Drake has never hidden where his artistic instincts lead him: toward women and toward the nightlife spaces where their energy sets the tone. That perspective anchors Magic City: An American Fantasy, a new docuseries he both produced and appears in. The project explores the cultural weight of Atlanta’s storied strip club while offering Drake a platform to explain how it shaped his sound and sensibility. In the series, he casts his music as less an abstraction than a tribute. “I make my music for those girls,” he says, underscoring his devotion to the women who bring those spaces to life. For him, strip clubs are not just backdrops but creative engines—environments that fueled some of his most enduring songs. His choice to embrace that influence, despite predictable judgments, reflects both intent and self-assurance. That confidence extends to his public image. When pressed about his romantic life, Drake shrugged off the fascination with a laugh, a gesture that conveys ease rather than evasion. His response signals not secrecy but a determination to define the narrative on his own terms. Confronting the Critics Drake has been equally blunt about how his music is received. In a recent exchange with Bobbi Althoff, he argued that reviews of his albums often feel orchestrated. “When I’m dropping an album, they have phone calls deciding what stance so-and-so is gonna take within the first hour,” he said, suggesting that criticism can be prearranged rather than rooted in genuine listening. The remark speaks to a larger reality: in today’s music economy, pushback can be as engineered as acclaim, designed to generate clicks as much as critique. For Drake, that only sharpens his focus on the listeners he has always prioritized. Conclusion Through Magic City, Drake presents himself not just as a hitmaker but as a chronicler of the spaces and communities that shaped him. His blend of defiance and devotion—toward women, nightlife, and authenticity—remains central to his longevity in a culture quick to question and quicker to judge. Drake speaks on making music for women and not caring about what another artist has to say: “I care so little about another artist that someone might respect not liking my music. I don’t give a fuck. Maybe that’s why I’ve been here so long” pic.twitter.com/1y4jlCLsAb — ALMIGHTEE. (@realalmightee) September 12, 2025

In a business where rivalries often seize the spotlight, DJ Khaled is working to push a different storyline—one built on connection and shared growth. Throughout his career, the producer has cast himself as a bridge-builder, even when tensions flare among hip-hop’s most recognizable names. That role came back into focus during a recent conversation with Fat Joe and Jadakiss, when Khaled weighed in on disputes involving Drake, Rick Ross, and Future. Earlier this year, Drake found himself caught in public friction with both Future and Rick Ross. Khaled acknowledged the rift but chose not to fan the flames, instead emphasizing the need for unity. “I’m the one out of the crew that always says ‘Yo, we don’t need that.’ We need to come together, we need love… concurrently, we must ensure that financial opportunities are not hindered.” He added, “Those are my brothers; my friendships are unquestionable,” underscoring his loyalty to all three artists. The clip quickly spread on Instagram, drawing a mix of reactions. Many praised Khaled for promoting peace, but others accused him of sidestepping weightier issues. Some pointed to his silence on global conflicts such as the war in Gaza, with one commenter joking that Khaled appeared wary of being challenged on subjects beyond music. A Longstanding Partnership with Drak Khaled’s creative bond with Drake has been one of the defining threads of his catalog. Together, they’ve produced radio fixtures like I’m On One, No New Friends, and For Free, collaborations that helped cement their chemistry. Recently, Khaled revealed that Drake would appear on two songs from his forthcoming album, Aalam of God. But after Drake responded playfully on Instagram, Khaled deleted the post—leaving fans intrigued and the details deliberately vague. That ambiguity has only fueled anticipation. In August, Khaled dropped two singles from the project: “Brother,” featuring NBA Youngboy and Post Malone, and “You Remind Me,” a dancehall-inspired track with Vybz Kartel, Buju Banton, Bounty Killer, Mavado, RoryStoneLove, and Kaylan Arnold. The album will be Khaled’s first since 2022’s God Did, a release he has framed as one of his most ambitious undertakings yet. DJ Khaled speaks on remaining neutral during rap beefs, instead focusing on unity and positivity: “I’m the one out of the crew that always says ‘Yo, we don’t need that.’ We need to come together, we need love… At the same time, we don’t wanna slow up the money.” “I love… pic.twitter.com/sWeDGa1r45 — HotNewHipHop (@HotNewHipHop) September 11, 2025

GloRilla is asking a federal court in Louisiana to dismiss a copyright lawsuit that claims she borrowed a viral phrase for her song “Never Find.” The motion, filed alongside UMG Recordings, Warner Chappell Music, and BMG Rights Management, argues that the phrase “no BBL” is too short and common to be legally protected. The suit was brought by Natalie Henderson, also known as Slimdabodylast. Henderson’s complaint centers on her song “All Natural,” which features the lyrics “all naturale, no BBL.” She says her track gained traction on social media in early 2024 for celebrating natural bodies. Henderson contends that GloRilla’s lyric—“Natural, no BBL, but I’m still gon’ give them hell”—is strikingly similar and that the rapper and her collaborators have profited from her original work. GloRilla’s legal team challenges the lawsuit on multiple fronts. They argue Henderson cannot prove that GloRilla had access to her song. Posting a track online, they say, does not meet the legal standard for establishing access. Courts typically require evidence that a work has been widely distributed or commercially successful, which they claim Henderson’s song does not satisfy. The defense also disputes any substantial similarity between the two tracks. Henderson’s phrase appears repeatedly as a hook, while GloRilla’s line is used once in a different context with a distinct rhyme. The lawyers point out that expressions like “give them hell” are common across music and do not constitute copying. Additionally, GloRilla’s team questions whether Henderson can claim both statutory and actual damages and says she has not demonstrated infringement sufficient to warrant an injunction. They also argue that phrases celebrating natural bodies are common in other recent songs and do not meet the originality required for copyright protection. The motion asks the court to dismiss the case entirely, stating that viral expressions, even popular ones, cannot automatically be treated as intellectual property.

Young Thug is under fire after alleged leaked comments targeting some of hip hop’s biggest names, including J. Cole, André 3000, GloRilla, Kendrick Lamar, and Gucci Mane. The controversy comes as he navigates legal troubles and a snitching scandal, adding more heat to an already complicated situation. Young Thug calls out J Cole & Andre 3000 in a new leaked jail call. Compares J Cole w Youngboy NBA : “You have never in your life sold more records than this boy…Fuck is you thinking?” “…man niggas don’t like y’all music either, niggas don’t want that shit to come out..” pic.twitter.com/J4stVLi44f — GUNNA DAILY (@Gunnnaupdates) September 5, 2025 A clip shared on Twitter reportedly captures Young Thug criticizing J. Cole and André 3000. In the conversation, he questioned why J. Cole had not collaborated with rising artists. “YB the biggest artist in the world on YouTube. Why wouldn’t J. Cole do a song with him?” he allegedly said. He went on to call out artists for avoiding collaborations, explaining, “Like, come on, bruh. You ain’t never in your life sold more records than this boy, this young n***a. F**k is you thinking? Like, tripping. N***a just be on that, ‘Oh, I don’t like your music. I ain’t doing no music with you.’ Man, n****s don’t like y’all n****s’ music either. Ain’t nobody really like that st you’re talking about. N***as just want to do songs, it’s the game we in. It ain’t no Atlanta Falcons ain’t playing the Miami Dolphins because they don’t like the Dolphins. Man, we playing everybody. It’s the sport we in.” He also targeted André 3000 for not mentoring or supporting younger artists. “André 3000, you’re one of the biggest artists in the world. You became one of the biggest artists in the world. But you ain’t help nobody. You ain’t put nobody on. Now you vintage. Now you goddamn can’t put out a song and go top 50. You see what I’m saying? You put a song out right now, you can’t even go top 50. But you were the biggest artist in the entire world at one point. But you ain’t put nobody on, though. You ain’t did nothing. Ain’t no na saying they got a career off of you. Like, y’all n****s ain’t help nobody. All that cap rap s**t, that rap s**t don’t mean nothing. In 10, 15 years, that s**t don’t mean nothing.” Thug has also been criticized for mocking GloRilla, prompting her response on social media. He later apologized on Twitter, but fans are still waiting to see if he will address the larger controversy surrounding these alleged comments.

Kanye West is once again navigating legal challenges. This time, attention is focused on his 2022 project, Donda 2, which has drawn scrutiny from copyright holders over the use of a particular track. Billboard reports that West is facing a federal copyright infringement lawsuit for allegedly sampling soul singer Sam Dees’ 1975 song “Just Out Of My Reach” without permission. Filed September 4 by The GRC Trust on behalf of Ginn Music Group, an Atlanta-based publisher that controls Dees’ catalog, the suit centers on West’s collaboration with Vory, titled “LORD LIFT ME UP.” A comparison of the two songs reveals a marked similarity, especially in the opening seconds of Dees’ original, which West reportedly loops throughout the 2-minute, 10-second track. The suit names not only West and Vory—whose full name is Tavoris Javon Hollins—but also Yeezy LLC, highlighting the business entities tied to the release. Implications for Collaborators The lawsuit further implicates Kano Computing and its founder, Alex Klein, responsible for developing the Stem Player, the exclusive platform for streaming Donda 2. The filing asserts, “At no point did defendants obtain authorization from GRC to use the composition in connection with the infringing work. Defendants continue to exploit and receive profits from the infringing work, thereby violating GRC’s rights in this composition.” The GRC Trust is seeking both a court injunction and monetary restitution, demanding “all profits of defendants… plus all losses of GRC, plus any other monetary advantage gained by the defendants through their infringement.” The case underscores the increasing legal scrutiny artists face when sampling classic material, especially within projects distributed on unconventional platforms. The dispute coincides with anticipation surrounding West’s upcoming documentary, In Whose Name?, set to debut in select theaters. Developed over more than a year, the film examines pivotal moments in West’s life from 2018 to 2024, including his divorce from Kim Kardashian and his controversial remarks regarding antisemitism, offering an intimate look at the intersection of his personal struggles and artistic ambitions.

In hip-hop’s shifting landscape, Jay-Z still stands as one of its most enduring figures. His last solo album, 4:44, was released in 2017 to critical acclaim, but new remarks from producer Cash Cobain have stirred speculation that fresh music from the Brooklyn rapper may be on the horizon. Appearing on Billboard Unfiltered Live, Cobain suggested Jay-Z has new material in the works—music, he said, that could “shake the world.” Cobain did not hold back in praising Jay-Z’s stature in New York rap, calling him the undisputed king. “The king of New York is Jay-Z. It’s Jay-Z. Multi-platinum albums and president of Def Jam. He’s like the richest rapper, right? What didn’t he do?” he said. He added, “I heard Jay-Z is about to drop some sh*t that’s gonna shake the world. That’s what I heard.” His comments have only intensified speculation that a comeback may be underway. Hints of new music have already ignited a wave of reactions online. On X, formerly Twitter, fans voiced both humor and anticipation. “If Jay Z get on a cash beat ima really be weak but ima def need front row seats too,” one user wrote. Another suggested the resurgence of creativity in the genre—highlighted by the Clipse’s recent Let God Sort Em Out—could be pushing Jay-Z back to the studio. “THIS BETTER BE TRUE,” one fan declared, capturing the broader sense of expectation. 4:44 marked reflection—his next move could reshape rap Jay-Z’s most recent solo release, 4:44, entered the Billboard 200 at No. 1 with 262,000 album-equivalent units and was nominated for Album of the Year at the Grammys. Beyond its commercial impact, the record was celebrated for its candor, with songs like “The Story of OJ” marking one of Jay-Z’s most introspective turns. The Billboard segment also featured Zeddy Will, who named Nicki Minaj as New York’s reigning queen. “Her fanbase is still crazy to this day, and she got all the hit records. The numbers don’t lie,” he said, pointing to her back-to-back sold-out shows at Madison Square Garden. For Jay-Z, expectation is nothing new. If Cobain’s prediction proves true, his return would not only mark a new release but also add another chapter to a career that has long shaped hip-hop’s narrative. “I heard Jay-Z is about to drop some shit thats gonna shake the world that’s what I heard” -Cash Cobain pic.twitter.com/71y4Fcb1FS — Ahmed/The Ears/IG: BigBizTheGod (@big_business_) September 4, 2025

Lil Baby is preparing to release his long-awaited album, The Leaks, due Friday, September 5. The project arrives after a short delay from its original August 15 date, a postponement that has only added to the buildup. With features from Playboi Carti, Young Thug, and Lil Yachty, the Atlanta rapper is leaning on familiar collaborators to anchor what may be his most discussed release in years. The 17-song tracklist stretches wide, pulling in G Herbo, LUCKI, Veeze, Rylo Rodriguez, and Skooly. On the production side, Lil Baby has enlisted an equally heavy roster—Wheezy, Murda Beatz, TM88, and BabyWave among them—a lineup that all but guarantees a range of sounds. For the rapper, The Leaks serves as both an archival release and a chance to fold once-unfinished tracks into his official catalog. Lil Baby Turns ‘Leaks’ into a Statement Much of the conversation around the album has unfolded online, where fans have long circulated snippets of these songs. On Reddit, the idea of reclaiming leaked material has been met with enthusiasm. “It’s refreshing to see an artist embrace their unreleased material—there’s no revenue in songs that stay hidden away. As a devoted fan of Lil Baby, I’ve been enjoying many of these leaks unofficially for years,” one commenter wrote. Another pointed to “Get Along,” a posse cut featuring Lil Yachty, LUCKI, and Veeze, adding, “Track 14 has immense potential; it’s great to see a mainstream posse cut making its way into the spotlight.” The rollout, however, hasn’t been free of speculation. On the track “Otha Boy,” listeners anticipate thinly veiled jabs at Gunna and Offset, with lyrics rumored to reference Gunna’s fitness regimen. Whether those rivalries surface directly or not, the breadth of the project suggests Lil Baby is aiming to balance sharp-tongued bars with crowd-pleasing anthems. And this release may only be the beginning. In a recent live stream with PlaqueBoyMax, he confirmed more music is already lined up. “I’m actually dropping two albums, though. I’m dropping another album, like, four weeks after that, something like that. I wasn’t even planning on releasing this one,” he said—a signal that The Leaks could mark the start of an unusually prolific stretch. View this post on Instagram A post shared by @lilbaby

Montell Jordan’s music defined a generation. His 1995 debut single, “This Is How We Do It,” stormed the Billboard Hot 100 and became an anthem of celebration, still played nearly 30 years later. With follow-up hits such as “Somethin’ 4 da Honeyz” and “Let’s Ride,” Jordan secured his place in 1990s R&B. Though he later stepped away from mainstream stardom, his voice and songs never faded from memory. Now, Jordan’s story carries new significance. The singer recently revealed he battled cancer in private and has been cancer-free for one year. The announcement came not from a publicist, but during an intimate live performance at rapper LaRussell’s home in Vallejo, Calif. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Flavor Fest (@flavorfest) What began as a nostalgic evening of R&B turned into a testimony of endurance. Fans who once celebrated milestones with his music now witnessed his revelation as a declaration of faith and survival. Jordan explained that he chose to wait until the one-year mark to share his diagnosis. The decision reflected both caution and conviction. By speaking from a position of recovery, he sought to inspire hope rather than worry. His message underscored a painful truth: cancer affects nearly every family, whether through personal illness or the struggles of loved ones. Jordan’s disclosure resonated because it reflected the collective experience of resilience in the face of disease. The news sparked immediate reaction online. Fans praised his transparency, calling his survival a “testament to perseverance.” In recent years, more artists have chosen to open up about serious health challenges once kept private. Jordan’s story falls within this larger cultural shift toward vulnerability, breaking down barriers between artist and audience. His openness created a connection, reminding listeners that even music icons are not insulated from life’s harshest trials. With his recovery intact, Jordan now enters a new chapter that expands beyond his chart-topping success. His concerts and appearances carry a deeper weight, uniting his artistry with his testimony. His journey affirms that illness does not erase identity—it refines it. For Montell Jordan, the story has moved beyond 1990s nostalgia. It continues as a powerful narrative of survival, faith and renewal.

Solange reveals that while she wasn’t too confident as a songwriter in her early career days, Beyoncé never doubted her talent. On Friday (Aug.29), an X user named @PopCulture2000s shared a short clip of the music video for Beyoncé’s “Why Don’t You Love Me?” The track, which was released in 2008, appears on her third studio album, I Am…Sasha Fierce. The “Don’t Touch My Hair” singer, who is credited as a writer on the track, quoted the post, writing, “omggg tyyyy to my goat for trusting my penn way back whenn.” According to Solange, the track was created on a “very, very angsty day.” She added: “No one could have made it bang like my big sisss.” omggg tyyyy to my goat for trusting my penn way back whenn wrote this on a vry vry angsty day fed tf uppp lol and no one could have made it bang like my big sisss https://t.co/XoooHKAY8K — solange knowles (@solangeknowles) August 29, 2025 Back in May, Solange showed love to another one of her “goats,” Mariah Carey, by producing a dreamy, chopped-and-screwed remix of Carey’s 2006 single “Say Somethin’” to celebrate the 20th anniversary reissue of The Emancipation of Mimi. Ahead of the release, Solange shared her excitement on Instagram Stories, posting a throwback interview clip where she once said she had plenty of songs she’d love for Mariah to sing, if ever given the chance. She followed that up with a heartfelt note of appreciation, writing: “I love uuuu so much mom @mariahcarey tyyy so muchhh,” alongside a video of herself dancing to the track. The full Emancipation of Mimi (20th Anniversary Edition) package included more than just Solange’s remix. Fans were also treated to a Kaytranada rework, which dropped in April, and an unreleased song called “When I Feel It.”

Wale recently revealed what rappers would made his all-time list. During a conversation held at Soho Works in Brooklyn as part of the PLLRS series, presented by Little Engine Media, the Grammy-nominated rapper, accompanied by his longtime manager, Kazz Laidlaw, Wale shared his favorite MCs.  “Mt. Rushmore is a racist thing…” Wale told host Keith Nelson Jr., “But…my favorite rappers? Jay-Z. Black Thought. Lil Wayne. J. Cole.” He also listed AZ as an influence who is “super important.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by PLLRS (@thepllrs) Elsewhere in the interview, Wale also shared that the lack of support by Atlantic Records for his early Afrobeats collaborations was almost detrimental to his career. “I think it hurt me to my people a little bit. They couldn’t understand why these songs weren’t getting promoted. There’s a whole generation of people who don’t even know that I did it,” Wale explained. “A lot of these Gen Z kids don’t know that I took Wizkid to his first BET Awards. They don’t know we have about nine songs together. It was detrimental because Shine was my worst-selling album.” A known sneakerhead, Kazz spoke about how Wale was one of the first rappers to wear Anthony Edwards’s AE1 shoe on “Damage Control.” “Last year, after the AE’s, I think we caused a little bit of a storm for them. Ant was super appreciative of it, so he and his A&R approached me at the beginning of the year, like, ‘We have to get him on this album.’” He also shared his plans to develop his own signature sneaker line. “We’re going to have to draw a line at some point. We’re going to see. Hopefully it goes one way, but if it goes the other way, then it’s going to go the other way,” Wale said. “Something good is going to happen. I’m leaving here with something.”