After being found not guilty of felony assault in February, A$AP Rocky has desribed his experience as “traumatic.” In a new Variety cover story, Rocky shared that the trial brought emotions such as betrayal, which he addresses on his highly anticipated album, Don’t Be Dumb. “I’m writing about these past four or five years that I had this over me, and it’s been kind of handicapping me,” Rocky said. “I think I had trust issues for a while now. I can’t necessarily blame it on my last situation,” he continued. “But what I did learn is you’ve gotta accept that everybody’s not good people; you’re not gonna run into a solid person every time. Not everybody’s gonna handle situations like you.” “Once you accept that you’re not responsible for nobody’s actions but yours … That’s where I’m at — like, yo, focus on your own actions. Because I ain’t perfect. I’m human too, and we all f**k up,” he added. He also spoke about why he rejected a plea deal that would have given him a prison sentence of 180 days. He faced a maximum of 24 years if would have been convicted. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Variety (@variety) “You got to stop yourself from thinking like that. Because that could get the best of you, and you can manifest that energy by mistake. I tried to stay positive at all times,” Rocky explained. Now that his legal troubles are behind him, Rocky is making major moves as a co-star along with Denzel Washington on  Spike Lee’s newest film, Highest 2 Lowest, and he’s expecting his third child with Rihanna. “I got Cannes to go to. I got an album to make. I got fashion shows to do. I got music to make. I got videos. I got sneakers to drop. I got glasses to be the new creative director of. I got children. I got all type of sh*t,” he said. “Like, nah, why would I dwell on that dark-a** shit? I talk about it from time to time, but for the most part, I don’t really think about that shit.”

Sean “Diddy” Combs’ federal sex crimes trial officially got underway as jury selection kicked off in Manhattan. The courtroom saw a steady flow of potential jurors, each questioned individually by Judge Arun Subramanian, the prosecution, and the defense team. The goal? Narrow the pool to 45 qualified individuals over the course of three days, though Judge Subramanian joked the process might feel as long as the Lord of the Rings trilogy. According to USA Today, Combs, 55, entered the courtroom around 9 a.m. from a Brooklyn detention center, dressed in a white shirt layered under a dark sweater, sporting sunglasses and a salt-and-pepper beard. He greeted his attorneys with hugs before the serious business of jury selection began. The court questioned each juror individually about their knowledge of the case. Several admitted to having seen media coverage or viral content tied to the accusations against the music mogul. One juror even acknowledged “liking” a social media post that joked about baby oil, a detail linked to alleged sex parties described in Combs’ indictment. “I remember liking it because I thought it was funny,” they explained. Despite this, they were allowed to continue, stating they could remain unbiased. Others weren’t as lucky. The court dismissed several potential jury members, especially those with personal or family experiences involving sexual violence. One man, identified as Juror No. 2, revealed that his sister had been physically assaulted years ago but stated that it wouldn’t affect his ability to remain impartial. Combs is facing serious federal charges, including rape and sex trafficking, and has pleaded not guilty. Earlier this month, he rejected a plea deal. If convicted, he could spend the rest of his life behind bars. The jury will remain anonymous throughout the trial to protect them from outside influence or harassment.

Denzel Washington and Spike Lee are reunited, and it feels so good. The Oscar-winning actor and the Oscar-winning director have released the first trailer for their A24 and Apple crime thriller, Highest 2 Lowest. After premiering later this month at the Cannes Film Festival, the film is set to be released in theaters on August 22 and stream on Apple TV+ starting Sept. 5. Previously, the two industry titans worked together on Mo’ Better Blues (1990), Malcolm X (1992), He Got Game (1998), and Inside Man  (2006). In the Highest 2 Lowest, Lee reinterprets Akira Kurosawa’s crime thriller based on the Ed McBain novel “King’s Ransom,” about the ruin of a businessman who pays a ransom to kidnappers. The film begins production this March with a script written by Lee and  Alan Fox. Lee will also serve as executive producer through his 40 Acres And A Mule Filmworks.  At the Red Sea Film Festival, Lee spoke about his highly anticipated film. “One of the best things about film school is that you get introduced to world cinema, not just Hollywood,” Lee said. “Seeing Kurosawa’s film ‘Rashomon’ and its structure inspired me to make ‘She’s Gotta Have It.’ In ‘Rashomon,’ you have three people who witness a rape, and each gives their own opinion of what happened. In ‘She’s Gotta Have It,’ Nola Darling has three boyfriends who each see her in a different way. From the very beginning of my career, I was influenced by Kurosawa.” During an appearance on Wave Original’s 7 PM In Brooklyn featuring Carmelo Anthony, Lee shared why he cast A$AP Rocky in one of the starring roles. “What’s funny is that I was looking at Instagram, four or five years ago, and people were saying that ASAP [Rocky] looked like he’s Denzel’s son,” Lee explained. “I seen those memes, and then in the film we used that. ASAP, man, he fire.” “I mean, there’s some scenes where he and Denzel Washington head to head–he ain’t backing up. Like I’m here too. So very, very happy with the way the film turned out and looking forward to sharing it with the world.”

Rihanna is reportedly pregnant with her third child with A$AP Rocky. The Grammy-winning winger and billionaire business mogul was seen in photos with her alleged baby bump in anticipation of her arrival at the 2025 Met Gala. Congrats to Rihanna and A$AP Rocky on expecting their third child together. pic.twitter.com/sAzPrFqdAU — Rap Alert (@rapalert6) May 5, 2025 At another highly publicized event, Super Bowl LVII, Rihanna announced her second pregnancy as the headliner for the halftime show. Rubbing her belly during the performance,  millions watching across the globe concluded that she was pregnant. Following the game,  she confirmed she was but admitted she didn’t intend to reveal she was with child. “Here’s the thing. I did what I had to do, right? My jumper couldn’t zip up,” she said to the outlet. “No one knew I was pregnant. I just told my stylist, ‘Make sure it’s stretchy.’” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Oprah Daily (@oprahdaily) “So the undergarment was stretchy and this was baggy, but you know, the zip. It just stopped right there! So it had to be what it had to be,” she continued. Currently, Rihanna and A$AP Rocky are parents to two boys: RZA, 2, and Riot, 1.  The Fenty founder told Interview in April 2024 that she is not against growing her family.  “I don’t know what God wants, but I would go for more than two,’ she told Interview in April 202,” she explained. “I would try for my girl. But, of course, if it’s another boy, it’s another boy.”

Malia Obama is bringing all the vibes as a filmmaker in the world of sports. The eldest daughter of former president Barack Obama and Michelle Obama sat behind the camera as the director for videos of A’ja Wilson’s new Nike shoe, A’ One. Obama was the visionary behind two videos tied to the WNBA star’s new signature shoe for the brand, the A’One, set to drop on Tuesday, May 6. During one of the videos, a young girl teaches Wilson how to play a remixed version of “Miss Mary Mack” that pays tribute to her remarkable career. “A’ja Wilson’s on top, top, top,” the girl sings. “Can’t take her spot, spot, spot.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Nike Basketball (@nikebasketball) A’ja Wilson struggles with her clapping skills, “Girl, let me show you how a professional does it,” the kid jokes at one point as Wilson finally gets it. Dawn Staley, Wilson’s former coach at the University of South Carolina, makes a cameo in the video. In the second video, Wilson is being interviewed at Big T’s Bar-B-Que in Columbia, South Carolina, the city of her birth, and where she would go on to win an NCAA championship with the Gamecocks. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Nike Basketball (@nikebasketball) During a session with media in February, Wilson shared her excitement about the release of her first signature shoe “The A’One is meant to go the distance, taking control from the jump and dominating the floor on every play,” Wilson says. “From the beginning, we designed the shoe to both support my game and to provide young hoopers a tool to help them level up. The A’One aces that assignment, delivering exactly what I need to push my performance and inspiring the next generation to give it their all on every play.” “When athletes wear my shoe or any of the pieces from my collection, I want them to feel the power behind that logo: the power to dream big, then put in the work — in style and confidence,” Wilson continued. The Nike A’One will be available at nike.com on Tuesday, May 6.

Trippie Redd and Future’s drama has taken a petty turn, as the two continue to clash over a woman, and Trippie seems to be escalating things even further. While Trippie has always admired Future’s talent, their bond is now strained, largely due to Trippie’s recent actions. The latest twist comes with a series of posts shared by Tanelle Jassenia, who has been linked to Trippie for the past week and is also an alleged ex of Future’s. The Instagram Stories, posted by Jassenia, show her hanging out with Trippie at a nightclub. In one video, Trippie is seen grabbing her as she dances in the back of a car, while Future’s music plays in the background, adding a layer of drama. The next clip shows Jassenia dancing at the club, with Trippie throwing large amounts of cash in her direction. This display ends with Jassenia’s payment being revealed, implying that Trippie was very pleased with the performance. Fans are particularly annoyed with Trippie’s actions, especially considering that his partner, Coi Leray, is pregnant. Comments online are expressing frustration, with one user remarking, “He really disturbed Coi’s peace smfh, he could’ve left her alone.” Another added, “Coi has her own bag,” hinting that Trippie’s behavior might be unnecessary. The situation is made more complicated by the appearance of fake text messages involving Future and Jassenia. The messages supposedly show Future discussing his inability to commit and a stolen watch. Future quickly dismissed them and denied their authenticity. On X, Future stated, “This a fake text btw… insane,” and urged people to stop spreading false information. Jassenia has clarified that she received the fake texts from another source. She then handed them over to Trippie’s team to leak. She now claims responsibility for spreading the false messages, adding another layer of confusion to the situation.

Rumors are once again swirling that Rihanna is with child after a recent social media post. On Thursday (May 1), the “Diamonds” singer shared a photo rocking a black two-piece from her Savage x Fenty line. While fans love it when Ri bears it all, this time it’s what she’s not showing that caught fans’ attention. The singer’s comment section was flooded with questions from fans, wondering if the singer was covering her midriff because she and A$AP Rocky were preparing for baby No.3. “Rihanna and I have been pregnant at the same time every time so yeah she’s gonna announce soon,” one fan joked on X(formerly Twitter). Another X user wrote, “She got that pregnancy nose. Lawd A$AP gotta get off of her.” “I’LL NEVER FORGIVE YOU, A$AP RRRRRRRROCKY!!! IT SHOULDA BEEN ME!!!!!!!!!!” one fan commented. Other fans predicted that if Rihanna were, in fact, pregnant it would be announced at the annual Met Gala. “Baby bump debut at the met – u heard it here first,” someone else wrote. softNsavage pic.twitter.com/T6xSiNfGv8 — Rihanna (@rihanna) May 1, 2025 Rihanna Named #2 Billboard’s Top 100 Women Artists Of 21st Century When she’s not on mommy duty, Rihanna is making music history. The singer recently secured the No. 2 spot on Billboard’s Top 100 Women Artists of the 21st Century. Second only to Taylor Swift, her influence extends far beyond music, shaping fashion, business, and culture. With an unparalleled ability to evolve, Rihanna has redefined what it means to be a global icon. Her impact on music is undeniable. As one of the best-selling artists of all time, she has delivered hit after hit, crafting a discography that spans genres. From the moody intensity of Rated R (2009) to the vibrant energy of Loud (2010), Rihanna has never been afraid to reinvent herself. Songs like Only Girl (In the World) and What’s My Name? became instant classics, showcasing her ability to dominate both pop and R&B.

Doechii is all about upholding unity among women in the entertainment industry, especially with female rappers like herself. In a recent Instagram Live video, the TDE rapper revealed the one female rapper she “loves” and has been craving to work with: Megan Thee Stallion. During the live, a fan proposed the idea of the rapper collaborating with Megan to which she responded, “Y’all know I love me some Megan, so I’m definitely gonna collab with her.” That said, Doechii is unsure of when said collaboration will come to fruition, much to the chagrin of fans. Hopefully, the long-awaited track will come sooner rather than later. Not too long ago, a rumor circulated that the two were already working together on a new track. Doechii talks about collaborating with Megan Thee Stallion in a recent IG Live. pic.twitter.com/KFGc555pCD — CelebsloveMegan (@celebslovemeg) May 3, 2025 As soon as the speculation hit the internet, fans took to X (formerly Twitter) with hilarious reactions. One user joked, “Y’all saying this like it’s a Marvel leak,” capturing the level of excitement surrounding the potential track. Another fan added, “Megan and her 800,000 albums, she keeps us fed,” referring to Megan’s steady stream of releases. However, the rumor was quickly dispelled. In March, Megan Thee Stallion shared that she has Doechii on her next album’s “wishlist.” The rapper had been on TikTok live video, teasing her Act 3 project. “I love Doechii, b*tch,” she says to fans in the comment section. “I do wanna do a song with Doechii. That is on my album wishlist.” While the rapper admitted she has no idea of the possible track’s direction, she’s confident Doechii will help guide her. “I feel Doechii would be the type of person you would have to be, like, in the studio to make a song with. Like, I would like to hear a beat that she would rap over.” Additionally, for her next project, the rapper says she’s looking to “challenge” herself by rapping over beats she wouldn’t normally.

Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter tour recently kicked off and clips have begun circulating online, garnering millions of views and a cease-and-desist letter. According to Billboard, Sphere Entertainment Group Co. demands the singer cut a video segment from her tour, arguing that it “amounts to unauthorized use of the company’s intellectual property.” The brief sequence the company is referring to shows Beyoncé picking up what appears to be a sphere-shaped object, and juggling it in her hand. The scathing letter, addressed to Beyoncé’s production company, Parkwood Entertainment, claims the singer has used the Sphere’s imagery “without permission.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Pop Crave (@popcravenow) Sphere Owner Accuses Beyoncé of ‘Misleading’ Her Fans Additionally, the company is accusing the singer of “misleading her fans.” Not long ago, rumors circulated that Beyoncé would begin a residency at the Sphere. However, according to Dolan’s attorneys, while the singer and the Sphere Entertainment Group had been in talks for a possible residency in the past, the negotiations were ultimately unsuccessful. “It has recently come to SEG’s attention that a Cowboy Carter tour interlude video contains the unauthorized use of SEG’s intellectual property,” the letter reads. “SEG is sure that multiple aspects of the interlude video, including other brands, clips, and music, were duly cleared by the tour with rights permissions from the rights holders whose works were used in the video, as is common practice,” the letter continues.” SEG, however, was never asked and the prominent appearance and manipulation of SEG’s Sphere venue in the video is unauthorized.” In all, the company demands that Knowles-Carter’s Parkwood company, “refrain from using this imagery on any merchandise, promotional or marketing materials, or in tour movies, etc. Should you fail to do so, SEG reserves all rights to take further action as SEG deems appropriate without notice to you.” Beyoncé and her team were contacted for a comment, but have yet to respond to the demand letter.

Beyoncé has offered her own twist on the viral #BootsOnTheGround challenge that’s taking over social media. During a recent stop on her Cowboy Carter tour, a fan shared a video clip of the singer, with her fan in hand as she performed a mashup of “Heated” from her Reinassance album and “Boots On The Ground.” The crowd roared as the Cecred founder and her dancers offered a new twist to the popular line dance. Kamala Harris, Michelle Obama, and former NBA star Shaquille O’Neal have also joined in on the challenge. The track behind the viral trend, “Boots On The Ground,” was released in 2024 by South Carolina singer, 803Fresh. The song has seen a resurgence in the past weeks due to social media platforms like TikTok. View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Neighborhood Talk (@theneighborhoodtalk) Beyoncé Slapped With Cease-And-Desist By Las Vegas’ Sphere Owner In other news, Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter tour recently kicked off and clips have begun circulating online, garnering millions of views and a cease-and-desist letter. According to Billboard, Sphere Entertainment Group Co. demands the singer cut a video segment from her tour, arguing that it “amounts to unauthorized use of the company’s intellectual property.” The brief sequence the company is referring to shows Beyoncé picking up what appears to be a sphere-shaped object, and juggling it in her hand. The scathing letter, addressed to Beyoncé’s production company, Parkwood Entertainment, claims the singer has used the Sphere’s imagery “without permission.” Additionally, the company is accusing the singer of “misleading her fans.” Not long ago, rumors circulated that Beyoncé would begin a residency at the Sphere. However, according to Dolan’s attorneys, while the singer and the Sphere Entertainment Group had been in talks for a possible residency in the past, the negotiations were ultimately unsuccessful. “It has recently come to SEG’s attention that a Cowboy Carter tour interlude video contains the unauthorized use of SEG’s intellectual property,” the letter reads.