Dr. Umar recently put an end to one of the internet’s wildest rumors about Sukihana and her fourth pregnancy with a simple screenshot and a touch of humor. When news broke that the rapper was expecting again, speculation spiraled. Some fans absurdly wondered if the Pan-African activist might be involved. However, he clarified the situation in a pointed Instagram message: “Peace & PanAfrikanism. My good sister Sukihana is excited and looking forward to bringing another beautiful Afrikan child into this world. Dr. Umar is not the father.” He followed up with a playful TikTok screenshot, joking that Sukihana might conceive with him next Leo season. He also noted that as the “2nd most popular Panafrikanist in the world,” he still needed a male heir. Though tongue-in-cheek, the gesture made clear the boundaries of their relationship. They are close friends, but firmly platonic. Sukihana’s and Dr. Umar’s connection has long attracted attention. They have been photographed together at events, shared a viral kiss, and even drew the scrutiny of Ray J. Ray J claimed he confronted Dr. Umar over the friendship. Still, the rapper kept her pregnancy private until she felt secure. “This baby came into my life at a time when I truly needed a reminder of purpose and love,” she told PEOPLE. Sukihana Savors Motherhood on Her Own Terms Already a mother of three, Sukihana views this pregnancy as a renewal. Now in her second trimester, she is embracing motherhood with a lighter touch—enjoying desserts, relaxing her strict diet, and savoring what she calls the “softest season” of her life. “God made us supernatural. He made women strong,” she said. She emphasized that nurturing a child doesn’t have to mean sacrificing her career. Sukihana hopes her journey encourages other women to balance ambition and family. She has yet to reveal the baby’s sex. However, she says the priority is simple: a healthy, thriving child and the freedom to continue building her life on her own terms.

Blac Chyna is showing love to Rob Kardashian on his special day. The model and entrepreneur took to social media to share a heartfelt birthday message dedicated to her ex and the father of her daughter, Dream Kardashian. Despite their past ups and downs, Chyna’s post reflected a sense of respect and appreciation as she acknowledged Rob’s role in their child’s life. In the message, Chyna wished Rob a happy birthday while highlighting the importance of family and co-parenting. She expressed gratitude for the bond they share through their daughter and emphasized the value of maintaining a positive environment for Dream. View this post on Instagram Fans quickly reacted to the unexpected but touching tribute, with many praising the maturity and growth both Chyna and Rob have shown over the years. The pair, who were once at the center of a highly publicized relationship and breakup, appear to have shifted their focus toward peaceful co-parenting. As previously reported, Blac Chyna opened up about where things stand between her and Rob Kardashian. During a recent appearance at the Los Angeles Women’s Expo, the model and entrepreneur (real name Angela White) revealed that she and her ex-fiancé are currently “healing” and “just going with the flow.” “We’re healing. We’re just going with the flow,” Chyna shared, adding, “And if it’s God’s will, then it will be something.” Chyna went on to described Rob as her “person”, admitting that she’s always appreciated his sense of humor and the bond they share as co-parents to their 7-year-old daughter, Dream Kardashian. When asked if the two had rekindled their romance, Chyna clarified that things are “complicated” and that they’re not officially back together. View this post on Instagram

A familiar rivalry between 50 Cent and Young Buck resurfaced this week, playing out once again across social media. The latest exchange began with a stylized post from 50 Cent, who reworked imagery from the television series The Dukes of Hazzard, inserting himself and Young Buck into the scene. The image also included T.I. and BroRilla, extending the scope of the joke beyond its original target. What followed was a mix of humor, criticism, and escalation that quickly circulated online. BroRilla appeared to receive the post with a sense of humor, a reaction that 50 Cent highlighted in a follow-up share. He captioned the repost, “They Mad because you up! Young Buck kicked out, you in the group…at least I know you ain’t looking at my a*s. LOL.” The moment briefly softened the tone, though it did little to defuse the broader tension surrounding the exchange. Young Buck responded with a video that struck a markedly different note, pushing back against the portrayal and issuing a direct challenge. “When n****s started trolling, I do sh*t that a n***a wish he could do. Walk through your neighborhood,” he said, continuing, “Walk through your hood first. You wanna play all these gay ass jokes and sh*t. Walk through your neighborhood and let’s see how the folks treat you with no security… I ain’t got nothing to say to you. I’m getting money in my hood. You ain’t even funny no more. We all know you’re a joke.” His remarks framed the exchange less as satire and more as a personal dispute. View this post on Instagram Feuds in rap now play out as much online as on the mic 50 Cent responded by reposting the video with another pointed caption. “Look at this punk ass we know you like them boys BUCK. Brorilla like the girls, that’s a better fit around here PUNK! You in your hood because, you broke boy.” Tony Yayo added, “We be in Southside all the time,” reinforcing the message in the comments. Both posts were later removed, though they had already circulated widely. While T.I. has not addressed the image directly, his separate conflict with 50 Cent has continued through a series of diss tracks released in recent weeks. Taken together, the overlapping exchanges reflect how longstanding tensions in hip-hop now unfold as much through social media as they do through music.

Teyana Taylor appears to be moving past her altercation with security staff at this year’s Academy Awards. The multi-hypenate spoke with TMZ later that night, noting that while she was upset in the moment, the situation was “all good.” Recently, the Academy issued a public apology to Taylor over the incident. A portion of the apology was shared in a post by Variety via X on Monday (Mar.16). A few hours later, Taylor reshared the post, writing, “Thank you to @TheAcademy, I really appreciate your unwavering love & support. .” “We were extremely upset to learn about the experience endured by Teyana Taylor at the end of the Oscars ceremony last night. We have worked with Teyana over the last several months during awards season, and she has been nothing short of remarkable, supportive, kind, and all about community,” the statement read. “Though the incident was with our outside security firm SIS, the experience of every single guest is our responsibility. We have made it clear to them that this behavior is not acceptable. We want to thank Teyana for showing remarkable grace, and we are taking the appropriate measures to ensure this does not happen again.” View this post on Instagram Teyana Taylor Named As One Of Time Magazine’s ‘Women Of The Year’ Teyana Taylor can now add another achievement to her already impressive resume. Last month, Time dropped off its annual “Women of the Year” list. Taylor—who graces the cover of the magazine—was selected for its prestigious 2026 class, along with 15 other pioneering women. According to Taylor, she predicted it all. “I love when it’s hard—that means it’s of purpose. I want everything that is supposed to be mine. And I’m going to work my ass off to make sure that I see that.” Taylor refers to herself as “creative” and doesn’t identify as just an actor, director, musician, dancer, or choreographer, but all of the above. While one might think her multifaceted talent would be an instant boost to her career, she admits it took time. Taylor reveals that people in the industry told her to focus on one thing at a time; however, she refused to pick a lane. That said, there came a time when she had to put down one of her many hats, specifically music.

Jack Harlow is facing some serious allegations from LA rapper and crip-affiliate Glasses Malone. On Monday (Mar.16), Glasses Malone hopped on X, sharing a photo of the album cover to Harlow’s latest project, Monica. According to the outspoken rapper, Harlow’s new Soulquarian-inspired aesthetic is a form of “modern blackface.” On the cover, Harlow dons a brown newsboy cap, shades, and a brown, corduroy sweater. Monica and its surrounding rollout have sparked a lot of discussion online. The rapper seems to have entered a new phase. Unlike his previous work, Harlow made a bold shift by adopting a more early 2000s Neo-Soul-inspired sound. Similarly, with his style, he’s swapped out his sneakers and designer T-shirts for a more relaxed look—think Common in the early 2000s—complete with a flat cap and oversized jeans. this is “modern” black face pic.twitter.com/XJ2zqO0Gbj — Glasses Malone (@gmalone) March 16, 2026 Harlow Claims He Got ‘Blacker’ With Latest Album Apart from the memes and jokes, Harlow’s shift has sparked deep discussions about cultural appropriation. The Kentucky native’s comments during a recent interview with the NYT’s Popcast podcast only further added to the controversy. When asked about his reasoning behind the album’s direction, Harlow claimed that he’d gotten “Blacker.” “I love Black music. I love the sound of Black music. And of course, I’m hyper-aware of the politics of today, that safer landing spot that a lot of my white contemporaries have found,” Harlow says. “And of course, it appealed to me to do something that I felt, at a time when there’s certainly people that expect me to take the routes y’all are taking, to take the route that not only might not be expected but is also the route that I genuinely want to take. So all the stars aligned in that way for me, to be honest.”

N.O.R.E. pulls up to Hot 97 for the first time since 1997 — but this time he’s not promoting an album. The Drink Champs host stops by Mornings With Mero to talk about running the NYC Half Marathon with his crew Run Champs, premiering his new Caesar haircut live on air, and reflecting on how he’s evolved from War Report Nory to a healthier, more purposeful version of himself. Plus: The team breaks down Pastor Jamal Bryant’s controversial call to end the Target boycott, and pays tribute to legendary NYC news anchor Ernie Anastos. Topics covered: N.O.R.E.’s journey from hip-hop to running cultureRun Champs and the “Home for the Half” movementThe new haircut premiere (no, he didn’t go to Turkey)Appreciating your competition — Mobb Deep, podcasting & growthPastor Jamal Bryant vs. the Target boycottRIP Ernie Anastos — a New York City legend Subscribe for more Mornings With Mero on Hot 97

Caridad De La Luz — spoken word artist, cultural leader, and executive director of the Nuyorican Poets Cafe — shares her story of identity, heritage, and what it means to be a steward of one of New York City’s most iconic cultural spaces. From growing up deeply rooted in Puerto Rican tradition to leading a $25 million renovation of the legendary Nuyorican Poets Cafe, La Bruja opens up about preserving Nuyorican culture, navigating leadership as a woman, and the spiritual power that guides her mission. In this video: What “Nuyorican” means and why the name matters Resurrecting the Nuyorican Poets Cafe after the pandemic The connection between New York and Puerto Rico Women as leaders, healers, and matriarchs The café’s reopening — Halloween 2026 “I just hope that every woman that hears this knows that they are much bigger than the world tells them they are.”

Kiki Shepard, actor and longtime host of Showtime at the Apollo, has died at age 74. According to her rep, Shepard (born Chiquita Renee Shepard) passed away on Monday (March 16) after reportedly suffering a massive heart attack, per an exclusive TMZ report. Shepard was best known as the co-host of the syndicated variety show Showtime at the Apollo between 1987 to 2002, sharing the stage with Steve Harvey for seven years and helping to introduce aspiring performers at the Harlem theatre. In recent years, Shepard played herself in the semi-autobiographical sitcom Everybody Hates Chris, created by comedian Chris Rock and Ali LeRoi, and appeared in Grey’s Anatomy. Her other appearances include Baywatch Nights, NYPD Blue, and Mind Your Business and the film Blackjack Christmas. She appeared in multiple Broadway productions including Bubbling Brown Sugar, Comin’ Uptown, Your Arms Too Short to Box with God, and Porgy and Bess. She also snagged an uncredited role as a dancer in The Wiz as one of the citizens of the Emerald City. Path to the stage Before her 15-year stint at the Apollo, Shepard’s foray into entertainment started from her childhood home. Born in Tyler, Texas in 1951, she witnessed both of parents participate in competitive dancing. She attended Howard University, where she became a charter member of the D.C. Repertory Dance Company and a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., before taking her talent to stages far beyond campus. During her time in Harlem, she became known as the “Apollo Queen of Fashion.” Heartfelt tributes from friends and family TV personality Elgin Charles wrote a heartfelt tribute honoring Shepard as a “dear friend” who “was more than a cultural icon.” Talk show host Roland Martin shared that Shepard, who he describes as “a legend,” most recently asked if he could play in her annual golf tournament. Just seeing the awful news that Kiki Shepard passed away today after suffering a massive heart attack. She was 74. I just saw her Feb. 12 at the NBA All-Star Weekend Gospel Celebration. She asked me to play in her annual golf tournament. I said yes and we traded numbers. We all… pic.twitter.com/S9qApTHqCt — rolandsmartin (@rolandsmartin) March 17, 2026 One of my favorite Kiki Shepard memories is her turning up to Kirk Franklin “Stomp”. She was partying down on the side of that stage. And she’s usually back stage during the performances. She said nah this one’s my jam! pic.twitter.com/ogHTjt40q2 — CalQuin (@GimmieABeat) March 17, 2026

Veteran reggae singer Wayne Wonder stepped into the spotlight on March 16 with a fiery public statement aimed at fellow dancehall icon Buju Banton, reopening a long-simmering conflict between the two artists. Wonder posted a lengthy message on Facebook responding to comments Banton reportedly made during a recent interview. The singer said the post would remain visible for only 48 hours, setting a confrontational tone from the beginning. “I’m addressing this interview, and it will only remain up for 48 hours because this DEMON Buju Banton is not worthy of staying on Wayne’s page,” Wonder wrote. Wayne Wonder puts Buju Banton on BLAST!! pic.twitter.com/kBGR3CQG05 — ☈O2☈EAL (@_romeko) March 17, 2026 Despite the harsh introduction, Wonder acknowledged Banton’s musical reputation in reggae and dancehall culture. “When it comes to artistry, he is truly great at what he does,” Wonder wrote. “However, talent and character are two very different things.” The Jamaican vocalist strongly rejected accusations that he behaved “greedy” or misrepresented their creative relationship. Wonder also disputed claims that he failed to support Banton during the legal case that led to the artist’s federal drug conviction and prison sentence. “You also said Wayne never checked on you while you were in prison. Let’s tell the truth,” Wonder wrote. According to the statement, Wonder visited Banton during his detention in a Tampa jail while the singer awaited trial. Wonder recalled that the first encounter was tense. “When you were brought out and picked up the phone you saw him on the camera,” the post reads. “You held your head down for almost twenty-five minutes before finally saying, ‘You are the real surprise.’” Wayne Wonder Explains Ongoing Feud With Buju Banton Wonder claimed he continued visiting Banton while the artist lived under house arrest in Tamarac, Florida. “Wayne came almost every morning and spent entire days with you while the police monitored the house during your trial,” the statement says. The singer added that he remained present until the day Banton was convicted and taken back into custody. Wonder also alleged that Banton later declined additional prison visits because he disliked security procedures. Beyond personal grievances, Wonder raised concerns about songwriting credits tied to reggae classics such as Murderer and Deportee. “Wayne, Frankie, and you, Buju, wrote ‘Murderer’ in Japan in 1992,” Wonder claimed, alleging that his name later disappeared from the official credits. Wonder closed the statement by explaining why he rarely spoke publicly about the conflict. “Wayne has never spoken publicly about many of these things because his heart and character would not allow him to tear anyone down publicly,” he wrote. Still, he insisted the recent accusations demanded a response. “Wayne Wonder continues to stand on respect, humility, and truth,” the statement concludes. “That has always been his way.”

Actor and television host Keke Palmer faced an unexpected interruption during a live event at the South by Southwest festival when a fan proposed marriage in front of a packed audience. The moment occurred March 13 during a panel connected to Palmer’s podcast and the premiere of her upcoming film I Love Boosters. The 32-year-old entertainer was seated onstage alongside several co-stars when a man from the audience approached the stage and dropped to one knee with a ring box. Palmer appeared stunned but remained composed as the audience watched the unusual exchange unfold. “I can’t marry you, I don’t know you, I’m so sorry,” Palmer said into the microphone, responding to the proposal in real time. The unexpected moment was captured on video and quickly circulated online. Security personnel soon escorted the man away from the stage while Palmer attempted to steer the conversation back to the panel discussion.  A Surprise on Stage The proposal happened during a live recording tied to Palmer’s podcast and promotion of I Love Boosters, a satirical crime comedy directed by Boots Riley. The film premiered at SXSW and is scheduled for theatrical release later this year.  Palmer was joined onstage by cast members including Naomi Ackie, Taylour Paige, Poppy Liu, Eiza González and Demi Moore when the interruption occurred. Their reactions ranged from visible shock to awkward laughter as the situation unfolded. Witnesses said the man had been behaving suspiciously earlier at the venue before approaching the stage. Security removed him after he refused to leave the area. Authorities later identified the individual and arrested him on a criminal trespassing charge.  Despite the disruption, Palmer maintained a calm tone and continued speaking to the audience after the man was escorted out. “Sorry, guys, let’s just take a deep breath,” she said while the event resumed. Palmer Reflects on the Viral Moment Palmer later addressed the incident in interviews during post-event appearances. She said she initially thought the proposal was meant as a joke. “I was shocked. I thought it was a joke at first,” Palmer said. “And then it seemed like he was really serious.” The Emmy-winning actor also spoke about the complicated dynamics between celebrities and devoted fans. She noted that public figures sometimes feel pressure to respond carefully during unexpected encounters. “When I see the whole parasocial relationship and stuff like that, you don’t want to break anybody’s reality,” Palmer said. “But you want to be real. I was trying to be delicate with the situation.”  Online reactions largely praised Palmer for keeping her composure. Many fans applauded the performer for setting clear boundaries while remaining respectful. The incident added an unusual moment to an otherwise celebratory SXSW appearance for Palmer, who continues promoting I Love Boosters ahead of its scheduled release on May 22.