Dr. Dre has reached a financial milestone that reflects both his musical legacy and years of business ventures beyond the studio. In its latest ranking of the world’s wealthiest individuals, released March 10, Forbes placed the producer and entrepreneur among its billionaires for the first time. The magazine estimates his fortune at roughly $1 billion, positioning him at No. 3,332 globally. The achievement places Dre among a small group of musicians whose wealth has crossed that threshold. Within hip-hop, the distinction carries added significance. Dre now ranks as the second wealthiest figure in the genre, trailing only Jay-Z. The list also includes a handful of other artists from across the music industry, among them Beyoncé. Forbes attributes Dre’s wealth to a combination of his influential career in music and the long-term success of his Beats electronics brand, along with investments and real estate holdings accumulated over the years. The Beats deal remains central to that story. More than a decade ago, Apple purchased the headphone company in a transaction valued at about $3 billion. Dre’s share of the sale reportedly totaled around $500 million, a figure that significantly expanded his fortune but did not immediately place him among billionaires. At the time, the deal nonetheless made him one of the richest figures associated with hip-hop. T.I. Reveals New Dr. Dre Record Featuring Anderson .Paak Despite his growing business empire, Dre has continued to stay involved in music. Collaborations and production work remain a steady part of his career. One recent example surfaced through comments from the Atlanta rapper T.I., who spoke about working with Dre on a forthcoming project. “Dr. Dre blessed me with a record,” T.I. said during a conversation with AllHipHop. “It happens to have Anderson .Paak on it and a young lady by the name of Stallone. It’s a dope record. It’s called ‘Where I’m From.’ Dope record.” He also described how the collaboration came together once Dre sent the track. “He sent it to me, and I went to the house, and I laid it. And then I laid another verse, and I went back,” T.I. said. “It’s always for the best outcome, for the betterment of the record. I’m always for someone who I know is dedicated to making the absolute best sh*t we can make.”

Egypt Criss, the daughter of Treach and Sandra ‘Pepa’ Denton — is making headlines after losing a recent boxing match. Criss was knocked out by Olympic boxer Jade Jones during their bout at the Misfits Duel 2. View this post on Instagram Treach shared an open letter to his daughter following the fight. In a post titled “To My Darling Daughter Egypt Pt. 1,” the Treach rapper wrote, “When you marry a clout-chasing clown who brainwashes you into taking care of him and lets him train you and set you up like this, what did you expect? I love you.” He continued by calling out those around her, writing, “As far as him and the team around you — y’all put my daughter in harm’s way. Karma comes back quick. You reap what you sow.” View this post on Instagram 50 Cent also reacted to the knockout on Instagram. Sharing the clip of the fight, he wrote, “Damn, get the strap… that’s Treach and Pepa’s baby, Egypt. Don’t be sending me stuff like this because I’m going to post it.” View this post on Instagram

A brief but noticeable exchange on social media has placed Megan Thee Stallion and BIA at the center of a new online dispute. The episode unfolded over the weekend after Megan shared a video of herself listening to Cardi B’s track “Pretty & Petty.” During the clip, Megan reacted to a lyric referencing BIA, replaying the moment with visible amusement. The line—”Name five BIA songs with a gun pointed to your head/Pow, you’re dead.” — prompted Megan to laugh before asking aloud, “Why would she say that?” Soon after the video circulated, BIA appeared to answer indirectly. In a post on her Instagram Story, she uploaded a selfie set to Nicki Minaj’s diss track “Big Foot,” a song widely interpreted as targeting Megan. BIA highlighted one lyric from the record, “Lying on your dead mama,” and paired it with a screenshot of Megan’s 2022 interview discussing the shooting involving Tory Lanez. Alongside the image, she added a pointed caption: “When I know someone lying, but I let them keep going anyway.” The exchange quickly drew reactions across comment sections and fan pages. One user accused BIA of unnecessarily escalating the situation by inserting herself into the moment. BIA responded directly beneath the post, pushing back against the criticism with a remark aimed at online defenders. “Girl, go to the courthouse and support her. The keyboard activist is not helping,” she wrote. Old Rap Feuds, New Moment Megan Thee Stallion has not publicly responded to BIA’s remarks. The moment unfolded against the backdrop of several long-running rivalries within the rap world. Cardi B and BIA have been at odds for years, and Cardi’s song “Pretty & Petty”—which sparked the latest exchange—appeared on her second album Am I the Drama?, released last September. In past interviews, BIA has downplayed the idea of turning that rivalry into a musical confrontation. Speaking with radio host Nessa, she dismissed the possibility of trading diss tracks with Cardi. “Why would I? I don’t care about anybody that much to get up and dedicate my life to like, ‘Oh, let me get at her.’ Like, no way, bro, that’s crazy.” Megan’s own tensions with Nicki Minaj have also shaped the atmosphere around the current exchange. Their conflict intensified in 2024 when both artists released pointed songs directed at each other. Minaj issued “Big Foot,” while Megan responded earlier with the track “Hiss,” setting off a widely discussed moment in contemporary rap.

Rihanna takes action following the shooting outside her home. As previously reported, a woman who fired nearly 10 rounds of gunfire into Rihanna’s Beverly Hills home has been identified as 35-year-old Florida native Ivana Lisette Ortiz. Ortiz has been charged with attempted murder, with bail set at $10,000,000 as she remains in prison. Sources revealed that although Rihanna was home at the time of the shooting, she was left unharmed. View this post on Instagram Ortiz reportedly left a series of disturbing messages on social media prior to the incident. The messages contained erratic and troubling statements about the singer and her appearance. View this post on Instagram Following the incident, Rihanna was reportedly spotted at the Van Nuys airport, seemingly boarding a flight. As of now, the singer nor her team has spoke out about the incident.

Late Monday (Mar.9), Mo’Nique shared an open letter to her “sister” Whoopi Goldberg. Throughout the impassioned letter, which she shared on her Instagram page, the comedian takes The View host to task over a heated debate they had on the show back in 2018. “The tone of the comments today seems different from the energy eight years ago, with many people now agreeing with my sentiments about not working for people or entities I don’t owe anything to,” Mo’Nique wrote. This decision to release the letter was seemingly spurred on after The Parkers actress saw a resurfaced clip of her and Goldberg’s heated back-and-forth. Mo’Nique had stopped by the show to discuss claims that she felt “exploited” by Precious director Lee Daniels, as well as Oprah and Tyler Perry, who were producers on the project, during the film’s promotional cycle. In the clip, which has since gone viral and been used as meme material, Mo’Nique argues that she had completed all her “contractual obligations” regarding promotion for the Oscar-winning film; however, Daniels, Perry, and Oprah allegedly pushed her behind the scenes to do more. Her decision not to move forward ultimately led to her being “blackballed” in the industry, she claimed. In Goldberg’s opinion, it was Mo’Nique’s job to promote the film regardless of the deal she signed. Whoopi says the comedian should’ve reached out to her so she could “school her” on what to expect. In an effort to call out Whoopi’s hypocrisy, Mo’Nique referenced a lawsuit filed against Goldberg for not taking her role in the 1993 film Theodore Rex. For Mo’Nique, this information was surprising, especially after the comments she received from the talk show host. View this post on Instagram “Your defense was that you never actually committed. You can imagine how confused I was when I discovered this, especially since when I explained that my only contractual obligation was to Lee Daniels, it didn’t sway your opinion enough to stop you from saying you could have ‘schooled’ me on doing what they expected from me.” Mo’Nique noted that it’s important to look out for the “little girl coming behind us.” She then equated the late disgraced financier and sexual predator, Jeffrey Epstein, to Tyler Perry regarding their ability to avoid accountability. She added, “The reason I said we must look out for the little girl coming behind us is because of situations like Epstein Island and the other powerful people avoiding accountability. People like Tyler Perry refused to take responsibility, while I had to take responsibility for refusing to sign up for an act of slavery against my will,” Mo’Nique alleged. “The worst part is that another woman chastised me on a platform meant to empower women.” Toward the end of the letter, Mo’Nique Goldberg’s judgment was clouded by her “deep connections” with Oprah and Tyler Perry, the latter of which claimed the comedian was difficult to work with, a statement with which he later admitted was not true. “Now I don’t know if your opinion of my actions was influenced by your former Executive Producer, Candi Carter’s relationship with Oprah, or by your professional ties with Tyler Perry,” she wrote. “But what is interesting is hearing you now speak about the importance of standing up for what’s right. My question is: is your stance truly about standing up against wrongs, or is it about standing with the ‘right people’?”

Actor Terrence Howard recently revealed that he once had an opportunity to date global superstar Beyoncé, but ultimately chose not to pursue it. During a recent interview with Patrick Bet-David, Howard opened up about a moment earlier in his career when he said there was a chance for a romantic connection with the Grammy-winning singer. However, the actor explained that he decided against it because he did not want to participate in what he described as Hollywood’s “hookup culture.” Howard shared that at the time he was trying to remain focused on his personal values and relationships rather than pursuing casual romances within the entertainment industry. Instead of acting on the opportunity, he said he chose to go in a different direction romantically. While reflecting on the moment, Howard suggested that his decision was rooted in wanting to maintain his principles and avoid the pressures that often come with dating in Hollywood. View this post on Instagram

Fredo Bang stopped by HOT 97 to talk with Nessa about his new album Most Hated 2 and the energy behind revisiting the project that helped define an earlier chapter of his career. He talked about the emotions he wants listeners to feel from the music and why bringing back the Most Hated title felt right at this point in his journey. Fredo also reflected on growing up on the south side of Baton Rouge, what people outside the city often misunderstand about it, and how seeing fans connect deeply with his music has become one of the most meaningful parts of his career. During the conversation, Fredo also opened up about fatherhood and the unique co-parenting dynamic surrounding his children. He talked about balancing life as a rapper with being a present dad and what it was like witnessing the birth of his child for the first time. The interview also includes some viral moments, including his reaction to a fan doing something shocking during one of his shows, the wildest DMs he says he receives, and the story behind a social media mix-up that led to unexpected online drama. Fredo also shared his honest approach to dating, his persistence in trying to take Cardi B on a date, and played a round of “Fredo Fix My Life,” where he gave unfiltered advice on messy relationship situations. Stream his album Most Hated 2 now.

Rapper Gunplay opened up about long-standing frustrations with his music career during a candid interview on the I Say That 2 Say This Podcast. The Miami rapper spoke bluntly about his time around Rick Ross and the role he says Def Jam Recordings played in slowing his momentum. During the conversation, Gunplay described himself as a day-one member of Ross’ circle who helped build the early reputation of the crew. Yet he says that same collective energy disappeared when it was time to invest in his own music. “When it was Ross’s turn, everybody was a group effort,” Gunplay said. “When it was Gunplay’s turn, it was crickets.” The rapper argued that several of his records generated strong street reaction but never received the label backing required to break through commercially. He pointed to songs like “Bible on the Dash” and “Yams” as examples of tracks that gained traction without proper promotion. “I got hit records. Nobody’s giving me a budget. Nobody’s doing nothing,” Gunplay said. “So what you want me to possibly do?” Gunplay said the situation became more frustrating because responsibility for his stalled career seemed to bounce between Ross and Def Jam executives. “They’ll play ping pong,” he said. “Ross says it’s on Def Jam. Then Def Jam says it’s on fat boy.” Rapper Gunplay Rips Former Friend Rick Ross & Def Jam Recordings For His Career Shortcomings According to Gunplay, that stalemate left him trapped in industry limbo. Without label support, he said he struggled financially and eventually returned to street activity to survive. “Let me get that chain,” Gunplay recalled saying during robberies. “That was literally a cry for help.” The rapper also revealed a publishing deal he now regrets. Gunplay said he sold his publishing for $50,000 through Sony ATV but only received half the money upfront. “I sold my publishing for $50,000,” he said. “They gave me $25,000 upfront.” When asked about his relationship with Ross today, Gunplay suggested distance remains. “Not really as of lately,” he said. “No.” Still, the rapper insisted his loyalty during their rise never changed. “When it came to MMG, if you mess with Ross, you mess with Gunplay,” he said. “I basically put myself on.”

Sports broadcaster Stephen A. Smith says he has no plans to run for president, addressing speculation about a possible 2028 campaign during a recent podcast interview. Smith discussed the rumors during the premiere episode of “Hang Out with Sean Hannity,” hosted by political commentator Sean Hannity. The conversation covered politics, media influence, and growing public chatter about whether the outspoken ESPN personality could enter national politics. During the interview, Smith dismissed the idea of a presidential campaign and pointed to financial realities tied to leaving his career in sports media. “Let me put the presidential aspirations to bed,” Smith said. “If I have to give up my money, it’s not happening.” Smith explained that a run for the White House would likely require stepping away from his high-profile television role and other media ventures. He remains one of ESPN’s most recognizable commentators, known for his debate segments and strong opinions on sports and culture. The broadcaster said abandoning those opportunities would involve a significant financial sacrifice, making a presidential bid unrealistic. Stephen A. Smith Doesn’t Plan To Run For U.S. President Afterall Still, Smith shared his views on national leadership during the interview. At one point, he praised Marco Rubio as a political figure he respects. “He’s an adult in the room,” Smith said. “There is no questioning his qualifications for the job.” Smith, who has described himself as a Democrat, also suggested he could support Rubio over several well-known members of his own party. He referenced Gavin Newsom and former Vice President Kamala Harris during the discussion. However, Smith also highlighted two Democratic governors he believes could earn his vote in a national election. He pointed to Wes Moore and Josh Shapiro as leaders he views positively. Smith did not indicate whether either governor plans to pursue a presidential campaign. Instead, he framed his comments as personal opinions. For now, Smith said his focus remains on sports broadcasting and media work, distancing himself from speculation about entering presidential politics.

Houston rapper OMB Bloodbath, whose real name is Alexandra Nicks, returned to federal court Monday as prosecutors prepare to retry her in a racketeering-related murder case stemming from a 2017 fatal shooting in Houston’s Third Ward. OMB Bloodbath was arraigned on a superseding federal indictment that expands the government’s case after a jury deadlocked earlier this year. The new indictment alleges that Nicks “knowingly and intentionally” participated in the killing of a 53-year-old bystander during a retaliatory gang shooting. Federal prosecutors are preparing to retry Houston rapper Alexandra Nicks, who is also known as OMB Bloodbath, and her co-defendant over the 2017 fatal shooting of a man in Third Ward, after a jury failed to come to a verdict in the Justice Department’s first attempt to prosecute… pic.twitter.com/XybUf8BdiS — Houston Chronicle (@HoustonChron) March 9, 2026 Federal prosecutors contend the case arose from a long-running conflict between rival groups operating in south Houston. Investigators say gunmen targeted a rival faction on Oct. 16, 2017, when multiple shots were fired on London Street. The intended target survived, but a nearby resident was struck and killed. Authorities argue the shooting occurred during a broader gang dispute tied to narcotics activity and neighborhood control. According to the indictment, Nicks helped advance the group’s power and influence through acts of violence connected to the conflict. Federal Prosecutors Request Retrail For Houston Rapper OMB Bloodbath After Mistrial The charges include murder in aid of racketeering and using a firearm during a violent crime resulting in death. If convicted, the counts carry a mandatory life sentence. The retrial follows a January proceeding in which a 12-member jury deliberated for two days after a two-week trial but failed to reach a unanimous verdict. Prosecutors presented text messages, recorded jail calls and other digital evidence they said showed planning tied to the attack. During the earlier trial, jurors also heard testimony from convicted gunman Marquis Erskin, who claimed he acted independently. “It was planned by me,” Erskin testified. “I don’t remember it being planned by Shaquile Richards and Alexandra Nicks.” Prosecutors argued the testimony was an attempt to shield the alleged leaders of the group. Erskin later pleaded guilty to federal charges connected to the shooting and received a 285-month prison sentence. He had previously been sentenced in state court to 37 years for murder. Nicks has remained in federal custody since 2023. Her retrial is scheduled to begin in May.