SZA is giving Beyoncé her flowers, literally and financially. In a recent Instagram comment, the “Kill Bill” singer revealed she technically owes Queen Bey a huge cut of her SOS album earnings thanks to a key interpolation. The title track of her 2022 project samples “Listen,” Beyoncé’s powerful ballad from the Dreamgirls soundtrack, which usually comes with a hefty publishing fee. But according to SZA, Bey never made her pay up. “I literally owe her half my publishing off interpolation alone on SOS and she never pressed me lmao. A generous QUEEN,” she wrote in the comments of a reel poking fun at the long list of writers on Beyoncé songs. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Zuhaila (@zuhailajama) Their mutual respect clearly goes both ways. After SZA took home three Grammy Awards in 2024, Best R&B Song for “Snooze,” Best Progressive R&B Album for SOS, and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for “Ghost in the Machine” with Phoebe Bridgers, Beyoncé sent her a bouquet to celebrate. The handwritten note read: “I’m so happy for you beautiful! Watching you grow and watching you win is an honor. Sending you a huge congrats talented queen. All my love and respect, B.” SZA was touched, later writing in her Instagram Stories: “Thank you for seeing me before anyone else saw me. Thank you for making me feel valuable when I was the tiniest in the room… May God continue to protect and bless you queen.” SZA has always been vocal about her love for Bey. In a past Instagram Live with Lizzo, she admitted she’s only seen Beyoncé live once, at Coachella, and was stunned to learn Lizzo had seen her 11 times. “I don’t give a f***, I’m getting tickets. I’m a fan, I deserve. F*** y’all, I deserve.”

Coi Leray is basking in her pregnancy glow as she prepares to welcome her first child with rapper Trippie Redd. With her 28th birthday just days away on May 11th, the mom-to-be has plenty to celebrate. Speaking exclusively to The Shade Room, Coi opened up about her baby’s name, her body changes, and how her life has shifted during this special time. She revealed that her baby girl’s name, Miyoco, was inspired by a friend’s sister and means “beautiful child.” But the name holds even more meaning: “It also kind of has me and her father’s name kind of tied together,” Coi said. “‘Mi’ is the first part of Trippie Redd’s first name, Michael, and ‘Co’ is the first half of Coi’s name.” Coi recalled the moment she found out she was expecting a baby. “When I found out I was pregnant, I was feeling sick, and I missed my period… I took a pregnancy test, and I was like, Oh my God. — I was excited. I’m getting older now, and I think God’s time is always on time.” Since finding out she was having a baby, she’s made big lifestyle changes, cutting out weed and alcohol. “I’m 100% sober… and my mind is so much more clear,” she said. As her due date nears, she admits it’s getting harder to move around. “I could barely walk right now. I’m running out of breath,” she said, laughing. Her beauty routine has changed too, especially due to dry skin and scalp issues. “Moisturizing is everything,” she explained. Even her family has noticed some physical changes. “They like, girl, did you get a little BBL?” Despite past tensions with her father, Benzino, Coi says she feels protected. “I’m the only girl… my brothers and all the men in my family… I feel very protected [by] them.”

Chris Gotti, Irv Gotti’s brother, is not feeling  Ashanti. The Murder Inc. co-founder says she is lying about not being in a relationship with his brother in the early 2000s. During an interview on the Lets Keep it 100 Podcast, Chris shared why he believes the former “Princess of Murder Inc” has not been honest about her past with Irv. “For her to act like it ain’t Murder Inc. that made her is f**king bullsh*t—or Irv made her, it’s crazy,” Chris explained. “Like, something with y’all chemistry worked out! Respect it. That’s all. Not saying you have to talk about the n***a, but respect the magic that was made. That’s all I said.” Chris went on to say that he will always defend his brother’s honor and will not allow anyone to deny the contributions that he made. “I’m not gonna let no one talk about my brother, [we’re] gonna have a problem, simple and plain. Especially someone who he made that career. Like, I was there. He made you sing records the way you sang them ‘cause you would’ve never sang it that way if it was up to you,” he continued. View this post on Instagram A post shared by LETS KEEP IT PODCAST (@letskeepit100podcast) He also said that the two were an item, a claim that Ashanti had denied on numerous occasions. “She says they weren’t in a relationship. They was in a relationship,” Chris stated. “I was they therapist. Like come on now, don’t do that. But at the end of the day that’s what makes what went on with them so real.” At 50 years old on February 5, 2025, Irv passed away after sustaining a hemorrhagic stroke. In March, Ashanti addressed her complicated relationship with Irv and revealed it was “a lot to process” following the news of his death. She adds, “It was a lot of different feelings and emotions. I think, honestly, what I said is how I feel. Ashanti had been referring to an Instagram post she shared in honor of his memory. “I was really sad…and I’m still sad it ended like this. Because there was a time when everything was just like amazing.” The John Tucker Must Die actress says “in her heart” she always desired to squash the tension between her and the former Murder Inc. CEO before his untimely death. “I wished peace for him…I prayed for him to be at peace.”

Vic Mensa is throwing his support behind Kehlani for her stance on the war on Gaze. Taking to Instagram, Mensa lauded Kehlani for her bold support of Palestine following two of her shows being cancelled. “Few artists, and even fewer at your level of success, have chosen to center humanity and courage as boldly and uncompromisingly as you have, let alone at the peak of their popularity,” Mensa wrote in an open letter to Kehlani. “Although newer to religion, I have a deep-seated belief that god, or the universe, or however you categorize the all-powerful presence of the divine, is taking note of every selfless action, of every sacrifice, of every time we [jeopardize] our security to do what’s right. I toe the line with you.” Mensa went on to say that he remained silent on the issue because of financial concerns and his growing family. In February,  he announced the birth of his son Mansa Musa Mensa. “I’ve been awe-inspired by the way you’ve stood up,” he wrote. “Especially at a time when I fell back. and I asked myself, ‘although I need to feed my son, what kind of man do I want to inspire him to be?’” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Vic Mensa (@vicmensa) In April, Kehlani was slated to perform today at the annual Slope Day concert at Cornell University, but the show was canceled because Michael I. Kotlikoff, the university’s president, said the decision to have her perform “injected division and discord.” In the aftermath of the cancellation at Cornell, Kehlani released a statement clarifying that her views are not antisemitic. “I’m not antisemitic or anti-Jew,” the singer said. “I’m anti-genocide, anti-actions of the Israeli government, anti-extermination of entire people, anti-bombing of innocent children, men, and women. That’s what I’m anti.” On Tuesday, Mayor Eric Adams announced that Kehlani’s SummerStage concert has been canceled because of security concerns, due to her pro-Palestine views.

Fat Joe believes that no other West Coast rapper dominated the game like Kendrick Lamar has over the past year. On the premiere episode of Joe and Jada, his new podcast series that he co-hosts with fellow rap legend Jadakiss, Joe shared his thoughts on Kendrick’s unprecedented run of success. Jada started the conversation by stating he was amazed that it’s been a year since Kendrick took on Drake.  “One year since the Kendrick and Drake discrepancy. What they like to call it ‘beef’ in the media world,” Jada replied. “Thank God nothing really happened to anybody, physically. Personally, I thought it was about four or five months ago. I can’t believe it’s already been a year.” “How is it a year?” Joe said. “But what I can tell you is, boy, that Kendrick Lamar gets some spins on LA radio…” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Joe & Jada (@joeandjada) Jadakiss noted that every L.A. artist gets spins on the local radio, but Joe argued that Kendrick’s run was the greatest that he’s ever seen. “I was there last week. I’ve never seen nothing like that: Every single song, ‘Turn his TV off…’ What?” he continued. “It’s a fact. Kendrick Lamar gets played nine out of every 10 songs in L.A. right now. Not even Snoop Dogg, not even Tupac Shakur — nobody from L.A. has dominated the paint like this guy… If you’re from L.A., you probably think there’s only one guy on Earth, Kendrick Lamar. I’m just keeping it a buck with you,” Joe said. While Jadakiss acknowledged that K-Dot and “a helluva career,” he said that today’s rap beefs were “getting out of hand.” “It’s always good as long as it stays on wax,” Jada said. “Now, when it first started, somebody say something about you, you gotta go to the studio, you gotta immediately work on getting one back at there… Now, as the technology evolved, it turns into movie skits, animations, retrieving fake information… It got a little wacky for me. I like it to be beats and rhymes, and keep it like that. Once it got out of my pay grade, it’s a little bit of disinterest to me… I just wanna see rhymes and song and hip-hop shit.”

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.