South African DJ and producer Black Coffee has opened up about a surprising moment in his career: declining an opportunity to collaborate with global pop icon Beyoncé. During a recent appearance on Podcast and Chill with MacG, released March 11 on the Podcast and Chill Network, the Grammy-winning DJ explained why he once turned down the chance to contribute music for Beyoncé. According to Black Coffee, the decision stemmed from his creative standards rather than fear or hesitation. “I think when the time comes,” Black Coffee said while reflecting on the situation. He recalled performing a DJ set in Los Angeles for Beyoncé and her husband, hip-hop mogul Jay-Z. “So after that, I did the gig in L.A. for them. I mean they still had my number then.” Black coffee on turning down Beyonce feature even after Jay Z was hitting him up relentlessly because you have to send her a full recorded song w/ artist that sounds like her so she knows how she’s gonna sound like when she sings the song and says he prefers working w/ artists… https://t.co/HKbwuy48vm pic.twitter.com/QezVwwurWB — ZADCOZZY (@zadcozzy) March 11, 2026 The producer said Jay-Z later contacted him to praise the performance. “Following week, he was like, ‘Man amazing set. Can’t get over the party,’” Black Coffee recalled. The message left him unsure how to respond beyond a simple thank-you. Two weeks later, Jay-Z reached out again with a direct question about music for Beyoncé. “He says the same thing, but he says: ‘Do you have music for Bey?’” Black Coffee said. “Then I’m like, ‘Okay, I’m done with you.’ So I don’t respond to that.” DJ Black Coffee Recalls Turning Down A Feature From Beyoncé Despite the comment, Black Coffee clarified that he respects the artists involved and prefers a different style of collaboration. “Also what would make me ready for that, just like Drake get on the plane, let’s be in the same room,” he said. “That’s how I want to work now.” He also described how many major artists request full song demos rather than unfinished instrumentals. “Most of these artists will be like send stuff,” he explained. “When they say send, they don’t mean a beat. You must send a full song.” Black Coffee added that some performers rely on specialized writers to create demo recordings that mimic their vocal style. He cited the example of songs prepared for Rihanna to demonstrate how a track might sound once recorded. Queen Bey is rumored to be working on an “Americana” album for the latest installment in her Carter series. This will follow her award-winning Cowboy Carter album, released in 2024.

Eminem and Hip-Hop mourned the passing of his DJ and longtime radio host, DJ Lord Sear, who passed away on Wednesday at 52. The culture flooded social media with prayers, condolences, and tributes to the DJ and his family. Sear was a regular on Shade 45, the Eminem-owned radio station, for over two decades. His years of commitment to the culture wouldn’t go unseen following his passing. Before Shade 45, Sear appeared on the legendary The Stretch Armstrong and Bobbito Show and collaborated with rapper Kurious. Lord Sear is best remembered as Eminem’s touring DJ for the legendary Anger Management Tour. “Sear was one of the greatest people to be around,” Eminem wrote. “I will never forget how he made me laugh on our tour together.” View this post on Instagram “Our time on @Shade45 together was always some of my favorite interviews,” he added. “He made the world a better place and I’m gonna seriously miss that. Rest in peace Lil Trey.” In the clip, the Detroit MC explained that he sometimes produced his own beats while giving credit to mentor Dr. Dre for encouraging his creativity. “Based off how we’re talking now, I would never just come out and say, ‘Yo, I did the beat for this,’” Eminem said during the exchange. DJ Lord Sear Remembered By Eminem & Hip-Hop After Death At 52 SiriusXM later released a statement honoring the late broadcaster’s influence. “He was more than a voice on the radio,” the company said. “He was a force, a friend, and family.” Artists including E-40, Hit-Boy, Fat Joe, Rapsody, and Tony Yayo also paid tribute online. Hip-hop reacts to Lord Sear’s passing. pic.twitter.com/Elg58EjGrp — XXL Magazine (@XXL) March 12, 2026 “God bless,” Fat Joe wrote. “I know him my whole career. Love you Sear.”

Rapper Eminem is mourning the death of his grandmother, Betty Kresin, whose passing at age 87 prompted an outpouring of condolences from fans across social media. Family sources said Kresin died Tuesday, March 10, at her home in Missouri after complications related to breast cancer. News of her death quickly circulated online, where listeners and longtime supporters shared messages of sympathy with the Detroit rapper. View this post on Instagram Many fans highlighted Kresin’s role during Eminem’s early life, noting that her home provided refuge during difficult periods in his childhood. “That was the grandma’s house he always went to as a kid when things got rough at home,” one supporter wrote on Instagram. “She loved him so much and always took care of him. RIP.” Other users echoed similar sentiments, offering prayers and condolences to the Mathers family. “Prayers for the family,” one commenter wrote, while another added, “Prayers up for Grandma Shady’s family.” Fans Pay Tribute To The Passing Of Eminem’s Grandmother, Betty Kresin Several fans reflected on the emotional connection they feel to Eminem’s life story, which the rapper has often explored through his lyrics. “So sad. Rest in peace to a beautiful soul,” another fan wrote. “Praying for the family and friends.” A different supporter added a more personal reflection, writing, “Nah, this hurts. She raised that man.” Kresin’s death follows another major loss for the rapper. In 2024, Eminem’s mother, Debbie Nelson, died at age 69 after battling lung cancer. Kresin previously spoke publicly about her relationship with her grandson after his rise to fame. In a 2000 interview with the British newspaper The Mirror, she described feeling distressed by the tone of his music and the distance that developed between them. “Neither his mother Debbie nor I can figure out what happened to this sweet, caring youngster,” Kresin said. “In just over 12 years he’s gone from telling me ‘Grandma I love you,’ to ‘Go to hell.’ It just breaks my heart.” Despite those past tensions, fans continue to remember Kresin as an important presence in Eminem’s early years. As tributes spread online, many supporters are expressing sympathy for the rapper and his family during a difficult moment.

A jury has determined that Kanye West must pay $140,000 to a former employee over disputes tied to renovations at his former Malibu mansion. The case centers on Tony Saxton, who said he was hired as a project manager during the extensive work on West’s oceanfront property. Saxton alleged the conditions were unsafe. He also claimed he was dismissed after only a few weeks on the job. Court filings indicate that Saxton was brought in to help oversee work on the multimillion-dollar home. However, he received just one paycheck before his termination roughly seven weeks later. He initially sought more than $1.7 million in damages, citing lost wages and medical expenses tied to the alleged hazards. After reviewing testimony, jurors found West responsible for a portion of the claims. Ultimately, they awarded far less than Saxton had requested. The final judgment requires West to cover about $140,000 in unpaid wages and medical costs. West’s Limited Recall Marks End of Malibu Renovation Dispute West testified during the proceedings, acknowledging that he had limited recollection of Saxton or the circumstances surrounding his hiring. He reportedly expressed uncertainty about who formally brought Saxton onto the project. His wife, Bianca Censori, also appeared in court. She explained that while she interacted with Saxton during the renovation, their time working together was brief. The verdict closes a contentious chapter in the saga of West’s Malibu property. It highlights the legal and logistical challenges that can arise during large-scale celebrity construction projects. Though the ruling resolves this particular dispute, it also provides a glimpse into the complex dynamics of managing high-profile real estate renovations.

Earlier this week, Eminem’s maternal grandmother, Betty, passed away at her home in Missouri, according to TMZ. She had been battling complications from breast cancer, and the rapper was reportedly not present during her final moments. Their relationship, marked by both love and tension, had long been complicated. In a 2000 interview with London’s Mirror, Betty spoke candidly about her discomfort with Eminem’s explicit lyrics. “When I hear his vile disgusting lyrics I can’t believe this is my Marshall,” she said. “The same boy who used to come and sit on my lap.” Yet she contextualized his work within the broader music landscape. “He’s no worse than the rest of them. I don’t like some of the lyrics myself, but this is what the people want to hear,” she explained. “If they’re going to criticise my grandson, criticise the rest of them. What about Limp Bizkit? And Ozzy Osbourne, who used to eat live bats on stage.” Betty lamented the scrutiny directed at her grandson: “They seem to be singling my grandson out. They’re picking on him.” Despite their disagreements, she conveyed deep affection: “He’s my first grandchild, I was there then he opened his eyes, I love that boy. I want to stop this war between us because life’s too short – I want him to hang in there, because everything’s going to be okay.” Eminem Faces Family Loss a Year After Becoming a Grandfather Eminem has not yet publicly commented on her passing. The news comes almost a year after he became a grandfather, following the birth of his daughter Hailie Jade’s son, Elliot Marshall McClintock, last April. Hailie’s pregnancy was revealed in Eminem’s October 2024 music video for “Temporary.” The track contains lyrics addressed to her, crafted as a message she might one day hear, blending personal reflection with his enduring connection to family and legacy.

Brooklyn rapper Maino has fired back at 50 Cent with a new diss track titled “Bleed Like Us,” adding fuel to the ongoing tension between the two New York artists. The song arrives shortly after 50 Cent released a track and video alongside Max B, where he appeared to take jabs at several rappers, including Maino.On “Bleed Like Us,” Maino doesn’t hold back. View this post on Instagram The Brooklyn MC takes direct shots at the G-Unit mogul, referencing 50 Cent’s past controversies, personal history, and his well-known habit of trolling rivals on social media. The track’s title appears to echo themes of vulnerability and rivalry, suggesting that even hip-hop’s most powerful figures are not untouchable. The diss comes as tensions between the two have been brewing online for months. Much of the back-and-forth has played out on social media, where 50 Cent frequently comments on industry drama and publicly calls out other artists. Maino’s response marks a shift from online exchanges to a lyrical confrontation. While 50 Cent has not yet responded directly to the diss track, fans are already watching closely to see whether the Queens rapper will address the record either on social media or with music of his own. View this post on Instagram

Along the Malibu shoreline, Dr. Dre has quietly closed the sale of a long-held beachfront property, marking the end of a chapter that stretches back more than two decades. Public real estate records indicate the home changed hands on March 3 for $16.5 million. The producer originally bought the property in 2000 for $4.8 million, making the sale a substantial return on the investment. The house had previously appeared on the market in 2022 with an asking price of $20 million, according to Zillow. The transaction reflects the continued strength of Malibu’s luxury housing market. The residence sits along Carbon Beach, a stretch of coastline sometimes referred to as “Billionaire’s Beach.” Spread across three levels, the property was designed to take full advantage of its oceanfront setting. The layout includes six bedrooms and seven bathrooms, along with spaces intended for both work and recreation. Among the amenities are a private gym, a studio, a large deck overlooking the Pacific, and a home office. Additional features include a wood-burning fireplace, a sauna, and several areas designed for entertaining guests. The home sale surfaced at roughly the same moment that Dr. Dre reached a notable financial benchmark. Forbes released its updated ranking of the world’s wealthiest individuals on March 10, and the producer appeared on the list for the first time. The publication estimated his net worth at $1 billion, placing him at No. 3,332 globally. The ranking reflects the breadth of Dre’s career, which spans decades in music as well as ventures in technology and business. A Billion-Dollar Legacy — and New Music Still in the Works Within hip-hop, that figure places him among the genre’s wealthiest figures, behind Jay-Z, who remains the richest artist in the field. The Forbes list includes only a small number of musicians overall, with Beyoncé also appearing among the names. Much of Dre’s fortune is tied to his recording legacy, entrepreneurial ventures such as his influential headphone brand, and a portfolio of investments that extends beyond music. Industry observers often point to those ventures as evidence of how artists have expanded into broader business arenas. Even with those milestones, Dre’s focus on music continues. Moreover, T.I. recently spoke about an upcoming collaboration while discussing new projects with AllHipHop. “Dr. Dre blessed me with a record,” T.I. said. “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.”

Music mogul Ye issued a blunt message to the press this week, telling media outlets that the time has come to fully recognize his legal name. The advisory arrived March 10, shortly after Ye delivered nearly three hours of testimony in a workplace violations lawsuit filed by former employee Tony Saxon during a hearing at the Los Angeles County Superior Court. The memo reads as a call-out to the media companies that still refer to the rapper by his former name. Ye reminded outlets that his identity change was announced years ago and formally approved by a California court. “MEDIA ADVISORY IT HAS BEEN SEVEN YEARS SINCE THE ARTIST FORMERLY KNOWN AS KANYE WEST ANNOUNCED THAT HENCEFORWARD HIS NAME WOULD BE YE,” the statement says. Ye got tired of people still calling him Kanye and put out this media statement after court. pic.twitter.com/aZq2mZBtou — Sneaker Legal® | Trademark & IP Lawyers (@SneakerLegal) March 11, 2026 Ye legally changed his name from Kanye West to Ye in 2021. His team argues that the media ecosystem has had plenty of time to update credits, archives, and databases. “THIS IS MORE THAN ENOUGH TIME FOR MEDIA COMPANIES, SEARCH ENGINES, RECORD LABELS, DSPS, RETAILERS, LYRICS WEBSITES, PUBLISHERS AND OTHERS TO UPDATE THEIR RECORDS AND SYSTEMS TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF THE CHANGE,” the memo continues. The statement also frames the issue as one tied to identity and respect. Ye’s representatives emphasize the artist’s global visibility and say the name change should be treated as permanent. Ye To The Media: “Stop Calling Me Kanye West” “YE IS ONE OF THE MOST RECOGNIZABLE PEOPLE IN THE WORLD, ON PAR WITH PRESIDENTS AND POPES. THIS CHANGE WAS MADE FULLY, LEGALLY, AND PERMANENTLY. THIS IS WHO HE IS NOW. HIS NAME IS YE.” The advisory ends with a warning directed at outlets that continue using his former name. Representatives for Yeezy LLC say cooperation may end if the directive is ignored. “YEEZY LLC WILL NO LONGER CO-OPERATE WITH OR PROVIDE COMMENT OR CONFIRMATION TO MEDIA OUTLETS THAT REFUSE TO USE HIS LEGAL NAME,” the memo states. He continued: “A DELIBERATE AFFRONT, A RACIST OFFENSE AND A DENIAL OF YE’S AGENCY AND SELF-DETERMINATION.” The message signals a stricter media policy from Ye’s camp as the artist navigates both legal scrutiny and public perception.

50 Cent returned to social media this week with a new music video for his collaboration with Max B, titled “No More Tricks, No More Tries.” The visuals appear to rely heavily on artificial-intelligence effects, creating digitally rendered scenes that frame the song’s confrontational tone. Throughout the clip, the artist delivers pointed lines directed at several figures he has sparred with publicly, including Jim Jones, Maino, Fabolous, and Dave East. In one sequence, a stylized image places Jones inside what looks like an interrogation room as the lyric lands: “Snitching you better not.” The moment reflects the track’s mix of satire, commentary, and competitive bravado. After 50 Cent posted the video on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, audience reaction unfolded quickly. Some listeners expressed disappointment with the use of A.I. imagery and the song’s approach. One critic wrote, “N***a talk about how rich he is and come and deliver AI slop & music slop! Stay behind the camera and off microphones homey.” Another user responded with surprise, saying, “Dang I checked if this was a fake account three times. What happened to you 50? This is week af. This is not the same person who disrupted the industry with a diss track. I’m calling Jim Carrey on this one.” Other fans approached the release with a lighter tone. Some pointed to moments they found humorous within the lyrics. “Best part of this whole song is him telling Dave East he don’t even count,” one listener commented, adding laughing emojis. Another wrote, “The masses won’t like this but I’m not like them lol this is [fire emoji].” The range of responses illustrates how quickly new music from a veteran artist can spark debate across online platforms. Yall thought I was talking about the Cosby’s. I’ll deal with Bill later. I am the algorithm • https://t.co/WtNREs32V0 pic.twitter.com/fZPuHIUBY2 — 50cent (@50cent) March 10, 2026 50 Cent reignites tensions after Jim Jones criticizes his Diddy docuseries The caption accompanying the video included another message from 50 Cent, suggesting the conversation may not end with this song. Referencing T.I. and people around him, the rapper wrote, “Yall thought I was talking about the Cosby’s. I’ll deal with Bill later. I am the algorithm.” The comment hinted at ongoing friction that has surfaced periodically in recent months. Some of that tension traces back to remarks made on the Let’s Rap About It podcast, where hosts discussed 50 Cent’s Netflix docuseries “Sean Combs: The Reckoning.” During the conversation, Jim Jones, who appears on the show, criticized the project’s tone. “You don’t want nobody doing a documentary trying to make your whole character look weak. That’s petty behavior … It’s really not a documentary; it’s more like a mockumentary,” Jones said. The exchange later spilled onto social media, where both sides traded comments before the podcast crew released a freestyle titled “Squatter’s Rights.”

Ari Lennox recently had a candid conversation with the Effective Immediately podcast about her dating history. According to the “Shea Butter Baby” singer, she spent too much of her early years giving toxic men attention. While Ari acknowledged that she still struggles with being attracted to “toxic energy,” she’s much more cognizant than in years past. She also expressed regret for not paying the “sweet energies” the attention they deserved. “I think I have a thing for toxic energy,” Ari says. “Because when I look back on all of these energies, it’s a shame I gave them so much time, and there were sweet energies that I didn’t. Now, I see those sweet energies getting married and starting families, [and] I’m just like, ‘dang that could’ve been me,’ if I had recognized the security in those individuals at the time.” Ari Lennox says she regrets giving toxic men attention and not the sweet ones, now that she’s older and not married. “It’s a shame I gave the toxic ones so much energy instead of the sweet ones. I see the sweet ones getting married and starting families I’m like, that could’ve… pic.twitter.com/p7tL3G8hvY — stan (@wyd_stan) March 10, 2026 Clip of Ari Lennox Revealing Why She Doesn’t Date Women Resurfaces This wasn’t the first time Ari Lennox made a startling revelation regarding her dating history. Last April, a clip resurfaced of the singer revealing the reason behind why her journey experimenting with same-sex relationships was short-lived. According to the former Dreamville singer, dating women was too difficult and left her feeling “insecure.” The clip was taken from her Instagram Live and began making rounds on social media in September 2024. “I tried for like one second, like getting to know this person this year, and then it was like weird, and then I just felt insecure,” she said in the video. “I feel like guys…it’s already a lot. Let me just stick to what I know. I feel like [with] women…I don’t understand them. I don’t understand myself.” While the singer never shied away from her being sexually attracted to women, it seems this brief encounter left such an impact on her that she’s unwilling to try again in the future.