Luci4, the underground rapper who broke through with the viral hit “BodyPartz,” has died at 23. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner confirmed the artist, born James Dear, passed away on Feb. 22 in Los Angeles. His cause of death remains under investigation. View this post on Instagram According to his grandparents, Luci4 died at a friend’s home as his career was gaining traction. “We don’t know what happened yet — but we’re suspicious,” they said. The family claims his wallet was emptied and expressed concern about new people in his circle as his fame grew. “We had warned him,” they added, noting they are waiting for answers from police. The Los Angeles Fire Department responded to a medical call at 11:40 a.m. Paramedics arrived and found him deceased. Authorities then contacted law enforcement. Sources say officers secured the location as a potential crime scene. Investigators have not confirmed foul play. Atlantic Records’ Luci4 Died At 23, Family Confirms Luci4 carved out a distinct lane in the internet rap underground. He emerged as a leading voice in sigilkore, a digital-born microgenre defined by distorted beats and dark aesthetics. His music exploded on TikTok in 2021, where fans propelled his songs into viral territory. “BodyPartz” became his breakout moment. The track spread rapidly across streaming platforms and social media. It later achieved gold certification from the Recording Industry Association of America, signaling his arrival beyond niche circles. The buzz led to a deal with Atlantic Records. Industry insiders viewed him as a pioneer of the sigilkore wave. His sound resonated with a generation raised on algorithm-driven discovery. Friends described Luci4 as fearless and visionary. He often spoke about independence and creative control. Now, as detectives continue their investigation, fans mourn a young artist whose momentum felt unstoppable.

The British Academy of Film and Television Arts has issued a formal apology to actors Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo following an onstage incident during the 2026 BAFTA Film Awards in London. The apology comes after an audience member shouted a racial slur while Jordan and Lindo were presenting an award at the Royal Festival Hall. The actors, who co-starred in the film Sinners, were on stage when the outburst occurred. The remark was later identified by attendees and viewers as the N-word. In a statement released Monday, BAFTA addressed the incident and acknowledged the harm caused. “Tourette syndrome causes involuntary verbal tics that the individual has no control over,” the organization said. “Such tics are in no way a reflection of an individual’s beliefs and are not intentional.” BAFTA added that “a loud tic in the form of a profoundly offensive term was heard by many people in the room.” The statement continued: “Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo were on stage at the time, and we apologize unreservedly to them, and to all those impacted.” The ceremony was broadcast by the BBC on a delay. However, the slur was not censored before the program aired, prompting criticism online after viewers replayed the moment. BAFTA Apologizes To Michael B. Jordan & Delroy Lindo After N-Word Incident Jordan and Lindo did not respond publicly during the ceremony. They continued presenting the award for Avatar: Fire and Ash and maintained composure on stage. BAFTA later commended the actors for their “incredible dignity and professionalism.” In subsequent remarks, Lindo said he and Jordan “did what [they] had to do” in the moment. He also said he wished “someone from BAFTA spoke to [them] afterwards.” The organization’s apology was issued nearly 12 hours after the broadcast concluded. BAFTA said it takes “full responsibility for putting our guests in a very difficult situation” and pledged to keep inclusion at the center of its work moving forward. The audience member later released a statement reiterating that the verbal tic was involuntary. He did not issue a direct apology to Jordan or Lindo.

Never say never. In one of the most improbable events in boxing history, Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao, two of boxing’s greatest legends, have agreed to a highly anticipated rematch more than a decade after their first duel. According to ESPN, the event will take place at the Sphere in Las Vegas on September 19. The bout will be streamed across the globe and streamed globally on Netflix. No information about what weight class the fight will be contested at has been released. In the announcement of the fight, Mayweather is anticipating another victory over his arch-rival.  “I already fought and beat Manny once,” Mayweather said. “This time will be the same result.”  FLOYD MAYWEATHER vs. MANNY PACQUIAO Two of the greatest icons in boxing history will meet again in the first-ever professional boxing match at Sphere in Las Vegas. Saturday September 19LIVE globally only on Netflix#MayPac2 pic.twitter.com/3i5FtXBzgX — Netflix (@netflix) February 23, 2026 For Pacquiao, he will have another opportunity to hand Mayweather his first loss of his career. “Floyd and I gave the world what remains the biggest fight in boxing history. The fans have waited long enough. They deserve this rematch. And it will be even bigger now that it will be streamed live globally on Netflix,” Pacquiao said in a statement.  “I want Floyd to live with the one loss on his professional record. And always remember who gave it to him,” Pacquiao continued. “As always, I dedicate this fight to my fellow Filipinos around the world and to bringing glory to the Philippines.” Mayweather, 48, announced his plans to return to the ring following his fight against Mike Tyson on April 25 in The Congo. Back in July, Pacquiao officially came out of retirement and fought Mario Barrios to a majority draw. In a tune-up fight,  Pacquiao will face exhibition Ruslan Provodnikov on April 18 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas. In their first fight on May 2, 2015, Mayweather won a unanimous decision against  Pacquiao.  A financial success, the fight generated over $600 million in total revenue. Also, the bout earned 4.6 million pay-per-view (PPV) buys in the U.S. alone, which is still a record. The live gate at the MGM Grand also set a benchmark, raking in $72 million.

Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi is opening up about a deeply personal health battle. The Jersey Shore star revealed she has been diagnosed with stage 1 cervical cancer. Snooki, 38, explained that the diagnosis came after years of abnormal Pap smear results led doctors to perform a cone biopsy. The procedure ultimately detected adenocarcinoma, a type of cervical cancer. Despite the scary news, she emphasized that the cancer was caught early and remains highly treatable. “It came back Stage 1 cervical cancer called adenocarcinoma,” she said. “And obviously not the news I’ve been hoping for, but also not the worst news just because they caught it so early. Thank freaking God!” The reality TV personality said she is scheduled to undergo a PET scan to determine whether the cancer has spread. She also shared that she is considering a hysterectomy while hoping to keep her ovaries. While processing the diagnosis, Snooki is using her platform to raise awareness and encourage women to stay on top of routine screenings. She strongly urged fans to get regular Pap smears, stressing that early detection made a critical difference in her situation. Snooki then took to social media to thank her fans for the outpour of love. “So overwhelmed with all the love you guys have given me appreciate you!! Now go book ya exams!” View this post on Instagram By speaking publicly, Snooki said she hopes to help others feel less alone if they are facing similar health scares. View this post on Instagram

Sean “Diddy” Combs and his son Christian Combs have reached a settlement with the law firm Summa LLP in a dispute over unpaid legal fees, according to court documents cited by TMZ. The firm had claimed it was owed payment for more than 100 hours of attorney work and approximately 90 hours of paralegal time, totaling at least $53,688.35. The specific terms of the settlement have not been disclosed. The agreement closes that particular financial disagreement, though it does not resolve the broader legal matters connected to the case. Much of the firm’s work related to Christian Combs’s defense against a civil lawsuit filed by Grace O’Marcaigh. She alleged that he attempted to coerce her into performing oral sex while she was employed as a steward on a yacht chartered in 2022. O’Marcaigh also claimed that Diddy created what she described as a “lawless atmosphere” aboard the vessel. The allegations remain contested. Diddy has denied any wrongdoing and previously sought dismissal of the claims against him. In a letter, he wrote, “[It] incorrectly alleges that I chartered the yacht where the alleged assault occurred… I am neither the signatory nor a party to the… Charter Agreement.” His statement focused on disputing his contractual connection to the yacht in question. 50 Cent Comments as Combs’ Legal Matters Persist The lawsuit has also been referenced in an ongoing public exchange between 50 Cent and the Combs family. In a recent Instagram post, 50 Cent wrote: “Come on Christian you can do better than that man. LOL. No seriously how is your case going, the one when you drug shorty on the boat?” The comment followed the release of the Netflix documentary Sean Combs: The Reckoning, which 50 Cent executive-produced. Diddy is currently serving a federal sentence of more than four years after being convicted on two counts related to transportation to engage in prostitution. While the settlement with Summa LLP resolves a fee dispute, legal proceedings tied to the family continue to unfold.

NBA YoungBoy announced over the weekend that he and his wife, Jazlyn Mychelle Hayes, have welcomed a baby. In a short video shared to Instagram Stories, the rapper filmed Hayes resting in a hospital bed. “My gangsta had her baby,” he said quietly, before asking how she felt. “Relieved,” she replied, offering a small smile. The couple, who married in January 2023, revealed last summer that they were expecting a daughter. The child is their third together, following Alice, born in 2021, and Klemenza Tru, born in 2022. With this birth, YoungBoy—whose legal name is Kentrell DeSean Gaulden—is now a father of 13. Gaulden became a parent as a teenager, welcoming his first son at 16. In the years since, he has had children with several former partners, a fact that has drawn sustained public interest alongside his prolific music career. His expanding family has often unfolded in tandem with album releases, tours, and legal challenges, becoming part of the broader narrative that surrounds him. A Personal Moment Amid Online Noise The announcement came amid an unrelated online dispute between the rapper and the streamer PlaqueBoyMax. After the streamer criticized YoungBoy’s “HeadTap” video, the rapper responded on X with a sharply worded post. PlaqueBoyMax later addressed the exchange during a livestream, saying, “I fuck with you. I’m not going to apologize. I didn’t do nothing wrong.” He added, “At the end of the day, I fuck with YB. I’m still going to play his music… YB, I fuck with you heavy. I just don’t like this song.” For now, the focus appears to be on family. The brief hospital video offered a rare, unguarded glimpse into a private moment—one that stood in contrast to the public intensity that often surrounds him.

A brief moment during a weekend livestream has prompted a fresh round of online discussion involving Celina Powell and Young Thug. Speaking with comedian Deshae Frost, Powell was asked to name her “best body,” to which she replied, “Young Thug, his d*ck is huge. Why would you ask if you didn’t want me to say?” The clip, later shared by the media outlet No Jumper, circulated quickly across social platforms. Reactions ranged from amused to critical, reflecting the way personal remarks can take on a life of their own once posted online. Some commenters treated the exchange as entertainment, while others questioned the framing of the question itself. As is often the case with viral livestream moments, the conversation expanded well beyond the original context. Powell has referenced Young Thug publicly before. In a 2022 podcast appearance, she spoke positively about their past encounter, offering brief but favorable remarks. Those comments, resurfacing now, have added to the renewed interest in her latest statement. View this post on Instagram A relationship under pressure Young Thug, whose legal name is Jeffery Williams, is engaged to singer Mariah The Scientist. He proposed during a benefit concert in Atlanta last December. In a prior interview with Angie Martinez, Mariah said, “I wanna be married. That’s my plan. I want a baby. I just want at least one. I’ll start with that and see how I can manage.” Mariah supported Williams during his lengthy incarceration tied to the YSL RICO case. After his release, leaked phone calls revealed strain in their relationship, and Williams later addressed her publicly on X. “My baby I was wrong and I’m sorry for what I put u through. U deserved better from me. Thank you for everything and I will do anything to make this work,” he wrote. He added, “U showed me what love is and I hope I haven’t lost u forever… everybody leave her out of this please she’s an innocent girl and feels bad about all of this. Please give her peace.”

The uneasy relationship between 50 Cent and T.I. has resurfaced, playing out once again in public view. The latest friction appears to stem from talk of a possible Verzuz battle, which T.I. has implied 50 declined. From there, the exchange moved quickly to social media, where long-standing grievances were revived in clipped posts and pointed captions. Over the weekend, 50 Cent shared an unflattering image of Tameka “Tiny” Harris, T.I.’s wife, prompting a response from the Atlanta rapper. T.I. previewed a diss track titled “War,” though only a brief segment has circulated online. Listeners reacted with mixed opinions, some questioning whether the moment called for escalation or restraint. The episode arrives as T.I. has been promoting recent music, including the single “Let Em Know,” which many fans have described as a return to his earlier sound. That contrast—between new work and old disputes—has shaped much of the online conversation. The tension highlights how veteran artists often navigate personal history alongside ongoing creative output. 50 Cent responds to TI’s disstrack https://t.co/oTw67Cjb7J pic.twitter.com/kw5cuJ591D — Akademiks TV (@AkademiksTV) February 23, 2026 A Laugh, a Post, and a Feud That Won’t Fade 50 Cent did not address the diss directly. Instead, he posted an image of Pepe the Frog on Instagram with the caption “LOL,” offering a response that suggested indifference rather than engagement. He has not elaborated further. Whether “War” will receive a full release remains unclear. For now, the disagreement exists largely in fragments: posts, previews, and reactions. Like many long-running rivalries in hip-hop, it appears less about resolution than about endurance—a reminder that history, once established, rarely disappears entirely.

Over the weekend, Ray J’s Los Angeles home was swarmed with police. According to an exclusive report from TMZ, the cops were called over an alleged domestic violence incident involving Ray J and a former girlfriend. Police officials tell TMZ that the call came in around 2 AM Saturday (Feb.21). However, upon their arrival at his residence, neither the “One Wish” singer nor the alleged suspect, an unidentified 30-year-old Persian woman, was willing to cooperate with the police. Without a cooperating witness or victim, the police were unable to move forward with an arrest, so no report was filed. Not long after, they were forced to clear the scene. It’s yet to be determined who initially contacted the police or what prompted the domestic violence call. Ray J has yet to offer a statement regarding the situation. View this post on Instagram Ray J Arrested On Alleged Gun Charge This isn’t the first time the singer has been involved in a domestic violence situation. Last November, Ray J was arrested on suspicion of making a criminal threat following a volatile confrontation with his ex-wife, Princess Love. The singer had hosted a Thanksgiving Day stream, which captured the horrifying moment on camera. During the stream, Ray J told viewers he was enduring “the worst Thanksgiving in the world,” alleging unnamed individuals were attempting to take his children and that he faced imminent danger. Moments later, he retrieved a handgun from a table, loaded it on camera, and declared he would “defend” his property if anyone approached his door. The situation intensified when off-screen shouting began. Ray J ordered someone to leave and accused them of trespassing. Princess Love then entered the frame holding their daughter, Melody, and alleged Ray had pointed a firearm at them. “You pointed a gun at us,” she said. Ray J denied the accusation and claimed Princess and her cousin were intoxicated. The exchange escalated as Princess called him a “woman abuser.”

Nicki Minaj recently shared that she received one of the most important gifts in her life: a bible personally autographed by Donald Trump. The rapper shared the news with her fans—commonly referred to as Barbz— via X (formerly Twitter) on Saturday (Feb. 21). The post contains a photo of a personally hand-signed limited edition of Trump’s “God Bless the USA” Bible. Upon its release, it retailed at nearly $1,000. “One of the most meaningful gifts I’ve ever received in my entire life,” she wrote in the post’s caption. Along with using text from the standard King James Version (KJV) of the Bible, it also includes copies of foundational American documents such as the Bill of Rights and the U.S. Constitution. Despite Nicki being overjoyed with the gift, the comments were not on her side. “One of the most meaningful gifts you’ve received is a trump stamped bible? this is a mockery of God and you are a fake Christian,” one person wrote. One of the most meaningful gifts I’ve ever received in my entire life. pic.twitter.com/AfupGNVTpY — Nicki Minaj (@NICKIMINAJ) February 22, 2026 Nicki Minaj Enters Her ‘MAGA Barbie’ Era Nicki Minaj has become an unlikely mascot for the Republican Party. Back in December, the rapper turned heads for her appearance at Turning Point USA’s AmericaFest. Throughout her conversation with Erica Kirk—the wife of late right-wing commentator Charlie Kirk—Nicki discussed her ongoing beef with California Gov. Gavin Newsom. The rapper also shared her thoughts on Donald Trump’s administration. She specifically commented on Newsom’s support for gender affirming care for transgender youth. Last month, during a summit in Washington, D.C., Nicki referred to herself as Trump’s “No.1 fan,” and accused others of “bullying” him. “I am probably the president’s No. 1 fan. That’s not going to change,” she said. According to Nicki, the criticism she’s received only motivates her to “support him [Trump] more.” The “Starships” rapper also made it a point to call out the president’s “bullies.” She added, “We’re not going to let them get away with bullying him and, you know, the smear campaigns: It’s not going to work, OK? He has a lot of force behind him, and God is protecting him. Amen.”