Busta Rhymes’ eccentric style and fiery bars have made him an icon with a career that spans over four decades. According to Variety, the executive board of the Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce is helping preserve his legacy by presenting him with the “Hip Hop Icon Award.” The outlet reports that the board is hosting the presentation as a final event to close out Harlem Week, which is a “series of free, local community events for residents and NYC residents.” The ceremony will take place at St. Nicholas Park on Sunday (Aug.17). Just last month, Busta was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He was honored with a star in the Recording category. Some of his guest speakers for the ceremony included Chris Rock, LL Cool J, Chuck D., and Big Boy. “The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce will be adding Busta Rhymes, one of Hip-Hop’s most enduring and electrifying voices, as a new member of Hollywood’s iconic sidewalk, “ said Ana Martinez, Producer of the Hollywood Walk of Fame, in a press release around that time. “His talent and influence are undeniable. His star on the Walk of Fame will stand as a testament to his lasting impact on hip-hop music and how important it is to American culture.” On a more sour note, Busta Rhymes is being sued by his former assistant, Dashiel Gables, who claims the rapper assaulted him and failed to pay him properly during his time of employment. Gables is expected to detail the accusations during a press conference in Brooklyn’s Columbus Park on Thursday, where he’ll allege emotional harm, wage theft, and physical abuse. The situation stems from an altercation earlier this year. Back in January, police questioned Busta after a reported dispute between the two men, though no charges were filed at the time.

Not long ago, Fat Joe made claims that “gentrification” was behind the cancellation of the BET Hip Hop Awards; however, Benzino disagrees. Benzino was enjoying some relaxation and was on Instagram Live, seemingly in a hot tub. He shared his thoughts on the situation there. According to the former Source magazine co-owner, there’s only one reason why the iconic live show was removed from the air: low ratings. In fact, Benzino believes that Fat Joe’s stint as the award show’s host significantly contributed to the show’s low ratings in recent years. Benzino argues that if gentrification were the true cause, the “Lean Back” rapper would have been part of the gentrification he claims the network is responsible for. “Why Fat Joe said it’s gentrification, after they let his a** host the awards two years earlier?” Benzino said in the IG Live video. “The ratings were the worst ever after he hosted it. Was it gentrification when you was hosting it, Joey? Stop, man. Joe, you’re putting out too much misinformation on the internet, bro. You gotta do better, man.” Benzino blames Fat Joe’s hosting of the BET Hip-Hop Awards for tanking ratings and causing the show’s suspension. : livebitez/Instagram) pic.twitter.com/LXMEsA119c — The Art Of Dialogue (@ArtOfDialogue_) August 11, 2025 Fat Joe Calls BET Cuts ‘Gentrification’ Of Black Culture On a recent episode of Joe and Jada, the two legends discussed the cancellation of the BET Hip-Hop Awards and the Soul Train Awards. They also questioned what it means for Black culture in entertainment. Fat Joe described the situation bluntly, “This is a form of gentrification, what’s going on. I don’t know if you really want to ask me about this s**t,” he said. Reflecting on BET’s history, he noted that it began as a space dedicated to Black audiences. It was later sold by founder Bob Johnson to Viacom Paramount. According to him, the shift in ownership brought quiet but consistent staff cuts, especially targeting those who voiced concerns. The Bronx rapper recalled working on the BET Hip-Hop Awards for three years and watching the event’s resources dwindle. “S**t was like the budget, not for me, but the budget just kept getting chopped and chopped and chopped.”

The press tour for Spike Lee’s Highest 2 Lowest is in full swing; most recently, the director and film star, A$AP Rocky, stopped by the Track Star music show. When asked about the research he put into the role, Rocky said that he was already well-equipped because he’d been an avid fan of the director in his youth. According to the rapper, he “grew up” on Spike Lee. “I didn’t have to do research,” the rapper-actor said. Shortly after that, the rapper proceeded to share a few of his favorite films from the Brooklyn native. With over four decades of work to pick from, you think the “Praise The Lord” rapper might have trouble deciding; however, for Rocky, it was simple. “It’s between Mo’ Better Blues, Malcom X, He Got Game, Inside Man, [and] Crooklyn…” The rapper also acknowledged how much Red Hook Summer taught him to “use different mediums at a time when everyone wanted these big movie production cameras…” Lee had shot the 2012 film with a small digital camera. Spike Lee and A$AP Rocky have become quite chummy over the past few months as the rollout for Lee’s Highest 2 Lowest continues. During a recent appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Lee lauded Rocky’s performance in the film. “Yeah, don’t sleep on A$AP,” Lee said. “In this film, Denzel and A$AP go toe to toe.” “What’s interesting is, even before I got involved with this film, I always thought that A$AP looked like he could be Denzel’s son. There’s a big resemblance. So when you see it on the screen, it adds an element of father and son. Don’t sleep on A$AP. Don’t sleep on A$AP,” he added. Lee also said that Rocky was not overwhelmed by Washington’s aura like he had seen with other actors. “I’ve done five films with Denzel, and when he’s in a scene with somebody, they just get overwhelmed. He’s one of the world’s greatest living actors. But A$AP wasn’t having that,” Lee explained. “Toe to toe. I mean, they were going at it.” 

Black Ink Crew star Ceaser Emanuel opens up about he learned he was having a stroke. In a candid conversation with Carlos King, Ceaser recalls the exact moment he knew he was experiencing a stroke. He described the sensation bluntly, saying it “felt like a bad headache.” Ceasar shared a message via his Instagram thanking God for his health. “God, I can’t thank you enough for bringing me this far in LIFE.Thank you for blessing me with life, good health, happiness and peace of mind. I’ll forever be grateful.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Jasmine Brand (@the.jasmine.brand)

Offset recently opened up about the dissolution of his marriage with Cardi B, telling The Ebro Show‘s host Ebro Darden that he “f*cked up” his relationship with the former reality star. Cardi B and Offset’s very public, on-again-off-again relationship officially came to a close after the “I Like It” rapper filed for divorce in July 2024. Offset had been accused of cheating multiple times, which allegedly led to the couple’s constant separations over the years. Their behind-the-scenes tension would eventually boil over into social media. Amid the interview, Darden had noted that he would reach out to Offset, telling him point-blank, “You’re f*cking up,” to which the rapper nodded in acknowledgement, saying, “I f*cked up…just being real.” That said, Offset believes that he has learned from the situation and is looking toward the future. “I gotta acknowledge that and get back on the journey,” he added. Since the split, Cardi B has gone public with her new beau, NFL star Stephon Diggs. Whereas, Offset has been linked to a model and Instagram personality, Melanie Jayda. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ebro (@oldmanebro) During another segment of the interview, the rapper discussed the possibility of creating new music with Quavo. Specifically, he considered a tribute album for Takeoff — an idea which isn’t completely off the table for the rapper. “It’s possible,” Offset tells Ebro. “It’s [definitely] possible. No conversations about that tho’, but it’s possible.” That said, according to Offset, the pair are focused on solo projects. They are also making sure to check in with one another. “We just building us first, [and] like checking in with each other and see each other world, like, ‘You good?, ‘You good?” Despite Offset and Quavo’s past tension, the rapper makes it clear that their familial bond remains unbroken. “That’s family at the end of the day,” he tells the 7 PM in Brooklyn podcast in their latest episode. “You’re gonna bump heads with your family sometime,” he added. “In the day, a n*gga ain’t finna play with him, or a n*gga ain’t finna play with me.”

Offset recently caught up with The Ebro Show on Apple Music 1. This was ahead of the release of his upcoming album, Kiari. While there, the rapper discussed the possibility of creating new music with Quavo. Specifically, he considered a tribute album for Takeoff — an idea which isn’t completely off the table for the rapper. “It’s possible,” Offset tells Ebro. “It’s [definitely] possible. No conversations about that tho’, but it’s possible.” That said, according to Offset, the pair are focused on solo projects. They are also making sure to check in with one another. “We just building us first, [and] like checking in with each other and see each other world, like, ‘You good?, ‘You good?” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Apple Music (@applemusic) Despite Offset and Quavo’s past tension, the rapper makes it clear that their familial bond remains unbroken. “That’s family at the end of the day,” he tells the 7 PM in Brooklyn podcast in their latest episode. “You’re gonna bump heads with your family sometime,” he added. “In the day, a n*gga ain’t finna play with him, or a n*gga ain’t finna play with me.” The pair’s tension started around 2022 after rumors swirled that Offset had slept with Quavo’s then-girlfriend, Saweetie. This had also been what allegedly led to the disbandment of the Migos. However, after Takeoff was shot and killed in November 2022, the pair only became further estranged. Eventually, things came to a head at the 2023 Grammys. There, the two reportedly got into a brief scuffle over the direction of Takeoff’s tribute. Luckily, Offset and Quavo were eventually able to settle their beef. Set revealed that he and Quavo talk at least once a week. He said, “It be the internet trying to do some old sh*t, but with us, it ain’t about that. Like, we holla at each other.”

Killer Mike is jumping into the podcast game. On August 13, he debuted with Conversate with Killer Mike. Co-hosted by his partner and former Outkast DJ Cutmaster Swiff, the show will feature his takes on the latesttopics of the day that “hit like your favorite mixtape.” “I created the show because I think that people need to converse more,” Mike said. “People need to sit with people that don’t look like them, that aren’t from the same background, that don’t even see the world in the same way and just simply have conversation. I think it grows our perspective.” Tje tongue-in-cheek name makes it clear that Conversate with Killer Mike will not be your everyday podcast. With a “roundtable-style dialogue with an opinionated cast and crew that’s part bars and business, part books and barbershop banter, but across the board authentic.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Conversate with Killer Mike (@conversatewithkillermike) “I hope listeners walk away from every episode of Conversate with a slightly different understanding of perspectives that may not be like their own,” the Grammy Award winner said.  “Having a former Atlanta mayor tell you that essentially power and politics comes down to what the fuck are you gonna do about it? Either you’re bullying, saying that, or you’re refusing to be bullied and you’re doing something about it,” Mike continued.  “I think that’s an amazing thing to be said in this day and time. It gets us back to a time where we watched All in the Family and The Jeffersons and our feelings weren’t catered to like babies.” Conversate with Killer Mike is available on all podcasts. Follow @conversatewithkillermike for updates, exclusive clips and the ride of a lifetime.

Kid Cudi accused Drake of “kicking him while he was down.” During an interview with CBS Mornings, Cudi detailed how he and Drake had a fallen out over ghostwriting allegations. In a tweet at the time,  Cudi said that Drake and Kanye West can’t be the greatest rappers with “30 people writing songs for them.” Drake responded in 2016 with a diss track “Two Birds, One Stone” and named Cudi who was in a rehab at the time. “I was like, oh okay, you wanna kick me when I’m down. Great,” Cudi said. “But he wanted to play the game with me. He wanted me to put him in my song or whatever and I’m not that type of artist. “I’m not going to the studio angry rapping about some other man and putting him in my art. That’s not what we’re gonna do here,” he contined. “I’m gonna come to your doorstep and I’mma let you know that I’mma see you. I’mma see you and that’s a promise.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by CBS Mornings (@cbsmornings) Eventually, the two rap stars were able to patch things up after West who set up a meeting between them. Cudi gave a guest verse on Drake’s Certified Lover Boy. “I went on to do a record for him for his album, but granted, I haven’t heard from him ever since,” he expressed.  “It just let me know that time is over. We’ll never be homies like we were before. I don’t have any beef with him anymore and I’m not mad at him or anything,” Cudi said. “It’s just time has gone by. We are in different places. It’s all good. I know he loves me. I know that. And I know he respects me as an artist. That’s good enough for me.”

“Don’t Call It a Comeback!” According to PEOPLE, LL COOL J is returning to host the 2025 MTV VMAs. This marks the second time LL will host the ceremony. In 2022, he co-hosted with Nicki Minaj and Jack Harlow. The “Mama Said Knock You Out” has a long history with MTV. In 1991,  he won his first Moon Person in for Best Rap and was the first rapper ever to receive the Video Vanguard Award in 1997. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Video Music Awards (@vmas) Uncle L and MTV go way back. He performed onstage during the 50 years of hip-hop all-star tribute. in 2023, he celebrated the 40th anniversary of Def Jam Records with Public Enemy in 2024. This song, “Murdergram Deaux”, his duet with Eminem, is nominated in the Best Hip-Hop category from LL Cool J’s 2024 album The Force this year. The MTV VMAs revealed their nominees for the upcoming awards show on August 5, and Kendrick Lamar and Bruno Mars have 11 nominations.  Lady Gaga, for the first time in her career,  is the most-nominated artist for the VMAs with 12 nominations.  ROSÉ and Sabrina Carpenter have eight nominations. Ariana Grande and The Weeknd have seven nominations. Billie Eilish has six nods, and Charli xcx received five nods. Beyoncé and Taylor Swift, who are both nominated for artist of the year. The 2025 MTV VMAs air live from UBS Arena in New York on Sunday, Sept. 7, at 8 p.m. ET on CBS (for the first time) and MTV. The ceremony will also stream on Paramount+.

Saweetie and Manchester United’s Jadon Sancho just gave fans another reason to believe their rumored romance is the real deal. Over the summer, the two were spotted at The Apollo Tattoo & Piercing Studio in Santa Monica, where Sancho made a bold move that had everything to do with the “My Type” rapper. Saweetie & Jadon Sancho Hit Tattoo Shop, Soccer Star Gets Her Middle Name Inked https://t.co/2IusVpz9v5 pic.twitter.com/0Mp1hmFFTO — TMZ (@TMZ) August 14, 2025 Sources at the shop say Sancho had “Qiava,” Saweetie’s middle name, inked in delicate cursive behind his left ear. For anyone keeping track, Saweetie’s full name is Diamonté Quiava Valentin Harper, making the tattoo a clear and personal nod to her. That wasn’t his only update. Sancho also had an older tattoo on his hand that once read “her only” replaced with a colorful flower design. While it’s unclear who that original dedication was for, it seems that chapter is closed. Witnesses say the energy between the two was unmistakable. Saweetie and Sancho were seen kissing and sharing intimate moments throughout his appointment, making it clear they’re comfortable showing their connection in public. Fans have been speculating about their relationship for months. Saweetie has turned up to watch Sancho play in person, and earlier this year, people noticed his iPhone lock screen featured her “PB” mug shot. These subtle details have only fueled talk that the pair are more than just friends. Neither has stepped forward to confirm the dating rumors, but Sancho’s new tattoo might be the loudest statement yet. Whether or not they ever make it official, the ink, the public affection, and the appearances at his games are painting a pretty vivid picture. Right now, it seems like Saweetie and Sancho are letting their actions — and in this case, permanent art — do all the talking.