At the Los Angeles stop on the “Grand National Tour,” SZA surprised the audience with a guest appearance from Lizzo. On Wednesday, May 21, SZA  brought out Lizzo to perform the remix of Lizzo’s hit song “Special.” The dynamic duo also held the sold-out crowd captive at SoFi Stadium as they sang the 2022 song from Lizzo’s album of the same name. “Okay, so usually when I do very scary things, I have a tendency to bring my best friend with me. You may have seen her,” SZA said when introducing Lizzo. “SoFi [Stadium] counts as one of those scary things, so I brought my best friend for energy and positivity.” “Lizzo, can you come hang with me?” she said as Lizzo rose onto the stage from below. Following the performance, Lizzo shared the performance on Instagram.  “BABYS FIRST STADIUM PERFORMANCE— I love u @sza u r THEE DIVA ! ” her post read. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Lizzo (@lizzobeeating) Since 2014, Lizzo and SZA have been friends as they both rose to superstardom. During a Twitch stream in February, Lizzo lauded SAZ for her songwriting skills and “how they almost formed a girl band with an NSFW name.” “She writes the craziest, most insane s— that you’re thinking and feeling, but she just finds a way to say it, and she sings it so beautifully out the gate, out of her mouth the first time,” Lizzo said at the time. SZA also showed love to Lizzo in the past, and previously called on people to “practice kindness” instead of fat-shaming the singer.  “I be wondering where all the virtue signaling, well spoken s— talking , internet warriors are when someone genuine needs defending,” SZA posted on X (formerly Twitter) in June 2023. “Where the f— do y’all be at for lizzo ? Do y’all actually know how to support others or only tear them down?”

Rapper Meek Mill has publicly addressed the impact of rumors regarding his sexuality, particularly concerning his teenage son.  These rumors emerged following a lawsuit filed by music producer Rodney “Lil Rod” Jones against Sean “Diddy” Combs, which alleged that Combs had sexual encounters with an unnamed “Philadelphia rapper who dated Nicki Minaj”—a description that led to speculation about Meek Mill. In response, Meek Mill took to social media to refute these claims, stating, “I got a 14 year old son I will never let fake rumors about my name or manhood linger and be silent … my son had to see all that sh*t and deal with it going to school! It’s a silent war against black men and yall rocking wit em!” In another tweet Meek expresses, “Ima real life KING …… I think they found out… I can brighten whole communities just by stopping by… slow down street wars off words no threats … influence billions to help be the system …. make a 100m from 0… this why I was playing dumb somebody caught on lol” He further emphasized his frustration by suggesting that such rumors are part of a broader issue, tweeting about a perceived “war against Black men” and highlighting how damaging public speculation can be on young Black families and fathers. “It’s easy to tear black people down because they not gone stick together & they will help you do it….. I’m happy I’m not one of those type black people..” Meek Mill has consistently denied any romantic involvement with Diddy and has expressed concern over the emotional toll these rumors have on his family, particularly his son. Ima real life KING …… I think they found out… I can brighten whole communities just by stopping by… slow down street wars off words no threats … influence billions to help be the system …. make a 100m from 0… this why I was playing dumb somebody caught on lol — MeekMill (@MeekMill) May 22, 2025

2 Chainz recently shared that Birdman wanted a lot of money just to approach Lil Wayne for a guest verse. During an appearance on Shannon Sharpe’s Club Shay Shay, 2 Chainz revealed how his interaction with Birdman went down. “If anybody wanted Wayne, [Birdman] would be like, ‘I need 100 too,’ and people would obviously do it,” 2 Chainz said. But 2 Chainz found a way around Birdman’s demands. He went on to tell Sharpe that her purchased Wayne a pair of red Gucci shoes because “he represents the red team.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Club Shay Shay (@clubshayshay) “I take them to him at the studio. He don’t know I’m about to take it to him, but I also got a beat CD,” he recalled. “And I’m not doing this for the other thing but I just take it to him and he like … ’Damn, these harder than a b*tch.’ Eventually, Wayne moved to Miami after Hurricane Katrina. He still had the beat CD, and he invited 2 Chainz down to Florida. “We go from the airport to the mall because he is trying to I guess show his appreciation for me buying him shoes,” 2 Chainz said. “Then out of the blue, he says, ‘What you thought about the hook I did for you?’” 2 Chainz didn’t know that Wayne recorded the hook because it was sent to the wrong email. They went back to the studio, and Wayne let him hear the song “I remember at that particular time knowing what a hit sounded like,” 2 Chainz said. “I said, ‘Man, you did that for me?’ He like, ‘Yeah boy.’” Although Wayne didn’t charge him, when Birdman found out, he still wanted his finder’s fee. “When Wayne did that, he didn’t charge me … so it’s only going to be just 100, not 200. Baby still wanted his 100,” 2 Chainz said.

Bobby Brown recently revealed that his iconic haircut was the result of a mistake by Appearing on an episode of The Jennifer Hudson Show, the “Don’t Be Cruel” singer shared that his slanted haircut, also known as “The Gumby,” was an accident. “That was your swag,” Jennifer Hudson told Brown while showing him a picture of himself from back in the day. That was a mistake,” the 46-year-old said. “It was a mistake that turned out to be great.” “I was at the barbershop and I looked the wrong way while he was cutting my hair. I was looking at somebody, and I shouldn’t have been. But he cut my hair the wrong way and I left it,” he continued. View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Jennifer Hudson Show (@jenniferhudsonshow) The one-of-a-kind look was seen in several music videos, such as “My Prerogative” and “Every Little Step.” Although he thought it was an original style, Brown said  Quincy Jones informed him that he had seen the haircut before. “But later on in life, I went to the late, great Quincy Jones’ house, and I saw a picture on his wall, and it was his great-grandfather, who had a haircut just like that,” Brown said. “And I’m like, ‘This old man trying to jack my style,’” “[Quincy] was like, ‘Ain’t nobody trying to jack nothing,” he recalled. “That hairstyle has been in rotation, it’s been out for so long.’ [So] I stole his hairstyle.” While a guest on Club Shay Shay,  Brown told his story about his haircut and Jones giving him the history on it. “‘That picture is 40-something years old, and that’s my grandfather,’” he said, Jones told him. “And his grandfather had a Gumby. I was like, ‘Wow.”

SZA is letting everyone know that she is supporting Megan Thee Stallion. As rumors have begun to spread that Tory Lanez did not shoot Megan in 2020, SZA jumped in the comments of a video by an Instagram user. “The density !!!!! I’m actually SO shocked at the amount of ppl fully comfortable bullying a woman that’s proven to be a victim of assault ??!” SZA wrote. “Like out loud where other ppl can see you ?? Lmao u finna be stupid OUTLOUD ?” SZA’s remarks stem from a claim made by Unite the People, “a nonprofit organization that advocates for social justice and affordable legal services in California.” On May 14, during a press conference, Walter Roberts, the organization’s “lead consultant,” said a new testimony could exonerate Lanez. According to Roberts, Bradley James identified himself as the bodyguard and driver for Kelsey Harris, a key witness and a former friend of Megan. “Mr. James informed us he was working as the bodyguard and driver for Ms. Kelsey Harris during Mr. Peterson’s trial,” Roberts said at the 48-minute mark here. “Mr. James informed us he was not under a non-disclosure agreement or a confidentiality agreement and was free to speak with Unite the People and that he was doing it because his conscience would not let him not speak and leave a man in prison for something he did not do.” [Tory Lanez] grabbed her arm and knocked it down, and the gun fired two more times,” Roberts continued. “In essence, [he] never shot anybody, never even touched that gun, never fired that gun.” Alex Spiro, Megan’s lawyer, responded to the claims in an official statement,  “Tory Lanez was tried and convicted by a jury of his peers and his case was properly adjudicated through the court system,” Spiro wrote. “This is not a political matter—this is a case of a violent assault that was resolved in the court of law.”

Testimony continued Tuesday in the federal trial of Sean “Diddy” Combs, with jurors hearing from a clinical psychologist and the music mogul’s former assistant. Diddy, who has pleaded not guilty, faces charges including sex trafficking, racketeering, and obstruction of justice. Called by the prosecution, Dr. Dawn Hughes offered expert insight into the psychological toll of abusive relationships. Having testified in past trials involving R. Kelly and NXIVM’s Keith Raniere, Dr. Hughes described how shame, humiliation, and isolation can trap victims and shape their behavior. She noted that some survivors use drugs or alcohol as a way to cope with repeated trauma, adding, “They experience a tremendous amount of shame, humiliation, degradation.” Ex-Aide Testifies as Prosecutors Outline Abuse and Coercion Claims Later in the day, jurors heard from George Kaplan, a former personal assistant to Diddy, who was granted immunity to testify. Kaplan outlined a range of responsibilities he held—including cleaning up after what prosecutors referred to as “freak-offs.” He described finding empty bottles and baby oil in hotel suites and said maintaining Diddy’s public image was always a priority. “Protecting him and protecting his public image was very important,” Kaplan told the jury. Prosecutors allege that Diddy used influence, intimidation, and financial leverage to coerce women into participating in drug-fueled sex acts, often involving third parties. Among those named in the case is singer and former girlfriend Cassie Ventura, whose prior testimony alleged emotional and physical abuse throughout their relationship. The defense acknowledges past domestic violence but argues Ventura consented to the encounters, citing messages and emails that suggest a complicated relationship. The trial picks up again Wednesday, May 22, with additional witnesses expected to testify—including rapper Kid Cudi, who is anticipated to speak on a past incident involving Diddy and his car.

Plies is done watching the Diddy trial. Taking to Instagram, the Florida rapper shared why a testimony from one of the prosecution’s witnesses made him not want to tune in anymore. “I don’t know if y’all keeping up with the trial sh*t… After yesterday, I said, ‘I ain’t watching it no motherf**king more,’” Plies said in his Instagram video. “They called one of the witnesses… I guess one of the motherf**king male escorts that they called out to the motherf**king hall.” “He get on the stand yesterday, and they asked him his motherf**king name. … He said his nickname is the Punisher. He said his motherf**king nickname is the Punisher! And the reason this shit threw me off, that’s my motherf**king nickname,” he continued. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Plies (@plies) Plies laughing uncontrollably, Plies continued, “I said, ‘Goddamn, he’s trying to steal my name,’” he continued. “I thought I was the only motherf**king Punisher out here. I thought that was my name. I’m thinking I done got caught up in [the trial]. I’m thinking they indicted me! Ain’t no motherf**king way he is trying to steal my name … There’s only one motherf**king Punisher out here, man! And it ain’t you.” In his post, the “Bust It Baby” rapper was referring to Sharay Hayes, a male escort who moniker”The Punisher.” According to his testimony,  he met Diddy and Cassie at a room in Trump Tower in New York City in 2012 and was told to create a “sexy scene.” The session included Hayes and Cassie spreading baby oil on each other. ‘I was specifically told not to acknowledge her husband,” Hayes told the court. For his services, Hayes was allegedly paid between $800-$2000 for several sexual encounters.

Ice Spice had Madison Square Garden buzzing Friday night as she pulled up courtside with New York Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner, turning Game 6 of the Knicks vs. Celtics series into a full-blown pop culture moment. The Bronx-born rapper, fresh off a string of major appearances, walked in hand-in-hand with Gardner, sending the internet into overdrive. The two have been quietly stirring up dating rumors since late 2024. It all started when Ice Spice showed up to a Jets home game and flicked it up with team owner Woody Johnson. Things escalated a few months later when a TikTok clip caught them riding an escalator together, Ice Spice surrounded by security, adding fuel to the fire. The pair kept popping up at events, including the red carpet premiere for Druski’s Coulda Been Love, keeping fans guessing. In April 2025, Gardner shared a photo carousel on Instagram that included Ice Spice standing next to his grey Rolls-Royce. When she commented “1,” fans took it as a subtle confirmation. The soft launch didn’t last long though, by the end of the month, Ice Spice posted a mirror selfie with Gardner, making their relationship social media official. Since then, the two have been showing up side by side at some of the biggest events in entertainment, from Vanity Fair’s Oscars after-party to a packed UFC match. Gardner, the 2022 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year and two-time Pro Bowler, and Ice Spice, who’s taken over the rap game with her unique voice and drill sound, are clearly leveling up together. Their latest public outing, cheering on the Knicks with celebs like Timothée Chalamet and Lenny Kravitz just seats away, solidifies their status as one of New York City’s most magnetic new power couples.

Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” is one of the greatest diss tracks of all time. The scathing song aimed at Drake has become a global phenomenon as it has received airplay at clubs and sporting events. Although it was released in May 2024, “Not Like Us” is still setting new records. The song’s latest accolade is that it broke the record for being the longest rap song to chart on the Billboard 100, according to the NFR Podcast. Produced by Mustard, “Not Like Us” has spent several weeks at the number one spot, and it spent almost a full year in the Top 10. Currently, “Not Like Us” is in the  23 spot on the Billboard Hot 100. Additionally, “Not Like Us” the longest-running number one hit on the Billboard Hot Rap Songs chart, surpassing Lil Nas X’s “Old Town Road”.  Kendrick Lamar breaks Kendrick Lamar’s record (again) for HIGHEST-GROSSING show ever by a Rapper — ($14.81M) 60, 941 total tickets were sold at his show in Seattle. pic.twitter.com/2BDyNWDe7n — NFR Podcast (@nfr_podcast) May 20, 2025 Previously, “Not Like Us” won five Grammy Awards at the 2025 ceremony, including Song of the Year and Record of the Year. The song also won Best Rap Performance, Best Rap Song, and Best Music Video. This marks a significant win for hip-hop, as only one other rap song If that’s not impressive enough,  Lamar broke his own record (again) for the highest-grossing show ever by a rapper, raking in $ 14.81 M. In total, 60, 941 total tickets were sold at the show featuring SZA  at Lumen Field in Seattle. In their review of the show, the Seattle Times described the performance as a “grand-scale presentation of vintage hip-hop storytelling from the Pulitzer Prize winner before a spellbound crowd the size of Bothell.”

Spike Lee believes his latest film with Denzel Washington may be their last project as collaborators.  Following the premiere of their latest film, Highest 2 Lowest, Lee spoke on Tuesday, May 20, about the possibility of this being their “Last Dance.” “It’s been a blessing to have this body of work of us doing films that the people love, so it’s a blessing, again. I think this is it — five,” Lee said during a press conference at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival. Washington was not in attendance because he returned to New York City for his performances of Othello on Broadway. Lee said that Washington has been talking more and more about retiring. “He’s been talking about retirement, even though he just did another deal,” Lee explained. “The five films together, you know, they stand up. Malcolm X, I mean, what he did with that film, it’s amazing.” Before he left, he was surprised with the prestigious honorary Palme d’Or at the Highest 2 Lowest premiere at Cannes. “To be here once again in Cannes, you know, we’re a very privileged group in this room that we get to make movies and wear tuxedos and nice clothes and dress up and get paid for it as well,” Washington continued. “You know, we’re just blessed beyond measure, I’m blessed beyond measure, and from the bottom of my heart, I thank you all. Thank you.” “The script was around for many years and Denzel got attached and we got back together,” Lee said of the project’s development during the Cannes press conference. “The funny thing about that is Denzel and I did not know that our previous film, Inside Man, was 18 years ago,” Lee said. “So there’s an 18-year gap between Inside Man and this film, but we were surprised because it felt like it was yesterday. We didn’t lose a step.” Highest 2 Lowest premieres in select theaters Aug. 22 and releases on Apple TV+ Sept. 5.