Megan Thee Stallion has revealed that she’s launching her very own Popeyes restaurant. Taking to Instagram, the rapper shared a sneak peek of the early construction stages of her new franchise. “My very own @popeyes is opening this summer, Hotties! I just stopped by to check out the location — it’s still just the bones right now, but this is about to be the littest Popeyes ever!” View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Shade Room (@theshaderoom) Megan Thee Stallion is making major moves—not only is she opening her own Popeyes, but she’s also dropped her highly anticipated new single, “Whatever,” which sets the stage for the third chapter of her MEGAN series, Act III. During a recent TikTok Live, Megan gave fans a glimpse into what they can expect from the upcoming project. She shared that when it comes to collaborations, she’s being intentional. “I only want to do features with artists I haven’t worked with yet, or ones I genuinely listen to in my own time…people I actually f*ck with,” she explained. While she kept most details under wraps, Megan did reveal one name on her collaboration wishlist: Doechii. Responding to fans in the comments, she said, “I love Doechii, b*tch. I do wanna do a song with Doechii. That is on my album wishlist.”

Cardi B has a man! According to the Grammy award-winning rapper, her yet-to-be-identified new beau loves her from “head to toe. During an X (formerly Twitter) Spaces session on Sunday (April 27), Cardi revealed that she his loving her new relationship after splitting from Migos rapper Offset. Cardi B on spaces pt 2 pic.twitter.com/njIcVfj270 — (@BACARDISWAP) April 27, 2025 “It’s been a couple of weeks and I haven’t addressed nothing,” Cardi said.  “Because it’s like… you know when you got a gorgeous ni**a f**king you and loving you from head to toe? It’s like, I don’t really give a f**k what anybody says when you got a real fine ni**a that love you from head to toe,” she continued.  “It’s like, whatever, gorgeous ni**ga, too!” As HOT97 previously reported, the breakup between Cardi B and Offset was very public, with each party taking to social media to air their grievances. Cardi B filed for divorce from Offset in August 2024, following their public separation in December 2023.  Along with sharing the latest from her love life, Cardi also gave her fans an update about her long-awaited sophomore album. Recently, things may have changed after Cardi was spotted dancing with New England Patriots star Stefon Diggs, who is rumored to be her new man, and Offset seemingly approved of Cardi moving on with her life. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Watch Live Bitez (@livebitez) “I’m happy for her !!”, Offset commented on Instagram. “The features on my album are really good,” Cardi explained. “I don’t have a lot of features, but I’m working with artists, some that I have worked before and some that I haven’t worked before. And the ones that I have not worked before, I feel like it’s gonna really, really surprise y’all.”

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.

Megan Thee Stallion is facing allegations from fellow Houston femcee Ivy K, who claims the rapper stole elements from her 2024 song “It’s Whateva” for Megan’s new single, “Whenever.” Ivy went on Instagram Live to accuse Megan’s team of contacting her a month ago but going ahead with a “remix” of her track without her approval or knowledge. In the video, you can hear both songs, which have distinct sounds but share a similar hook: Ivy’s “B***h it’s whatever / He, it’s whatever” and Megan’s “It’s whenever, b***h / It’s whatever, he.” Some fans have pointed out that Khia’s 2008 track “It’s Whatever” could have influenced both songs, suggesting that the hook might be an original sample or interpolation used by both artists, either intentionally or not. The connection seems weak due to the differences in tempo and flow between the tracks. However, if Ivy K can prove that Megan’s team reached out to her, the situation may become more complicated. This isn’t the first time Megan Thee Stallion has been accused of copyright issues. In the past, she has managed to avoid significant repercussions, but Ivy K’s claims could bring more attention to the matter. Meanwhile, Megan is continuing to generate excitement for her upcoming album, although no official release date has been set. She recently mentioned her desire to collaborate with Doechii, saying, “I see Doechii, b***h, I love Doechii,” and expressed a desire to challenge herself by rapping over beats she typically wouldn’t choose. As her legal battles seem to be fading, Megan appears more focused on showcasing her musical skills and consistency.

Kid Cudi has listed his Calabasas estate for $8.5 million—an uptick from the $7.7 million he paid in 2021, signaling a quiet play for profit. Built in 2001, this opulent estate features six bedrooms and eight bathrooms, along with various upscale amenities. Residents can enjoy a private movie theater, a fully equipped gym complete with an adjoining bathroom, a cozy fire pit, a sports court, and a putting green. The backyard is designed for leisure and entertaining, showcasing a lagoon-style pool with a spa and scenic waterfalls. Earlier this month, Kid Cudi gained media attention for his involvement in Pharrell Williams’ digital auction, where he successfully sold a range of personal items for a remarkable total of $857,439. This auction, conducted by Joopiter, Pharrell’s auction house, highlighted an array of sought-after collectibles, including jewelry, apparel, sneakers, and artwork. Cudi’s Auction Blends Rarity, Legacy, and Luxury Among the notable items sold was a custom 14-karat N.E.R.D. pendant created by Jacob & Co., which fetched $243,750, significantly exceeding its estimated value, and a distinctive Ben Baller x Takashi Murakami x Kid Cudi chain that sold for $187,500. Additionally, a pair of coveted Louis Vuitton x Nike Air Force 1 Low sneakers, crafted by the late Virgil Abloh, commanded $82,500. Cudi also sold an eye-catching 18-karat gold chain resembling his likeness, embellished with diamonds, sapphires, and rubies, which received a bid of $43,750. Collectors had the opportunity to acquire a selection of vintage music T-shirts featuring legendary artists like Eminem, Michael Jackson, and Nirvana, further boosting the auction’s attractiveness. In an interview with GQ, Cudi provided insights into his auction experience, stating, “Joopiter has been wanting to do something with me for a while, so I recently reached out to the team and let them know I had some items I was ready to sell, things I’ve gathered throughout my career.” Reflecting on his treasured Michael Jackson T-shirt, he noted, “Anyone who goes vintage shopping in the best spots knows there are countless fantastic Michael Jackson shirts. If you’re a collector, you’re likely to have more than one. It’s quite rare to find them, as they tend to get snapped up quickly, so it took me a while to truly consider parting with this one.”

Ja Rule is an unquestioned legend in hip-hop. The Queens native holds the distinction of being one most successful artists of the 90s and 2000s. Launching his rap career in 1994 with the group Cash Money Click, Ja linked up with Irv Gotti, an up-and-coming producer and mogul at the time, who signed him to Def Jam Records. He made his first solo appearance on Mic Geronimo’s “Time to Build” in 1995, alongside future fellow icons, Jay-Z and DMX. In 1999, Ja released “Holla Holla,” his first hit from his platinum-selling album Venni Vetti Vecci, which was a sign of things to come. His sophomore project, Rule 3:36, debuted at the number of the US Billboard 200, selling more than 276,000 copies in its first week of release as the flagship artist of Murder Inc. Records. Eventually, the album went triple platinum. The smash hits on the album were “Between Me & You” featuring Christina Milian, “Put It on Me” featuring Vita and Lil Mo, and “I Cry” featuring Lil Mo. In 2001, Ja appeared on Jennifer Lopez’s “I’m Real (Murder Remix)”  which held the number one spot on the Billboard 100 for five consecutive weeks. Throughout the 2000s, Ja would release several more chart-topping songs such as  “Living It Up,” “Thug Lovin’,” “Always on Time,” and “Mesmerize,” making him a global superstar. Almost 30 years after his debut in the game, Ja is still in demand all over the world, playing sold-out concerts and festivals. A veteran of the Summer Jam stage, Ja played one of the biggest shows in the history of the event in 2001 and several other shows throughout the years. At Summer Jam 2025, “Ja and Friends” will honor the life and legacy of Irv Gotti, who passed away in February. To catch “Ja on Friends” on stage, make sure you get your tickets to Summer Jam 2025, which will be returning to Newark, New Jersey, at the Prudential Center on Friday, June 20.