NBA YoungBoy has received a presidential pardon from President Donald Trump. On Wednesday (March 28), YoungBoy, along with eight others, including real estate entrepreneurs Todd and Julie Chrisley and Michael Grimm, a former GOP Congressman, were granted clemency. In a statement, YoungBoy expressed his gratitude for being pardoned. “I want to thank President Trump for granting me a pardon and giving me the opportunity to keep building – as a man, as a father, and as an artist,” YoungBoy said in a statement shared to social media. “This moment means a lot. It opens the door to a future I’ve worked hard for and I am fully prepared to step into this.” In addition to Michael Grimm and the Chrisleys, President Trump used his pardon power to grant clemency to a wave of individuals Wednesday, including:  — Former Connecticut Gov. John Rowland, who was convicted twice — Kentrell Gaulden, the rapper who goes by NBA YoungBoy and… — Kaitlan Collins (@kaitlancollins) May 28, 2025 “Big thanks to the Pardon Czar, Ms. Alice Marie Johnson, for fighting for second chances for so many people, and to my lawyer, Brittany K. Barnett, for being in my corner and all your hard work to make this possible,” his statement continued. “And thank you to everyone who believed in me.” Throughout his career, YoungBoy has faced constant legal troubles, including firearms charges and house arrest. Even while dealing with legal issues, the Baton Rouge rapper has dropped several albums and mixtapes while serving time in prison. Youngboy’s pardon comes in just as his upcoming 27-city concert run, which begins on September 2 in Dallas, is called the Make America Smile Again (MASA) .

Xzibit recently revealed how his former label head demanded an $11 million buyout from Dr. Dre so he could join Aftermath Records. Speaking with Red Bull,  Xzibit claimed that Steve Rifkind, the former CEO of Loud Records, wanted a large sum of money for his release from the label. “He asked for an $11 million buyout,” claimed Xzibit. “He just didn’t want to let me go.” Because of the massive price tag, the deal fell through. Although Dre didn’t sign him to Aftermath, he served as an executive producer on two of Xzibit’s albums. “He told me that no matter what he was doing or where I landed, he was gonna make sure he was there for me,” Xzibit recalled. As the interview continued, Xzibit spoke about his influential show Pimp My Ride. “Nobody knew Pimp My Ride was gonna be Pimp My Ride until that shit came out,” he said. “I had soccer moms coming up and pinching my cheeks and telling me how much they loved me. It turned me into a global brand. I was in people’s homes. I was in people’s lives. People still come up to me to this day and tell me I was a big part of their childhood.” Previously, he shared why he left the popular MTV show, detailing that his contract demands were not being met. “You really want the truth about why Pimp My Ride only lasted six seasons?… Some people don’t want their childhood ruined,” he said. “It ended because my contract was up, and I didn’t want to renew it. I was on my way out the door at 20th Century Fox after filming the last episode, and it was like, ‘Yo, all good things must come to an end.’ I’m good. I’m very good. I’m shaking hands and I’m like, ‘Okay guys, contract’s up, I don’t want to renew. I’m out.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by XZIBIT (@xzibit) The West Coast legend also released his alm Kingmaker, on May 16, his first album in 13 years.

Before he became an international superstar, The Weeknd had a regular 9-to-5. During his late-night TV debut on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on Thursday, May 15, the Ontario native revealed that he wanted to make it as a musician because his biggest goal was “to quit my job.” “I was working at American Apparel,” he said. “I was like 19; I was trying to fold clothes.” “People working at American Apparel started playing the music. And that was the validation I needed. I was like, ‘I’m quitting this job, and this is mine. Yeah, it’s my full-time life,” he continued. He went on to say that no one knew what he looked like because he didn’t show his face as an artist. When he heard people at his gig playing his music, that’s when decided to quit for good. View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Tonight Show (@fallontonight) “People working at American Apparel started playing the music. And that was the validation I needed. I was like, ‘I’m quitting this job, and this is mine. Yeah, it’s my full-time life,” he recalled. After leaving the world of retail, he kept working with his boss from American Apparel, but in a different capacity. “My boss is actually one of my creative directors,” The Weeknd explained.”He does all my typography for my albums now.” Following his conversation with Fallon, The Weeknd performed “Baptized in Fear” and “Open Hearts” off his new album.  View this post on Instagram A post shared by Hurry Up Tomorrow (@hurryuptomorrowmovie) Along with sharing his background in the retail industry, The Weeknd, whose real name is Abel Tesfaye, was promoting his film, Hurry Up Tomorrow. Premiering in theaters on Friday, May 16, the psychological thriller stars Jenna Ortega and Barry Keoghan.

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.

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.