The legal storm surrounding Sean “Diddy” Combs shows little sign of easing, with both civil and criminal cases pressing forward in a year already defined by courtroom battles. At the center of one dispute is Sara Rivers, a former member of Da Band, who has accused the Bad Boy Entertainment founder of sexual harassment and assault during the filming of Making the Band. Her lawsuit, however, has already encountered a significant hurdle. In early August, a federal judge dismissed Rivers’s claims, finding they fell outside the statute of limitations. The ruling underscored the court’s view that timing matters as much as substance: “It is essential to appreciate the beneficial roles that statutes of limitations play in our justice system. They help to uphold fairness by mitigating unexpected claims once vital evidence is no longer accessible, memories diminish, and witnesses fade from the scene.” The judge also rejected Rivers’s contention that fear of retaliation explained her delay. Broad claims of psychological harm, the court held, do not satisfy the standard required to pause statutory deadlines. Still, Rivers is pressing forward. Recent filings confirm her intent to appeal, with plans to take the case to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit—a move that could yet revive her claims in federal court. Criminal Convictions and Sentencing Alongside the civil proceedings, Diddy faces criminal charges. In July, a jury convicted him on two counts of transporting individuals for prostitution, charges that together carry a potential sentence of up to 20 years. He was acquitted of more severe counts, including racketeering and sex trafficking. A sentencing hearing is set for October 3, marking a critical phase in Diddy’s legal battles. Diddy’s attorneys are now moving to overturn the convictions. They argue prosecutors relied on an improper definition of prostitution, deviating from the 1910 language of the Mann Act. In their view, the misstep not only undermines the verdict but warrants dismissal or, at minimum, a new trial. Taken together, Rivers’s appeal and Diddy’s pending sentencing highlight the fraught intersection of celebrity and accountability. The outcomes will determine more than the fate of those involved—they will also test how the justice system confronts questions of power, influence, and responsibility in the entertainment world. Indeed, Diddy’s cases have broader implications beyond mere justice.

Harlem rapper Max B fueled speculation about his impending release with a September 15 Instagram comment declaring, “The Wave touches down November 9. The countdown begins.” The cryptic statement immediately drew attention, suggesting the artist’s long-anticipated return could be imminent nearly 15 years after his sentencing. Max B, born Charly Wingate, has been incarcerated since 2009. A New Jersey jury convicted him of conspiracy to commit armed robbery, kidnapping and felony murder. 54 days until Max B gets released from prison https://t.co/Hp19E646ID pic.twitter.com/RbFex1VbNE — Glock Topickz (@Glock_Topickz) September 16, 2025 He initially received a 75-year sentence, though his term was later reduced following multiple appeals and sentence modifications. Court records show that in 2019, his sentence was formally cut to 12 years, significantly advancing his potential release date. While the New Jersey Department of Corrections has not confirmed November 9 as his official release, Max B’s post indicates confidence that his term is nearing completion. Legal observers note that incarcerated individuals often receive projected release dates factoring in good behavior credits and program participation. Max B’s Release Date The rapper, known for pioneering the “Wave” style of melodic rap. He has remained musically active throughout his incarceration, releasing recordings and guest features facilitated through prison communication systems. Still, his physical return to the music industry has been described as a potential cultural turning point, particularly given his influence on mainstream artists including French Montana, Wiz Khalifa and Kanye West. Max B’s case has long attracted attention in both legal and cultural contexts. His original conviction stemmed from a 2006 robbery in Fort Lee, New Jersey. It ended in the death of one man. Prosecutors argued that Wingate orchestrated the crime, though he has consistently denied direct involvement. If released on the timeline he suggested, Max B would join a growing list of hip-hop figures whose legal battles have shaped their careers. For supporters, the prospect of a November 9 release represents not only the conclusion of a lengthy incarceration. It’s also the start of a new legal and cultural chapter. His declaration frames that date as more than a logistical milestone, casting it as both a legal resolution and a symbolic homecoming.

Delta State University is mourning the loss of a student found dead while hanging from a tree on campus Monday morning in what officials say does not appear to involve foul play. A student was lynched today at Delta University in Mississippi. Black people, please be safe. pic.twitter.com/eiomiwMVPc — Dr. Allison Wiltz (@queenie4rmnola) September 15, 2025 The student was identified as 21-year-old Demartravion Reed, also known as Trey, of Grenada, Mississippi. University Police Chief Mike Peeler said officers discovered Reed’s body shortly after 7 a.m. on September 15. He was found hanging from a tree in the central part of campus near the pickleball courts. Reed’s body was turned over to the Bolivar County Coroner’s Office, which will conduct an autopsy to determine the official cause of death. The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation and other local agencies are working alongside campus police in the investigation. Although details remain limited, Peeler stressed that there is no ongoing danger to the campus community. The university closed briefly after the discovery but did not enter lockdown. “I just want to confirm, this is a safe campus,” Peeler said. “Delta State University is a beautiful place to be. It’s just unfortunate this loss that comes heavily to our campus.” Student Found Dead At Delta State University University President Daniel Ennis addressed reporters later Monday, offering condolences to Reed’s family and describing the incident as a devastating moment for the Delta State community. He said the timing for resuming classes is still under review but pledged that operations would restart “as soon as possible.” Reed’s death has left many on campus reeling. Students and faculty remembered him as a young man with promise, and tributes began circulating online throughout the day. Counselors were made available for students, faculty, and staff grappling with grief. The tragedy has also renewed conversations about the importance of mental health resources on college campuses. Particularly at smaller institutions where access to support can be limited. As investigators await autopsy results, Delta State faces the challenge of honoring Reed’s memory while moving forward. For many on campus, the focus now is ensuring that every student feels supported and valued during a time of collective mourning.

A federal jury acquitted Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs of the most serious charges in his high-profile trial, though he still faces sentencing on a lesser prostitution-related conviction. The verdict marked a turning point in a case that has riveted both the music industry and legal community. At the same time, the government’s lead prosecutor, Maurene Comey, is contesting her abrupt removal from the case—alleging her dismissal was unlawful and politically motivated. Comey, the daughter of former FBI Director James B. Comey, ranks among the Justice Department’s most accomplished trial lawyers. Her attorneys contend that officials targeted her because of her father’s clashes with President Donald Trump. In a filing obtained by Billboard, her team wrote, “The politically motivated termination of Ms. Comey … upends bedrock principles of our democracy and justice system.” They maintained that federal prosecutors must be able to serve without partisan pressure. Her lawyers said Comey pressed Manhattan U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton for answers. However, his response offered little clarity. According to their account, Clayton told her the order “came from Washington” without further explanation. This remark has only intensified concerns about political interference in high-profile prosecutions, including that of Diddy. The Verdict The trial, which ran more than seven weeks, produced a mixed outcome. Diddy was acquitted of sex trafficking and racketeering charges but convicted on two counts involving the transportation of individuals for prostitution. He is scheduled to return to court for sentencing on October 3. Comey’s career includes leading roles in significant prosecutions. Among them is the 2021 conviction of Ghislaine Maxwell on sex trafficking charges, which resulted in a 20-year sentence. Her removal from the Diddy case has stirred debate over whether political dynamics are shaping the Justice Department’s handling of prominent trials. As Diddy awaits sentencing, scrutiny now shifts toward the fallout from Comey’s firing. The controversy has widened the conversation beyond one defendant’s verdict. It raises sharper questions about prosecutorial independence and the resilience of the justice system under political strain, with Diddy’s case at the forefront.

Jermaine Dupri is pushing back against the narrative that he “fumbled” his relationship with Janet Jackson. During a recent appearance on Hot 97 with Nessa, the longtime producer said the phrase simply doesn’t apply. He also offered insight into why he believes people often mischaracterize their breakup. Jermaine Dupri Challenges the “Fumble” Label When asked to respond to claims he lost out on his relationship with Jackson, Dupri paused. Then he said, “I don’t know what a fumble is. I be trying to figure out why y’all don’t say she fumbled me.” He went on, “I’m not something that you just let roll down the street.” Dupri emphasized they were together for eight years, and he said he’s tired of being cast as the one who messed up. Jackson and Dupri dated roughly from 2001 to 2009. Over the years, they publicly addressed sources of strain. Distance and work commitments played a big role. For instance, Jackson reportedly felt Dupri was often absent. In Jackson’s 2022 documentary, she said she had wanted to start a family with Dupri but pulled back after hearing rumors of his infidelity. Dupri acknowledged the rumors, admitting in past interviews that he was “reckless.” “Girls wanted to talk to me more because I was dating her,” he said, “and I was a man.” Jackson also described feeling that Dupri’s work took precedence. She said she often felt like his world was his work, and that he didn’t make enough time for her or their relationship demands. Dupri seems intent on reframing the public’s understanding of their split. He asked why people never ask whether Jackson “fumbled” him. He said the narrative is lopsided. He also pointed out how fans and social media have pushed the idea that he dropped the ball. He says that idea fails to reflect the complexities of the relationship. As of now, Dupri insists: it’s unfair to reduce their years together to a single mishap. “If the word ‘fumble’ is gonna be used,” he warned, “fans better remember it can go both ways.” Janet Jackson, in her documentary, raised concerns about Dupri’s infidelity and lack of availability affording their partnership. Dupri in turn has said he didn’t mean to hurt her but acknowledges his behaviors caused pain. Their story reflects challenges common in long-term relationships with fame, distance, and conflicting priorities.

This past weekend, the Ocean Casino Resort in Atlantic City set the stage for the REFORM Alliance Casino Night and Gala, a glittering fundraiser for criminal justice reform. Co-hosted by Michael Rubin and Meek Mill, the evening drew a roster of influential names, including Jay-Z, and brought in $20 million for the cause. But what might have been remembered purely as a philanthropic success soon became the subject of another kind of scrutiny. Much of the conversation shifted from the money raised to the seating chart after reports suggested that Beyoncé and Jay-Z were placed near Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner. The possibility of the Carters sharing space with the Trump family quickly set off speculation and online debate. A seating chart sparks questions of politics and celebrity influence Posts on social media, particularly on X, circulated photos that seemed to show Beyoncé and Jay-Z apart from the main crowd. The lack of clarity only fueled more commentary. Some critics seized on the moment to question the couple’s political commitments, while others dismissed the uproar as exaggerated. “Guess the Kamala endorsement was just to get good PR,” one user wrote, capturing the skepticism running through parts of the conversation. Supporters, however, pointed to Beyoncé’s long track record of engagement. At a Kamala Harris rally in Houston last October, she appeared alongside Kelly Rowland and delivered a call to action: “It’s time for America to sing a new song. Are y’all ready to add your voice to the new American song?” For many, her presence at that rally, along with Jay-Z’s, signaled a commitment not easily undercut by a seating arrangement at a gala. The moment highlights the outsized weight celebrity appearances carry in political spaces. In an era when images are dissected in real time, even the placement of a table setting can be spun into a referendum on values and allegiances. Whether this controversy reveals anything lasting—or simply the churn of online discourse—remains an open question. Beyoncé, Jay-Z & Ivanka Trump last night in Atlantic City (Sept. 14th). pic.twitter.com/Zb3XbHD4x5 — ★ (@abenaissance) September 14, 2025

Hip-hop veteran Papoose opens up about performing at the MTV Video Music Awards for the very first time, sharing what the moment meant for his career and for the culture. In this exclusive conversation, he reflects on the journey that brought him to that iconic stage, the energy of the night, and how it felt to represent not just himself, but hip-hop as a whole. Papoose also gets personal, crediting his girlfriend, boxing champion Claressa Shields for inspiring and improving his life in ways beyond music. From discipline and focus to motivation and personal growth, he explains how their connection has helped him elevate both mentally and physically. Tap in to hear Papoose break down history in the making, share gems about resilience, and speak on the powerful influence of Claressa Shields in his world.

Cardi B and her daughter, Kulture, 7, shut down a NYFW event, rocking matching fur pieces, TMZ reports. On Saturday (Sept.13), the outlet spotted the mother-daughter duo with their matching ensembles as they made their way to view Alexander Wang’s Spring 2026 Ready-to-Wear Fashion Show. Many other industry heavyweights were spotted at the show, like Martha Stewart, who shared a table with the pair. Cardi B has definitely cemented herself as one of rap’s top fashionistas, but judging by the comments on social media, Kulture almost stole the show. Kulture is the eldest daughter of the three children the “Bodak Yellow” rapper shares with her ex-husband, Offset. The former couple welcomed her into the world on July 10, 2018. View this post on Instagram A post shared by TMZ (@tmz_tv) Cardi B Defines Her Version Of Success According to Cardi B, winning a Grammy is the most “prestigious award” and that “nobody can take it” from her. In 2019, the Bronx native’s debut project, Invasion of Privacy, won Best Rap Album at the 61st Annual Grammy Awards. However, in a recent interview with Billboard, while the rapper expressed her happiness about receiving one, she emphasized that her definition of success has evolved. For the mother of three, “success” isn’t about awards and praise from critics, but “putting out good music.” “Winning a Grammy, the most prestigious award, you can never take that from me. Everybody wants to downplay it, but everybody wants one. [But] times have changed,” Cardi B tells the outlet. “Success for me will be people saying, ‘She put out a great album.’ If [at] 3 a.m., people are talking about the album, that’s going to be success for me because people can’t wait to downplay it. I even want the people who don’t like me to be like, ‘Yo. That sht is fire.’ Yeah, eat your fcking fruits, n*gga.”

Lizzo has been very open about her health journey over the years; now she’s trying to help some of her peers, like BigXthaPlug, get on the same track. The pair linked up for a grocery shopping trip at Walmart while on a Twitch livestream—not long after they found themselves in a light-hearted debate about their soda preferences. In Lizzo’s opinion, when it comes to healthy soda options, she thinks Coke Zero is best. “We got to get some Coke Zeros,” she says as they walk down the soda aisle. However, the “Whip It” hitmaker didn’t see it that way. “Coke Zero is crazy. You might as well not even drink soda. It’s zero.” Lizzo went on stream with BigXThePlug to help put him on a diet and he got upset when she tried making him drink Coke ZERO pic.twitter.com/ndD6PEY9wn — ryan (@scubaryan_) September 12, 2025 Lizzo asked the rapper if he would prefer water, possibly thinking he wasn’t a fan of carbonated beverages, but that was not the case: “I mean, I drink soda,” BigXthaPlug clarified. It seems that he just doesn’t understand the point of drinking sugar-free soda products like Coke Zero. “So you’ll drink a full-fat Coke? Oh no no no,” the “Special” singer responded. As the hilarious debate slightly heated up, Lizzo shared that her favorite flavor of Coke Zero was vanilla. The rapper quipped back, saying, “You might as well drink a regular vanilla Coke,” bringing the soda showdown to an end. Lizzo also shared a clip of the two doing a fire dance routine to BigX’s 2024 hit “The Largest,” on Instagram, writing in the caption: “We the BIGGEST in the game! @bigxthaplug.” Funny debate aside, Lizzo’s soda choices shouldn’t be a surprise; the rapper-singer has shared her ever-evolving health journey since launching into the mainstream. In July, she sat down with Women’s Health to discuss her weight loss, body positivity, and her ongoing health journey. Lizzo revealed to the outlet that finding healthy eating patterns had always been a “challenge” for her. She shared that she suffered from disordered eating, specifically, binge eating. “There were times when I would eat so much that my stomach hurt. When I was done, I would be so uncomfortable, I couldn’t breathe and wouldn’t let anyone know,” she says. According to Lizzo, she had “so much food noise and connected so much emotion to food.”

The Shade Room recently shared a video of NBA player Jalen Green and his partner, reality star Draya Michele, who were spotted in a heated dispute. According to the outlet, the incident happened after the pair had left a New York Fashion Week party. In the video, Green can be overheard referring to Michele as a “b*tch,” before later screaming at the top of his lungs that he “hates her.” Michele can be seen running toward and attempting to lunge at Green several times before being stopped by someone from the pair’s crew. Another person was also spotted trying to hold the six-foot-four Phoenix Suns shooting guard back from the former Basketball Wives star. Being that there is no footage of what happened prior, it’s unclear what prompted the heated situation. The Shade Room reports the confrontation between the two would continue for several minutes as the group walked through the streets of New York. Jalen Green Shouts “I Hate You” At Draya Michele During Late-Night Confrontation In NY (: Shutterstock) : #TSRStaffLG pic.twitter.com/hp89oV4cna — TheShadeRoom (@TheShadeRoom) September 13, 2025 The pair went public with their relationship in 2023, despite heavy criticism for their 17-year age gap; Green, who was 23 at the time, and Michele, 40. A year later, in May, the two welcomed a daughter, Lyght. My daughter was safely brought into this world, and I’m forever grateful for the new memories we all get to experience moving forward. [Silver heart emoji] Love + Light everyone,” she wrote in an Instagram post around that time. Back in July, Draya clapped back at one critic, a TikToker named Boujeebrownskin, who stated that Green and she have more of a “mother/son” dynamic than a romantic one. The social media personality was reacting to an appearance the two made on Whistle’s “Home Team” relationship quiz. Michele caught wind of the video and shared her sentiments: “One more thing … this is AGEIST !! No different from being homophobic — you can’t be woke about one thing, babe, and not the other. Discrimination is discrimination. Imagine if somebody told you couldn’t love who you wanted to because they felt like it was ‘wrong.’”