Ray J is opening up about the painful reality of missing his son’s birthday and not spending the holiday with his children. The “One Wish” singer and reality TV star is currently unable to have contact with two kids, Melody, 7 and Epik, 5, due to an extended no-contact restraining order involving his estranged wife, Princess Love. The order stemmed from Ray J’s arrest last month after an incident in which he allegedly pointed a gun at Princess during a Thanksgiving livestream.  Ray J was released on $50,000 bail and has denied aiming a weapon at her. With Christmas and the New Year approaching, Ray J says the situation feels especially unfair. The Shade Room shared a video where “Wait A Minute” reacted emotionally when asked about missing time with his kids. “Man, I don’t even want to talk about it,” he said. “I’m missing my kids. I’m missing Christmas, my son’s birthday.” In addition to missing Christmas, he will also be unable to see Epik for his upcoming sixth birthday. The tension between the former couple spilled online during a livestream. Princess confronted her estranged husband in an emotional exchange. In a reaction video, she urged him to seek professional help. “Check yourself into rehab, because you’re more than drunk,” Princess said at the time. “Everything I do, I do for my kids.” Ray J and Princess Love announced their fourth attempt at divorce last year.

Award-winning director Spike Lee’s pregame dinner at Yankee Stadium became a viral spectacle Wednesday after a Yankee fan approached him about Palestine. Lee was dining as the New York Yankees hosted the Boston Red Sox when the encounter unfolded. Video shared online showed the filmmaker becoming visibly agitated. Sports radio host Andy Slater posted footage of the confrontation. He reported that the fan had been recording Lee while he ate. JUST NOW: Spike Lee has to be held back from going after a fan while dining pregame at Yankee Stadium. The fan was filming Spike eating and asked him how he felt about Palestine, according to people closer to them at the table. pic.twitter.com/Lg1vFtiRed — Andy Slater (@AndySlater) September 30, 2026 People seated near the exchange told Slater that the fan raised the subject of Palestine. The short video shows several people moving toward the pair as tensions escalated. No punches are visible in the footage. However, later reports provided additional details about the interaction. The New York Post reported that the fan had approached Lee while seeking a selfie. The person allegedly asked Lee to repeat an offensive statement about Palestine. Award-Winning Director Spike Lee Seen Confronting Yankee Fan Over Alleged Palestine Question The fan was reportedly removed from Yankee Stadium afterward. Representatives for Lee and the Yankees did not respond to requests for comment, according to the newspaper. The video quickly spread across social media. Sports accounts also highlighted Lee’s longtime status as an outspoken New York Knicks fan. Some posts described the encounter as a potential “throw hands” moment. Other reactions criticized the fan’s approach and pointed to Lee’s public support for Palestinians. Lee’s views on the issue have been visible at public events. During February’s NBA All-Star Game, he wore a sweater featuring a keffiyeh-inspired design and Palestinian flag imagery. Lee later said his clothing reflected concern for Palestinian children and civilians. He also cited human dignity when discussing his position. Still, the Yankee Stadium video provides only a partial account of Wednesday’s encounter. It captures Lee’s reaction but does not show everything that preceded the confrontation. The incident highlights how quickly private interactions involving celebrities can become public. A fan’s cellphone recording can reach millions before those involved provide their accounts. Neither Lee nor the Yankees has released a detailed statement about the incident. The circumstances surrounding the confrontation remain based largely on the video and published reports.

Jim Jones sits down to talk about the upcoming “Let’s Rap About It” Sneaker Ball Gala, hip-hop fashion, Wale’s emotional industry confession, and the legendary Dipset vs. The Lox Verzuz battle. In this interview, Jim Jones covers: The Let’s Rap About It Gala — The 1-year anniversary pod gala (sneaker ball edition) on October 10th. Dress up, stay fresh, and throw on exclusive kicks.Hip-hop fashion rankings — Jim names who’s really fresh in the game, from Fabolous to Lil Baby to Peezy. Wale’s viral Twitter rant — Wale opened up about the toll the music industry takes on artists. Jim gives his take: “He needs therapy,” but also relates to the struggle of staying creative, losing friends, and dealing with criticism.The Lox vs. Dipset Verzuz at Madison Square Garden — Jim breaks down why the planned Lox/Dipset tour never happened, calling Cam’ron a “hater and a sore loser” who snubbed the tour after the Verzuz loss. He also recalls catching COVID at the Garden and calls the event one of the most iconic moments in hip-hop history. The five P’s — “Proper preparation prevents poor performance.” Jim tips his hat to The Lox for being ready.

Colin Kaepernick can officially add another accomplishment to his résumé. The former San Francisco 49ers quarterback’s new memoir, “The Perilous Fight,” debuted at No. 1 on The New York Times Best Sellers list. The book landed atop the hardcover nonfiction rankings following its Sept. 15 release. Kaepernick celebrated the news on social media shortly after the ranking was announced. “#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER,” Kaepernick wrote. He also thanked readers who purchased the memoir and attended stops during his book tour.’ “It’s been a long time coming,” he wrote. The achievement comes a decade after Kaepernick’s national anthem protest became one of the biggest stories in professional sports. “The Perilous Fight” was published by Legacy Lit, an imprint of Hachette Book Group. Journalist and author Nick Chiles collaborated with Kaepernick on the memoir. The 288-page book traces Kaepernick’s childhood, football career and evolution as an activist. It also revisits his controversial departure from professional football. An audiobook version is narrated by Kaepernick and was released alongside the hardcover and e-book editions. Kaepernick tells his story in his own words Kaepernick entered the NFL after the San Francisco 49ers selected him in the second round of the 2011 draft. He eventually became the team’s starting quarterback and helped lead San Francisco to Super Bowl XLVII. However, his career took a dramatic turn during the 2016 NFL preseason. Kaepernick initially sat during the national anthem to protest racial injustice and police violence against Black Americans. He later began kneeling after discussing his protest with former NFL player and Green Beret Nate Boyer. The demonstration sparked a national debate surrounding race, policing, patriotism and athletes using their platforms for social causes. Kaepernick has not played in an NFL regular-season game since the 2016 season. In “The Perilous Fight,” he provides his perspective on the events surrounding his protest and subsequent exit from the league. The memoir also explores the experiences that influenced his political and social awareness. Kaepernick writes about being adopted by white parents and navigating predominantly white environments while growing up. He also discusses his growing interest in Black history and racial justice. His reading included “The Autobiography of Malcolm X,” which became influential in the development of his worldview. Kaepernick also addresses several high-profile moments that followed his protest. That includes his relationship with the NFL and his disagreements with some prominent figures in sports and entertainment. A new chapter beyond football “The Perilous Fight” arrives as Kaepernick continues building projects outside professional football. He founded Know Your Rights Camp, an organization focused on education and empowerment for Black and brown youth. His other ventures include Kaepernick Publishing and Kaepernick Media. Kaepernick previously expanded his story into television with Netflix’s “Colin in Black & White.” The scripted limited series examined his teenage years and experiences surrounding race and identity. His newest project gives readers a more extensive account directly from his perspective. The memoir also arrives roughly 10 years after his protest first drew widespread national attention. Kaepernick has continued discussing the decision during interviews surrounding the book’s release. He told Time that he intentionally avoided becoming the only voice associated with the movement after leaving football. Kaepernick said he wanted other athletes and activists to have room to speak. Now, readers appear eager to hear more of his own story. With “The Perilous Fight” reaching No. 1, Kaepernick’s story has found a sizable audience beyond the football field.

Decades after dropping a hip-hop classic, Pusha T and Pharrell Williams are channeling their unmatched Virginia synergy into a whole new hustle. The legendary pair officially launched Grindin Coffee in New York City. For the launch, they teamed up with historic Italian roaster Lavazza for a high-end lifestyle play, Vibe reports. Fusing street culture, custom blends, and studio-honed precision, the launch proves their iconic drive hits just as hard in a cup as it does on a beat.  “Pusha and I have been building together since the beginning,” Williams said in a statement. “It has always been about intention and focus. Coffee has always been part of that discipline. It has been in the room with us when we create. Now it has a name.” Pusha T says Grindin stems from their relentless creative work ethic, where studio late nights and early mornings were powered by coffee.  “P and I were waking up really early. Like 5 a.m. early,” said Pusha. “That was our routine. Alarm goes off at 5, we’re up, and the first thing we’re doing is black coffee or the strongest espresso we can find. That’s how we were working. That was the fuel. We’d be in the studio creating, locked in, just grinding. And then from there we’d go ride twenty-five miles on the bike. That was the whole rhythm: create, move, create again. Coffee was part of that whole cycle.” View this post on Instagram On Monday (Sept. 14), Williams. Pusha, and Lavazza were present for the unveiling of Grindin to the public at dual launch events in New York City. Attendees enjoyed their first tastes of the coffee. The first event took place at Ludlow House, while a second party at Time Again brought together Questlove, DJ Kast One, Hxlt, and more, helping celebrate the special occasion.  “Our whole rhythm is create, move, create again. Great coffee is a part of that cycle,” Pusha T said in a statement. “Grindin Coffee is for people who are doing something. People who are moving. People who wake up and attack the day. It’s not about sipping and easing into the morning. It’s about ignition.” 

BET Digital’s shift toward video is drawing attention after written news articles reportedly disappeared from BET.com. HuffPost Deputy Editor Philip Lewis reported Friday that BET Digital removed its digital news archive. The change followed BET’s decision to prioritize video across its redesigned platform. “BET Digital has permanently removed all its digital news articles from its website to ‘prioritize video content,’ I’m told,” Lewis wrote. “Years of news articles are now gone forever. Some writers were able to save their stories; some weren’t.” BET Digital has permanently removed all its digital news articles from its website to ‘prioritize video content,’ I’m told. Years of news articles are now gone forever. Some writers were able to save their stories; some weren’t pic.twitter.com/aM1gt63obD — philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) September 4, 2026 Orchid Richardson, the network’s senior vice president of digital, previously outlined the company’s new direction. “We’re leading with video, and we’re putting community storytellers at the center of BET News,” Richardson said. The redesigned BET.com now directs visitors to video content through its established news section. YouTube also features prominently across the platform. BET.com highlights video series, television programming, Paramount+ titles and digital shows. The company said its August relaunch would make content easier to access. BET Digital Erases BET.com News Archive To Shift To Video Reports BET also said the new experience would reduce text-heavy browsing. Audiences would instead find quicker access to videos, events, premieres and social content. However, the announcement did not detail the fate of the platform’s previous written journalism. That has become a key concern following the reported archive removal. Black Entertainment Television launched in 1980 and developed a longstanding role in documenting Black entertainment and culture. Its digital newsroom later expanded that coverage across news, music and cultural reporting. The disappearance of archived stories could affect readers, researchers and journalists. It could also leave writers without accessible records of their published work. Lewis reported that some writers saved copies of their articles. Others were unable to preserve their work before its removal. The Paramount+ company has not publicly explained whether the stories remain stored internally. The company also has not indicated whether the archive could return. The network is simultaneously expanding its multimedia journalism efforts. BET Digital announced a Community Reporting Initiative following the BET.com relaunch. The program seeks journalists in several U.S. markets. Its focus is original video reporting from journalists working within the communities they cover. The strategy reflects a broader shift toward digital video news consumption. Still, the platform’s transformation raises a question beyond its new format. What happens to the journalism that helped document Black culture when the digital record disappears?

A Dallas County, Texas, jury convicted Kewon White of capital murder Friday in the killing of late rapper MO3, delivering the first verdict against a defendant accused in the 2020 murder-for-hire case. White was sentenced to life in prison without parole after jurors deliberated for slightly more than three hours. Prosecutors alleged White was the gunman who fatally shot MO3, whose legal name was Melvin Noble, during a daytime pursuit near Interstate 35E in Dallas. State of TX v. @Yellabeezy214: Deliberations have concluded at 8:07 PM in the State of TX v. Kewon White (@fgc_banzzobling), with Judge Chika Anyiam presiding. The jury unanimously find Kewon White GUILTY of Capital Mur for the November 11, 2020 mur of rapper Mo3 (@mo3_badazz)… pic.twitter.com/bxN2c4BA2A — Bryson “Boom” Paul (@brysonboompaul) September 5, 2026 The verdict followed the close of evidence Friday afternoon. Both the prosecution and defense rested their cases before jurors began deliberations. Prosecutors accused White of pursuing Noble on foot after the rapper abandoned his vehicle. Noble was then shot and killed in November 2020. The homicide became a high-profile case in Dallas, particularly within the city’s hip-hop community. Noble had established a national following through his music and collaborations before his death. White is the first of three defendants accused in Noble’s killing to stand trial. Prosecutors have alleged the men participated in a murder-for-hire scheme targeting the rapper. Kewon White, Rapper Mo3’s Killer, Found Guilty Of Capital Murder The state’s case identified White as the alleged shooter. His conviction establishes the first criminal judgment stemming from the prosecution’s broader allegations surrounding Noble’s death. After the guilty verdict, the court imposed a life sentence without the possibility of parole. White’s conviction and sentence remain subject to any post-verdict challenges available under Texas law. The remaining defendants have yet to face trial. Their cases could shed additional light on prosecutors’ allegations regarding the alleged plot and the events leading to Noble’s death. Noble’s killing has remained a closely followed Dallas criminal case since 2020. Friday’s verdict marks a significant development in the prosecution’s effort to hold those accused responsible. For White, the verdict brings the first trial in the case to a conclusion. For Noble’s family, friends and fans, it represents the first courtroom judgment in the killing of the Dallas rapper.

Jordyn Woods is firing back at social media critics who questioned why Jaden Smith played such a prominent role in her recent wedding to NBA star Karl-Anthony Towns. Woods, 28, took to TikTok on Aug. 29 to address the online chatter with a heartfelt tribute to her lifelong friendship with the “Karate Kid” actor. The controversy began following the couple’s Aug. 15 nuptials in Malibu, where fans noticed Smith’s presence at several intimate events. Social media users questioned why the rapper was photographed with the bridesmaids at the bridal shower and seen assisting Towns with his wardrobe before the ceremony. “Why is Jaden with all of the girls? And at the bridal shower? And helping Karl with his shoes?” Woods wrote over a video montage of the festivities. She provided a succinct response to the inquiries: “Because he’s never missed an important moment in my life.” The video montage showcased the depth of their bond, featuring photos of the pair from infancy through adulthood. Woods explained that her relationship with Smith began when they were toddlers, largely because her late father, John Woods, worked as a sound engineer on “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.” Woods credited Smith with being a consistent source of support, particularly during the most difficult periods of her life. She noted that he was by her side during her father’s funeral and was the first person she called after Towns proposed on Christmas Day 2025. “I’m so lucky I’ve never had to know a life without our friendship,” Woods wrote in her caption, calling Smith the “epitome of a day ONE.” https://www.tiktok.com/@jordynwoods/photo/7679544609420184863?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=7587117011193873951 Beyond their personal history, Smith had a professional reason for being heavily involved in the groom’s preparations. Recently named the first men’s creative director for Maison Christian Louboutin, Smith personally designed a custom pair of size-20 red-bottomed shoes for Towns, the New York Knicks center. Smith shared his own tribute on Instagram, posting photos of him helping Towns put on the custom footwear. “My Best Friend Got Married And I Made Karl Size 20 Red Bottoms,” Smith wrote. “Jordyn I Love You So Much. Congratulations Karl I Love You Bro.” While Smith was not an official member of the bridal party, Woods made it clear that his presence was non-negotiable. She concluded her post by expressing her excitement for the future, joking that she cannot wait to return the favor at Smith’s own wedding one day.

Soca legend Machel Montano celebrated more than four decades of music and Caribbean culture in Brooklyn over the weekend with a private preview of Journey of a Soca King: The Exhibition. The special event, held at the Brooklyn Public Library’s Central Library on August 22, brought out Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke, other elected officials, Montano’s family and friends, members of the media and Brooklyn Public Library executives. The exhibition, presented by Brooklyn Public Library and created by the Machel Montano Foundation for Greatness, gives fans a closer look at Montano’s journey from a seven-year-old performer in Trinidad and Tobago to one of the most recognizable names in Soca music worldwide. Guests were able to explore pieces from throughout Montano’s career, including costumes, trophies, vinyl records and other archival items that highlight his impact on Caribbean music and culture. The exhibit also tells a larger story about the growth of Soca, showcasing how the genre evolved from its Trinidad and Tobago roots into a global movement heard at festivals, celebrations and Carnival events around the world. The timing is especially fitting for Brooklyn, which is home to a major Caribbean community and is gearing up for New York’s annual Carnival celebrations. Montano’s mother and longtime manager, Elizabeth “Lady” Montano, has also played a major role in preserving that history. As a leader of the Machel Montano Foundation for Greatness, she has helped maintain her son’s extensive archive while continuing the foundation’s work in education, mentorship and cultural preservation. Machel Montano’s career dates back to 1982, when he first began performing at seven years old. More than 40 years later, his music and influence continue to help push Soca onto stages around the world. Journey of a Soca King: The Exhibition is now open to the public at the Brooklyn Public Library’s Central Library and will remain on display through September 12, 2026.

TNA Wrestling is partnering with REVOLT to bring exclusive matches and special events to REVOLT and REVOLT SPORTS this fall. Accoring to news release, audiences will gain access to exclusive action alongside premium highlights from TNA’s 24-year vault.  “Our industry spends a lot of time trying to predict where culture is going. At REVOLT, we pay attention to the people moving culture,” said Deon Graham, chief content officer of REVOLT and its parent company, Offscript Worldwide. “Hip Hop and wrestling have been connected for decades through storytelling, larger-than-life characters, and community. That’s exactly why this partnership with TNA feels so natural.”  “We’re excited to partner with REVOLT to further expand TNA’s worldwide reach,” TNA Wrestling President Carlos Silva added. Currently TNA’s roster includes World Champion Nic Nemeth and World Tag Team champions Matt and Jeff Hardy, collectively known as The Hardys. Also, Indi Hartwell, Moose, A.J. Francis, Leon Slater, Cedric Alexander, and Ricky Sosa.  Founded in 2002 by Jeff and Jerry Jarrett, TNA emerged to fill the vacuum left by the closures of WCW and ECW Initially operating via weekly pay-per-views aligned with the National Wrestling Alliance, Panda Energy acquired a controlling interest, paving the way for the company’s signature television show, TNA Impact!, which launched in 2004. The promotion gained a massive cult following on Spike TV starting in 2005.  THE HISTORY OF TNA WRESTLING During its golden era, TNA carved out a unique identity. It featured its iconic six-sided ring, high-flying X-Division matches, and a trailblazing Knockouts women’s division. Homegrown talent like AJ Styles, Samoa Joe, and Christopher Daniels alongside established superstars like Kurt Angle and Sting.  A high-risk pivot in 2010 under the direction of Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff—attempting to challenge WWE head-to-head on Monday nights—led to creative instability and severe financial strain. Following years of ownership turmoil, channel moves, and a prolonged rebrand to Impact Wrestling, Anthem Sports & Entertainment acquired the company in 2017, stabilizing its operations before officially restoring the historic TNA Wrestling moniker in 2024 to solidify its place as a enduring mainstay in professional wrestling.