Wale recently revealed how challenging it is to remain relevant in the rap game. During an interview with Cam Newton on his “Funky Friday” podcast, he spoke about how he’s maintained his relevancy..  “It’s hard, man,” Wale said. “I mean, there are so many things that throw you off. I lost a lot of friends in the streets or just otherwise, but jumping in the industry, being here for about 16 years… The amount of friends that I lost… It’s not a normal life to live,” he continued. He went on to describe the modern music  industry as “not the brightest place to be.” “You could be the greatest rapper of all time, but everybody could be like, ‘Oh I don’t like you, you’re not good,” he explained. “So that can just throw you off … The longevity is no joke, man. And the game done change, it keep changing.” He argued that another aspect beyond the changing nature of the industry, and the arrival of new artists, is how tough it can be to have your art noticed with everything going on. “There’s so much stuff going on right now,” he said. “So much distractions and so much… Everybody is bloodthirsty right now in hip-hop,” he said. “So it’s like, how many people’s attention can you get, you know what I’m saying? How do you enter the zeitgeist? How do you enter the mainstream, the algorithm? It’s busy. It’s tough, it’s a tough game.” Wale also shared that he’s not interested in chasing the latest trends, and supports “evergreen music,” and used JAY-Z’s Reasonable Doubt as an example of great art. “I had to grow up a little bit before I understood how great Reasonable Doubt was,” he said. “I didn’t understand how good it was in middle school. When I got older, I was like, ‘Oh snap.’ Everything he’s saying, I didn’t get. That’s why I got to try to make the music evergreen, because it’ll catch up eventually.”

While promoting their new Peacock reality series, Nelly & Ashanti: We Belong Together, the couple made a stop at Cocoa Butter, where a casual game turned into an unexpected moment of nostalgia and admiration. Asked to choose his favorite song from Ashanti’s catalog, Nelly bypassed the expected hits in favor of “Baby,” her 2002 deep cut. The choice surprised many—and delighted Ashanti. During the segment, the St. Louis rapper kept the tone light, jokingly confirming, “Larenz Tate was in that video, right?” in reference to the visuals for “Rain on Me.” But even as the game unfolded in good fun, Nelly’s picks began to reveal something more personal. In a series of bracket-style face-offs, “Baby” consistently emerged victorious over tracks like “Happy,” “Rock Wit U,” and “Rain on Me.” When pressed on his preference, Nelly remarked, “‘Rain on Me’ represented a different stage in our relationship. We’ll just set ‘Rain on Me’ aside and stick with ‘Baby.’” Nelly Stands by ‘Baby’—Choosing Love Over Hits The matchup eventually pitted “Baby” against Ashanti’s high-profile collaborations with Ja Rule, including “Always on Time” and “Mesmerize.” Still, Nelly stood firm. “All of these are fantastic tracks, but ‘Baby’ is my ride-or-die, so I’m going to stick with ‘Baby,’” he said. His pick took on deeper meaning in light of their recent journey as parents. “Being a Scorpio man, I stay true to what I love, and that’s ‘Baby,’” Nelly added with a smile. Originally released on Ashanti’s self-titled debut, “Baby” was produced by Irv Gotti and Chink Santana, sampling Scarface’s “Mary Jane.” The track peaked at No. 15 on the Billboard Hot 100 and remains beloved, partly due to a standout music video that featured actress Nia Long. Now airing on Peacock, We Belong Together offers a more intimate look at the couple’s life, blending their shared history in music with a renewed chapter of love, parenting, and partnership. The series premiered on June 26.

Raekwon is back with The Emperor’s New Clothes, a solo release that brings legends and new voices together under one roof. Dropping via Mass Appeal, the album blends the grit of golden-era hip-hop with sharp, contemporary energy. After a seven-year solo break, the Wu-Tang veteran delivers a project that feels both reflective and fully in the now. The features are nothing short of historic. Longtime Wu-Tang partners—Ghostface Killah, Method Man, and Inspectah Deck—bring their signature edge, while Nas makes a standout appearance that deepens the album’s roots. Griselda’s Conway the Machine and Westside Gunn round out the lineup, injecting a raw, modern sound that complements Raekwon’s polished delivery. Fans have waited since The Wild in 2017 for a solo drop, and this one doesn’t disappoint. The project weaves cinematic storytelling, street wisdom, and layered production into one of Raekwon’s most complete bodies of work. Raekwon hints at Wu-Tang reunion and solo heat Speaking on Instagram Live, Raekwon addressed the status of a potential Wu-Tang Clan album, pointing to the hurdles that come with reuniting such a sprawling crew. “We’re all doing great things in our lives, and getting everyone in the same room is no easy feat. But don’t misconstrue our desire; we definitely want to create together,” he said. He added, “With so many different minds at play, it can be a challenge to agree on a direction. Yet, we are still very much in the game—don’t count us out.” The message was clear: collaboration remains possible, even if the process isn’t simple. And the door to a new chapter for Wu-Tang isn’t closed. Raekwon also hinted at something special arriving August 1, on the anniversary of Only Built 4 Cuban Linx…. “I promise you, this next record is going to blow your minds. Trust me,” he said, adding more intrigue to what’s already been a busy year. Even without that announcement landing just yet, Raekwon is front and center in Mass Appeal’s “Legend Has It…” series. The label has already rolled out a new release from Slick Rick and teased upcoming projects with Nas and DJ Premier, Mobb Deep, Ghostface Killah, and De La Soul. A posthumous album from Big L is also on the horizon. The “Legend Has It…” series honors the artists who built hip-hop from the ground up—and who still have plenty more to say. With The Emperor’s New Clothes, Raekwon proves once again that timeless lyricism and sharp instincts can coexist. It’s not just a return—it’s a reminder of how far the culture’s come, and where it’s still headed.

Sean “Diddy” Combs was acquitted Wednesday of the most serious charges in his federal sex crimes trial, including racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking, but convicted on two counts of transportation for the purpose of engaging in prostitution. The jury returned its mixed verdict after three days of deliberations, closing one of the most closely watched trials in recent memory. The decision marks a partial win for Diddy’s defense team, which rested its case without calling a single witness over the course of the seven-week proceedings. Still, the outcome carries weight: U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian denied his request for bail, citing his “continued danger to others.” The judge added that Diddy’s legal team had already “acknowledged his involvement in domestic violence.” Diddy, 55, appeared emotional as the verdict was read. He knelt in prayer, thanking his family and legal team, who embraced each other in relief. Defense attorney Alex Agnifilo argued that Diddy should be granted release after nearly a year in custody, offering a $1 million bond and describing his client as a “model prisoner” committed to personal growth. The sentencing date has been set for October 3. Federal prosecutors are pushing for a four- to five-year prison term tied to the lesser convictions, while the defense is expected to push for a more lenient outcome. Decades of Alleged Abuse Take Center Stage in Diddy Trial The trial placed a spotlight on Diddy’s decades-long career, tracing his rise as the founder of Bad Boy Records and a key figure in hip-hop’s commercial ascent. Allegations from his former partner, singer Cassie Ventura, were among the first to surface publicly, prompting broader scrutiny and setting the stage for a legal battle that has drawn national attention. Over 30 witnesses took the stand, including former assistants and collaborators. The prosecution presented a portrait of control and coercion stretching over two decades. Key testimonies came from three women, including Ventura, who alleged sexual assault, psychological manipulation, and abuse. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christy Slavik told jurors they didn’t need to find every act non-consensual to reach a guilty verdict: “This is not an all-or-nothing case.” Agnifilo countered by framing Diddy as a flawed but not criminal figure. “We own the domestic violence,” he told the jury, but insisted that no criminal conspiracy existed. While the verdict is in, Diddy still faces several civil suits related to sexual misconduct—allegations he has categorically denied.

After being found not guilty of racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking, Diddy will have to remain in prison after his bail was denied again. The Bad Boy Records founder has spent nearly 10 months in jail, including through his two-month trial. On Wednesday (July 1), Judge Arun Subramanian set a sentencing for Oct. 3, but “the date could move up if Combs’ team seeks to expedite it.” The judge ordered all sides to return to court on Oct. 3 for sentencing but noted that the date could move up if Combs’ team seeks to expedite it. While he was acquitted of the more serious charges, the jury found Diddy guilty of transportation to engage in prostitution (in connection with his ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura) and guilty of transportation to engage in prostitution (in connection with his ex-girlfriend who testified under the pseudonym “Jane”). During the proceedings, Subramanian noted that there was a “great divide” between the prosecution team and Diddy’s defense attorneys in sentencing. In response, Subramanian scheduled a remote status conference for Tuesday to get to the bottom of sentencing, saying, “time is of the essence.” Diddy’s lawyers team is seeking a term of 21 to 27 months. Prosecutors are seeking a prison term of 51 to 63 months. Douglas Wigdor, Cassie Ventura’s attorney, said in a statement that they expected Diddy to be convicted of the sex trafficking count involving her, which he said was the “most important count to her.” “I think that obviously she would be a lot happier if the jury had convicted on that. But she’s at peace with the verdict,” Wigdor said. “She is moving ahead with her beautiful family and her husband.”

As tensions remain high between DDG and Halle Bailey over custody of their son Halo, the rapper is already thinking about future fatherhood, just not in the traditional sense. During a recent livestream from Paris Fashion Week, DDG spoke candidly about possibly turning to fertility options if he decides to have another child someday. “If I’m 29 or something like that, and I ain’t got the time,” he said, “I’ll just go to that little place, do my little one-two, put my s**t in a cup. Take a little egg from somebody, throw it in another little body. Cook that motherf****r up for nine months. You can do that type s**t when you got money. That’ll alleviate a lot of s**t.” His comments come as he continues to battle Bailey in court over parenting rights. Earlier this year, Bailey was granted full custody of their 18-month-old son after accusing DDG of repeated physical abuse. A judge also issued a restraining order against him in May. In response, DDG filed his own legal claim, accusing Bailey of emotional manipulation and alleging that she has made threats involving self-harm. Bailey denied those claims, saying she is mentally sound and fully capable of caring for their child. Bailey is currently filming in Rome and has Halo with her. DDG has asked for permission to visit his son in Italy, but only under supervision. A judge has ruled that if the visits are approved, DDG will not be allowed to post any photos or videos of their son on social media. The former couple started dating in early 2022 and split in October 2024. Their son was born in December 2023. A court hearing to determine permanent custody arrangements is expected to take place this July in Los Angeles.

Mariah Carey has a new album on the way. During a recent interview at the 10th anniversary of Apple Music with Zane Lowe and Ebro Darden, Carrey made the announcement.  “I’m trying not to tell too much about the new album,” Carrey said.  “It’s a special occasion/ Mimi’s emancipation- that’s a lyric from one of my songs. What is next? The album is coming out,” she continued. “I don’t wanna tell too much about it because I just don’t want to reveal the whole thing. It’s finished.”  Carey dropped the news following the release of her newest single, “Type Dangerous.” She went on to say that the track was a “heavy record” and that it has “real weight to it.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Apple Music (@applemusic) The multi-Grammy award-winning vocalist also revealed that the new album has about 11 or 12 songs on it.  “We got some Mariah ballads,” she said, adding that a second single will be released soon. “I’m very excited about it. It’s very summery. I like the beat as well.” Sampling Eric B. and Rakim’s classic 1986 single, “Eric B. Is President”, she performed ”Type Dangerous,” along said Rakim at the 2025 BET Awards.  “I’ve always loved ‘Eric B. Is President.’ It wasn’t something like, ‘Oh, I’m gonna flip this’- I just wouldn’t think of doing it,” she explained. “But then we were in this restaurant in Aspen, and they had different music on, and they played ‘Eric B. Is President’ and I was like, ‘Oh my gosh! I love this song!’ We ended up in the studio a couple months later and we did it.”

Doja Cat is returning to pop music on her fifth album, Vie. Speaking with V Magazine, the Grammy-winning artist is embracing the genre after distancing herself from it. “I do want to be self-aware enough to admit the fact that this is a pop-driven project,” she said. “I know that I can make pop music, and pop is just that it’s popular. It starts to become a bit of a thing that’s viewed as a sport by people who are just bystanders to it, who enjoy it, but maybe also don’t respect it or what it is, which is just music. There are some people who don’t see it as music. They see it as if this is some kind of football for girls and gays.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by V Magazine (@vmagazine) Doja also said that she has been working on her vocal skills while creating the highly anticipated project. “Sometimes I’m surprised by what I can do now because I could not f**king sing… I have a lot more knowledge of how to use my voice as an instrument, more than I ever have in my life.” While Doja didn’t confirm a release date for Vie, her last album, Scarlet, dropped in September 2023 and marked a darker, more experimental turn away from the mainstream pop that initially catapulted her to fame. In a tweet in April 2023,  Doja said that pop was no longer “exciting” to her, and it changed her approach to making music. “I wanted to play with that nostalgia by using these Lo-Fi sounds and samples and things that reminded you of something from your childhood, but it wasn’t on the nose ’80s,” she said.

Dave Chappelle is questioning DJ Khaled’s silence on the war in Gaza While performing at the sold-out Etihad Arena as part of Abu Dhabi Comedy Season,  an audience member shouted out Khaled’s name, which led to Chappelle offering a critique of Khaled’s alleged failure to side with his people “DJ Khaled, let me tell you something,” he began. “For a Palestinian, this man is awfully quiet right now. And as a Palestinian, how could you be that quiet right now? And why are you so fat? People are starving. He’s the only fat Palestinian on Earth right now.” Since the conflict broke out in October 2023,  Chappelle has been passionate about the suffering of Palestinians. During a performance in Abu Dhabi, he desribed Israel’s actions as “genocide,” as the crowd cheered. Chappelle is not the only one who’s wondering about Khaled not taking a stance or doing anything to show solidarity with the Palestinian people. Back in February 2024, Fadie Musallet, Khaled’s cousin, expressed his disappointment over the “All I Do Is Win” super producer’s silence. “There’s no reason, there’s no excuse when you’re actually a Palestinian,” Musallet said during an interview. “For me, my mother lives there. We’re from the same village, same families. So, there’s no excuse… I do a lot of work with refugee camps, raise money for Gaza and the West Bank. I put my heart into this.” .

Suge Knight claims that Tupac Shakur’s friends smoked his cremated ashes following his death. Speaking with PEOPLE, Knight told the outlet that some of Shakur’s friends and family rolled the “I Get Around” rapper’s ashes into a blunt and smoked it. A bag with his ashes was passed around,” Knight said. “His homies rolled him up. They smoked him. You gotta understand, that’s what made sense. It was symbolic. It’s like… you keep part of him.” “I was so happy to say I was on probation — I couldn’t smoke,” Knight says. “I told his mother, ‘Mom, I’d love to, but if I hit that, I’ll get in trouble.’” He laughs. “I was probably the only one who didn’t hit him.” Knight also said that Afeni Shakur, Tupac’s mother, wanted to have her son cremated immediately without a funeral. Adhering to her request, Knight said he paid a million in cash to make sure her request was granted. By the end of that fateful night, Tupac’s inner circle paid tribute to him in an honorable way, On September 7, 1996, Shakur and Knight were ambushed at a red light after leaving the MGM Grand. Several shots were fired in Knight’s Bllack BMW. Shakur was shot four times, and Knight was grazed in the head. Knight recalled the tragic scene. “I got out and tried to tell the officers what happened while I was bleeding everywhere,” he says. “I then was getting Tupac out the car, even when the door was open. I had to go over there bleeding everywhere, take the seat belt off him.” Regarded as one of the greatest rappers of all time, Shakur has sold more than  75 million records worldwide.