Spotify is facing one of its most turbulent weeks yet. New lawsuits raise questions about the company’s credibility in the music industry. A class-action complaint accuses the streaming giant of neglecting to address widespread streaming fraud. Spotify has strongly denied the claims, calling them “baseless.” It insists that the company uphold fairness and accuracy through its detection systems. Although the lawsuit doesn’t name Drake as a defendant, it repeatedly cites him due to the sheer scale of his presence on the platform. Rapper RBX, whose legal name is Eric Dwayne Collins, claims that a significant portion of Drake’s roughly 37 billion streams from January 2022 to September 2025 were artificially generated. This was allegedly done by an elaborate network of bots. The allegations have stirred fresh debate about the authenticity of some of the platform’s most popular artists and their reported success. In response, a Spotify representative reaffirmed the company’s commitment to fighting artificial streaming. “While we are unable to comment on pending litigation,” the spokesperson said, “Spotify does not gain from the widespread issue of artificial streaming. We continuously invest in top-tier systems. These are designed to detect and eliminate fake streams, protect artist earnings, and enforce penalties against offenders.” New Lawsuit Alleges “Modern Payola” Practices Adding to its mounting legal pressure, Spotify now faces another class-action suit filed by New York subscriber Genevieve Capolongo. Reports indicate that the complaint accuses the company of engaging in “modern payola.” It alleges that Spotify misleads users by selling playlist visibility while promoting itself as an organic discovery platform. Capolongo’s lawsuit claims that Spotify exploits the trust of its subscribers by blurring the line between genuine recommendations and paid placements. “Despite being aware that Spotify’s claims regarding personalization are misleading, [Capolongo] continues to suffer harm each time she engages with the platform,” the filing reads. “She is unable to discern which tracks are genuinely curated and which are pushed through undisclosed financial arrangements. This hinders her ability to make informed listening decisions.” Spotify has not yet commented publicly on the latest filing.

You. Your crew. One weekend. The ultimate destination party lands in the Dominican Republic — Afro Nation Punta Cana is finally here! Three days of non-stop energy as Hip-Hop, Afrobeats, Dancehall, and Amapiano collide for an unforgettable experience. HOT 97 and Trace is in the mix, bringing that NYC heat straight to paradise. Performances by: Sexyy Red, Olamide, DJ Maphorisa, Ruger, Shallipopi, TxC, Walshy Fire, Felo Le Tee, Odeal, Moliy, Rophnan, DJ Mohogany, AYA, Love Bonez, and more. From beachside stages to late-night sets, it’s pure island magic all weekend long — a cultural takeover where global sounds meet Caribbean vibes.Can’t make it? HOT 97’s got you covered with a full LIVE STREAM all weekend at HOT97.com. Don’t wait — this is your final call to grab tickets before the island’s hottest weekend begins: puntacana.afronation.com

Chxrry stopped by HOT 97 to talk with Nessa about her new single “Groupie.” She opened up about calling it a love song, what emotions she wants listeners to feel, and the story behind some of its boldest lyrics. They also talked about how she defines love and jealousy, what she looks for in a relationship, and what inspired the mood of the track. Chxrry reflected on being signed to XO Records, The Weeknd and the support she’s received from her family, including lessons from her dad. She shared what her journey has been like since losing her mother, the biggest lesson she’s learned in music so far, and what success looks like to her now. Stream her new song “Groupie” out now!

In a rare intersection of politics and pop culture, Democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani has acknowledged that he occasionally enjoys 50 Cent’s music, even as the rapper publicly critiques his economic proposals. In a recent interview, Mamdani outlined his tax plan, prompting a sharp response from 50 Cent, who later took to Instagram with pointed remarks and even proposed a financial incentive for Mamdani to leave the city. “Who is this guy? Whose friend is he? I’m not on board with this plan,” 50 Cent wrote, offering $258,750 along with a first-class ticket out of town. “I’m also telling Trump what he said!” he added, emphasizing his disapproval. Mamdani later appeared on The Beat with Ari Melber on MSNBC to clarify his position. While noting that he enjoys 50 Cent’s music, he added, “He’s a critic! I didn’t even know what my salary would be until I opened Instagram and saw something like ‘50 Cent offers Mamdani x-amount of money.’ I thought, ‘That’s quite an exact figure. Wow!’” View this post on Instagram The Tax Proposal Mamdani’s plan calls for a 2% additional tax on the city’s top 1% of earners—those making over $1 million annually—with the goal of funding public services and reducing economic inequality. “When you have a city like ours that is underfunding its agencies and cutting back on vital services like libraries and waste management, everyone feels the impact,” he said. 50 Cent responded again on Instagram, sharing a clip of Mamdani’s comments while reiterating his position. “I believe his intentions are good,” he wrote. “But his tax proposal will drive wealth out of the city and if he cuts police funding, there will be chaos. @50centaction All roads lead to SHREVEPORT!”

Former Bad Boy executive Kirk Burrowes has brought forward new claims against Sean “Diddy” Combs. He alleges that he was cheated out of his rightful financial stake in the legendary record label. Burrowes contends he was denied his 25 percent ownership interest. Additionally, a 15 percent share of profits tied to Bad Boy’s operations during its peak in the 1990s was withheld. The dispute now extends to Diddy’s mother, Janice Combs, who has been named in the same lawsuit. According to filings reviewed by AllHipHop’s Grouchy Greg Watkins, Burrowes accuses her of assisting her son in the alleged deception. Janice Combs has firmly denied any wrongdoing. Her legal team has filed motions seeking dismissal of the suit. They argue she neither held an ownership stake nor played any role in the transactions at the heart of the case. The court has yet to issue a ruling, leaving both sides awaiting the next phase of proceedings. This is not Diddy’s only recent courtroom confrontation. Earlier this year, the mogul faced separate allegations from former associate Deon Best, known professionally as D1. He claimed Diddy wrongfully profited from his work on the 1998 Godzilla soundtrack song “Come with Me.” Best maintained that he held full creative control over the track. However, he alleges that Diddy and his team seized ownership and royalty rights without consent. That case was dismissed in September when a judge ruled in Diddy’s favor, rejecting Best’s claims. The decision was made “with prejudice,” meaning the lawsuit could be revived only under new legal grounds. Public Perception and Ongoing Coverage Beyond the courtroom, Diddy has remained a topic of public fascination. Recent photos circulating online show him appearing composed and social during his incarceration. He is seen interacting with other inmates at FCI Fort Dix. The images have generated mixed reactions across social media. Among those commenting was rapper 50 Cent, who shared one of the photos on Instagram with the caption, “He looks content surrounded by those gentlemen. GOOD MORNING, NEW YORK CITY!” The post quickly gained traction. It fueled further conversation about Diddy’s current state and the ongoing controversies surrounding him. The mounting legal disputes surrounding Sean “Diddy” Combs continue to cast a shadow over his legacy. He remains one of hip-hop’s most influential figures. As both federal and civil proceedings move forward, fans and observers alike remain closely tuned in—waiting to see how one of music’s most complex narratives unfolds.

Sean “Diddy” Combs, who is currently serving his sentence at FCI Fort Dix in New Jersey, appears increasingly confident that his time behind bars may be shorter than expected. Reports indicate that the hip-hop mogul privately expressed faith that President Donald Trump could grant him a pardon as early as 2026. This claim has stirred widespread discussion both inside and outside the facility. People familiar with Diddy’s conversations say he’s spoken openly with fellow inmates about his belief in a potential release. He has even vowed to assist them once free. The reasoning behind his confidence remains unclear. Still, sources say Trump’s advisers briefly discussed the possibility of commuting Diddy’s sentence during talks this past summer. One insider with knowledge of those discussions said, “The President is weighing his options.” This comes while acknowledging internal resistance from within Trump’s team. “Trump is known for acting according to his own judgment. It is possible he could enact significant changes soon,” the source added. White House Denies Involvement in Pardon Rumors Soon after the reports surfaced, a White House spokesperson refuted claims published by TMZ, calling them inaccurate. “There is no truth to the allegations reported, and we would have appreciated it if they would have contacted us for clarification prior to disseminating misinformation,” the spokesperson said. The administration emphasized that decisions related to pardons or commutations rest solely with the president. These decisions are not influenced by outside speculation. The renewed attention around Diddy’s situation came just as recent photos from Fort Dix began circulating online. The images show him appearing upbeat and social. He is engaging with other inmates and smiling—a stark contrast to the grim expectations of prison life. Reactions across social media were split, with some noting his composure. Others saw the images as a sign of privilege. Among those weighing in was rapper 50 Cent, who shared one of the photos on social media. He wrote, “He looks content surrounded by those gentlemen. GOOD MORNING, NEW YORK CITY!” The post quickly spread online, sparking another wave of debate over Diddy’s public image. It has become notable how he continues to navigate his time behind bars.

Actress Nia Long has once again gone viral across various social media platforms. In the clip shared to Instagram, Long appears to be getting her hair done, as the stylist is trimming some pieces of her hair. “She is one of the few women that will have three generations of men trying to get at her..” commented one fan on the post shared to The Shade Room. “I wanna know Nia’s skincare routine. Sis is aging like fine wine..” reacted another. The viral video comes right after Long celebrates her 55th birthday. “Timeless beauty..” fans call her. View this post on Instagram Long is no stranger to the attention she receives online. In a previous interview the actress says although she loves the praise, it is a lot of pressure. “I so appreciate the compliment,” she began. “But I have to tell you, there’s so much pressure in this industry to stay beautiful and to stay young. And I’m really not interested in leaning into this idea of perfection.” “I am a proud 51, and eventually I’m going to age in a way where it’s obvious and I want it to happen beautifully and gracefully,” she continued. “I don’t really want the pressure of feeling like I have to be beautiful and perfect because I think beauty comes at any age.” “The skin gods have definitely blessed me. I’m always grateful and thankful for my good, clean, healthy skin. But I don’t take it for granted. And in order to maintain healthy skin, you have to do the work.” Nia said at the time. View this post on Instagram

GloRilla recently transformed her professional success into a deeply personal tribute. On November 3rd she hosted a retirement celebration for her father, Edwin C. Woods Sr., honoring the end of his nearly three-decade career at the post office. Video from the event shows the 26-year-old artist ushering her dad into the spotlight before presenting her gift. In her remarks she said, “We celebrating my dad, his retirement,” and added, “I’m pretty sure the post office appreciate all your hard work. You know I appreciate all your hard work. So I got a gift for you. You gotta come outside.” View this post on Instagram The surprise unfolded outdoors where GloRilla revealed a shining white Jaguar, leaving her father visibly emotional. The scene underscored the strong bond between the two, previously evident when Woods appeared via video on “The Tamron Hall Show” and said, “I’m very proud of my daughter, she has risen from humble beginnings to going to the White House,” later adding, “I am extremely proud of Gloria and may she have many, many more days of success.” On that same show GloRilla replied through tears: “I love my dad so much, he one of the closest people to my heart.” Since breaking out in 2022, GloRilla has ascended rapidly, from underground act to mainstream powerhouse. She earned multiple Grammy nominations, landed several Top 40 hits, performed on major TV stages, secured endorsement deals with high-profile brands and became a regular at top-tier music festivals. The retirement party honored her father’s long service but also served as a milestone in her own story, one where achievement is calibrated not just by records sold or stages played, but by the value of family and giving back.

Cardi B made quite an entrance at Gillette Stadium, showing up to cheer on her boyfriend Stefon Diggs during the New England Patriots game against the Atlanta Falcons. The rapper and soon-to-be mom of four looked thrilled as she watched Diggs catch an 11-yard touchdown pass that pushed the Patriots ahead 21-3. Sitting alongside team owner Robert Kraft in his private suite, Cardi was spotted clapping, laughing, and celebrating the big play while cameras captured her every move. The Grammy winner brought her signature flair to the game, rocking a burgundy leather Bottega Veneta trench coat with matching gloves, thigh-high boots, and a Birkin bag. She later joked that her look was “WAG material,” a nod to her new role as an NFL girlfriend. Fans online compared her presence at the game to Taylor Swift’s famous appearances supporting Travis Kelce, though Cardi added her own Bronx energy to the spotlight. Following the Patriots’ narrow 24-23 victory, Cardi took to social media to celebrate the win, shouting out Diggs’ touchdown and referring to him affectionately by his jersey number. “BIG PAAATTTTSSSS!!!! BIG TD FROM 8!!!!! You from Boston let’s have a little tea partyyyyyy GRRRR,” she wrote. Cardi and Diggs first sparked dating rumors earlier this year after being spotted together on Valentine’s Day in Miami. By May, they confirmed their relationship courtside at a Knicks game in New York City. In September, Cardi revealed she was pregnant with their first child together. Now that she is attending his games, it is clear Cardi is proudly stepping into her WAG era. Between the touchdown celebration, the designer outfit, and her trademark humor, she made her presence at the Patriots game impossible to miss.

Drake has weighed in following claims made by Panamanian model Gracie Bon, which gained traction after streamer Adin Ross shared the discussion online. The controversy intensified late last night when Bon’s appearance on La Casa De Alofoke began circulating widely on social media. On the show, known for its provocative content, Bon stated she had previously been in a relationship with Drake. She added that after their alleged romance ended, she was “blackballed” from certain events and hinted at unusual behavior during his gatherings. She also suggested that 20% of Kendrick Lamar’s track Not Like Us contained elements of her experience, amplifying speculation among fans. Not Drake spamming the comments — CY Chels (@SeewhyChels) November 3, 2025 Drake Pushes Back Amid Live Stream Claims Ross became involved after Bon referenced an incident at the Wireless Festival. During a live stream, he addressed the claims, and Drake joined the chat to respond directly. The rapper dismissed the allegations as “big cap,” adding, “blackballed is crazy.” While Bon insists the relationship was genuine, Drake has not directly disputed that claim, focusing instead on refuting the more sensational accusations. The exchange has drawn attention to both Bon and La Casa De Alofoke, fueled by Drake’s high-profile status. To date, Bon has not provided evidence supporting her claims about the relationship or the parties. Drake’s response signals his effort to clarify his perspective. Whether Bon will continue to discuss the matter on La Casa De Alofoke remains uncertain, but public interest shows no sign of slowing.