Styles P believes that Jim Jones is not on his level as a lyricist. During an interview on the No Funny Shit Show, the legendary member of the LOX, at around the co-host Kenny Supreme suggested that Jones might have a better “20 pack” of songs. While Styles acknowledged that  Supreme is “entitled” to his opinion because “hip-hop is about you connecting with music,” Styles said that he and Jones “ain’t in the same league.” “The Ghost” then explained what differentiates him from Capo. “Me and Jim don’t do the same thing. I’m a bar master. I’m a lyrical technician. I’ve been on joints with some of the best emcees in the world,” Styles said, naming The Notorious B.I.G., Jay-Z, Black Thought, and Talib Kweli.. “I bar sh*t down. When Rakim tells you you nice, KRS tells you you nice, Big tells you you nice, Hov tells you you nice … all these people tell you you nice, you’re f**king nice,” Styles said. “I’m not here to make catchy hooks and do dope sh*t. I don’t knock that. I’m trying to say some sh*t that’s gonna make your soul move—that’s gonna be some shit you may catch 10 years later, down the line,” he added. “There’s not many people in my age group that have the amount of catalog I have.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by NFS (@nofunnyshit.show) “[Jim] don’t got none of those kind of songs that make n***as cry,” Styles explained. “You better check my jacket. I made up a fucking lane. There was no artist emcee before. It was fly dudes, it was kings. I invented the lane where n***as saying they make hard shit. Me.” In a now-deleted post on Instagram, Jones then challenged Styles to a Verzuz battle. “Now go listen to [the] song ‘Bobby’ we did on Lobby Boy,” Jones said of the track from The Lobby Boyz album with Maino. “We recorded it at the same time in the studio together. Since we talkin’ bars let’s [just] do a versus [sic] ep something for [the] people to listen n judge.” “I’m not scared of no competition on any level, I’m here to level [the] playin field. If we talkin bars let’s go,” Jones added. This wouldn’t be the first time Styles and Jones were involved in a Verzuz. In 2021, The LOX soundly defeated the Diplomats.

In this exclusive update, TT Torrez and veteran journalist Lisa Evers break down everything that happened on Day 2 of the official trial involving Sean “Diddy” Combs. With Cassie at the center of the case, the courtroom drama intensifies as key testimony continues to unfold. Get the latest details on the trial, including what was said about Cassie’s allegations and how it impacts Diddy’s defense. Stay tuned for more updates as the case progresses.

After thrilling audiences across North America with “The Serenade 2024 Tour, multi-platinum, Grammy-winning artist Maxwell has announced ‘The Silent Serenade Ensemble”, a limited run of intimate, reimagined performances on the East Coast.  According the the press released, “Maxwell will bring his unmistakable voice and signature blend of sensual soul and timeless grooves to MGM National Harbor in Washington, D.C. for three consecutive nights—September 18, 19, and 20, followed by a very special hometown show at the historic Kings Theatre in Brooklyn on September 28.” These exclusive performances will give Maxwell’s adoring fans a completely unique live music experience. Each show will feature new arrangements of his classic hits and deeper cuts, supported by live percussion and a string quartet, bringing an elegant, cinematic dimension to Maxwell’s music. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Maxwell (@maxwell) In a statement, Maxwell expressed his excitement about the upcoming performances. “Brooklyn raised me, D.C. embraced me—and there’s nothing like sharing that kind of love in a more intimate setting,” says Maxwell. “These shows are going to feel like home.” This past February, Maxwell led his second annual romantic, star-studded Urban Hang Suite Cruise. The sold-out cruise featured exclusive performances by Maxwell and as guests aboard the Norwegian Pearl, making stops in the Cayman Islands and Jamaica. The third annual Urban Hang Suite Cruise, taking place on the Norwegian Joy from February 7-12, 2026.  Regarded as one of the greatest singers of his generation, Maxwell has released several hit singles such as “Till the Cops Come Knockin”, “Ascension (Don’t Ever Wonder)”, “Sumthin’ Sumthin”,  “Fortunate”, “Pretty Wings”, and “Lake by the Ocean.”  His classic albums include Maxwell’s Urban Hang Suite (1996), Embrya (1998), Now (2001), and  BLACKsummers’night (2009), to name a few. For his work as an artist, Maxwell has won three Grammy Awards, six Soul Train Music Awards, and two NAACP Image Awards.

Megan Thee Stallion’s lawyer, Alex Spiro, has released a statement to XXL about Tory Lanez’s attorneys reportedly having evidence that proves Megan was shot by Kelsey Harris. The statement reads, “Tory Lanez was tried and convicted by a jury of his peers and his case was properly adjudicated through the court system. This is not a political matter — this is a case of a violent assault that was resolved in the court of law.” Megan Thee Stallion’s attorney, Alex Spiro, has released the following statement to XXL about Tory Lanez’s attorneys now claiming to have evidence that proves Megan was shot by Kelsey Harris: “Tory Lanez was tried and convicted by a jury of his peers and his case was properly… pic.twitter.com/mwxEARD0PQ — XXL Magazine (@XXL) May 14, 2025 We previously reported that, Tory Lanez shared a petition urging California Governor, Gavin Newsom, to pardon him. The Canadian rapper shared the petition via his Instagram after his legal team presented new evidence suggesting he was not the one who shot Megan Thee Stallion. Gianno Caldwell, who has been advocating for Lanez’s released, stated, “Mr. Peterson was never given a fair trial, free from bias.” During a press conference held today, May 14, United the People, a non-profit focused on social justice, highlighted evidence shows Megan’s former best friend, Kelsey Harris, as the person who fired the shots. Attorney Walter Roberts argued, “Mr. Peterson never shot anybody. Never even touched the gun.” Megan Thee Stallion or Kelsey Harris has yet to directly respond to any of these claims.

The United Justice Coalition (UJC) and Roc Nation announced that the third UJC Summit will be held on May 30 at The Shed in New York City. This annual event is a free, public event and will feature “over 30 leaders, advocates, and changemakers to engage in critical conversations about criminal justice reform.” Additional speakers and panel discussions for the third UJC Summit, set to take place  Speakers for the event included Dr. Michael Eric Dyson, a UJC Advisor, will provide the invocation, Angela Rye, CEO of IMPACT Strategies Principal, Laura Coates, CNN Anchor and Chief Legal Analyst, Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott, Tricia Rojo Bushnell, Director of the Midwest Innocence Project Executive, and Vincent Schiraldi, Director, Columbia Justice Lab.  Other speakers and advocates include Marcy Croft, Gretta Gordy-Gardner, Andrea Lyon,  Alexandra Bailey, Lisa Moss, Ernest Stevens, Dr. Rheeda Walker, Rich Rivera, Jessica Jackson, Kemba Smith Pradia, Munajj Salahuddin, Marcus McClure, and more. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Team Roc (@teamroc)  Panel discussions will delve into critical issues across the justice system, including probation, prison, and parole reform; police corruption; the intersection of mental health and justice; the unique challenges faced by women in the criminal legal system; and the profound impact of systemic injustice on families. These conversations will provide attendees with firsthand insights, expert analysis, and pathways toward meaningful reform. Additionally, the families of Atatiana Jefferson, Botham Jean, and John Albers will be in attendance to share the impact of losing their loved ones and their continual commitment to justice, and how communities can work better together.  The event will begin at 10 AM ET. For more information and to register, please visit https://www.unitedjusticecoalition.com. 

The Sidney Hillman Foundation has honored journalists who pursue investigative reporting and deep storytelling “in service of the common good” since 1950. In recognition of some of the most compelling journalistic work in the industry,  The Hillman Prizes “strive to recognize discernment of a significant news story, resourcefulness and courage in reporting, skill in relating the story, and the impact of the coverage.” On the 75th anniversary of the organization, the 2025 Hillman Prizes for journalism were awarded. Held at the Times Center in New York City on Tuesday evening (May 13), several distinguished journalists received awards in several categories. For Book Journalism, Jonathan Blitzer won for Everyone Who Is Gone Is Here: The United States, Central America and the Making of a Crisis, Penguin Press. Jennifer Gollan and Susie Neilson’s “Fast and Fatal” for the San Francisco Chronicle took home the prize for Newspaper Journalism. For Magazine Journalism, Ronen Bergman and Mark Mazzetti won for “The Unpunished: How Extremists Took Over Israel” in The New York Times Magazine. View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Sidney Hillman Foundation (@sidneyhillman) Dan Slepian, Dawn Porter, and Kimberley Ferdinando’s The Sing Sing Chronicles, NBC News Studios & MSNBC Films, won the prize for Broadcast Journalism. The SEIU Award for Reporting on Racial and Economic Justice went to Robin McDowell and Margie Mason, “Prison to Plate”, Associated Press. Elie Mystal of The Nation won the Opinion & Analysis Journalism award for “Justice Correspondent”, The Nation. In his moving acceptance speech, Mystal told the cheering audience the commitment that it takes to be a journalist in these times. “If you feel like you can go to Washington, DC right now and have no chance of getting into a fight, you’re doing it wrong,” he said. “Courage is not the absence of fear. It is the acceptance of fear and doing what we must do anyway. And so I want to thank the Hillman people very much again for this honor.”

Cassie testifies on the second day of Diddy’s sex trafficking trial, sharing emotional details about their long and allegedly abusive relationship. The two were together for more than a decade, and in recent months, serious claims about Diddy’s behavior have surfaced. Her testimony focused on what prosecutors described as “freak-offs,” which were private sex parties Diddy is accused of organizing. These gatherings often involved escorts and were allegedly used as a means of control. Cassie said she participated in them to avoid conflict and to please him. “I wanted to make him happy,” she told the court, as reported by TMZ. She recalled one particular incident that took place shortly after the violent encounter at the InterContinental Hotel in 2016, which was captured on video and circulated months before Diddy’s arrest. Cassie said that following the altercation, Diddy hired an escort to sleep with her. She described feeling “confused” and “nervous” but went along with it anyway. “Then there were more. It wasn’t something I wanted to do, at least not that frequently,” she said. Cassie explained that she believed saying no would make him angry, and she feared that he might blackmail her if she refused. Prosecutors earlier suggested that Diddy had recorded some of these events and may have used the footage as leverage. Cassie reportedly turned over several laptops that could contain video evidence of these so-called freak-offs. It is expected that at least one of the videos will be shown to the jury as the trial progresses. Diddy has pleaded not guilty to all charges and continues to deny any wrongdoing. Cassie’s testimony adds to a growing list of accusations in a trial that has already captured widespread public attention.

DDG is living out a dream moment after receiving praise from one of his biggest influences, Drake. The Michigan rapper and content creator just released his latest album Blame the Chat, and despite its low sales, he admitted it only moved 1,203 units in its first week, he’s stayed optimistic. On X, he posted messages like “It’s all about the growth fr” and “let’s focus on week 2,” showing he’s focused on the long game, not just the first-week stats. Drake, known for giving props to artists on all levels, didn’t hesitate to support him. During a livestream with Adin Ross, DDG joined the chat, and the timing lined up for a surprise FaceTime with Drake. Their conversation was positive and lighthearted. “Congrats on your album!” Drake told him. DDG responded with a simple, “Appreciate it brother.” Things got even more entertaining when Drake teased Adin Ross for not checking out the album, even though he’s often around DDG on stream. DDG jokingly asked Drake if all his friends listen to his music. Drake answered, “yeah,” leaving Adin to laugh awkwardly and try to defend himself. The two rappers also mentioned their previous basketball matchup, agreeing they needed to run it back. DDG once shared that he got beat badly by Drake at The Embassy, the rapper’s private court. Toward the end of the call, Drake dropped a subtle update on his next solo project. He said he’s currently in the “countryside” working on the album, which fans believe will be called Iceman. Drake had first mentioned it on his Anita Max Wynn tour, promising that when the time is right, he’ll return with “a one-on-one conversation” fans “need to hear.” The album remains a mystery, but anticipation is clearly building.

Lizzo is giving fans an honest look at the emotional weight that can come with fame. In a new interview with Ziwe posted on YouTube on May 8th, the singer and rapper shared how her rise to stardom has impacted her personal life and mental health. Around the four-minute mark, she quipped, “I don’t have any friends,” then explained the shift she’s noticed over the years. “I used to have so many,” she said. “You get famous and then it gets weird… Everyone makes it weird for famous people.” She emphasized that fame hasn’t changed who she is at the core. “I’m still a normal person,” Lizzo said. “You’re still you. Everything around you changes. That’s fame in a nutshell and people change, too. It’s heartbreaking.” Lizzo also used the moment to speak directly to viewers who may dream of being in the spotlight. She offered what she called an “Anti-Fame” PSA. “Don’t be famous,” she said. “I know you guys want to be, and I know you want to go online, go viral, get your money, and be rich.” She pointed out that being rich is very different from being famous. “If you’re an artist, do your art, but don’t just be famous. You can’t leave. It never ends.” Her comments come during a rough chapter in her career. Lizzo is currently facing a lawsuit from three former backup dancers, and the intense public scrutiny has clearly left a mark. During a concert in March, she told fans that she had once struggled with a “dark, deep depression.” Speaking to the crowd, she said, “I was so heartbroken by the world and so deeply hurt that I didn’t want to live anymore… Eventually, I got over that fear.” Through it all, Lizzo is continuing to speak her truth.

Cassie alleges that Diddy left a freak-off to confront rival, Suge Knight. While testifying during Diddy’s criminal trial, Cassie briefly recalls, “we were having a freak-off in one of [Diddy’s] homes in LA and he said Suge was at Mel’s Diner, and we packed up and drove down there,” Cassie claimed, according to NBC. “I was screaming and crying, ‘Please don’t do anything stupid.’ I didn’t know what they were going to do.” “It’s like I wasn’t even there,” Cassie added. View this post on Instagram A post shared by HOLLYWOOD UNLOCKED (@hollywoodunlocked) Cassie testified that Combs orchestrated “freak-offs”—drug fueled sexual encounters with male escorts that he directed and filmed. These sessions, which reportedly began when she was 22. Beyond the orchestrated encounters, Cassie recounted instances of physical violence, including being struck and dragged by her hair. She also testified about Combs’ control over her appearance and music career, as well as threats and intimidation tactics. In one particularly disturbing account, she described a video shown in court depicting Combs assaulting her in 2016.