Former Empire star Bryshere Gray is facing assault and battery charges after being arrested in Virginia. The charges stem from an alleged incident that happened last week at a hotel. According to local news station WAVY, Gray is accused of assaulting Dustin Wilkins, also known as Chosen, following a heated argument at a Homewood Suites.  “As I was explaining to him that he can’t just leave without paying, adding that you have enough problems…I am trying to save your life,” Wilkins said. “He then charged towards me from around the car. Charged into me with his shoulder…and fighting me as I was recording the incident over the phone…a blunt blow into me and punching me.” Wilkins also claimed that Gray’s behavior was due to his struggle with mental illness. “Something took place in a mental health aspect. I can not disclose what happened, I can not disclose the details of that,” explained Wilkins to WAVY. “All I can tell you is Bryshere is a friend, he’s like my brother. He is just someone who is dealing with some very interesting mental health issues.” “Bryshere doesn’t need to be in jail. He wouldn’t survive in jail. He needs mental help,” hw continued. In recent years, Gray has had several run-ins with the law. He was arrested on domestic abuse charges and violated his probation in 2022. The same year, he pleaded guilty to aggravated assault against his wife. As a result of the incident, he served 10 days in jail. Previously, he pleaded guilty to felony aggravated assault after a standoff with a SWAT team at his home in 2020. 

Lil Wayne has always been credited for launching Drake’s career, but now his son is stirring up conversation with a bold statement. In a recent livestream, Lil Novi, Wayne’s son, claimed his father deserves all the credit, not only for discovering Drake but also for writing much of his lyrics. When asked to pick between his dad and Drake, Novi made his choice clear: “My dad wrote most of [Drake’s] sh*t,” he said. “If it wasn’t for my pops, there wouldn’t be no Drake.” This comment quickly caught attention, sparking debates online about whether Novi’s claim holds any truth or is just hype. The remarks also revived memories of the ghostwriting controversy from 2015, when Meek Mill accused Drake of using Quentin Miller to write parts of If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late. But Novi pushed the narrative further, insisting Lil Wayne was the creative force behind albums like Take Care and Views. It’s important to note that Novi wasn’t even born when Drake’s breakthrough mixtape So Far Gone dropped in 2009. This fact has led many to doubt whether Novi truly knows the full story or is just seeking attention online. Regardless, Novi’s claim adds fuel to the ongoing debate about authorship in hip-hop. Drake and Lil Wayne have shared a close working relationship for over a decade, but these comments have reignited conversations about ghostwriting and authenticity in the rap world. So far, neither Drake nor Lil Wayne has publicly addressed the statement, but fans are eager to see if this will spark a bigger discussion.

Tyler Perry is being sued by The Oval actor Derek Dixon, who is accusing him of years of unwanted sexual advances and harassment. In court documents obtained by TMZ, Dixon claims the misconduct started after a chance meeting at an event in 2019, where Perry allegedly singled him out, exchanged numbers, and offered the possibility of a role. The following year, Dixon says he visited Perry’s Atlanta home, hoping to build a professional connection. That night, after drinking too much, Dixon says he passed out in a guest room and woke up to Perry in the bed beside him, touching his thighs. Although he says he made it clear he wasn’t interested, the behavior allegedly escalated. According to the suit, Dixon was later offered parts in Perry’s shows Ruthless and The Oval. Around this time, he claims Perry began sending sexually explicit texts, asking about his preferences and telling him, “I have sex with men.” Dixon’s character on The Oval was written as a vulnerable man who had to use sex to survive, a role he says mirrored Perry’s alleged interest in a submissive partner. Dixon recalls another visit to Perry’s home in late 2020, where he alleges Perry asked provocative questions and suddenly grabbed him by the neck, saying, “Look how excited you just got.” He says the most extreme incident took place in 2021, when Perry allegedly pulled down his underwear during a late-night visit and told him, “Relax and just let it happen.” Feeling trapped, Dixon says he remained silent to protect his career, but filed a formal complaint with the EEOC in 2024 before leaving the show. He’s now seeking $260 million in damages. Perry’s attorney has called the claims a “shakedown” and says they intend to fight the lawsuit.

In the federal criminal trial of Sean “Diddy” Combs, prosecutors have begun stitching together an intricate web of evidence—personal communications, financial records, and explicit video footage—meant to support claims that the hip-hop mogul orchestrated a sex-trafficking operation. Tuesday’s proceedings added new depth to a case that has already captivated the public, with new material surfacing that deepens the questions surrounding Diddy’s inner circle. Central to the courtroom’s focus was a resurfaced video from 2016 that allegedly shows Diddy assaulting his then-girlfriend, Cassie Ventura, in a hallway of a Los Angeles hotel. While jurors had previously seen the footage, Monday’s testimony brought attention to the communications that followed the incident. In a series of text messages exchanged between Diddy, Cassie, his chief of staff Kristina “KK” Khorram, and his longtime bodyguard D-Roc, the aftermath took shape. Diddy wrote Cassie, “about to be arrested,” urging her to return to the hotel. She declined, saying she would not come back and adding that the male escort involved in the night’s events had also left. Jurors were also shown roughly 20 minutes of video footage that prosecutors say depicts a series of sex-fueled gatherings—known in the trial as “freak offs”—dating back to 2012 through 2014. These videos, prosecutors argue, are key to establishing a pattern of behavior at the center of the case. Brendan Paul, a former assistant to Diddy, is expected to testify on June 18. According to filings, Paul is prepared to speak about his role in allegedly sourcing narcotics like GHB for these events. Though he was arrested last year for possession of cocaine and marijuana edibles, those charges were later dismissed. He now holds an immunity deal that protects him if his testimony remains truthful. Defense Presses Consent Claims as Trial Tensions Mount The defense has aimed to reframe Cassie’s role in the “freak offs” as consensual and even participatory. During cross-examination of Special Agent DeLeassa Penland, Diddy’s attorneys introduced text messages that suggest Ventura Fine helped coordinate escorts and logistics. One exchange from Diddy read, “You make the decision please.” Cassie later testified, “I would give that money back if I never had to have ‘freak offs,’” referencing her $20 million civil settlement. Pressure in the courtroom increased when defense attorney Teny Geragos challenged the scope of the digital evidence. She questioned why Agent Penland had not requested full message threads rather than select excerpts. Penland responded that her job was to authenticate the submitted evidence, not to independently pursue additional texts. Additional texts introduced in court highlighted the involvement of Diddy’s staff in the aftermath of the 2016 hotel assault. Khorram was seen coordinating with hotel security to obtain footage, while D-Roc downplayed the severity of Ventura Fine’s injuries in a message to Diddy. Financial records presented showed lavish spending tied to hotel stays and services surrounding these events. Judge Arun Subramanian, overseeing the case, voiced concern over recent leaks of sealed material to the press. He demanded clarity from both legal teams about how the information may have reached tabloids, underscoring the importance of protecting the trial’s integrity. As the prosecution approaches its final days of testimony, the trial continues to raise complex questions around consent, power, and accountability within a high-profile circle. With both sides presenting sharply different narratives, the weight of the evidence and testimony will fall to the jury to interpret.

Suge Knight said that Diddy will drop names of celebrities if he ever takes the stand in his federal trial. Speaking on Aubrey O’Day’s Covering The Diddy Trial, O’Day asked if the Bad Boy Records founder would agree to testify in court. “He might be stupid sometimes, but he’s not dumb,” Knight said. “If they give Puffy the opportunity to humanize himself, it’ll be the best thing for the culture of hip-hop. It’ll be one of the biggest power moves of the US.” “They shouldn’t let him get washed up,” Knight continued. “Does he deserve to get something? He deserves to get something. I don’t think they should give him a lot of time. Let’s be honest.” As the interview went on, Knight made it clear that he wants Diddy to take the stand.  “Cut the deal first,” Knight said. “Get a situation where, wherever you say on the stand, they use against you. When you get on that stand, fix hip-hop, fix the culture of our people.” Knight’s comments come after he recently said that watching Diddy physically abuse Cassie Ventura “disturbed” him and that he deserves to be in jail for incident. “I never said he should walk away a free man. He does deserve [prison],” Knight said. “I don’t mean like… ‘Oh, you beat the shit out of Cassie, so, oh well.’ No, she’s a woman. You should never disrespect a woman like that […] I think everyone should be held accountable — even myself. I don’t care who it is. Anybody who does those horrible things to women deserves their issue.”

At the 2025 American Black Film Festival in Atlanta, Jermaine Dupri teased his forthcoming docuseries, Magic City: An American Fantasy. At the panel discussion, Dupri was joined by Cole Brown, who also executive-produced the series, and they spoke about the highly anticipated project with journalist Jemele Hill. According to the synopsis of the docuseries, Magic City: An American Fantasy is a five-part docuseries “that delves into the storied history of Magic City, a legendary strip club in Atlanta, and its immense influence on hip-hop culture, sports, and Black culture over nearly 40 years.” 2 Chainz, Nelly, Shaquille O’Neal, Quavo, Killer Mike and Big Boi share their firsthand Magic City in the series. “Magic City: An American Fantasy is a riveting behind-the-curtain look at one of the most unique places in Black culture,” said Kathryn Busby, president of original programming at Starz said in a statement. “The docuseries’ unprecedented insider access and history unveiled from those who built its empire is a perfect complement to Starz’s slate of adult, culture-driving shows.” During the Red Carpet of the BET Awards, Dupre shared how the project came to be. “It started as a soundtrack, and then as I started making the records, I’m like yo, this really a Jermaine Dupri album with a whole bunch of artists that I’ve never worked with, and I also started saying Im going to put artists from Atlanta on this,” Dupri said “So, it’s me making records with artists I never worked with, that’s from the same city that I’m from. That’s exciting to me.” “People keep saying bridge the gap, I’m just trynna put my city on. We gon rock out. It’s an Atlanta summer,” he continued. Magic City: An American Fantasy premieres on Starz on August 15 at 10 p.m. ET/PT in the U.S., following the season finale of BMF.

Cam Newton and K. Michelle recently sat down for a powerful, emotional exchange that’s sparked major conversation online. The two got real about family dynamics, generational cycles, and the struggles many Black families face when it comes to maintaining stable households. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Funky Friday (@funkyfriday) The conversation came shortly after Jasmin Brown, Cam’s current partner, revealed on Mother’s Day that she’s expecting their second child together, his ninth overall. As the news circulated, K. Michelle took the opportunity to ask Cam some tough but honest questions about his role as a father and partner. K. Michelle asked directly whether Cam intended to build a long-term, two-parent household with Jasmin. In response, Cam opened up about how things haven’t always gone as planned in his relationships. “Every situation that I’ve ever been in, I thought this was the last one. My goal has never been to have multiple significant others, it just worked out like that,” he explained. When asked about his ideals around family structure, Cam said he believes both a male and female presence in the home are essential. In his view, boys and girls benefit in different ways from their parents. He said, “Boys need to learn from a man,” emphasizing the importance of gender balance in parenting. K. Michelle, visibly emotional at times, reflected on her own upbringing and how far removed things have become from the examples of strong marriages she saw in her family. “At what point in the Black community do our men create real homes?” she asked. She pointed out how often Black women are left to carry the burden and called on men to take more responsibility. “Black men are attacking Black women, and it’s not cool. They’re not creating homes,” she said, urging change. For K., the conversation wasn’t about blame; it was about accountability and building better futures.

On Monday, June 16, jurors in the federal sex trafficking trial of Sean “Diddy” Combs were shown video footage for the first time—marking a significant turning point in the high-profile case. Until now, the courtroom had been dominated by audio recordings, still images, and hours of emotional testimony. But the introduction of graphic visual evidence brought the allegations into sharper focus. The footage, which prosecutors say depicts drug-fueled group sex encounters known as “freak offs,” had been referenced repeatedly throughout the trial. Witnesses described how assistants booked hotel rooms, sourced oils and lubricants, coordinated with escorts, and handled large cash payments. The videos themselves, however, were played only for the jury and essential courtroom staff, who listened through headphones. Defense attorneys were excluded from viewing the clips on their screens, a rare procedural move that underscored the sensitivity of the content. Testimony from Special Agent DeLeassa Penland accompanied the footage. She guided the jury through hotel receipts, flight logs, and text messages dating back to October 2012. At the center of those exchanges was Cassie Ventura, Diddy’s on-and-off partner between 2007 and 2018. According to Penland, Ventura used aliases—“Janet Clark” and “Frank Black”—to book hotel rooms for encounters involving male escorts. The location: Trump International Hotel in Manhattan. Juror Removed as Texts Tie Diddy’s Team to Drugs and Party Culture Earlier in the day, the court dismissed a juror for what Judge Valerie Caproni described as a “lack of candor.” The defense pressed for more clarity, concerned about the impact of the dismissal on the jury’s impartiality. An alternate has since taken that juror’s seat. Prosecutors also presented a series of charts compiled by paralegal specialist Ananya Sankar, mapping out years of text messages related to the case. The communications, many involving Diddy’s chief-of-staff Kristina Khorram, suggested her awareness of both the events and the substances tied to them. One 2016 message referenced drugs stashed in a car trunk. Another, sent shortly before Ventura filed her lawsuit in November 2023, showed a participant pulling away from the lifestyle: “I’m not doing anymore hard partying…no more ‘hotel nights’ and all that stuff.” Defense attorney Teny Geragos challenged the narrative, arguing the charts presented only a narrow slice of an eight-year timeline. “These are just select messages across eight years,” she told the court, urging jurors to consider context. In a separate revelation, prosecutors pointed to a February 2024 outreach Diddy made to a former assistant named Mia, who left his circle in 2017. While the government framed the contact as suspicious, the defense maintained it was simply an attempt to reconnect with someone from his past. Diddy, who has pleaded not guilty, faces five federal charges, including sex trafficking, racketeering, and transportation for prostitution. With more witnesses expected—among them Brendan Paul, a former assistant accused of acting as a “drug mule”—the court continues to weigh whether the evidence supports the government’s sweeping allegations or reflects the blurred lines of a celebrity lifestyle.

The RZA recently shared that he would take GZA over any MC in a rap battle. Appearing on the latest episode of the Drink Champs podcast, Prince Rakeem was asked to choose between GZA and Nas, a close colleague and friend. Without hesitation, he picked The Genius. “For MC-ing, my favorite, best MC is the GZA,” RZA said. “I don’t think no MC could beat the GZA. I think what GZA has written for Hip-Hop, no other MC can compare.” The RZA went on to include Rakim as one of the greatest ever, but no one can touch his fellow Wu-Tang Clan member. “Even if you go look at Rakim, who is one of the greatest, to most people, one of the greatest. Nas is one of the greatest. If you go look at what GZA offered to hip hop, look at what he spawned.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by REVOLT (@revolttv) “He spawned me, Meth (Method Man), Rae (Raekwon), Ghost (Ghostface Killah) — these are all from GZA, the enlightener,” he continued. According to RZA, what the GZA has brought to hip-hop will last forever, and no one has yet to surpass it.   “What the Wu offered lyrically is what no one has mastered yet,” Bobby Digital boasted. In 1991, GZA released his debut, Words from the Genius, on Cold Chillin Records. He would depart from the after soon afterwards. In 1995, he released his sophomore album, Liquid Swords, which was hailed as an instant classic. Along with being a part of the Wu projects, GZA has released several more acclaimed albums and LPs.

Will Smith shared that he realized what the biggest mistake he made as a parent. Speaking on Heart Breakfast with Jamie and Amanda, Smith said that “radical honesty” was not the best method to parent his kids. “We made a very, very, very terrible mistake with our children, and we went with radical honesty. But don’t do it, I’m not advocating for it, I’m not advocating for it,” Smith said. “We made a deal from really young with our kids. The deal was if you tell the truth, you won’t get in trouble. When it came to Jaden and Willow, radical honesty came back to haunt him and his wife, Jada Pinkett-Smith. “The only way you can get in trouble in this house is if we find out you did something and you don’t tell the truth. It’s a mistake, it’s terrible. Because they do whatever they want and then just come tell you. It’s awful, don’t try it. You want your kids to lie, definitely, you don’t want to know some of the stuff your kids are thinking of doing.” The actor and rapper shares his eldest son, 32-year-old Trey, with ex-wife Sheree Zampino, and 26-year-old Jaden and 24-year-old Willow with Jada. Along with his parental advice, Smith recently released his latest album in 20 years, Based on a True Story – Season 1: Rave in the Wasteland.