Mariah Carey shared that her ex-husband, former Columbia Records music executive Tommy Mottola, did not want her to sing R&B. Speaking with Harper’s Bazaar UK, Carey spoke on her relationship with Mottola, who was 20 years her senior, and how he sought to keep her away from the R&B sound of the day. “I wanted to do more R&B, more urban music, and any time I would bring that up, it would get shot down,” Carey explained. “It wasn’t that I didn’t like the music I was making – I just felt there was more inside me that I wanted to release. Eventually, Carey and Mottola separated in 1997. The same year, she released her critically acclaimed LP Butterfly because Carey “felt free for the first time. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Harper’s Bazaar UK (@bazaaruk) “Sometimes I feel angry about that time, but I think I’ve made peace with it – in any case, I vowed I’d stop talking about it,” she said. Almost 30 years later, Caryey attempts to put a “light-hearted spin on” that dark time in her life. “Humor is my release, and people who know me know that. I’ll make little jokes about what happened because otherwise I could make every day a sob story. It’s a coping mechanism, but it’s in my nature to laugh.” On Sept. 26, Carey will release her 16th studio album, Here For It All. Along with her new music, Carye is also planning to release a documentary about her life and a scripted series adapted from her bestselling memoir.

Draya Michele claps back at a TikTok user who called her out over her relationship with Jalen Green. Tiktoker Boujeebrownskin took to his page to react to a recent appearance on Whistle’s “Home Team” relationship quiz, where the couple playfully tested how well they know each other.. Brownskin says Michele and Green relationship is seemingly one of a “mother/son” rather than a romantic one.  “It’s the fact that you are aware that he is significantly younger than you, and you think that it’s a joke,” Boujeebrownskin said in the video. “It’s clear you are leaning into this intentional age gap that y’all have, and I think that’s pretty f***ing weird.” Michele caught wind of the video and shared her sentiments. “One more thing … this is AGEIST !! No different from being homophobic — you can’t be woke about one thing, babe and not the other,” Michele commented on the video. “Discrimination is discrimination. Imagine if somebody told you couldn’t love who you wanted to because they felt like it was ‘wrong.’” View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Neighborhood Talk (@theneighborhoodtalk) As previously reported, while on Whistle’s “Home Team” relationship quiz, one of the lighthearted questions asked was who slid into whose DMs first, and without hesitation, Green owned up to it: he was the one who initiated contact. Despite the scrutiny their relationship has faced—particularly due to their 17-year age gap—the couple seems unfazed. In fact, Draya has leaned into the humor of their dynamic as when the couple was asked who is the better driver between the two- Draya says she’s had a “drivers license [his] whole life.”

Doja Cat has sparked a viral moment after mocking Sydney Sweeney’s new American Eagle campaign, adding fuel to a growing wave of criticism surrounding the ad. In a TikTok video, Doja used an exaggerated Southern accent to imitate Sweeney’s delivery from the commercial, where the Euphoria star says, “Genes are passed down from parents to offspring, often determining traits like hair color, personality and even eye color… my jeans are blue.” What was meant to be a playful pun didn’t sit well with many, and Doja’s parody highlighted how absurd some viewers found it. The ad quickly came under fire online, with users accusing American Eagle of pushing outdated and harmful beauty ideals by spotlighting Sweeney’s blue eyes and blonde hair. Some even went so far as to draw comparisons to propaganda promoting selective traits—criticizing the message as tone-deaf in today’s cultural climate. Doja’s post only amplified the backlash. Her sarcastic tone struck a chord with viewers who were already questioning the campaign’s direction and messaging. While some defended the ad as harmless wordplay, others found it to be a careless attempt at blending science, fashion, and identity. American Eagle initially promoted several clips featuring Sweeney across social media, but the specific “blue genes” spot has since been taken down. Neither the brand nor Sweeney has publicly responded to the controversy, despite the growing discourse. Billboard has reached out to both parties for comment, but as of now, the silence continues. Meanwhile, the internet keeps the conversation going—thanks in part to Doja Cat’s viral takedown.

In a match made in comedy heaven, Eddie Murphy’s son, Eric Murphy, married Martin Lawrence’s daughter, Jasmin Lawrence. Speaking with Extra’s  Terri Seymour at Sunday’s L.A. premiere of his new action-comedy The Pickup, Murphy shared his thoughts on his growing family. “We were friends for years and years. So, you know, it’s just, you know, cool to say, ‘Hey, now we’re in the family,’ but we, Martin and I, have been buddies for years,” Murphy said. What are the get-togethers like?”Seymour asked. “Really normal. It’s not… I think people think… jokes are just flying — and it’s not like that,” he said. View this post on Instagram A post shared by ExtraTV (@extratv) Murphy also spoke about how funny a grandchild could be. ‘Oh, yeah! Those gene pools are gonna — how funny is that kid gonna be?’” Laughing, he went on, “And I bet the kid’s probably not going to be funny at all. Be a serious child.” In The Pickup, Murphy co-stars with Keke Palmer and Pete Davidson. As a fellow SNL alum, the comedy icon said he was excited to work with Davidson. “Well, I was looking forward to working with him. I was a fan already from ‘SNL,’ and we have a lot in common now. We both started doing stand-up when we were really young, and we both started ‘Saturday Night Live’ when we were really young, and we both lost our dads when we were really young,” Murphy explained. “So, we had a lot in common, and he’s a new-generation ‘SNL.’ So, it was exciting. I love working with ‘SNL’ alumni. I feel like a kinship to all of them.” Murphy may have given Davidson a few pointers in comedy but he didn’t share any parenting advice. “I didn’t give him any parenting advice. You know, being a parent is kind of, you know, every kid is different… You kinda just have to go in there and figure it out on your own. The good thing is that nature’s wired us to do the right thing,” he said. “ I think it takes more effort to be a bad parent. If you love your child, you gotta go out of your way to be a bad parent. And doing the right thing just comes natural. So, I didn’t give him any advice.”

Busta Rhymes is receiving his long-overdue flowers The hip-hop legend will be honored with the 2,818th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The ceremony is slated for Friday, August 1, at 11:30 am PT at 6201 Hollywood Boulevard in front of East Town. Rhymes will be honored with his star in the category of Recording. Guest speakers for the ceremony include Chris Rock, LL Cool J, Chuck D., and Big Boy. “The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce will be adding Busta Rhymes, one of Hip-Hop’s most enduring and electrifying voices, as a new member of Hollywood’s iconic sidewalk, “ said Ana Martinez, Producer of the Hollywood Walk of Fame. ”His talent and influence are undeniable. His star on the Walk of Fame will stand as a testament to his lasting impact on hip-hop music and how important it is to the American culture,” added Martinez.  View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ana Martinez (@stargirl_stuff) Regarded as one of the best rappers of all-time, Busta Rhymes has earned 12 GRAMMY® nominations and sold over 60 million records certified gold and platinum songs in his catalog. He has had eight songs reach the Top 40 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. These include hits like “Woo Hah!! Got You All In Check”, “Dangerous”, “Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Can See”, “What’s It Gonna Be?!”, “Pass the Courvoisier, Part II”, “I Know What You Want”, and “Touch It”.  Also, Busta Rhymes has released several classic albums such as The Coming, When Disaster Strikes, and Extinction Level Event, just to name a few. He has sold more than 20 million albums worldwide, landing seven Top 10 debuts on the Billboard 200.

 The Weeknd was awarded the ultimate honor from his hometown of Toronto. On Saturday (July 26), the “Save Your Tears” received the Key to the City and a citywide proclamation of “The Weeknd Weekend” from July 26-27.  Complex reported that the City of Toronto recognized” the pop star actor for his accomplishments as a singer-songwriter and producer, his enduring humanitarian efforts, and his dedication to giving back to his city.” During the private ceremony, The Weeknd was presented by Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow, who was attended by youth from West Scarborough and The Weeknd’s alma mater, Birchmount Park Collegiate Institute. The honor was given just before the second leg of the singer’s After Hours Til Dawn 2025 Tour, which will run in Toronto from July 27–28 and August 7–8. “I’m deeply honored to receive the Key to the City. It feels good to be home,” The Weeknd said. “Toronto is where I found my voice, and I’m committed to helping the next generation find theirs. That’s why I’m proud to support the Boys & Girls Club of West Scarborough and my former high school, Birchmount Park, providing youth with the means to unlock their full potential.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Weeknd News | Martin (@abelspost) To pay tribute to The Weeknd Weekend and his mission to help the Birchmount Park Collegiate Institute and the Boys & Girls Club of West Scarborough, the CN Tower will be illuminated in honor of The Weeknd. In his remarkable career, The Weeknd has won multiple Grammy Awards, Billboard Music Awards, and Juno Awards. As one of the best-selling artists of all time, he has sold over 75 million records and has earned seven diamond certifications from the RIAA. 

Mack Maine is mourning the heartbreaking loss of his 20-year-old son, Isaiah, who died unexpectedly on July 16th after suffering a seizure at his home in California. The New Orleans rapper, still reeling from the shock, says he’s been left with more questions than answers. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Mack Maine (@mackmaine4president) Sharing the news publicly on his birthday, a day already marked by grief, as it’s also the anniversary of his own father’s passing two years ago—Mack opened up about the unimaginable pain he’s experiencing. He described the loss as a crushing blow to his entire family, admitting, “It’s a pain I’ve never felt before.” In his emotional tribute, Mack reflected on the gift of fatherhood, thanking Isaiah, who he lovingly called Zeke, for changing his life. “You made me a father,” he wrote. “One of the greatest gifts I’ve ever received.” He went on to describe Zeke as his guiding light—the reason he found the strength to get out of bed each day. “Your soul was made of innocence and your heart was pure,” he added, remembering his son’s radiant smile and the joy it brought during his darkest moments. Though grappling with grief, Mack used his message to encourage others to appreciate their loved ones while they’re here. “Hug the ones you love, squeeze them tight and tell them they love them,” he urged. Zeke’s passing has left a deep void, and Mack Maine is still trying to process the unimaginable. The rapper’s tribute is not just a reflection of sorrow, but a celebration of a son who brought purpose, love, and light into his world—even if only for a short time.

Drake’s run in the UK hit a brief snag this week as he announced a change to his scheduled Manchester performance. The rapper was set to take the stage at the Co-Op Arena on July 28th, but fans will now have to wait until August 5 to see the show. The delay, according to venue officials, stems from unexpected transportation problems. “Due to unforeseen ferry schedule and travel logistics, tomorrow’s performance in Manchester on July 28th has been rescheduled,” read a message from the arena. “The good news is that Drake will now perform in Manchester on Tuesday, August 5th, and it’s set to be an unforgettable night.” Those who already purchased tickets can still use them for the new date. Despite the hiccup, Drake’s time in the UK has been anything but uneventful. While in Birmingham, the Canadian superstar paid homage to one of the city’s most iconic figures: Ozzy Osbourne. Walking out to Black Sabbath’s “Iron Man,” Drake saluted the late rock legend with a message to the crowd: “Hey Birmingham! Rest in peace to the legendary Ozzy Osbourne.” Earlier that day, he was spotted at a tribute site where he poured out a shot of tequila in Ozzy’s honor. “I just came out to pay respects to someone who lived it to the fullest,” he told The New York Times. The Manchester delay comes as Drake continues promoting his latest single “Which One,” a track that teams him up with UK rap star Central Cee. The song leans into afrobeats and dancehall influences, with Drake delivering his verses in a Caribbean-flavored cadence. With new music and more UK dates on the horizon, the delay is just a bump in the road for the 6 God’s international takeover.

On Saturday (July 27), Donald Trump took to his Truth Social platform. He accused Beyoncé and Oprah Winfrey, along with a few others, of being paid to endorse Kamala Harris’ presidential election campaign. The President revealed that he’s been examining the “large amount of money” owned by the Democratic Party. According to Trump, the Democrats “illegally” paid the singer nearly $11,000,000. However, he believes it wasn’t a good decision because Beyoncé “never sang, not one note, and left the stage to a booing and angry audience!” Regarding Oprah, Trump claims that the TV host and entrepreneur was paid at least $3,000,000 for “expenses.” Donald Trump/truthsocial.com ‘Can you imagine what would happen if politicians started paying for people to endorse them?’ Trump Says Trump also called out activist and TV host Al Sharpton, referring to him as a “low-rated TV anchor,” alleging that he paid around $600,000 to get behind Harris’ 2024 presidential campaign. He continued, “These ridiculous fees were incorrectly stated in the books and records. YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO PAY FOR AN ENDORSEMENT. IT IS TOTALLY ILLEGAL TO DO SO. Can you imagine what would happen if politicians started paying for people to endorse them?” Trump added, “All hell would break out! Kamala, and all of those that received Endorsement money, BROKE THE LAW. They should all be prosecuted!” In other news, in a recent memo, the White House confirmed that Donald Trump was diagnosed with Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI). “The President underwent a comprehensive examination. It included diagnostic vascular studies. Bilateral lower extremity venous Doppler ultrasounds were performed and revealed Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI),” said White House physician Sean Barbabella. Not long ago, Donald Trump was spotted at the Club World Cup soccer final in New Jersey. He appeared to have very severely swollen legs and ankles. According to Barbabella, CVI is a “benign and common condition, particularly in individuals over the age of 70.” Per the National Institutes of Health, CVI is “a condition in which the flow of superficial or deep venous blood is impaired, causing venous hypertension. CVI encompasses several pathological changes (eg, lower extremity edema, skin trophic changes, and discomfort) that result secondary to venous hypertension.”

Earlier this month, Doechii sat down with British Vogue ahead of its August issue. In this interview, she gave insight into the theme for her next project. While she acknowledged it’ll have a similar feel to Alligator Bites Never Heal, she’s concentrating on expressing “deep vulnerability.” The Grammy winner said her next project will chronicle her journey with the “new lessons” she’s learned since her meteoric rise to fame. “It’s gonna be the new lessons that I’m learning, and that’s why I say it’s hard to talk about now,” she says. This is because she is still learning. ROSKILDE, DENMARK – JULY 04: Doechii performs on stage at Roskilde Festival 2025 on July 04, 2025 in Roskilde, Denmark. (Photo by Matt Jelonek/Getty Images) During the interview, the rapper also addressed her now-viral speech at the BET Awards. There, she called out Donald Trump’s controversial immigration policies. “Trump is using military forces to stop a protest. And I want y’all to consider what kind of government it appears to be when every time we exercise our democratic right to protest, the military is deployed against us,” she said to the crowd back in June. “We all deserve to live in hope and not in fear, and I hope we stand together, my brothers and my sisters, against hate, and we protest against it.” Doechii tells tells British Vogue that it wasn’t a second thought because it “felt right.” She added, “I’m not that desensitised, and it felt right. I felt like I needed to use that moment, and they were live, so it wasn’t sh*t they could do about it.” In her opinion, balancing her beliefs and fame isn’t a challenge. This is because she was “born to do this.”