There was a time when a Rick Ross setlist reliably included Drake without raising eyebrows. Before their highly publicized split in 2024, the two artists collaborated frequently, shaping some of the early 2010s’ most recognizable rap records. Now, even playing one of those songs can feel loaded. That undercurrent surfaced again during a recent club appearance by Ross. While performing “Aston Martin Music,” Ross was joined unexpectedly by French Montana, according to footage shared by 2Cool2Blog on Instagram. The 2010 track, released on Teflon Don, originally featured Drake and Chrisette Michele. Onstage, Ross and French greeted one another as the song played, a routine moment on its face. In the current context, however, it carried added resonance and further connected Ross to the history of the track. Drake’s imprint on the song runs deeper than a single verse. His reimagined take, “Paris Morton Music,” later evolved into an expanded version on Nothing Was The Same and was eventually included on Care Package. His original verse remains embedded in the song’s identity, both in the single and its video. Hearing it now inevitably recalls a partnership that once seemed seamless, frequently featuring Ross in the mix. French Montana shrugs off the Drake–Ross rift French Montana, who has maintained relationships with both artists, recently addressed the divide. Speaking with Bootleg Kev, he expressed confidence that time could ease tensions. “It’ll happen,” he said. “Brothers always fight and make up, man. It’ll happen. Nobody got shot, nobody died, you know?” His tone suggested familiarity rather than alarm, especially when mentioning Ross. Montana’s name has surfaced in discussions about how the rift began. Reports have pointed to a cease-and-desist issued by Drake over a verse intended for “Splash Brothers,” which was ultimately released without him but included Ross and Lil Wayne. The episode appeared to strain alliances. Since then, Ross has signaled some openness to reconciliation, while Drake has remained more reserved publicly.

NLE Choppa, who has recently begun calling himself NLE The Great, revived his long-running tension with Blueface over the weekend. What had seemed like a cooling-off period between the two rappers shifted back into public view when Choppa posted a challenge on X on Sunday, February 15. In the message, he urged Blueface to “get in the octagon.” The comment reignited speculation about whether their dispute might one day move beyond social media. Furthermore, fans are curious about Choppa’s next move following his challenge. The idea of a one-on-one fight is not new for the pair. In previous exchanges, both had entertained the possibility of settling matters in a controlled setting. At one point, however, the conversation became more controversial when Blueface suggested their children should compete instead—a remark that prompted criticism and ultimately apologies. Since then, both artists have indicated that any physical contest would remain strictly between them. On that note, it is clear Choppa remains central to these discussions. Let’s get in the octagon @bluefacebleedem — NLE THE GREAT (@nlethegreat1) February 15, 2026 From Personal Rift to Public Rivalry—and a Possible Fight Ahead The friction between the two dates back to late 2023, when personal tensions spilled into the public sphere. Reports at the time suggested the disagreement escalated after one of Choppa’s children’s mothers declined Blueface’s advances. The matter lingered online through pointed posts and lyrical references, including what many listeners interpreted as a slight in “Shotta Flow 8.” As often happens in rap, competition and personal grievance became intertwined, especially where Choppa is concerned. Although the feud cooled after family members were drawn into the exchange, neither rapper has entirely dismissed the idea of a sanctioned bout. Blueface, however, has a separate commitment approaching: a scheduled boxing match in May against former NBA player Nick “Swaggy P” Young. That event may influence whether he responds to the latest challenge from Choppa in the near term.

Over the weekend, Brandy performed at the 2026 NBA All-Star Game. While many of her fans praised her soulful rendition of the U.S. National Anthem, others weren’t so pleased. On Sunday (Feb. 15), at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, CA, the 47-year-old led an a cappella performance of “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Joined by June’s Diary—the all-girl group formed by Kelly Rowland—the R&B legend put a new spin on the classic song with her iconic vocal harmonies. However, as more clips of the performance have started to surface, some fans seem to think the singer was a bit overzealous with her performance. “It’s not that Brandy’s rendition was bad vocally or sonically. Just the National Anthem ain’t the time for all that (to me). If she was gonna stack vocals like that, it should’ve been some music to accompany,” one person wrote on X. “Maybe I’m old-fashioned, or this is a boomer take, but I really don’t like this rendition. It’s the national anthem, not a remix. I get artists wanting to leave a mark and innovate, I just don’t think this is the song/occasion to do so with.No hate to Brandy, but this ain’t it,” says another fan. Similarly, another person noted that while the singer is an “undeniable talent,” there is a “time and place” for everything. Implying that Brandy should’ve gone with a more subtle performance. “An artist is supposed to evolve and know how to set a tone for a particular audience. Stacked backing vocals is never needed for the National Anthem,” they wrote. That said, there were also a huge number of supporters of the performance. “BLACK people are mad at Brandy for being creative and diverting from the traditional way the national anthem is sung this ONE TIME during BLACK HISTORY MONTH. Y’all are embarrassing…not Brandy. Be different! Embrace uniqueness. Stfu and do something yourself, instead of hating,” one fan commented.

Kevin Durant’s appearance at the NBA All-Star Game on Sunday, February 15, was meant to be a celebration of the season’s best players. Instead, much of the attention afterward shifted online. Social media users began circulating screenshots that allegedly show Durant messaging a fan. The posts revived long-standing speculation about the use of so-called burner accounts. Durant has not publicly responded to the claims. The screenshots were shared by the account @MrBusby4o8 on X and later amplified by Kurrco on Instagram. In a caption attached to the images, the user wrote, “Look, I got my past transgressions that I’ve been put on the summer jam screen for past st I’ve said. So in a way I KINDA empathize with @KDTrey5. But this n*a BEEN a whole a** weirdo that be talking to himself in my DM’s..” The images have not been independently verified. Furthermore, it remains unclear whether the messages are authentic, although many users continue to discuss Durant as the subject of the alleged DMs. Alleged DMs add fuel to an already viral controversy In the alleged exchange, the sender appears to write: “Buzz u talked to Kendrick today?,” “Aye fats. Why do u want Drake dead?,” “Stop ignoring me bro,” and “Who cares about a chain when u got billion. I’m wondering if your daddy Kendrick knows u exist.” The messages reportedly followed the fan’s public support of Kendrick Lamar in an ongoing cultural rivalry involving Drake. Drake has maintained a close friendship with Durant, who has often found himself at the intersection of sports and music. Sports and music fandom often overlap online, and the boundaries between them can blur quickly. The renewed scrutiny comes amid other unverified claims circulating over the weekend, including allegations that Durant used anonymous accounts to criticize teammates and former colleagues. Those claims, like the direct message screenshots, remain unconfirmed. Online speculation, however, has a way of gathering momentum regardless of verification, especially when Durant is involved.

Haus of Creators Foundation officially unveiled its Haus of Creators AI Labs Pre-Incubator Venture Studio with an exclusive kickoff event at Coexist Gaming during New York Fashion Week. HOT 97 got the chance to attend the event that brought together top creatives, AI fashion innovators, investors, founders, influencers, and media voices all focused on where culture and technology are headed next. The evening featured an intimate panel conversation with creators Venus Rose, T. Dionne, and Musa which was moderated by Kimberly Morgan. The panelist are actively integrating artificial intelligence into design, production, and brand strategy. Attendees also got a live demo from Raspberry AI, highlighting how AI-powered fashion tools are already being applied in real-world workflows. The room was filled with notable players across industries, including executives from investment banks, AI companies, global fashion, beauty and retail brands, educational institutions, law firms, and leaders spanning AI, fashion, and venture capital. “Our goal is to build the new infrastructure of the Creator Economy with AI as both a tool and a partner — empowering creatives to not just use technology, but to shape and own the companies defining the future,” said Venus Rose, Founder & CEO of Haus of Creators. Photo via: @VenusRose The kickoff officially launches a six-month, in-person workshop series aimed at equipping creatives with AI literacy, applied tools, ethical frameworks, and venture readiness. Select participants will advance into the Haus of Creators AI Labs Venture Studio. View this post on Instagram

Ray J sparked major concern from fans after being spotted with blood dripping from his eye during a recent performance. Over the weekend, the singer held a special Valentine’s Day show in Shreveport, LA. Clips of the performance have begun circulating online. In one clip, in particular, the singer is seen with bloody tears streaming down his face as he hands roses to his fans. Ray J also seemingly appeared to be wearing a heart monitor patch. The singer has yet to reveal what caused the bloody tears or why he was, in fact, wearing the patch. A few weeks back, Ray J landed in the hospital after experiencing severe pneumonia and heart pain. According to the Love & Hip Hop alum, his heart is only working at 25% capacity. “My heart’s only beating like 25%, but as long as I stay focused and stay on the right path, then everything will be all right. So thank you for all your prayers,” Ray J said in a Janurary Instagram post. Ray J performed last night with his heart monitor, and fans assumed real blood was coming out of his eyes and chest. pic.twitter.com/Mi8L6xpf5F — livebitez (@livebitez) February 15, 2026 Ray J Gives Shocking Health Update Not long ago, TMZ reported that, along with receiving a bevy of new medications, Ray J could need a heart defibrillator. He told the outlet that doctors have given him just months to live. In Ray’s opinion, his drug and alcohol usage greatly contributed to the situation he is in now. “I fcked up,” he continued.” You know why? Becuase I think I thought that I was a bigger ngga…[So] I could handle all the alcohol, I could handle all the adderall, all the drugs, I could handle everything, but I couldn’t.” This isn’t the first time Ray J battled a major health issue. In 2021, he publicly disclosed that a previous battle with pneumonia “nearly cost him his life. According to MayoClinic, Pneumonia is “an infection that inflames the air sacs in one or both lungs. The air sacs may fill with fluid or pus (purulent material), causing cough with phlegm or pus, fever, chills, and difficulty breathing. A variety of organisms, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi, can cause pneumonia.”

Cardi B wasn’t here for BIA’s comments about her ex-boyfriend and baby daddy, New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs. On Sunday (Feb.15), during her tour stop at the Kia Forum in Inglewood, CA, right before Cardi was set to perform, “Pretty & Petty,” a diss track dedicated to BIA, she decided to clap back at the “WHOLE LOTTA MONEY” rapper for shading Diggs. While Cardi admitted that she and Diggs weren’t on the best of terms, she made it clear that she won’t stand for others talking down on her former partner. “Let me tell you sumthin’, just cause I ain’t f*cking with my baby daddy, doesn’t mean you get to talk about my baby daddy b*tch.” Fans Say Cardi B Admits She’s Taking a Break From Stefon Diggs and Responds to Bia Shading Him During Her Concert pic.twitter.com/l15JXBNqZs — livebitez (@livebitez) February 16, 2026 BIA Reignites Beef With Cardi B Earlier this week, Cardi B kicked off her Little Ms. Drama Tour. Clips of the performances have begun to circulate online. One in particular, where Cardi performs “Pretty & Petty,” was shared by a fan page on X, which caught the attention of BIA. In response, BIA hopped into the comment section of the post, taking shots at Diggs. “Can u name someone with more bms than receiving yards? I can! and I know that… ykwnvm ,” she wrote. Diggs has faced several paternity lawsuits in the past and recently took a major loss at Super Bowl LIX. Cardi B and BIA’s beef stems back to early 2024, following the release of the Love & Hip Hop Alum’s “Like What (Freestyle).” BIA claimed that it was a rip-off of her track released a year prior, “I’m That (B*tch).” Both tracks happened to feature a sample from Missy Elliott’s “She’s a B*tch.” Not long after Cardi dropped off her freestyle, speculation arose that Cardi had copied BIA’s sound—a sentiment to which she agreed.

Megan Thee Stallion is officially in her “Lover Girl” era. Speaking with PEOPLE, Megan said she was surprised to fall in love with NBA star Klay Thompson. “Well, I don’t ever want to tell [anybody] to just jump into a relationship just because everybody else got one. I’m not going to tell you to just jump in a relationship because you have to,” Megan said. “I didn’t even know I was going to be in my relationship, to be honest.” Megan explained that she found love after focusing on self-love and mental health. “I think that because finally I started being in a better mind space about myself and my life. And I had already been doing a lot of work to heal me,” she said. “I had been going to therapy, and I had a bunch of activities that I started doing for myself. Maybe God just opened up that space for me to have somebody who loved me right.” View this post on Instagram Megan also shared how she is in one of the best spaces she’s ever been in. “This is one of the first times that I’ve ever been just overly comfortable,” Megan laughed. “I’m comfy, babe!” When Megan and Thompson were spotted at the Inaugural Pete & Thomas Foundation Gala in New York City, she called him the “nicest person I’ve ever met in my life.” Megan also shared the details of her fitness journey. “To be honest, when I started my health and fitness journey, I just dove in. I didn’t really know too much about the health side of working out, the nutrition side of it. So once I started figuring out, okay, girl, if you really want to see some results, some differences in your body,” Megan said. ‘When you’re trying to get toned and all that good stuff, you need to be eating and drinking some protein.” Megan went on to unveil her vision for 2026. “I’ll be in the gym and the studio, the gym and the studio,” Megan said.

More than two decades after it ruled radio, Usher and Alicia Keys’ classic duet, “My Boo,” still feels untouchable. But according to songwriter Adonis Shropshire, the record almost never saw daylight. In a new interview with Men’s Journal, published February 14, 2026, by Terrell Smith, Shropshire revisited the late-night studio session that birthed the 2004 smash, eventually performed at Super Bowl LVIII. What fans now consider a cornerstone of mid-2000s R&B began with a midnight phone call and a skeptical superstar. “I got a call at midnight. Jermaine Dupri’s like, ‘yo, come to the studio.’ He got this beat. And he’s like ‘write to this one.’ It’s all he had,” Shropshire recalled. Dupri had crafted the melody for the opening line—“There’s always that…”—but the lyrics were unfinished. Shropshire stepped in to help shape the emotional narrative. Adonis Shropshire, one of the composers of “My Boo”, revealed that Usher hated the song when he first heard it and Beyoncé was supposed to be the original featured artist on the song “I got a call at midnight. Jermaine Dupri’s like ‘yo, come to the studio.’ He got this beat. And… pic.twitter.com/nSBjNgj21z — Blackish Press (@blackishpress) February 14, 2026 Was Beyoncé Suppose To Be On Usher & Alicia Keys’ “My Boo”? Songwriter Adonis Shropshire Reveals Then came the curveball. Shropshire spilled the tea behind, making the classic, and how certain parts of the song almost never came to be. For instance, Usher originally did not like the record. “Usher comes in the studio. It’s like 4 AM in the morning. We played ‘My Boo.’ He hates it. Hates it. He told us, whatever y’all do, don’t ever play that for me again.” The dismissal was blunt. Still, the night was far from over. “So at 4:30 in the morning, Usher gets in the booth. I’m like, I’ve never seen nothing like this in my life. I’m thinking, do it tomorrow. He did it right then.” That 4:30 a.m. vocal session became the backbone of a song that would dominate the Billboard Hot 100 for six weeks and cement Usher’s hitmaking streak. Shropshire also revealed a major what-if moment. Beyoncé was originally slated to sing the female hook. “Beyoncé was supposed to do the girl part originally, but she was on tour. So she didn’t have the time to do the vocals.” Her absence opened the door for Alicia Keys, whose vocal chemistry with Usher transformed “My Boo” into a generational anthem. What began in doubt ended in R&B history.

Infamous Mobb Deep’s Havoc just added fuel to one of rap’s most intriguing rumors surrounding Ye, formerly Kanye West, and Travis Scott. During a February 14 conversation with Complex, the producer and one-half of Mobb Deep revealed he’s been working behind the scenes on music tied to mogul Ye and Travis Scott. Ye is currently set to release his forthcoming album, Bully, in the coming months, while La Flame revealed he’s working on his next solo album last month. “Recently, I did a track—I don’t want to blow up the spot and say it just in case it never comes out,” Havoc said carefully. “But I will say he’s working on a project, I believe, with Travis Scott, and a few of my tracks have made the cut so far.” Producer/rapper Havoc hints that a Ye & Travis Scott collab album is on the way “Recently, I did a track—I don’t want to blow up the spot and say it just in case it never comes out. But I will say he’s working on a project, I believe, with Travis Scott, and a few of my tracks… pic.twitter.com/D8OxP7FHqk — Kurrco (@Kurrco) February 14, 2026 The statement lands with weight. Havoc is not hinting at random feature swaps. He’s pointing toward structured sessions and a possible collaborative body of work. His hesitation to “blow up the spot” signals the project remains in flux. Ye’s albums are known for evolving in real time, with tracklists shifting until the final hour. Still, Havoc confirming that multiple records “made the cut” suggests momentum, not mere experimentation. Mobb Deep’s Havoc Says He’s Worked On New Music For A Kanye West/Travis Scott Collab Album If realized, the pairing would reunite Ye with one of his most successful creative descendants. Travis Scott’s atmospheric production style and arena-sized ambition trace directly back to Ye’s blueprint. A joint effort could tap into that shared DNA while pushing both artists into new territory. Social media reaction reflects both hope and doubt. One X user, @crownsofcrowns, called the potential link-up “exactly what @kanyewest needs,” arguing Scott matches Ye’s genre-bending instincts like no other besides Kid Cudi. Others remain skeptical. X user @DBlue2P predicted it would amount to occasional feature trades. Meanwhile, @VentItMedia described the idea as “an awesome way for Ye to come back after everything.” The sharpest critique came from @Mr_Cavalier_: “They both need each other. Kanye is a social pariah, and judging by Trav’s last effort he’s run out of ideas.” For now, Havoc’s words stop short of confirmation. But his involvement alone signals that serious studio energy is brewing. Neither Ye or Travis Scott have commented on a possible collaboration album.