Meek Mill is moving to reassert control over his career, announcing that he is seeking $5 million to fund a new round of projects that include a book, an album, and a short film. The Philadelphia rapper has used social media in recent weeks to voice his frustration with the industry, arguing that artists who step outside the traditional label system face steep and often unfair hurdles. “I need $5M in funding for a book, album, and short film,” Meek wrote in a post on X. In the same message, he took aim at the structure of record deals, saying, “These label deals are not looking fair at all… they have essentially tarnished the game, but I’m poised to revitalize it! Why can’t I receive the same level of investment as tech initiatives in rap culture?” He went further, pointing to banks and financial institutions as gatekeepers that should be challenged by artists. Sharing a clip from radio host DeDe In The Morning, Meek reflected on the deep imprint of Black culture across American life. “Why, as independent music artists, are we not engaging with banks when everything in the music industry ultimately circles back to financial institutions? We possess total control—let’s take action! Is it truly so difficult to secure funding outside of a record label in America? It’s perplexing, to say the least.” Meek Mill turns scrutiny into a blueprint for independence The rapper’s transition to independence has been under sharper scrutiny since his split from Roc Nation earlier this year. That scrutiny grew louder after Rodney “Lil Rod” Jones, in a lawsuit against Diddy, made allegations touching on Meek’s private life. Meek rejected the claims outright in a lengthy statement online. “I have a 14-year-old son. I refuse to let unfounded rumors tarnish my name or manhood… My son has had to confront such negativity at school! This is part of a silent war against black men, and we must unite!” Meek presented that resolve as its own form of strength. “I am a real-life KING. They’ve realized I can uplift entire communities just by showing up… I can mitigate street conflicts without threats… I can mobilize billions to challenge the system… turning $0 into $100 million. This is why I played it low-key; someone caught on!” His call for financial autonomy underscores a larger shift in hip-hop. Increasingly, artists are questioning the value of conventional label deals, instead pushing for the kind of investment and independence that Meek Mill is demanding as he turns the page on the next stage of his career. I need 5m in funding for book.. album and short film …These label deals not looking fair at all… they ruined the game basically … but I can reboot the whole thing! Why I can’t get the same attention as a tech investment in rap wthelly — MeekMill (@MeekMill) September 8, 2025

On Thursday (Sept.4), Billboard held its annual R&B/Hip-Hop Power Players event. Anthony ‘Top Dawg’ Tiffith, the CEO and founder of Top Dawg Entertainment, was crowned as the ‘Executive Of The Year.’ Tiffith founded the independent record label in 2004 in Carson, California. TDE has helped launch the careers of industry heavyweights like Kendrick Lamar, SZA, and most recently, Doechii. He took to the Billboard stage with TDE executive Terrence “Punch” Henderson, along with his son, TDE president Anthony “Moosa” Tiffith Jr, by his side before giving a moving speech. “I like to stay behind the scenes,” he began. “Billboard pulled me out tonight, I got a couple words for y’all. I want to thank Billboard for honoring me with this award, Executive of the Year. I feel like I should’ve won this three, four, five times.” Top continued: “I am low-key, not promoting myself and letting my artists shine, they don’t recognize that. But tonight is that night, this is the MVP trophy of the music industry.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Billboard Hip-Hop/R&B (@billboardhiphop) Top Dawg Entertainment has been on quite a run the past year. Back in June, Kendrick and SZA’s Grand National Tour became the highest-grossing reported co-headline tour ever, according to Billboard’s Boxscore. At the time, they were only halfway through, and the pair had already grossed nearly $256.4 million and sold over 1.1 million tickets. In February, the label’s newest star, Doechii, won the Grammy for Best Rap Album for her mixtape, Alligator Bites Never Heal. Released in August 2024, the 19-track project earned critical acclaim and peaked at No.10 on the US Billboard 200. Alligator Bites Never Heal has now been certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). During the Grammys ceremony, she gave a moving speech that went viral after a clip of it circulated online: “Anything is possible. Don’t allow anybody to project any stereotypes on you, to tell you that you can’t be here, that you’re too dark, or that you’re not smart enough, or that you’re too dramatic or you’re too loud. You are exactly who you need to be to be right where you are, and I am a testimony right now.”

Earlier this week, audio clips of Young Thug’s jail conversations began to circulate online. Most recently, new audio has leaked of Young Thug revealing that, despite public appearances, he and Future aren’t close as one would expect. According to the “Digits” rapper, the two “haven’t been tight in a minute.” Thug accuses Future of doing “lame stuff” behind the scenes and in the studio. “I pull up to the studio, chillin’ wit him, you asking me what to say on the song and how you should start off your song,” Thug says. “…Then [when] it’s girls in the room, now you actin’ like you don’t hear me tellin’ you nuthin’” “I don’t be likin’ that, n*gga I’m a playa,” Thug continued. “I don’t know what image you tryna get off to these girls, but you an idiot, n*gga.” However, Thug claims that when the “March Madness” rapper is alone, he’s “all ears. The YSL rapper also used a derogatory term in reference to Future when noting his ignorance on certain topics.”When I talk to him about God, or when I talk to him about certain things, he just don’t know nuthin’. He doesn’t know nuthin’ but music,” Thug added. Young Thug slams Future in newly leaked call, calls him an “idiot” and “r*tarded” “Me and him ain’t been tight in a minute, he do lame stuff. I don’t know what image you tryna get off but you an idiot, everything you know I done taught you […] He just don’t know nothing he… pic.twitter.com/VUuu8CKT7K — Hip Hop All Day (@HipHopAllDayy) September 6, 2025 Young Thug has come under fire this week after alleged leaked comments targeting some of hip hop’s biggest names, including J. Cole, André 3000, GloRilla, Kendrick Lamar, and Gucci Mane. The controversy comes as he navigates legal troubles and a snitching scandal, adding more heat to an already complicated situation. A clip shared on Twitter reportedly captures Young Thug criticizing J. Cole and André 3000. In the conversation, he questioned why J. Cole had not collaborated with rising artists. “YB [is] the biggest artist in the world on YouTube. Why wouldn’t J. Cole do a song with him?” he allegedly said. He went on to call out artists for avoiding collaborations, explaining, “Like, come on, bruh. You ain’t never in your life sold more records than this boy, this young na. F*ck is you thinking? Like, tripping. Na just be on that, ‘Oh, I don’t like your music. I ain’t doing no music with you.’ Man, n*ggas don’t like y’all n*ggas’ music either.

Young Thug is under fire after alleged leaked comments targeting some of hip hop’s biggest names, including J. Cole, André 3000, GloRilla, Kendrick Lamar, and Gucci Mane. The controversy comes as he navigates legal troubles and a snitching scandal, adding more heat to an already complicated situation. Young Thug calls out J Cole & Andre 3000 in a new leaked jail call. Compares J Cole w Youngboy NBA : “You have never in your life sold more records than this boy…Fuck is you thinking?” “…man niggas don’t like y’all music either, niggas don’t want that shit to come out..” pic.twitter.com/J4stVLi44f — GUNNA DAILY (@Gunnnaupdates) September 5, 2025 A clip shared on Twitter reportedly captures Young Thug criticizing J. Cole and André 3000. In the conversation, he questioned why J. Cole had not collaborated with rising artists. “YB the biggest artist in the world on YouTube. Why wouldn’t J. Cole do a song with him?” he allegedly said. He went on to call out artists for avoiding collaborations, explaining, “Like, come on, bruh. You ain’t never in your life sold more records than this boy, this young n***a. F**k is you thinking? Like, tripping. N***a just be on that, ‘Oh, I don’t like your music. I ain’t doing no music with you.’ Man, n****s don’t like y’all n****s’ music either. Ain’t nobody really like that st you’re talking about. N***as just want to do songs, it’s the game we in. It ain’t no Atlanta Falcons ain’t playing the Miami Dolphins because they don’t like the Dolphins. Man, we playing everybody. It’s the sport we in.” He also targeted André 3000 for not mentoring or supporting younger artists. “André 3000, you’re one of the biggest artists in the world. You became one of the biggest artists in the world. But you ain’t help nobody. You ain’t put nobody on. Now you vintage. Now you goddamn can’t put out a song and go top 50. You see what I’m saying? You put a song out right now, you can’t even go top 50. But you were the biggest artist in the entire world at one point. But you ain’t put nobody on, though. You ain’t did nothing. Ain’t no na saying they got a career off of you. Like, y’all n****s ain’t help nobody. All that cap rap s**t, that rap s**t don’t mean nothing. In 10, 15 years, that s**t don’t mean nothing.” Thug has also been criticized for mocking GloRilla, prompting her response on social media. He later apologized on Twitter, but fans are still waiting to see if he will address the larger controversy surrounding these alleged comments.

Kanye West is once again navigating legal challenges. This time, attention is focused on his 2022 project, Donda 2, which has drawn scrutiny from copyright holders over the use of a particular track. Billboard reports that West is facing a federal copyright infringement lawsuit for allegedly sampling soul singer Sam Dees’ 1975 song “Just Out Of My Reach” without permission. Filed September 4 by The GRC Trust on behalf of Ginn Music Group, an Atlanta-based publisher that controls Dees’ catalog, the suit centers on West’s collaboration with Vory, titled “LORD LIFT ME UP.” A comparison of the two songs reveals a marked similarity, especially in the opening seconds of Dees’ original, which West reportedly loops throughout the 2-minute, 10-second track. The suit names not only West and Vory—whose full name is Tavoris Javon Hollins—but also Yeezy LLC, highlighting the business entities tied to the release. Implications for Collaborators The lawsuit further implicates Kano Computing and its founder, Alex Klein, responsible for developing the Stem Player, the exclusive platform for streaming Donda 2. The filing asserts, “At no point did defendants obtain authorization from GRC to use the composition in connection with the infringing work. Defendants continue to exploit and receive profits from the infringing work, thereby violating GRC’s rights in this composition.” The GRC Trust is seeking both a court injunction and monetary restitution, demanding “all profits of defendants… plus all losses of GRC, plus any other monetary advantage gained by the defendants through their infringement.” The case underscores the increasing legal scrutiny artists face when sampling classic material, especially within projects distributed on unconventional platforms. The dispute coincides with anticipation surrounding West’s upcoming documentary, In Whose Name?, set to debut in select theaters. Developed over more than a year, the film examines pivotal moments in West’s life from 2018 to 2024, including his divorce from Kim Kardashian and his controversial remarks regarding antisemitism, offering an intimate look at the intersection of his personal struggles and artistic ambitions.

Drake has admitted that certain criticism from the Hip Hop community really gets under his skin, particularly being labeled a “culture vulture.” Despite his frustrations, Wu-Tang Clan legend Ghostface Killah has a simple message for the rapper: ignore it and focus on the music. #EXCLUSIVE Ghostface Killah Advises Drake to Blow Off ‘Culture Vulture’ Label “Been Called Worse Than That!”https://t.co/1lp1tZBywA pic.twitter.com/TYhMCp0GbS — TMZ (@TMZ) September 4, 2025 TMZ Hip Hop caught up with Ghostface at ABC Studios on Thursday, September 4th, while he was promoting his new album, Supreme Clientele 2. Laughing off Drake’s grievances, the veteran rapper suggested that there are far worse insults to endure in the industry and that some comments are not worth letting affect you. Drake has previously expressed sensitivity to accusations of jumping on viral trends, and he recently called out several tenured Hip Hop journalists. He even labeled Rob Markman a “goof” after Markman could not recall Lil Wayne’s “Cannon” lyrics at the request of Tory Lanez. Drake has been critical of reporters who he feels are entitled to his time, going so far as to call them “losers.” Markman responded to the remarks by defending the Hip Hop community. He emphasized that journalists are responsible for covering the culture and should not be personally attacked for doing their jobs. He also spoke up for any reporters who may have been unfairly criticized. This exchange highlights the ongoing tension between artists and the media. While Drake navigates public scrutiny and commentary from fans and journalists alike, Ghostface Killah’s advice serves as a reminder that not every critique warrants a response. Focus on your craft and let the rest fade into the background.

Hip-hop is no stranger to controversy, and its latest flashpoint centers on GloRilla and Young Thug. In recent weeks, leaked jail call recordings surfaced online, allegedly capturing the Atlanta rapper disparaging fellow artists. Among the remarks, he reportedly singled out GloRilla, describing her looks in unflattering terms—a jab that swiftly drew her into the broader storm surrounding his ongoing legal battles. For GloRilla, the attention arrived without warning. She had been in the headlines for her relationship with NBA forward Brandon Ingram, yet the leaked audio shifted the focus sharply. The clips also revived long-running allegations of snitching against Young Thug, raising new questions about his standing in both the courtroom and the culture. GloRilla, rather than sidestepping the moment, responded with a sharp retort on Twitter: “Mind you dis da same n***a blowing my phone up to ask what color my eyes is lmaooo.” The post ricocheted across social platforms, with fans dissecting both her wit and the complicated undercurrents between two prominent figures in rap. Young Thug Apologizes After Leaked Audio Not long after, Young Thug offered an apology that caught many off guard. “@GloTheofficial first of all I’m sorry to u for my words and I honestly don’t think ur ugly at all, I was speaking from jail just having a hard time with life.. I don’t like bashing girls and hardly ever did.. I’m sorry to u twin.” His message — equal parts contrition and explanation — revealed an unusually vulnerable side of an artist who rarely concedes ground in public. It was the second time in recent weeks he had addressed leaked audio directly. Earlier, he pushed back against chatter linked to his disputes with OTF and Lil Durk, while other instances of interrogation footage had drawn more evasive replies. The exchange with GloRilla, however, carried a sharper personal edge, underscoring both his volatility and his instinct to manage a narrative that seems to shift by the day. For now, the dust has settled. Still, with additional recordings reportedly in circulation, the open question remains: will Young Thug continue to confront them one by one, or will he let the noise dissipate as he turns his focus back to the music?

SZA has fans talking after speculation surfaced linking her to rising artist Shaboozey. The rumors began when Shaboozey shared a new Instagram carousel captioned “Goodbye Horses,” which included a short clip of a woman seen from behind. Observant fans noticed her outfit resembled ones SZA has recently worn, sparking chatter that the two may be romantically involved. While nothing has been confirmed, excitement online is already high. SZA and Shaboozey? She definitely not dating Kendrick like some hypothesized pic.twitter.com/3XA44v29HP — Ashley (@realeyezone) September 2, 2025 Some fans are urging caution, suggesting that the two could simply be collaborating on music or filming a video. One user wrote, “But why do we always assume dating? They’re literally both musicians, it could be anything.” Others are fully on board with the idea of a romance, sharing comments like, “I love that for him, absolutely SZA, they are so chocolate together,” and “I’m so ready to be a HUSBAND and FATHER [green heart emoji wedding ring emoji].” Shaboozey has become one of the most in-demand artists over the past year, earning praise for his crossover appeal and collaborations with major acts like Beyoncé on COWBOY CARTER and rappers such as BigXthaPlug, who call on him to add a country influence to their tracks. Meanwhile, SZA recently wrapped her contributions to Kendrick Lamar’s Grand National tour in Sweden on August 9th, reflecting on the experience, “This tour was the craziest most once in a lifetime experience I’ve ever had. Like all my childhood thoughts in one bang.. WHAT WAS THAT? Lmao not a lotta words.. thank you to every single person involved that made this happen. Especially @kendricklamar [praying hands emoji].” Neither artist has confirmed the rumors, but fans are eagerly watching to see whether this potential pairing will become official.

Young Thug is once again under pressure, caught in a swirl of scrutiny that has spilled from social media into the wider hip-hop world. On Wednesday, the Atlanta rapper took to X, formerly Twitter, with a pointed warning for his critics. “Criticizing me will only damage the rap community further; I’m the truth in this fake industry,” he wrote, casting the uproar not only as an attack on himself but as a threat to rap culture more broadly. The reaction online was swift and split. Some fans questioned his credibility outright. One user wrote, “You were bullying Gunna behind the scenes, though. You know what needs to be done to resolve things, but do you possess the emotional awareness to execute it?” Another added, “You’re calling others out for actions you’ve taken, yet expect to be free from backlash?” Others, however, urged him to tune out the noise and focus on what they are waiting for most: the release of his upcoming album, UY Scutti. Rumors spread, Thug stands firm The latest controversy was sparked by the leak of an interrogation clip in which Thug, born Jeffrey Williams, appeared to reference fellow rapper Peewee Roscoe. The brief mention ignited accusations of cooperating with police—a charge that carries particular weight in a genre where loyalty is sacred. Thug has rejected the suggestion outright, and Roscoe himself stepped in to defend him. “That’s what one is supposed to do. In the interrogation room, you tell them ‘We sold Dwayne Carter weed.’ What’s wrong with you? A statement is simply this… He acted as a responsible citizen should, a genuine street individual. He kept it real and tried to help me,” Roscoe said in a video. Still, the rumors have lingered, eroding confidence in Thug’s standing inside rap’s unwritten code. Complicating matters further are leaked jailhouse calls connected to the YSL RICO case, in which Thug allegedly disparaged other artists, including Gunna and Kendrick Lamar. His post on Wednesday was not his only defense this week. A day earlier, he shared a line from actor Denzel Washington on Instagram, a simple dismissal of cancel culture that read, “Who Cares?” Bashing me only goin fuck that rap community up more, I’m the blue to this fake ass game — Young Thug ひ (@youngthug) September 3, 2025

As excitement builds for his upcoming album, Iceman, Drake is addressing the media attention that often shadows his releases. In a recent interview with Bobbi Althoff that has gone viral online, the Toronto artist suggested that critics may coordinate their responses to ensure negative coverage surrounds his projects. Drake elaborated on his perspective: “It appears that the first critics to respond are not necessarily offering genuine reactions to my albums. Instead, it seems there are strategic discussions taking place among media members, determining their individual stances—often negative—before my project even has a chance to be fully heard.” He added, “These discussions happen in a collective setting, where different critics decide their narratives to ensure there’s no overlap. Someone might declare, ‘I dislike the album,’ even before they have fully engaged with it, aiming for comments that generate the most interaction.” Drake on Media and ‘Iceman’ The remarks, shared widely by DJ Akademiks on social media, sparked a range of reactions. Some fans praised Drake for his candor and defense of his work, while others questioned his critique, pointing to his long-standing navigation of media cycles. The exchange highlights the ongoing tension between artists and critics in an era where social media magnifies every opinion and reaction. Beyond discussing the press, Drake delved into more personal topics, including his approach to relationships and the continuing conversation around his authenticity and public image. These reflections, paired with his critique of media behavior, portray an artist both guarded and self-aware as he prepares for one of the year’s most anticipated releases. While an official release date for Iceman has yet to be confirmed, Drake’s comments provide fans a window into the mindset he hopes will frame the album. As anticipation grows, his observations about perception and criticism offer context for how the work may be received when it finally arrives. View this post on Instagram A post shared by DJ Akademiks (@akademiks)