Terrence Howard is serious about his boundaries. Terrence Howard Would ‘Cut His Lips Off’ Before He Kissed A Man In A Film During an appearance on Bill Maher’s Club Random podcast, Howard before kissing another man for a role, he would first cut off his lips.  At one segment of the conversation, Maher complimented Howard, saying he was “this generation’s Billy Dee Williams” and that he should play his son in a movie. Howard responded by saying that “the biggest mistake” he made as an actor was to turn doing a role to star as Smokey Robinson in a biopic. “He wanted me to play his life, and I just had conversations with Lee Daniels about playing Marvin Gaye,” he shared. “I was being faithful to Lee Daniels because I had given my word… So when Smokey, I had to tell them at the table, and it broke his heart. And Billy Dee would have been one of the other people [involved].” Maher went on to say that Gaye’s life story was “much more interesting” than Robinson’s, before Howard said the proposed biopic to filmmaker Lee Daniels. “I was over at Quincy Jones’ house, and I’m not dropping names, I’m just giving credibility to what I’m about to say… I’m asking Quincy, ‘I’m hearing rumors that Marvin was gay,’” he said. “Quincy was like, ‘Yes.’ … They would have wanted to do that, and I wouldn’t have been able to do that.” Howard then confirmed to Maher that it was the reason he passed up the role. No. I don’t fake it. … That would fuck me, I would cut my lips off. … If I kiss some man, I would cut my lips off,” Howard expressed. Although he’s “fine” with homosexuality,  he will not play any gay characters.  “I can’t play that character 100 percent,” he said. “I can’t surrender myself to a place that I don’t understand.” This is not the first time that Howard shared his thoughts about sexuality and the world of celebrity. As HOT97 previously reported, Howard said that your “man card” is gone if you attended a Diddy Party. Appearing on the PBD Podcast, Howard shared his thoughts on why he stayed away from Diddy’s now-infamous “freak offs.” “When you give up your manhood, I’ve never seen somebody recover from it. That was all the people that went to the Puffy parties,” Howard said. “That was all the people that did all those things thinking that there was never gonna be a consequence for what they were doing. Get punked out and p*mped out by some over-greater desire.”

Trippie Redd had a lot to say online Monday, April 28th, addressing both personal drama and music industry claims. The rapper made it clear that things between him and his ex, Coi Leray, who is currently expecting, are still tense. According to Trippie, Coi has even cut him and his family off from her upcoming celebration, telling him to take any issues up with her lawyer. But it was Kanye West who really lit a fire under Trippie. He took major issue with Ye’s recent comments about being the originator of “rage music,” a genre defined by high-energy beats and aggressive emotion. Kanye pointed to his 2013 track “Blood on the Leaves” from the Yeezus album as an early example. Trippie was quick to push back, building his own Mount Rushmore of rage music pioneers, and Ye wasn’t on it. Instead, he gave credit to himself, XXXTENTACION, Playboi Carti, and Lil Uzi Vert. As he put it, there was “no room for a college dropout.” Trippie also suggested that Kanye’s big ego might be the real reason they have never teamed up on a track. Meanwhile, Trippie’s personal life seems to be staying busy. He’s moved on to a new relationship, joking that his new girlfriend is keeping both his hands and his room full. Trippie didn’t hold back on either topic, showing once again that he’s never afraid to speak his mind, whether it’s about personal relationships or calling out rap legends.

A video of Druski struggling to fit into a police car has surfaced online. According to TMZ, comedian Druski had a brief run-in with the law after being pulled over for running a red light. Turns out, he was driving with a suspended license and didn’t have insurance, which ultimately led to his arrest. “In October 2024, Mr. Desbordes was briefly detained and promptly released after driving with a suspended license caused by two unpaid traffic tickets – not for skipping court or a lapse in auto insurance,” Druski’s spokesperson reportedly stated to TMZ. “He swiftly paid the outstanding balance for the citations and his license has since been fully restored.” In the newly surfaced video, the comedian is seen struggling to fit in the back of the police car. Police body cam footage from #Druski‘s October 2024 wacky arrest has surfaced on the internet … and no, it’s not a skit Full video here: https://t.co/qGmP7IwD7T pic.twitter.com/pbLtybm2Yh — TMZ (@TMZ) April 28, 2025 Druski has also been making headlines recently after being named in a lawsuit alongside Diddy and Odell Beckham Jr., with all three accused of sexual assault. Druski has denied those allegations. “This allegation is a fabricated lie. I wasn’t a public figure in 2018 – I was broke living with my mom without any connections to the entertainment industry at the time of this allegation, so the inclusion of my name is truly outlandish,” he stated. He added, “My heart breaks for actual victims of abuse, but I’m fully confident that the evidence will expose this falsehood and the individuals who are maliciously trying to game the legal system to peddle false narratives.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Shade Room (@theshaderoom)

50 Cent is raising eyebrows after learning about the slow ticket sales for Beyoncé’s upcoming Cowboy Carter tour. According to a report from TMZ, around 3,800 tickets are still available for the tour’s launch at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles on Monday, April 28th, with prices ranging from $47 to $331. View this post on Instagram A post shared by 50 Cent (@50cent) Clearly surprised by the news, 50 Cent shared a screenshot of the headline and thumbnail on Instagram, captioning it: “ shit getting real out here,” adding, “ Hey the tickets ain’t selling?” As USA Today points out, ticket sales experts expect prices to keep fluctuating leading up to each concert date, a trend that has become more common with major tours recently. Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter tour will cover massive stadiums across North America and Europe, kicking off with five nights at SoFi Stadium. Additional stops include Soldier Field in Chicago, MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, and Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Despite the slower start in ticket sales, Beyoncé has been building excitement with a new cinematic teaser for the tour posted on Instagram, showing off a moody, Western-inspired visual aesthetic that ties into the Cowboy Carter album era. The album, which blends country, pop, and R&B influences, has already sparked massive conversation and debate online, especially after Beyoncé became the first Black woman to top Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart earlier this year with “Texas Hold ‘Em.” While it’s still early, and industry insiders predict strong last-minute sales, 50 Cent’s reaction highlights a new reality many major artists are facing: in 2025, even music royalty like Beyoncé has to work a little harder to fill stadiums.

ATLANTA — Hip-hop trailblazers OutKast have officially been inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, making history as one of the few Southern rap acts to achieve the honor. Andre 3000 and Big Boi, known for their boundary-pushing albums like Aquemini and Speakerboxxx / The Love Below, were praised during the induction ceremony for blending hip-hop, funk, soul, and futuristic sounds. Their influence shaped not only the Southern rap scene but the entire music industry. Fans and celebrities alike celebrated the milestone on social media, calling OutKast’s induction a “win for hip-hop culture.” The duo remains one of the most respected names in music, proving that hip-hop’s artistic depth deserves recognition on the world’s biggest stages.

During her recent interview with Cosmopolitan, Doechii bared it all. One of the biggest highlights happened when she discussed how she navigates the world and the music industry as a Black queer woman. During the interview, it was revealed The TDE rapper is currently in a same-sex relationship. According to her, this relationship and the ones in the past have significantly influenced her music. She believes her perspective as a queer person, is something missing in the hip-hop genre. “All of my relationships inspire my music because they make up my life experience,” she said. “This is such a Leo thing to say, but my literal existence as a queer Black woman is a major contribution to the hip-hop genre.” She added, ” I’m speaking truthfully from a queer Black woman’s perspective, and being honest about my life through my lens is amazing. That perspective is being highlighted, and we need queer perspectives.” LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 17: (FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY) Doechii speaks onstage at the 2025 iHeartRadio Music Awards at Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, California on March 17, 2025. Broadcasted live on FOX. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for iHeartRadio) Doechii Reveals Emotional Grammy Speech Wasn’t Planned In another part of the lengthy interview, the rapper revealed that her now-viral emotional speech at the 2025 Grammys had not been planned. “Something in my spirit told me, ‘You’ll know what to say when you get up there. Just trust me,’” she tells Cosmopolitan. According to the rapper, the speech was “downloading” in her mind, right as she began to speak. “It’s like my mouth was moving, but it wasn’t me speaking.” Despite her uneasiness about what to say, her words resonated with millions that night: “Anything is possible. Don’t allow anybody to project any stereotypes on you, to tell you that you can’t be here, that you’re too dark or that you’re not smart enough, or that you’re too dramatic or you’re too loud. You are exactly who you need to be to be right where you are, and I am a testimony right now.”

GloRilla is ready to drop off some new music and this time she decided to dip into her R&B bag, sampling Keyshia Cole’s 2005 hit “Love.” On Saturday (Apr.26), Big Glo shared a clip of some new heat she’s been cooking up in the studio. In the clip, GloRilla sports a light denim two-piece with turquoise hair down to her back. Of course, the outfit wouldn’t be complete without a few gold chains wrapped around her neck and matching gold hoops. Prior to this video, the Memphis native shared a sneak preview of the track during her Coachella set. “Yea I love me a trapping ass, dark-skinned, country ass, got-it-out the mud ass, six one ol’ thug ass/Talk real slick, big d*ck, big gun ass,” she raps on the unreleased track. “Pick a b*tch up when we f*ck, ol’ strong ass n*gga/ Making them plays, stacking that paper, buy me whatever I want ass n*gga.” As of today, the track has not been given a name or release date, but it’s clear from the comments, fans are sitting at the edge of their seat for whatever Glo does next. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Glo Da P (@glorillapimp) GloRilla Gets Emotional Receiving Gold & Platinum Plaques GloRilla recently had an emotional moment on stage when she was surprised with new gold and platinum plaques recognizing the success of her latest music milestones. The surprise came from Yo Gotti and the CMG team, celebrating the achievements of her GLORIOUS and Ehhthang Ehhthang projects, as well as the “Wanna Be” remix featuring Megan Thee Stallion and Cardi B. The Memphis rapper couldn’t hold back her excitement as the plaques were presented during a recent show, as seen in a video shared by The Neighborhood Talk. In between cheers and hugs, GloRilla took a moment to show love to her supporters. “I want to thank my fans,” she said, crediting them for her rapid rise in the industry. She also gave a heartfelt shout-out to CMG for always being in her corner, adding, “They push me every day to be great.”

A clip where Ari Lennox revealed why her journey experimenting with same-sex relationships was short-lived has resurfaced. According to the former Dreamville singer, dating women was too difficult and left her feeling “insecure.” The clip was taken from her Instagram Live and began making rounds on social media in September 2024. “I tried for like one second, like getting to know this person this year, and then it was like weird, and then I just felt insecure,” she said in the video. “I feel like guys…it’s already a lot. Let me just stick to what I know. I feel like [with] women…I don’t understand them. I don’t understand myself.” While the singer never shied away from her being sexually attracted to women, it seems this brief encounter left such an impact on her that she’s unwilling to try again in the future. On the other hand, during a recent interview with The Cruz Show, she defined herself as a “level five gay.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Jasmine Brand (@the.jasmine.brand) Ari Lennox Leaves Dreamville, Starts Fresh With Interscope Ari Lennox is officially moving forward with her music career and this time she’s doing it without J. Cole or Dreamville Records. TMZ Hip Hop has confirmed that Ari is no longer part of the Dreamville roster. She’ll now release music solely under Interscope Records, which is listed as the only label on her newest single. Despite the major change, sources say the split was friendly and drama-free. Earlier this year, Ari performed at the final Dreamville Festival hosted by J. Cole, where she thanked him and the team for giving her a chance back in 2015. That show now appears to have been her last performance as a Dreamville artist. It came after months of tension last fall, when Ari took to social media demanding her release. While the posts made headlines, it seems the situation was handled privately and without long-term fallout.

Doechii made history at the 2025 Grammys, after becoming the third woman to win Best Rap Album for her mixtape, Alligator Bites Never Heal. However, in the moment, the TDE rapper found herself unprepared. “Something in my spirit told me, ‘You’ll know what to say when you get up there. Just trust me,’” she tells Cosmopolitan in a recent interview. According to the rapper, the speech was “downloading” in her mind, right as she began to speak. “It’s like my mouth was moving, but it wasn’t me speaking.” Despite her uneasiness about what to say, her words resonated with millions that night: “Anything is possible. Don’t allow anybody to project any stereotypes on you, to tell you that you can’t be here, that you’re too dark or that you’re not smart enough, or that you’re too dramatic or you’re too loud. You are exactly who you need to be to be right where you are, and I am a testimony right now.” Doechii Says Her Family Keeps Her Humble In another part of the lengthy interview, the rapper shares how her family keeps her humble. “They’re always keeping me grounded,” Doechii said. “Most of the time, I don’t talk about work with them.” She even recalled a recent interaction with her family that captured how they really get down. “I was in the car with my family and my team, in a dress looking fab, and my sister chose that moment to ask if I farted. Like, number one, no I didn’t, and number two, why would you say that? Like, I’m a superstar,” she recalled. I don’t fart!” Docechii, whose real name is Jaylah Ji’mya Hickmon, said that “I’m just Jaylah to them.” Family members aren’t the only people allowed to call Doechii by her birth name. “Anybody who truly knows me calls me Jaylah, and I don’t even have to protect it,” she continued. It’s like nobody who knows me calls me Doechii.”

In 1994, Nas forever changed the landscape with the release of his seminal debut, Illmatic. More than 30 years later, the album his regarded as a classic, a touchstone moment in history where the Queensbridge native ..To pay tribute to the album, Nas has partnered with the Gotham Dispensary to premiere its inaugural show, “The World is Yours,” a collaborative exhibition between legendary rapper Nas and future-conscious design studio Objects Are By and named after one of his signature songs. Featured in the groundbreaking exhibition are never-before-seen photos of Nas from 1994, captured by Danny Hastings, the Creative Director of Wu-Tang Productions. These striking images, “taken during a pivotal moment in Nas’s rise to fame, offer a glimpse into a young artist on the brink of changing the world of hip-hop. The exhibition is not just a visual journey but an immersive experience that speaks to the stillness before the storm—the quiet before Illmatic reshaped the genre.” Along with the iconic photography, “The World is Yours” will feature a limited-edition collection of homeware and apparel, created in collaboration with Nas and Objects Are By, inspired by the unseen photographs. The collection includes “woven tapestry blankets, heavyweight hoodies, long-sleeve tees, collectible rolling trays, and ashtrays.” Each item is designed with OBJECTS ARE BY’s signature bone-free china and is available exclusively at Gotham. Curated by Danny Hastings, the exhibit features never-before-seen images of the legendary rapper from 1994. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Gotham (@gotham.ny) In a statement, Hasting spoke about curating the exhibit and collaborating with Nas.  “In 1994, a young Nas stood beside me on a subway platform, the city buzzing above us, destiny waiting in the shadows. Illmatic had yet to be released. There was no entourage. No flashing cameras,” Hastings told HOT97. “Just two kids from the boroughs—one with rhymes, the other with a camera. I titled that first portrait Last Train to Queensbridge, a poetic timestamp of a moment before it all began. You can see the wonder in his eyes, the weight of dreams just beginning to take form.” “Five years later, in 1999, I photographed Nas again—this time for his I Am… album. He had arrived. The innocence had shifted into certainty. The raw energy matured into vision. These portraits are styled, polished, intentional. They reflect not just his rise, but mine as well,” his statement continued. “By then, I was pushing my technique—refining light, playing with texture, treating each frame like a cinematic painting. “Together, these images create a dual narrative: a coming-of-age story told in silver halide and shadow. One subject, two eras, bound by art and ambition. This is not just a portrait of Nas,” Hastings added. ‘It’s a portrait of time, of transformation, and of trust between a rapper and a photographer, both carving space for their voices in a world that didn’t hand anything out. These photographs are windows. They look back, but they also echo forward. In them, you see not only what was, but what was coming.” For more information, visit here.