Legendary hip-hop star Paul Wall is mourning the death of his mother after learning she had passed away before his State Fair of Texas performance. The Houston rap veteran, 45, shared the heartbreaking news on Facebook, revealing why he continued performing despite his devastating loss. “Last night was one of the hardest nights of my life,” Wall wrote. View this post on Instagram “On the way to the State Fair show, I received the heartbreaking news that my mother had passed away.” The “Sittin’ Sidewayz” rapper explained that his mother’s pride in his accomplishments motivated him to honor his performance commitment. “She was so proud of me to get the opportunity to perform at the State Fair,” Wall continued. “With a heavy heart, I still wanted to show up for my fans and give them the performance they came for.” Wall also wanted to make his mother proud one final time. Fans Send Prayers To Hip-Hop Star Paul Wall After News of Mom’s Death The Houston native thanked fellow rappers Slim Thug, Lil Keke and Chalie Boy for joining him onstage during the emotional concert. “Before leaving the stage, I made sure to give my mother her RIP shout-out,” he recalled. Wall expressed gratitude for the condolences and encouragement pouring in from fans and loved ones. “Your love and support mean more to me than words can express during this difficult time,” he wrote. “Rest peacefully, Mom. I love you forever.” Comedian Chris Tucker offered heartfelt advice in the comments, encouraging Wall to embrace his grief. “Stay close to your loved ones GRIEVE HER — with healthy people that love you big homie,” Tucker wrote. “You made her proud.” Grizzy’s Hood News also shared condolences, writing, “We love you, Paul Wall!” Wall rose to prominence during Houston’s early 2000s hip-hop explosion. His 2005 album, The Peoples Champ, topped the Billboard 200. He also appeared on Nelly’s chart-topping hit “Grillz.” Wall’s latest album, Fortune & Glory, arrived in 2026. His mother’s cause of death remains undisclosed.

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts will be sidelined for Sunday’s matchup against the Carolina Panthers due to a superficial blood clot in his calf, the team announced Thursday. The diagnosis comes after a follow-up ultrasound conducted Wednesday night revealed movement in the small clot, prompting medical staff to hold the dual-threat signal caller out of action for at least one game. The injury was originally sustained during the Eagles’ Oct. 4 game against the Los Angeles Rams. While the team was aware of the issue, the situation was initially managed until recent imaging showed the potential for complications. Hurts had previously remained vague when addressing his physical status with the media, describing the ailment only as “very unique” before the specific nature of the clot was disclosed. The loss of Hurts comes at a critical juncture for the Eagles, who have struggled to find momentum early in the season. The team currently holds a 2-3 record and is seeking to snap a three-game losing streak. Their most recent defeat was a narrow 19-17 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars in London, which was decided by a field goal in the closing seconds of the game. Medical experts generally classify superficial blood clots as less dangerous than deep vein thrombosis, but they still require careful monitoring to ensure the clot does not migrate to deeper veins or the lungs. The Eagles have not yet provided a definitive timeline for Hurts’ return beyond the upcoming Sunday contest, as his status will likely depend on how the clot responds to treatment over the next week. Despite the setback on the field, Hurts has remained a prominent figure in the Philadelphia community this year. He recently made headlines for donating $600,000 to upgrade the HVAC systems at Northeast High School, part of his ongoing philanthropic efforts in the city. He also recently appeared on national television to promote a new children’s book he authored. The Eagles have not officially named a starter for the game against Carolina, though the coaching staff is expected to adjust the offensive scheme to accommodate Hurts’ absence. The team will provide further updates as more information regarding his recovery becomes available. Attribution for the initial report on the specific nature of the injury was credited to ESPN, which first detailed the superficial nature of the calf clot. Philadelphia now faces a pivotal home game without its franchise leader as they attempt to stay relevant in the NFC East standings.

Tyla has announced a new initiative to support the next generation of female creatives through the launch of the “That Girl” Music Scholarship. The program will provide a total of $50,000 in funding to 10 women pursuing degrees in music and arts-related fields at accredited institutions. Named after a popular track from her recent album “A*Pop,” the scholarship is a collaborative effort between the artist, Sony Music and the Institute of International Education (IIE). The initiative aims to bridge the gap for students facing financial hurdles while striving to make their mark in the global music industry. “Tyla is currently slaying the music landscape,” but remains focused on the future of the industry, according to program details. The scholarship is divided geographically, with six awards designated for students in the United States and four awards reserved for students in Tyla’s native South Africa. In the U.S., the program will focus on students attending colleges in six major cities: New York City, Washington, D.C., Tampa, Atlanta, Houston and Los Angeles. 10 recipients will receive a $5,000 grant: Each of the 10 recipients will receive a $5,000 grant to assist with tuition and mandatory fees. Beyond the financial support, the winners will also be granted an exclusive experience that includes tickets to a Tyla concert and a private meet-and-greet session with the “Water” singer herself. The application process requires candidates to demonstrate both academic excellence and significant financial need. Prospective students must submit a personal statement of up to 3,000 characters, a 30-second video introduction, official school transcripts and documentation regarding their estimated tuition costs. South African applicants have the flexibility of being currently enrolled or planning to enter a university program in 2027. Since her career took off in 2019, Tyla has become a global phenomenon, with her hit single “Water” reaching the top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100. Applications for the “That Girl” Music Scholarship are currently open. U.S.-based applicants are required to be enrolled at eligible institutions located near the artist’s scheduled tour stops to qualify for the program.

The family of Sean “Diddy” Combs is strongly denying reports that the music mogul sustained a head injury during a violent altercation with a convicted Jamaican drug lord while in federal custody. The denial comes after multiple reports surfaced alleging that Combs, 56, was involved in a fight with Christopher “Dudus” Coke at the Federal Correctional Institution, Fort Dix, necessitating a medical transport to a nearby hospital. According to reports, a Combs family member dismissed the rumors as entirely fabricated. Diddy was reportedly never in any type of physical dispute. The family member emphasized that Combs remains under constant supervision by prison guards, making a secret or unmonitored brawl highly unlikely. While the family confirmed that Combs did receive medical treatment for a head injury, they maintained that the cause was not related to violence. The family reportedly says they are still uncertain regarding the specific circumstances that led to the injury but characterized it as something that “wasn’t anything crazy.” The nature of the injury was not disclosed, though the family expressed significant frustration that details of his medical transport were leaked to the public. A central point of the family’s defense is the physical layout and security protocols at the New Jersey facility. The family member pointed out that Combs and Coke are housed in different areas of Fort Dix and would not typically interact during a standard day. “They’re on two different sides of Fort Dix… They wouldn’t even be interacting every day.” Furthermore, the family alleged that the publication of Combs’ medical status constitutes a violation of his HIPAA rights, which protect private health information. They noted that as of Thursday, there is no active internal investigation into an altercation, further supporting their claim that no fight took place. Christopher “Dudus” Coke, the man named in the initial rumors, is a notorious figure who was sentenced to 23 years in federal prison in 2012 for racketeering and drug trafficking. Combs has been held at the facility while navigating his own ongoing legal battles. Representatives for Combs have not yet issued a formal press statement regarding the incident.

A man convicted for his involvement in the 2020 killing of Brooklyn rapper Pop Smoke has publicly apologized to the musician’s mother. Blockstar, who was 17 during the fatal Hollywood Hills home invasion, addressed his involvement in an XVTV interview published Tuesday, Oct. 13. “I’ll say an apology I never got to give was to Pop Smoke’s mom,” Blockstar said. “I’ll say I never really got to apologize to her,” he continued. “And you know, an apology not gonna change nothing.” Blockstar acknowledged that the rapper’s mother might reject his apology, maintaining that the deadly encounter was never intended to become personal. “I always say the situation was never supposed to go like that. He’s not my enemy,” he said. “I don’t really know that man from a can of paint,” Blockstar added. Blockstar, Pop Smoke’s Convicted Murder, Wishes To Apologize To Late Rapper’s Mother “What happened, what occurred was not personal,” he continued. “It was just on some young ni**as getting money.” Blockstar attributed the killing to a robbery that escalated into violence. “Things happen, things go bad. It’s not an excuse but things go bad,” he said. Pop Smoke, whose legal name was Bashar Barakah Jackson, died Feb. 19, 2020, during a robbery at his rented Los Angeles residence. He was 20. Blockstar pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and home invasion burglary. He received a four-year, two-month juvenile detention sentence. Authorities released him in 2023 after crediting time served. Corey Walker, 19 during the killing, received a 29-year prison sentence in 2025. Keandre Rodgers, then 18, initially faced murder charges. NME subsequently reported that his case was undergoing reassessment. Deijae Jester, 15 during the shooting, admitted firing three shots into Pop Smoke’s back, according to investigators. Jester later received a four-year county jail sentence for smuggling fentanyl into a juvenile detention facility. Blockstar’s remarks mark a rare public acknowledgment of the killing from someone convicted in the case.

Coi Leray says she’s single, but Justin LaBoy appears to have a different understanding of their relationship status. The 29-year-old rapper sparked breakup speculation after sharing a message on X suggesting she was stepping away from dating. “Single and not looking for anything. This world is just too cold,” Leray wrote. Single and not looking for anything. This world is just too cold — PINKSWEATSUITS (@coi_leray) October 14, 2026 Although she didn’t mention LaBoy, the post raised questions about her romance with the media personality and podcast host. LaBoy quickly responded on Instagram, seemingly disputing Leray’s declaration while issuing a provocative warning to potential suitors. “She’s definitely gonna get one of y’all shot. She is not single,” he wrote. Coi Leray reveals that she and her boyfriend Justin LaBoy have broken up after dating for over a year. pic.twitter.com/8kBWts0lLD — FearBuck (@FearedBuck) October 14, 2026 Neither Leray nor LaBoy has publicly clarified the conflicting statements. The couple first sparked dating rumors in September 2025 when LaBoy shared a photograph of Leray on Instagram. “My Coi,” he captioned the image. That same month, Leray appeared on his podcast, “#Respectfully: The Justin LaBoy Show,” where she hinted at their relationship. Rapper Coi Leray Says “She’s Single,” But Justin Laboy Immediately Debunks Her Claim In January, LaBoy addressed earlier breakup rumors by posting a photograph of the pair kissing. “She is my life,” he declared. Their romance remained public in February when they filmed a Valentine’s Day podcast episode. During their conversation, they debated whether liking another woman’s social media posts constitutes cheating. Leray previously discussed finding love again following her turbulent relationship with rapper Trippie Redd. During an April appearance on Keke Palmer’s “Baby, This Is Keke Palmer” podcast, she admitted another romance wasn’t initially part of her plans. Leray and Trippie Redd welcomed their daughter, Miyoko, on June 14, 2025. The former couple rekindled their romance in August 2024 after previously dating in 2019. Their reconciliation ended amid public allegations of infidelity. Despite the uncertainty surrounding her relationship with LaBoy, Leray continues releasing music. Her latest single, “Nothing Into Something,” arrived September 18. For now, Leray’s relationship status remains unclear.

Halle Berry is pushing back against her ex-husband Olivier Martinez’s request to have their teenage son testify in their ongoing custody battle. According to court documents obtained by People, the Oscar-winning actress believes their 13-year-old son, Maceo, has been influenced by his father. Berry argues that allowing him to testify could undermine the court’s ability to determine what happened during a September incident. The former couple is currently involved in a contentious legal dispute following allegations that Berry physically abused their son. Martinez has requested sole custody of Maceo, while Berry has denied the accusations. Berry Raises Concerns Over Son’s Testimony In her latest declaration, Berry expressed concerns about Martinez’s influence over their son. She claimed Maceo has spent the past two weeks primarily in his father’s care. Berry also accused Martinez of discussing the ongoing legal proceedings with their son, potentially influencing his account of the incident. “Under these circumstances, the Court should be particularly cautious before placing substantial weight on testimony from a coached and manipulated child who has been repeatedly discussing the case with the parent seeking relief while discounting the testimony of adult witnesses with direct personal knowledge of the relevant events,” Berry stated. The actress believes testimony from her fiancé, musician Van Hunt, and her 18-year-old daughter, Nahla Aubry, deserves greater consideration. Both were reportedly present during the Sept. 26 incident that prompted Martinez’s legal action. Berry identified Hunt as the only adult third-party eyewitness. She also emphasized Nahla’s firsthand knowledge of the family’s dynamics and her relationship with Maceo. Nahla previously submitted a declaration defending her mother against the abuse allegations. She described Berry as a supportive parent and maintained that she had never witnessed her behave violently toward anyone. Olivier Martinez Pushes for Son to Be Heard Martinez, however, believes their son should have the opportunity to tell his side of the story. In court documents, the French actor claimed Maceo wants to discuss the September incident and share his preferences regarding custody. “He should have the opportunity to have his voice heard regarding what he experienced that night,” Martinez wrote. “If he is prevented from addressing the Court regarding these allegations, I fear that he would be dissuaded from reporting problems or potential abuse in the future.” Martinez’s attorney, Patrick Baghdaserians, also rejected Berry’s claims that Maceo had been manipulated. “We vehemently deny such allegations. The child is the primary victim here. Victims of abuse should be able to testify regarding the abuse inflicted upon them. We are not surprised that the opposing party does not want the child Maceo to testify. The opposing party is seemingly scared of what the child will say,” Baghdaserians told People. The latest disagreement follows Martinez’s request for a domestic violence restraining order earlier this month. He alleged that Berry physically attacked Maceo on Sept. 26, including placing her hands around his neck and choking him. Berry has denied physically abusing her son. Her legal team has described Martinez’s allegations as misleading and without merit. A judge granted a temporary restraining order and modified Berry’s visitation arrangements while the case proceeds. Martinez is seeking sole legal and physical custody. The former couple married in 2013 and separated in 2015. Their divorce was finalized in August 2023 after years of legal proceedings. At that time, they agreed to share custody of Maceo. Berry was also ordered to pay Martinez $8,000 monthly in child support. The latest allegations have reopened their custody dispute, with both parents presenting sharply different accounts of their son’s well-being. A hearing concerning the restraining order is scheduled for Oct. 16. The court has not publicly resolved whether Maceo will testify.

Bronny James’ play has been called out by Los Angeles Lakers coach J.J. Redick. Speaking to reporters, Redick spoke plainly about James’ progress so far in the pre-season. “I thought he had a really nice September and a good summer with us,” Redick told reporters in his postgame press conference. “I don’t think he’s played well in the four preseason games, but he’s had good practices. Some of it’s just rhythm. Some of it’s who he’s playing with. He’s played a lot of minutes, especially in the second half of games, with our two-way guys.”  James made appearances in all four of the Lakers’ initial preseason matchups, posting averages of 2.8 points on 26.7% shooting, 3.3 assists, and 0.5 steals across 17.5 minutes per game. While preseason action serves primarily as a warm-up conditioning period—and four games is a tiny sample size—seeing James hit under 30% of his shots is hardly a reassuring start. LIFE AFTER LEBRON JAMES Heading into the 2026–27 season, the new-look Los Angeles Lakers enter a new era defined by a complete franchise pivot centered around superstar Luka Dončić. Following a complete franchise pivot centered around superstar Luka Dončić and the departure of LeBron James, front-office chief Rob Pelinka reshaped the roster to prioritize youth, length, and complementary. The moves were made to accentuate Dončić’s playmaking style. Key additions include anchor Walker Kessler, defensive guard Matisse Thybulle, swingman Quentin Grimes, forward Sandro Mamukelashvili, and veteran big man Kevon Looney. These new players give head coach Redick a much more versatile and balanced rotation.  Alongside returning guard Austin Reaves and spark-plug scorer Collin Sexton, the Lakers aim to surround Dončić with dependable rim protection, reliable perimeter defense, and floor spacing.  Though external consensus frames the summer overhaul as a long-term rebuild, local expectations remain high. The priority is establishing a competitive West playoff identity with Dončić immediately while preserving future financial and roster flexibility.

LeBron James is laughing off Anthony Edward’s poking fun at him. In the latest episode of his Mind the Game podcast, James responded to the Adidas commercial featuring Anthony Edwards. Set up in a fictional talk show, Edwards, playing host, mocked rival NBA players for changing teams during the offseason. In one of the ad’s jokes, Edwards teased that Minnesota was simply too cold for James to ever join the Timberwolves.  “Speaking of old school, you see where Big Dog ended up? He was going to join me in Minnesota, but I guess his knees couldn’t handle the cold weather. It’s cool, though,” Edwards said in the spot. “We know why he really made that decision. Philly got some of the best barbers in the world.”  View this post on Instagram James made light of the commercial while talking with his co-host Steve Nash. “First of all, I didn’t watch the spot, because I don’t watch anything from the stripes. Nothing. Love Ant to death, but I don’t watch s–t from the stripes, I just don’t. So I don’t even know what he actually said.” James told co-host Steve Nash. “… I think it said, ‘He’s old, too old, didn’t want his knees to be cold.’ But then I was like, ‘But I went to Philly, Ant, so how are my knees gonna be warm in Philly?’ … He just read off the teleprompter.”  When Nash said that Edwards had the personality to take shots at him, James welcomed the attention.: “Bring them at me. Bring them at me. I’m used to it,” James said. Heading into the 2026–27 NBA season, Edwards enters as the undisputed face of the re-tooled Minnesota Timberwolves. After leading Minnesota to the Western Conference Semifinals last postseason, Edwards expresses immense optimism for the year ahead, driven by a younger, faster roster and the blockbuster offseason acquisition of dynamic point guard LaMelo Ball. 

New York City lawmakers are moving to ban horse-drawn carriages from Central Park, signaling the end of a 150-year tradition that has long been a staple of Manhattan tourism. The City Council is expected to vote next week on legislation that would phase out the industry entirely by 2028. The legislative push gained critical momentum following the death of 18-year-old Romanch Mahajan, a tourist from India who died last spring. Mahajan was killed after jumping from a runaway carriage to assist his mother, who had been thrown from the vehicle when the horse bolted. The incident is believed to be the first fatality involving a horse carriage in the history of Central Park. Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced Wednesday that his office reached an agreement on the bill with Council Speaker Julie Menin. “The horse carriage industry is coming to an end in New York City,” Mamdani said in a social media post, ending years of political stalemate over the issue. Previous attempts to ban the carriages by three consecutive mayors were stalled by labor concerns and legislative opposition. NYC Moves to Ban Central Park Horse-Drawn Carriages: However, the Mahajan family’s persistent advocacy, including emotional testimony via video link from India, shifted the political tide. Deepak Mahajan, the victim’s father, told council members that his family remains shattered by the loss. Animal welfare advocates have campaigned for decades against the industry, arguing that forcing horses to navigate dense traffic and crowded park roads is inhumane. Speaker Menin echoed these concerns, stating that while the carriages are part of the city’s history, they have become a “growing public safety liability” in the modern era. The industry has strong defenders who point to the carriage rides as a cinematic icon of New York heritage. The carriages have been featured in classic films such as “The Band Wagon,” “Barefoot in the Park” and “Home Alone 2: Lost in New York.” Drivers like Conor McHugh argue that tourists travel from all over the world specifically for the experience. Labor leaders have voiced sharp opposition to the ban. Transport Workers Union International President John Samuelsen called the legislation “disgraceful political opportunism” and argued it provides no meaningful economic protection for workers. The bill does, however, require the mayor’s office to develop a workforce transition plan and prohibits owners from selling retired horses to slaughterhouses. As the city prepares for the final vote, the transition plan will focus on providing financial compensation for affected drivers and ensuring that the horses are placed in humane environments. The 2028 deadline is intended to give the industry time to wind down operations while addressing the displacement of immigrant families whose livelihoods depend on the trade.