During a recent exchange with fans, Young Thug offered a brief but tantalizing update on his upcoming album, Uy Scuti, saying it’s slated for release in June 2025—though he held back from naming an exact date. Fresh off the release of Money on Money, his new collaboration with Future, the track taps into Thug’s trademark intensity—but it’s the sharp-edged lyrics, not just the slick production, that are fueling the conversation. Listeners were quick to pick up on lyrics that seemed aimed at Gunna, referencing both their strained relationship and the shadow cast by the YSL RICO case. In the hook, he raps, “These f* n-ggas tellin’ for nothin’, and I gotta be the one callin’ ’em friends,”* before delivering a pointed line: “Brother, you a rat (My brother).” In a GQ interview, Thug was asked about his relationship with a YSL affiliate accused of working with law enforcement. His answer was intentionally vague: “I know everybody wonders [what our relationship is like now]. I don’t know.” YOUNG THUG UY SCUTI(ALBUM) JUNE 2025 pic.twitter.com/RCsGTY0Z3d — Kurrco (@Kurrco) May 6, 2025 Young Thug’s Album Preview: Loyalty, Love, and the Weight of Fame Despite Gunna’s repeated denials of any wrongdoing or cooperation with authorities, recent lyrics from Young Thug suggest a different story. In a short clip posted to his Instagram, Thug raps, “Never associate with a rat / Go and get some money, get a pack,” indirectly reinforcing his stance without naming anyone explicitly. A new preview from the highly anticipated album hints at a more intimate exploration of Thug’s personal life, focusing on his relationship with singer Mariah The Scientist. In a clip from Instagram Live, Thug sits in an empty bathtub, rapping, “I told her I won’t cheat again / Took her up the [inaudible] Benz / I’m on a million dollar streak again.” Mariah makes a quick appearance, playfully asking about food while casually checking in on the stream. With Uy Scuti on the horizon, Young Thug appears ready to use this album as a reflection of both the world around him and his personal journey through loyalty, relationships, and the heavy burden of fame. It’s shaping up to be a project as emotionally intense as it is sonically daring.

Lil Rod’s lawsuit against Diddy has taken a significant turn with the removal of two prominent figures. Diddy’s son, Justin Combs, and actor Cuba Gooding Jr. are no longer part of the case, which centers on serious allegations. Lil Rod has alleged Combs’ involvement in a sex trafficking ring and suggested that either he or his father may have played a part in a shooting at a recording studio. The lawsuit also names Gooding Jr., who is accused of sexual assault in connection with an alleged incident aboard Diddy’s yacht. The court dismissed the claims after Lil Rod’s attorney, Tyrone Blackburn, failed to meet the deadlines for submitting key legal documents. The judge found Blackburn’s explanation for the delay unconvincing and denied his request to serve the defendants via newspaper ads. Despite the dismissal of the claims, Lil Rod retains the option to reintroduce them in court at a later time. Judge Dismisses Key Claims, But Sex Trafficking Allegations Remain In a separate part of the lawsuit, Diddy succeeded in having several allegations dismissed. His legal team filed motions last year to challenge specific aspects of the case, and Judge J. Paul Oetken agreed, dismissing certain claims. In March, a court ruling resulted in the dismissal of civil racketeering and breach of contract charges, with the judge determining that Lil Rod’s allegations failed to show any harm linked to a violation of the RICO Act. Similarly, claims regarding unpaid labor for Diddy’s The Love Album: Off the Grid were deemed unrelated to racketeering activities. Yet, despite these dismissals, the case still includes unresolved allegations of sex trafficking, sexual assault, and premises liability.

BET is gearing up to celebrate the 25th anniversary of its iconic music video countdown show, 106 & Park. Former hosts AJ & Free, Terrence J, Rocsi, Julissa, Bow Wow, and Keshia Chanté are all returning for a 25th anniversary celebration. Also, Amerie, B2K, Bow Wow, Mya, T.I., and more will be performing live. In a statement, Scott Mills, President and CEO at BET, expressed his excitement about paying tribute to the show. “106 & Park was more than just a music countdown show; it was the heartbeat of Black youth culture and one of the highest-rated BET programs for over a decade,” stated Scott Mills, President and CEO at BET. “From Freestyle Friday to unforgettable live performances, it launched careers, influenced fashion, and became a platform where voices, style, and sound converged,” Mills continued. “106 & Park both celebrated and fueled many of the most important musical and cultural evolutions that occurred during its two-and-a-half-decade tenure.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Quintessential Gentleman (@theqgentleman) “106 & Park served as a cultural touchstone, embodying the energy, creativity, and authenticity of a generation,” stated Connie Orlando, EVP of Specials, Music Programming & Music Strategy at BET. “It provided artists a direct connection to their fans, transforming everyday moments into lasting memories. The show’s legacy continues to influence how we engage with music, connect with talent, and celebrate Black creativity. We are thrilled to commemorate 25 years of this iconic series at this year’s BET Awards.” Two days before the main show hosted by Kevin Hart, the 25th 106 & Park anniversary will be held at the Los Angeles Convention Center as a part of the BET Experience (BETX) Fan Fest Live.

Doechii found herself at the center of controversy following a video that captured her demanding multiple umbrellas to shield her outfit from paparazzi before her red carpet debut.  The footage, which went viral on TikTok, showed the Grammy-winning artist expressing frustration and shouting at her team to provide more coverage. The incident sparked mixed reactions online, with some defending her actions as a response to the high-pressure environment, while others criticized her behavior. In the days following the event, Doechii addressed the situation with humor and self-awareness. She shared a TikTok video of herself laughing, accompanied by the song “Easy” by The Commodores, and overlaid the text, “God forbid a girl needs more umbrellas.” The “Anxiety” rapper also shared a statement online. She wrote via Instagram, “all jokes aside I’m so so so proud of my glam deal and the LV team for an incredible night,” she said. “We’ve been dreaming about this Met for a long time and the theme this year is in such alignment with who I am what I stand for. It’s nothing but God that this year was our debut. Everyone killed it. We nailed the theme. And a time was had,” she continued. View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Shade Room (@theshaderoom)

After rallying from 20 points down for the second consecutive game, the New York Knicks stunned the Boston Celtics in a 91-90 thriller on Thursday, (May 7) night.  As the series shifts to Madison Square Garden on Saturday, the Knicks now hold a commanding 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series. Also, the squad holds the distinction of being the first team in NBA playoff history to come back from 20 points down in consecutive games. Trailing for most of the contest, the Knicks closed the game on a 38-17 run, while Boston shot just 2-15 from long range in the fourth quarter, almost mirroring what happened in the first game.  Jalen Brunson, who had his struggles throughout the game, came up big as usual during clutch time, scoring nine of his 17 points in the final period. His backcourt partner Mikal Bridges was held scoreless first three quarters, dropped 14 points in the fourth, and  added another game-saving defensive stop by blocking Tatum’s last-second shot attempt Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau spoke about the resilience of his team following the game  “People always talk about offensive runs, but teams go on defensive runs as well. Rebounding runs,” Thibodeau said. Josh Hart led the Knicks with 23 points, and Karl-Anthony Towns had a monster game with 21 points and 17 rebounds. Bridges, who scored all 14 of his points in the fourth quarter, pulled down eight rebounds with five assists. For the Celtics, Derrick White poured in 20 points and snatched nine rebounds for the Celtics in the loss. Jaylen Brown added 20 points, too, and Tatum finished with 13 points and 14 rebounds.  As a team, the Celtics made just 10-of-40 from the 3-point line. Last game, they set an NBA playoff record with 45 missed 3-pointers in Game 1.

Lauryn Hill made a striking first-ever appearance at the 2025 Met Gala, instantly becoming one of the most talked-about looks of the night. The legendary singer turned heads in a pale yellow, sculptural suit that perfectly captured the evening’s theme: “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style.” The event, co-chaired by Pharrell Williams, aimed to spotlight Black menswear and the elegance of Black dandyism. As Pharrell told E! News, “It’s just given us an opportunity and platform to celebrate that really amazing, powerful color of Black. Here’s a moment where we get to celebrate the people—Black people—and with dandyism.” Hill, 49, embraced that spirit wholeheartedly. Her dramatic outfit featured a double-breasted suit jacket with a bold, crown-like cape that curved above her afro and flowed into a sweeping train. She paired the look with wide-leg pants, a crisp white button-down shirt, a burgundy tie, and an amber pendant necklace. To complete her ensemble, she accessorized with large gold earrings, burgundy sunglasses, and a blue Hermés Kelly bag. Additionally, she had a matching gold-encrusted fan and umbrella. Her makeup and hair were just as bold. She coordinated her bright blue eyeshadow with her handbag and wore a deep purple lipstick for added flair. The look not only marked her first-ever Met Gala look but also her first red carpet appearance in nearly a year. The evening served as a fundraiser for the Costume Institute. It also celebrated the new spring 2025 exhibition, “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style.” According to the museum, the exhibit explores Black fashion and dandyism from the 18th century to now. Hill’s maximalist, tailored ensemble was a standout tribute to the theme. It served as a powerful reminder of her iconic influence. This influence extends both in music and in fashion.

Jay-Z is pushing back hard in court against attorney Tony Buzbee, following the dismissal of a rape lawsuit filed against him earlier this year. The music mogul has been fighting to sue Buzbee for defamation since March, and he just filed a new amendment that lays out major financial losses tied to what he calls a “false, malicious lie.” According to documents obtained by Live Bitez, Jay-Z claims he lost over $200 million due to the now-dropped lawsuit. The breakdown includes a $20 million loss in sports and entertainment deals, a $55 million personal credit line, and a $115 million loan that reportedly fell through. “The full fee would have been many millions higher had the contract been performed,” the documents note. Jay’s claims of financial fallout began surfacing just a week after the anonymous woman dropped her lawsuit in February. In a previous filing, Jay stated, “Mr. Buzbee’s actions undermined my relationship, and my company Roc Nation’s relationship, with other businesses in the sports and entertainment space.” He added, “Immediately after Mr. Buzbee went public with his false accusations, my company Roc Nation also lost other contracts… that would have generated revenues of approximately $20 million per year.” The new filing also takes aim at Doe, the anonymous accuser, citing a TikTok she allegedly posted where she lip-synched, “You couldn’t pay me a million dollars to get an apology video out of me… f*** you.” Jay’s team says this shows “a shocking and reckless disregard for the truth that is both intentional and malicious.” Jay-Z also accused Buzbee’s law firm of editing Wikipedia pages to boost Buzbee’s image and damage Roc Nation’s. Buzbee fired back, saying, “That’s laughable and super weak. I don’t have anything to do with Wikipedia and haven’t looked at it in years.”

After being found not guilty of felony assault in February, A$AP Rocky has desribed his experience as “traumatic.” In a new Variety cover story, Rocky shared that the trial brought emotions such as betrayal, which he addresses on his highly anticipated album, Don’t Be Dumb. “I’m writing about these past four or five years that I had this over me, and it’s been kind of handicapping me,” Rocky said. “I think I had trust issues for a while now. I can’t necessarily blame it on my last situation,” he continued. “But what I did learn is you’ve gotta accept that everybody’s not good people; you’re not gonna run into a solid person every time. Not everybody’s gonna handle situations like you.” “Once you accept that you’re not responsible for nobody’s actions but yours … That’s where I’m at — like, yo, focus on your own actions. Because I ain’t perfect. I’m human too, and we all f**k up,” he added. He also spoke about why he rejected a plea deal that would have given him a prison sentence of 180 days. He faced a maximum of 24 years if would have been convicted. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Variety (@variety) “You got to stop yourself from thinking like that. Because that could get the best of you, and you can manifest that energy by mistake. I tried to stay positive at all times,” Rocky explained. Now that his legal troubles are behind him, Rocky is making major moves as a co-star along with Denzel Washington on  Spike Lee’s newest film, Highest 2 Lowest, and he’s expecting his third child with Rihanna. “I got Cannes to go to. I got an album to make. I got fashion shows to do. I got music to make. I got videos. I got sneakers to drop. I got glasses to be the new creative director of. I got children. I got all type of sh*t,” he said. “Like, nah, why would I dwell on that dark-a** shit? I talk about it from time to time, but for the most part, I don’t really think about that shit.”

Michelle Obama is taking her mental health seriously. Appearing on the podcast On Purpose with Jay Shetty, with her brother Craig Robinson, her co-hosts on the IMO podcast, the former First Lady revealed that she needed therapy as a “tune-up” as she moves through the next phase of her life. “At this phase of my life, I’m in therapy right now because I’m transitioning,” Obama said. Obama went on to acknowledge that she completed “a really hard thing” by keeping her family “intact,” as President Barack Obama and daughters Malia and Sasha have been in the public eye for almost two decades. For the first time in years, she can make decisions just for herself. “I’m an empty nester, my girls are in…you know, they’ve been launched,” Obama said. “And now, for the first time, as I’ve said before, every choice that I’m making is completely mine.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Jay Shetty (@jayshettypodcast) “I  now don’t have the excuse of, ‘Well, my kids need this’ or ‘My husband needs that’ or ‘The country needs that,’” she said.”So, how do I think about this next phase? And let me get some help. Let me unwind some old habits. Let me sort through some old guilt that I’ve been carrying around. Let me talk about how my relationship with my mother has affected how I think about things.” She’s also grieving the loss of her mother, Marian Robinson, who passed away last May at 86 years old. “So I’m getting that tuneup for this next phase because I believe this is a whole other phase in life for me,” Mrs. Obama said, adding that she considers therapy “coaching” and that she’s an “advocate” for it.

Dawn Staley’s legacy is forever immortalized on the campus with a statue in her honor,” the Lexington Chronicle reported. During what the state has called “Staley Month”, the statue is a celebration of Staley’s impact as a coach, leader, advocate, and inspiration to future generations. ⁠The Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer hopes that the tribute will inspire young girls to learn about her journey and pursue their own dreams boldly. At the ceremony, Columbia Mayor Daniel Rickenmann called for the removal of the tarp and a Gamecock flag that revealed the likeness of Staley.  The 14-foot, 1,000-pound statue shows Staley on top of a ladder cutting down the championship as she rocks a Gamecock hat.  In an official statement, the city paid tribute to Staley for her remarkable tenure as Women’s Basketball coach. “The City of Columbia, in partnership with the Statues for Equality and generous community partners, is proud to unveil a statue honoring the legendary Dawn Staley, an icon whose impact reaches far beyond the basketball court,” the statement read. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Black Enterprise (@blackenterprise) “This tribute celebrates not only her championship legacy as a coach and player, but also her unwavering commitment to leadership, community empowerment, and uplifting future generations,” the statement went on. ‘Dawn Staley’s influence continues to inspire both on and off the court, and this statue stands as a lasting symbol of excellence, resilience, and pride for Columbia and the entire state of South Carolina.” “I agreed to the statue, not for me, but for the girl who will walk by one day and wonder who I was. Maybe she’ll look me up. She’ll see that I did some things in basketball, of course, but I hope she sees much more,” Staley said during the unveiling ceremony. “I hope she sees that I was a champion for equity and equality. That, in my own way, I pushed for change. That I stood proudly in the space God called me to inhabit, not as someone perfect or extraordinary, but as a regular girl who used her gifts to open doors so other girls wouldn’t have to knock as hard.” According to Sierra Rooney, a professor of art history at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, only 6% of statues in the United States are of real women. When Staley caught wind of this, she fully understood how significantly a statue could inspire generations to come. “When women aren’t represented, half the population is left out of the retelling of history and the many accomplishments women have had in shaping the world,” Staley said.  Since taking over the Gamecocks program in 2008, Staley has led the squad to three national titles and seven Final Four appearances. She’s also achieved seven 30-win seasons and nine SEC tournament championships.