least one Latin Airplay chart-topper in four distinct decades. She becomes the third woman artist to achieve the feat, joining Shakira and Jennifer Lopez. The other such acts overall: Enrique Iglesias (who holds a record 32 No. 1 hits, spanning 1995-2024), Ricky Martin, Marc Anthony and Alejandro Fernández.
With “Raíces” also claiming the top spot on the Tropical Airplay and Latin Pop Airplay charts, it dons a rare triple crown, becoming the first title to top the three tallies since Carlos Vives and Camilo’s “Baloncito Viejo” held command across the June 18, 2022-dated rankings.
On Tropical Airplay, Estefan scores her first No. 1 since “Hotel Nacional” in 2012. On Latin Pop Airplay, she had last led with “No Me Dejes de Querer” in 2000.
Thanks almost entirely to its radio haul, “Raíces” makes its way to the Hot Latin Songs chart, where it debuts at No. 37. It’s her 31st entry, a total that includes 15 No. 1s among 23 top 10s.
“Thank you to the fans, radio and everyone who’s embraced ‘Raíces’,” Estefan says. “You’ve made this journey back to my musical roots so meaningful and unforgettable.”
Another year, another Met Gala, another Katy Perry deepfake.
For a second year in a row, an AI-generated photo falsely depicting the pop star as walking the event’s red carpet made the rounds on social media, tricking fans into thinking she was actually there — something Perry reacted to on Instagram.
Sharing a few of the faux images of herself seemingly at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City — complete with a sleek black dress that doesn’t actually exist, but nevertheless coincides with this year’s Met theme of “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,” thanks to the power of artificial intelligence — Perry wrote, “Couldn’t make it to the MET, I’m on The Lifetimes Tour (see you in Houston tomorrow IRL).”
“P.s. this year I was actually with my mom so she’s safe from the bots,” she added. “but I’m praying for the rest of y’all.”
The post comes one year after the same exact thing happened on the day of the 2024 Met Gala, when a fake photo of Perry — who, like this year, was not in attendance at last year’s event — similarly went viral online. That year’s AI-generated snap showed the “Firework” singer in a voluminous ballgown decked out with flowers, matching the 2024 theme of “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion” — but again, the dress, much like Perry’s attendance at the past two Met Galas, was not real.
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That didn’t stop the former American Idol judge’s mom from falling for it last year. At the time, Perry shared a screenshot of a text from her mom that said, “Didn’t know you went to the Met … what a gorgeous gown,” to which the singer had replied, “Mom, the A.I. got you too, beware.”
Though Perry was not at the Met this year, countless other stars — from Rihanna to three-fourths of BLACKPINK, Doechii, Sabrina Carpenter and more — were. Co-chaired by A$AP Rocky, Pharrell Williams, Lewis Hamilton and Colman Domingo, this year’s theme paid tribute to “the role of sartorial style in forming Black identities, focusing on the emergence, significance and proliferation of the Black dandy,” according to Vogue.
As Perry mentioned, she’s currently on the road in support of her 2024 album, 143. The Lifetimes Tour kicked off April 23 in Mexico City; she’s now gearing up for a U.S. leg starting Wednesday in Houston.
Jury selection began at Diddy’s sex trafficking and racketeering trial on Monday (May 4), and some celebrities like Kid Cudi and actor Michael B. Jordan were mentioned during the selection process. Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news According to CNN, the Sinners actor won’t be called to testify […]
This is The Legal Beat, a weekly newsletter about music law from Billboard Pro, offering you a one-stop cheat sheet of big new cases, important rulings and all the fun stuff in between.
This week: Prosecutors delete Lil Durk’s lyrics from his murder-for-hire case, jury selection begins in Diddy’s sex-trafficking trial, Led Zeppelin’s Jimmy Page is sued over a decades-old credits dispute and much more.
THE BIG STORY: Rap On Trial — Or Not?
When federal prosecutors indicted Lil Durk on murder-for-hire charges last year, they quoted from one of his songs, claiming the lyrics were a direct reference to the alleged shooting and evidence of his guilt.
That was a controversial choice. The use of rap music as evidence in criminal cases has drawn pushback in recent years, as critics argue it threatens free speech and can sway juries by tapping into racial biases. Some states have moved to restrict the practice, but many have not — and there are no such rules in federal prosecutions.
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In Durk’s case, his lawyers strongly objected to the use of his music, arguing the song in question was written and recorded months before the shooting even took place. They called the lyric allegations “false evidence” that had been unfairly used to indict him and to deny him pre-trial release. In a public statement, Durk’s family said he had been the latest rapper to be “criminalized for their creativity.”
Prosecutors initially defended the move, arguing that Durk had “repeatedly used his pulpit as a voice of violence.” But in an updated version of the indictment released last week, they backed down — removing all reference to his lyrics and instead focusing on other allegations tying him to the shooting.
The case against Durk will continue — in a separate filing, the feds stressed that the new indictment still contains “significant allegations that show defendant’s alleged role in the execution-style murder” — but it will do so without his lyrics.
Other top stories this week…
DIDDY TRIAL, EXPLAINED – Jury selection is officially underway in the sex trafficking trial of Sean “Diddy” Combs, ahead of opening statements next week. To get you up to speed before the trial gets underway, I put together an exhaustive explainer on everything you need to know about the Diddy trial — from the exact charges he’s facing, to key players in the courtroom, to the Cassie Ventura tape and much more.
AIN’T OVER YET – A federal appeals court revived a lawsuit claiming Sam Smith and Normani stole key elements of their 2019 hit “Dancing With a Stranger” from an earlier track, ruling that a judge prematurely dismissed the case and should have sent it to a jury. That’s a worrying ruling for any artist hit with a song-theft lawsuit; if such disputes must be litigated all the way to trial to be decided, they become dramatically more expensive.
WHOLE LOTTA LITIGATION – Led Zeppelin‘s Jimmy Page was hit with a new lawsuit over the credits to “Dazed and Confused,” reviving a decades-old dispute over the iconic track. Jake Holmes has claimed for years that he actually wrote the song, and he reached a legal settlement with Page back in 2012 to resolve those allegations. But in the new case, Holmes says Page is effectively ignoring the settlement and has released archival recordings that infringe Holmes’ copyrights.
SCENT SETTLEMENT – Revlon and Elizabeth Arden have fully settled a corporate espionage lawsuit, filed last year, that claimed several former employees “sabotaged” the companies’ decades-old fragrance partnership with Britney Spears and took the business to an upstart rival called Give Back Beauty. The settlements clear the way for Give Back Beauty to formally take over Britney’s lucrative perfume brand, which reportedly earns tens of millions per year.
JAY V. BUZBEE GOES ON – Jay-Z filed an unusual new allegation in his legal war with attorney Tony Buzbee, accusing the lawyer of ordering employees at his law firm to edit Wikipedia pages in an effort to damage the rapper’s reputation. The new claim was the latest salvo in a bitter fight that started when Buzbee filed a shocking lawsuit accusing Jay-Z of raping an unnamed girl decades ago.
