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.
OutKast Inducted into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
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.
Doechii Says ‘Queer Perspectives’ Are ‘Needed’ In Hip Hop
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 Samples Keyshia Cole’s ‘Love’ For Upcoming Single
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.”
Clip of Ari Lennox Revealing Why She Doesn’t Date Women Resurfaces
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 Reveals Emotional Grammy Speech Wasn’t Planned
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.”
Nas And Gotham Dispensary Collaborate On ‘The World Is Yours’ Exhibit
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.
Birdman Says Master P Ruined Cash Money’s Deal With Priority Records
Birdman recently reflected on all the obstacles he had to overcome before Cash Money Records launched into a successful label. Appearing on Nick Cannon’s Counsel Culture Show on Wednesday (April 23), he shared how his and his older brother Ronald “Slim” Williams’ vision was not immediately accepted. Birdman recalled having a meeting with executive Sylvia Rhone of Warner Bros., but the brand said it was not ready to partner with an independent label. “Sylvia Rhone said our music don’t work for them, so we just left,” Birdman told Cannon. “I just walked out.” They also met with Def Jam, but was rejected because of their album artwork, and Birdman is still confused about their brief interaction with the label. “I went to Def Jam and met with Russell [Simmons], Lyor [Cohen], and Kevin Liles,” Birdman said. “This ni**a Russell said he don’t like our artwork. I said, ‘This some weird sh*t. I walked clean out. N*gga don’t like my artwork, what about my music? You don’t care for the music? So, I left.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Art Of Dialogue (@theartofdialogue) Birdman went on to say that they almost inked a distribution agreement with Priority Records, who also signed Master P’s New Orleans-based label No Limit Records, to an unprecedented deal. According to Birdman, Master P intervened and made sure it didn’t happen. “I went to Priority, some weird sh*t here. I go to Priority, they fly us to California,” he said. “Me and Slim, a couple of the homies, we go out there. Ni**a come in there and said, ‘I’m sorry, we can’t do the deal. They said because Master P said, ‘If we sign y’all, he’s leaving.’ I just jumped on a jet and went back to New Orleans was like, ‘F—k it, we just gonna grind with it.” When Universal Records reached out to the camp, they negotaied “one of the more historic deals in music history.” “And then Mel Lewinter and them called and I said, ‘This my last trip. I ain’t taking no more motherf**king flights to New York or California,” he recalled. “F**k it, we’ll thug it out. I’m still making millions, they gonna come down here and f**k with me, I ain’t going back. And that was my last flight,” Birdmand rememverd. After years of rumored tenseions between Cash Money and No Limt, everything seems to cool now. On No Chill with Gilbert Arenas, Master P spoke on the relationship between the two camps. “A lot of people thought, ‘Oh, they got beef,’ but, man, we lived right up the street from each other,” Master P said.
Summer Walker Says She ‘Almost Died’ During Childbirth
Childbirth is a difficult endeavor, and Summer Walker has firsthand experience with how challenging it can be. Speaking with Mariah the Scientist on her Apple Music 1 show, Over It Radio, she was asked if there was a difference between her first and second births. “The second one, it sucked bad. Real bad,” Walker recalled. “But, believe it or not, the second birth was shorter than the first one.” When giving birth to her twins, Walker said it only took seven hours. But she was in labor for 52 hours with her first child. “That shit was bad. All of it’s bad,” Walker said, noting she “almost died both times.” When Mariah asked if she would do it again, without hesitation, Walker said, “Yes.” In 2021, Walker had her first child, Bubbles Renee Walker, with ex-boyfriend London on Da Track. She had her twin sons with LVRD Pharoh in 2022. According to PEOPLE, she gave birth to her three children at home. In December, Walker confirmed she was dating Rico Recklezz. On Instagram, she expressed her affection for how the Chicago rapper treats her. “You know what? Ya’ll can say whatever ya’ll wanna say about my man, but let me tell you one thing,” she said in an IG post. “When I ask this man to do something for me, he gon’ do it the best, the biggest way he motherfucking can. He don’t never go small.” On the music side, Walker is gearing up to release Finally Over It, her third album. The LP will be the third and final installment of her Over It series, following Over It (2019) and Still Over It (2021).
Alijah Arenas Out of Coma After Car Accident
Alijah Arenas, a top basketball prospect and USC recruit, is recovering after a fiery car crash in Los Angeles left him hospitalized. The 18-year-old son of former NBA star Gilbert Arenas was placed in an induced coma but has shown encouraging signs of progress, according to a statement from his family. The crash occurred early Thursday morning in the Reseda neighborhood of the San Fernando Valley. Police say Arenas was driving a Tesla Cybertruck that struck a tree and fire hydrant before bursting into flames. Video obtained by TMZ shows the wreck engulfed in fire as water sprayed from the hydrant. Two bystanders risked their lives to pull Arenas from the vehicle. One rescuer recalled hearing banging on the window through thick smoke. “We used everything we had to bend a cracked window and pull him out,” the person said. “The car was on fire. We just knew we had to get him out.” Though still intubated, Alijah Arenas has begun to communicate. His family said he remembered the smoke and wrote a note asking, “Did anyone get hurt?” Authorities have not yet determined the cause of the crash. Arenas is among the most highly ranked recruits in the country. After reclassifying in December, he committed to USC in January. He led Chatsworth High School to the Division II state title game and became the first boys’ high school player in Los Angeles to score over 3,000 points. He was recently selected for the McDonald’s All-American Game. USC head coach Eric Musselman extended prayers to the Arenas family, while the family thanked first responders, hospital staff, and supporters. They remain hopeful and ask the public to continue praying as Alijah Arenas works toward recovery.