Fat Joe has initiated a defamation lawsuit against his former hypeman, Terrance “T.A.” Dixon, alleging a calculated attempt to extort him through false and damaging public accusations. Filed in New York, the suit contends that Dixon, after failing to secure additional compensation, resorted to disseminating unfounded claims on social media, including a serious allegation that Fat Joe transported a minor across state lines for sexual purposes. These assertions were accompanied by a photo featuring Joe alongside Diddy and DJ Khaled, insinuating broader misconduct.​ Sloppy Joe’s ghost writer is speaking out along with former employee. This is nasty work. pic.twitter.com/Pm9wSDeYOG — IG: RahiemShabazz (@rahiemshabazz) December 29, 2024 According to the complaint, Dixon’s attorney, Tyrone Blackburn, is implicated in orchestrating this alleged smear campaign. Blackburn, known for representing clients in high-profile cases, has faced judicial scrutiny for his litigation tactics. In a separate matter, U.S. District Judge Denise Cote referred Blackburn to the Southern District of New York’s Grievance Committee, citing a pattern of filing lawsuits aimed more at attracting media attention than seeking justice. Fat Joe’s legal team, led by attorney Joe Tacopina, argues that Dixon’s claims are not only baseless but also part of a broader scheme to damage Joe’s reputation and coerce a financial settlement. Tacopina emphasized that Joe will not be intimidated by what he describes as fabricated allegations and is committed to exposing the purported extortion attempt.​ The lawsuit also details the history between Fat Joe and Dixon, noting that their professional relationship began in 2006 and ended amicably in 2019. It wasn’t until years later, according to the suit, that Dixon began demanding additional compensation, claiming uncredited contributions as a “ghostwriter” and escalating to public defamation when those demands were not met.​ As the case unfolds, it highlights the complexities of legal disputes in the entertainment industry, where personal relationships and public personas often intersect, leading to contentious and highly publicized legal battles.

Nelly is choosing optimism as Donald Trump faces historically low approval ratings. At the 100-day mark, Trump’s rating hovered around 41%—the lowest for any president in over 70 years. The backlash began when Nelly performed at Trump’s inauguration. The St. Louis rapper defended his choice, saying, “He’s the president — he won,” and framed it as respect for the office, not an endorsement. View this post on Instagram A post shared by TMZ (@tmz_tv) At the Stagecoach Festival, he doubled down. “I’m always looking at the glass half full,” he told Fox News. “I believe in bringing people together and making sure we all get what we need.” Not everyone was convinced. During a Grammy afterparty hosted by Anderson .Paak, Janelle Monáe freestyled over “Hot In Herre,” condemning Nelly’s appearance at the inauguration. In a clip that went viral, she called him a sellout and voiced support for marginalized communities. In a later interview with Geto Boys legend Willie D, Nelly insisted his appearance wasn’t about money. “I’m not campaigning,” he said. “I respect the office, no matter who’s in it.” He likened his performance to the duty of U.S. soldiers, saying, “If our men and women can risk their lives for the office, I can perform for it.” Nelly also attempted to defend Trump from accusations of white supremacy, citing old lawsuits and mistakenly referencing the 1994 Crime Bill, which had no connection to Trump. His arguments showed some confusion, but he remained steadfast. “I’m not saying he doesn’t have messed up ways,” Nelly admitted. “But he’s the President. I’m not telling you who to vote for—I’m just saying, he won.” As debate continues around artists performing for divisive figures, Nelly stands by his actions, insisting it’s about honoring the role, not the man.

Meek Mill is speaking out after catching heat over a photo from his recent trip to Dubai. The Philly rapper was seen posing with two women in what appeared to be an innocent fan pic, but social media quickly turned it into a firestorm. Critics began drawing connections to an unrelated controversy involving Shannon Sharpe, who is currently facing a $50 million lawsuit filed by a former girlfriend accusing him of rape and assault, claims Sharpe denies. View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Shade Room (@theshaderoom) Even though Meek Mill has no involvement in Shannon Sharpe’s legal situation, some social media users criticized him for taking a photo with women who appeared to be white or white-passing. Comments online suggested the timing of the Dubai photo was questionable. Many pointed to the current controversy surrounding Shannon Sharpe as the reason for concern. Some users brought up Sharpe’s accuser’s lawyer and implied that people might twist the image to unfairly target Meek. Meek didn’t stay silent. He jumped on Instagram to defend himself, questioning how the image ended up gaining so much traction. “Why they keep posting me on blogs with 2 fans…who makes the decisions of what Meek post to put on blogs? lol,” he wrote on his Instagram Story. He then commented directly under The Shade Room’s post: “It’s a regular pic with fans internet melting the minds of the black community wthelly.” The photo backlash comes at a time when Shannon Sharpe is under heavy public scrutiny. Tony Buzbee, the lawyer for Sharpe’s accuser, recently shared an audio recording. In it, the former NFL star allegedly threatens to choke the woman. Buzbee claims the clip “provides a fair picture of the relationship shortly before the alleged assault.” Though Meek’s situation is unrelated, the internet once again shows how quickly context can get distorted. Celebrities often find themselves caught in the crossfire of controversy that isn’t even their own.

Dwyane Wade recently revealed that he contracted cancer and how stunning his diagnosis was. When it came time for him to have surgery, there was only one person he would have in the room wiith him. During an appearance on Hoda Kotb’s Making Space podcast,  Wade shared that he wanted his father, Dwyane Wade Sr., to be the last person he saw before the procedure. “I chose my dad. He’s the guy for me. He’s always been,” Wade explained. “It’s crazy because I’m a mama’s boy, all those things, but my dad has been there.” Although his wife Gabrielle Union was present at the hospital, Wade shared why he wanted his father to be with him. “I just thought about actually who I wanted to see in my most vulnerable state. And it was my dad. I wanted my wife to see me when I woke up, I wanted her to be the first person I saw, but in my most vulnerable state, when I was probably as scared as I’ve ever been, I wanted my dad to be there,” Wade said. I was like, ‘I need my dad.’ “ View this post on Instagram A post shared by TODAY (@todayshow) The Basketball Hall of Famer also noted that it was his father who led him to take his health more seriously. “My dad shared with me when he was going through prostate cancer, and I think we got closer through that process because I [was] obviously concerned about him, but we started communicating more because this was something that was a part of our genetic genes as men in our family,” Wade shared. “And so we started being able to share personal things,” he continued. “Like, I would call my dad after I left the hospital, like, ‘Yo, I just got a prostate exam, Pops, and the doctor did this,’ and he’ll laugh and say, ‘Oh yeah, that’s nothing. She just wanted to do this.’ We just got close when his prostate cancer [was being treated].”

Diddy is nearly unrecognizable after spending months in jail awaiting his sex trafficking trial. A recent court sketch from a hearing in New York showed the music mogul with completely grey hair, a scruffy grey beard, and a thinner appearance. Though cameras weren’t allowed during the proceeding, sketch artist Jane Rosenberg captured Diddy sitting beside his attorney, Marc Agnifilo, in noticeably different form than fans are used to. The court appearance came as Diddy tried, unsuccessfully, to delay his upcoming trial due to new charges being added to his case. The judge denied the motion, pushing the case forward despite the mounting developments. Neither Diddy nor his legal team has spoken publicly about his physical or mental state while being held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn. However, Diddy recently scored a small legal victory. A judge has granted him and his team access to some early drafts of a memoir written by his former girlfriend, Cassie. The book, which hasn’t been released, became a point of contention after Diddy subpoenaed Cassie, requesting all drafts, journals, emails, and communications related to the memoir. His team argues that the drafts may include inconsistencies that could help discredit parts of her story. While Cassie and her attorneys argued the documents were not relevant, Judge Arun Subramanian allowed Diddy access to the versions already held by prosecutors. However, the judge denied his request for more personal records, including Cassie’s diaries, emails, and bank statements. According to Diddy’s legal team, Cassie once told the mogul that she wrote a book about their relationship and allegedly offered to sell it to him for $30 million to stop its release. This claim has added yet another twist to the already high-profile case.

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. Now, Ari is embracing a new direction with the release of her latest single, “Soft Girl Era.” The track features a soft, playful vibe and samples The New Birth’s 1972 song “You Are What I’m All About.” The same sample was once used in the iconic “Player’s Anthem” by The Notorious B.I.G. and Lil’ Kim, giving the track a nostalgic twist. Some fans have been vocal about missing the soulful style of her earlier work, especially the sound she introduced on Shea Butter Baby. However, Ari appears focused on exploring new creative territory. The sound may be different, but it reflects an artist who is growing, healing, and shifting into a new space. With Dreamville behind her and a fresh start ahead, Ari Lennox seems ready to define her own path in the music industry with Interscope.

Michelle Obama recently shared why she wasn’t in attendance for President Donald Trump’s second inauguration. During the latest episode of her IMO With Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson podcast, which she co-hosts with her brother, the Former First Lady detailed why she chose not to be a part of the festivities in conversation with Taraji P. Henson. “My decision to skip the inauguration — or my decision to make choices at the beginning of this year that suited me — were met with such ridicule and criticism,” Obama explained. “People couldn’t believe that I was saying no for any other reason. They had to assume that my marriage was falling apart.” “I’m here really trying to own my life and intentionally practice making the choice that was right for me, and it took everything in my power to not do the thing that ‘was right,’ or was perceived as right, but do the things that was right for me,” she added. Although she’s known as a fashionista, Obama said she couldn’t decide on the right outfit. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Michelle Obama (@michelleobama) “It started with not having anything to wear,” she said. “I was like, ‘If I’m not going to do this thing, I got to tell my team, I don’t even want to have a dress ready,’ right? Because it’s so easy to just say ‘let me do the right thing.’” Obama also revealed that going to therapy allowed her to make decisions to put herself first. We made it through. We got out alive. I hope we made the country proud. My girls, thank God, are whole,” Obama said.”But what happened to me? And going through therapy is getting me to look at the fact that maybe, finally, I’m good enough.

Ye (formally known as Kanye West) expressed his growing unease about his bond with his children in a series of raw online outbursts, accusing Kim Kardashian of keeping them distant. His public plea, tinged with frustration and vulnerability, has reignited conversations around celebrity custody battles and the blurred lines between personal grievance and public spectacle. Ye articulated his frustrations by directly addressing prominent figures in the entertainment industry, including Jay-Z, Beyoncé, Kendrick Lamar, and Rihanna, among others. He questioned their silence amidst his struggles, stating, “Why is the celebrity world standing by while Kim takes my kids from me? People say I’m acting out due to my childhood, but I’m being deprived of my role as a father.” With clear distress, Ye opened up about feeling cut off from the world, stating, “We are all in this together. It pains me to see my children being raised with ideals that don’t resonate with our heritage. Instead of stepping in, it feels like everyone is just a spectator, and I’m left to grapple with this reality alone.” Ye Confronts Custody Battles and Creative Clashes He further revealed the personal toll of his situation, mentioning, “I haven’t seen my son Saint this year.” The moment laid bare the emotional strain he’s been carrying, as Yeezy—clearly worn down—acknowledged just how deeply his past words have come back to haunt him. “I was informed by a Jewish lawyer that my antisemitic remarks would impact my ability to see my children. Unfortunately, he was correct.” Recently, Ye’s relationship with his children has come under renewed scrutiny, following an emergency custody hearing prompted by Kardashian’s unease over North’s well-being during a stay at his home. The situation has further unraveled amid West’s push to involve North in music projects—an effort Kardashian has firmly resisted, citing apprehensions about the creative environment and those within it. Ye hasn’t held back when it comes to criticizing Kardashian and her family, often using harsh language and raising concerns about their role in his children’s upbringing. His outbursts point to larger questions about co-parenting in the public eye, the toll of mental health struggles, and what it means for high-profile parents to show up responsibly.

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.