Judge Michelle Sisco is under scrutiny for her conduct during the widely covered trial of Julio Foolio’s murder. The case concluded last October with Alicia Andrews convicted of manslaughter after an eight-day proceeding. Following the verdict, Andrews’ lawyer, Jeremy McLymont, requested a delay in sentencing and called for Sisco’s removal, citing “hostile remarks” and signs of bias throughout the trial. A recent filing shared on X/My Mixtapez confirmed the judge’s disqualification, paving the way for the defense to pursue a retrial. According to Meghann Cuniff of Legal Affairs and Trials, McLymont emphasized, “Everyone deserves a fair trial, including Ms. Andrews. We strongly believe these circumstances warrant a new trial following additional litigation at either level.” To support his claims, he submitted 16 video clips intended to illustrate Sisco’s demeanor in ways that transcripts alone could not capture. “While past retrials have been based solely on transcripts, our case presents unique challenges that necessitate the visual evidence we’ve gathered,” he explained. pic.twitter.com/MvyOQx15DA — My Mixtapez (@mymixtapez) January 28, 2026 Allegations and Evidence During the trial, Andrews asserted that she had been pressured by her ex-boyfriend and co-defendant, Isiah Chance, to participate in the murder amid claims of domestic abuse. Prosecutors countered that both acted as lookouts during the incident that resulted in 26-year-old Foolio’s death. Detective Juan Ramos of the Tampa Police Department highlighted phone records tracking Andrews and Chance from Jacksonville to Tampa. “They made no other stops — suggesting they were in Tampa solely for tracking and killing the victim,” he noted. Defense attorney Life Malcolm stressed that proximity did not equal complicity: “Perception does not reflect reality. Just because she was near individuals with harmful intentions does not mean she shared those thoughts or knew their plans.” He added, “She was simply visiting her boyfriend and inadvertently found herself in a perilous situation.” Investigators continue to examine other individuals connected to the case, including Rashad Murphy, Sean Gathright, and Davion Murphy. Convictions could carry severe penalties, including potential capital punishment. The developments in this case have heightened scrutiny of courtroom conduct and highlighted ongoing questions about fairness and accountability in high-profile criminal trials.

50 Cent stirred familiar tensions in hip-hop this week with a sharp critique aimed at Fabolous and Lloyd Banks. In a brief post on X, formerly Twitter, the Queens rapper drew an unflattering comparison between the two veterans. The remark, quickly circulated and later deleted, reopened long-running debates about relevance, output, and legacy in rap’s middle generation. For fans, it felt less like a surprise and more like a reminder. “Fab vs. Banks [side-eye emoji],” 50 Cent wrote, according to 2Cool2Blog, before expanding his point. “They both never put in no work themselves. They both are not likely to sell at this point in their career. IT’S A TIE, LADIES & GENTLEMEN [shrug emoji] they are the same.” He also argued that their strongest moments come when their lyrics lean toward romantic themes. The blunt assessment landed with the usual mix of amusement and backlash. During the discussion, Tony Yayo and Uncle Murda debated the influence and skill sets of both Fabolous and Lloyd Banks. The exchange seemed to strike a nerve, bringing unresolved issues back into public view. Old dynamics, once again, found new oxygen online. Old Ties, Open Wounds, and 50 Cent’s Provocateur Persona Fabolous’ history with 50 Cent has rarely been quiet. Just last December, he aimed bars at the G-Unit founder in his freestyle “Squatter’s Rights,” alongside Jim Jones, Maino, and Dave East. The track signaled that whatever distance exists between them has never fully settled. In hip-hop, time often cools nothing. Lloyd Banks’ relationship with 50 Cent is more layered. In a 2022 interview with GQ, Banks described their bond as enduring despite professional shifts. “It’s the same. We’re brothers,” he said, while acknowledging the realities of evolving careers. “We’re never all going to be doing the same thing at the same time at this point in our careers.” The episode fits neatly into 50 Cent’s long-standing role as rap’s most vocal provocateur. His public feuds with figures like Diddy, Big Meech, and Ja Rule have repeatedly shaped industry conversations. Each comment, whether fleeting or deliberate, continues to keep his voice central in debates about power, loyalty, and longevity in hip-hop.

A$AP Rocky is floating an idea that would have once sounded far-fetched, even by celebrity standards. In a recent interview with Esquire, the Harlem rapper suggested that public office could be part of his future, arriving just after the release of his fourth studio album, Don’t Be Dumb. While he made clear that nothing is imminent, Rocky did not shy away from the notion of running for mayor of New York City. The comments situate him within a broader moment where cultural influence increasingly brushes up against civic ambition. Pressed on whether politics truly appeals to him, Rocky was direct about his thinking. “For sure,” he said. “I believe there are numerous political issues that require our attention, and changes that are long overdue. I genuinely think I would succeed in that role as I represent the people’s interests.” His remarks carried the tone of someone speaking from observation rather than ideology, shaped by proximity to the city rather than party lines. Rocky pointed to the everyday pressures New Yorkers confront, framing governance as a matter of basic responsiveness. “You see potholes, you fix them. The train fares just jumped to $3, which is absurd. Inflation is rampant,” he said. He also referenced SNAP, welfare, and food assistance programs, arguing that these systems could function more effectively if tied to job creation and accessible healthcare. The issues he raised mirror the concerns that dominate kitchen-table conversations across the city. Authenticity, politics, and creative momentum collide He also voiced frustration with what he sees as political theater overtaking public service. “A lot of politicians come in with pledges to make change, but frequently those decisions serve self-interest more than the public’s,” Rocky said. He suggested that his credibility comes from transparency and lived experience, not polished messaging. In his view, authenticity remains the missing ingredient in city leadership. The timing of the remarks coincides with renewed attention on Don’t Be Dumb, a project that features collaborations with Tyler, The Creator, Doechii, and Brent Faiyaz. Rocky has hinted at a deluxe edition, teasing additional partnerships during an appearance on The Joe Budden Podcast. When asked about the possibility of working with Rihanna, he offered a characteristically measured response: “She encourages me, man. Her taste is so eclectic; she collaborates with some unexpected talents like Alchemist and Knxwledge.”

On Thursday (Jan.29), in an Illinois courtroom, a former deputy, Sean Grayson, was sentenced to 20 years in prison for shooting and killing 36-year-old Sonya Massey. Associated Press reports that Judge Ryan Cadigan handed down the “maximum possible sentence” for a second-degree murder conviction. Following his sentencing, Grayson apologized to the court for what occurred between him and Massey. He claims to have made “a lot of mistakes” that night. He continued: “There were points when I should’ve acted, and I didn’t. I froze. I made terrible decisions that night. I’m sorry.” Initially, Grayson’s attorney was looking for a six-year sentence, given that he’s been diagnosed with late-stage colon cancer. “There are no words I can say to take back what the family is feeling. I understand why they are angry. I just hope one day they can be forgiving. I was very unprofessional that night, and the things I said to Sonya Massey were not right,” Grayson added. View this post on Instagram “I wish this didn’t happen,” Said Grayson in a letter to the court “I’m sorry I wish there was something I can do to bring her back I wish this didn’t happen,” he said. On the day of the fatal incident, Massey—who apparently suffers from mental health issues—called 911, believing someone was roaming around outside her home. Following a brief verbal altercation between her and Grayson, Massey was gunned down in her kitchen. There have been debates about whether the shooting was racially motivated, given that Massey was black and Grayson, 31, was white. State’s Attorney John Milhiser met with reporters outside of the courthouse, saying, “Sonya Massey’s death rocked her family, but it rocked the community, it rocked the country. We have to do whatever we can to ensure it never happens again.” Massey’s daughter, Summer, also spoke with reporters, and in her opinion, “Twenty years is not enough.”

Ray J’s ongoing health battle has taken a turn for the worse. According to TMZ, 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. The singer recently broke his silence about his recent health struggles via social media. “2027 is definitely a wrap for me,” he said in a clip that’s surfaced online. Ray J then went into further detail about the condition of his heart, saying that it’s “mostly black.” In Ray’s opinion, his drug and alcohol usage greatly contributed to the situation he is in now. “I f*cked up,” he continued.” You know why? Becuase I think I thought that I was a bigger n*gga…[So] I could handle all the alcohol, I could handle all the adderall, all the drugs, I could handle everything, but I couldn’t.” Ray J reveals his heart is only operating at 25%, with doctors giving him a short time to live. He says his heart is mostly black: ‘I f***ed my shit up.’ pic.twitter.com/frWDoDQEyu — Rain Drops Media (@Raindropsmedia1) January 28, 2026 Ray J Gives Shocking Health Update Following Hospitalization Recently, Ray J made a startling revelation regarding his current health status. A few weeks back, Ray J landed in the hospital after experiencing severe pneumonia and heart pain. Now, after being released, the singer is breaking his silence. 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 an Instagram video. Along with offering a health update, Ray J also promoted his reality TV streaming service, Tronix Network. The new network is in partnership with Zeus. “Big announcements are on the way. Tronix Network is back in full effect,” he says.

Amber Rose calls Nicki Minaj “iconic” after Nicki says she’s Trump’s “biggest fan.” View this post on Instagram As previously reported,  President Donald Trump and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent hosted a “Trump Accounts Summit” in Washington, D.C. where Nicki Minaj was a guest speaker. “I don’t know what to say, but I will say that I am probably the president’s No. 1 fan. That’s not going to change,” Minaj began her speech. “And the hate or what people have to say does not affect me at all. It actually motivates me to support him more. We won’t let them get away with bullying him. God is protecting him” she continued. Nicki Minaj: I am probably the president’s number one fan. That’s not going to change. And the hate or what people have to say does not affect me at all. It actually motivates me to support him more. We won’t let them get away with bullying him. God is protecting him. pic.twitter.com/872R9Lzo0C — Acyn (@Acyn) January 28, 2026 This isn’t the first time Amber Rose publicly spoke out in support of Nicki Minaj. She previously caught up with TMZ and shared her thoughts on Nicki Minaj’s appearance at Turning Point USA’s AmericaFest “We live in a free country. She has the right to her own political opinion, just like everyone else does,” Rose told TMZ at the time. When asked her opinion on Minaj’s comments on the queer community, Amber questioned, “Why does anybody think that anybody over there [in the Trump administration] is homophobic? I’m not homophobic. My assistant has been with me for eleven years, he’s black and gay,” she explained. 

Kevin Gates opens up about being sexually assaulted as a child. During a recent interview on Club Shay Shay, Gates says he was molested as a teenager. When asked if he was threatened not to speak out against his abuser, Gates revealed “he dead.” He added, “yeah, he outta’ here.” Shannon Sharpe responded, “I guess I’ll leave that alone.” Gates reassuring Sharpe, he expresses, “he’ll never do that to anybody again.” “I don’t wanna say too much, but I really broke generational curses with that situation because people that came before me, they was raped,” he said. “And it created the space for me to have with my children to where my children know, don’t nobody never touch you, not even me. I had these open conversations with my children, they are equipped. I created a space for them to be able to tell their dad anything.” Shannon Sharpe was speechless after Kevin Gates revealed that he was s*x*ally assaulted as a child pic.twitter.com/2WIkEfNQpX — FearBuck (@FearedBuck) January 28, 2026 Gates says that speaking out against his abuse, has created a safe space for other men to share their experiences. He says men come up to him crying and embracing him. “I created a space, and I tell them, ‘You was vulnerable.’ Then, we have built ourselves into machines to where we can protect the inner child.”

​Shirley Raines, the visionary founder of the nonprofit Beauty 2 The Streetz, has passed away. She was 58. ​According to TMZ, Raines was found unresponsive next to her bed in her Henderson home during a wellness check on Tuesday night. ​Beauty 2 The Streetz, a nonprofit organization that provides makeovers to unhoused women, confirmed her passing in a statement. ​Ms. Shirley dedicated her life to serving others and made an immeasurable impact on homeless communities throughout Los Angeles and Nevada. Through her tireless advocacy, deep compassion, and unwavering commitment, she used her powerful media platform to amplify the voices of those in need and to bring dignity, resources, and hope to some of the most underserved populations,” the statement read. ​”We humbly ask that you keep Ms. Shirley’s family, loved ones, and the Beauty 2 The Streetz family in your prayers during this incredibly difficult time,” the statement continued. “Further information will be shared as it becomes available.” ​A cause of death was not released. View this post on Instagram ​A resident of Long Beach, Ms. Shirley offered beauty services, food, showers, and more to the homeless people of Skid Row through her nonprofit. How Raines Found Her Calling ​After the loss of a child, Raines began feeding homeless people, which eventually led to the launch of her own nonprofit. ​“The reality of Skid Row is that it took a long time to earn that trust. I’m asking someone to close their eyes, lay their head back, and be vulnerable,” Raines told ABC7 in a 2019 interview. “It took years of coming back every single Saturday.” “Of course, makeup is not going to take them off the streets. But it’s a small escape from this terrible reality they’re living in,” Raines said. “They look in the mirror and see something other than homelessness. It just brings them back to who they were.” ​Although she worked a full-time job and had six children,  she cooked meals for 400-600 people every week in her one-bedroom apartment. ​”Monday through Friday, someone is saying ‘Get out of the way, you bum,” Raines said. “On Saturday, someone is saying, ‘You’re important. You’re special.’” ​For her work, Raines was named the 2021 CNN Hero of the Year. In 2025, she won the NAACP Social Media Personality award.

GloRilla’s acting days in Memphis before the Grammy-nominated fame resurfaced across social media on Wednesday (Jan. 28) with a clip, including a sex scene, of the chart-topping rap star appearing in a Tubi indie film, titled Streets Ain’t For Everybody. The clip quickly gained views and mixed reactions. Gorilla Gettin Cracked In A Tubi Movie Before The Fame pic.twitter.com/cLMpKstb5N — King Roy (@RoyIsThaTruth) January 28, 2026 The Tubi film is a drama that follows a family as they navigate the streets of Memphis and its variety of money-motivated opportunists. GloRilla, real name Gloria Woods, appears in the clip as an ambitious woman, eager to get involved with the hustle. GloRilla achieved fame in 2022 with the viral debut single “F.N.F.” Her career includes collaborations with Cardi B, Latto, and Summer Walker. She’s received co-signs from Jelly Roll, Rihanna, and Beyoncé. The sex scene draws viral commentary for Glo’s hilarious lines and comedic actions while abruptly taking a phone call during a sexual encounter. The scene ends with GloRilla clowning her male co-star and his sexual performance with signature Memphis comedy. Early GloRilla’s Memphis Tubi Sex Scene Resurfaced Social media’s commentary included mentions of GloRilla’s boyfriend and NBA star Brandon Ingram, her rise to fame, and, of course, Memphis-related jokes. “She really over here taking back shots and drops tha nigga for a phone call!!,” tweets a fan in the clip’s comment section. Addressing the resurface clip, another fan tweeted, “Whoever found this and released this is her biggest hater.” For those bashing the rapper for her pre-fame role, fans rallied behind her on social media with enlightenment. One fan tweeted, “Everybody hating on @GloTheofficial is foolish and this is why they don’t get anywhere because they’re not willing to drop their guard and ego as if in they’re millionaires already or even have a chance to live their dream.” Fans also respected pre-fame hustle, among the jokes. “Before the bag, there was the hustle. Respect her grind,” an X user tweeted. Another user concurred, tweeting, “Nothing wrong with humble beginnings, it makes the glow-up better.” GloRilla is currently preparing for this week’s Grammy Awards, for which she is nominated for Best Rap Album and Best Rap Song. She is also developing her upcoming album, currently untitled. The album is an anticipated R&B album. Streets Ain’t For Everybody is currently unavailable on Tubi. GloRilla, her management, or publicity has not commented on the resurfaced scene.

The Isley Brothers, one of the most enduring and influential groups in soul music, received a long-awaited honor this week with the unveiling of their star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. On Wednesday morning (Jan. 28), Ronald “Ronnie” Isley and Ernie Isley were present as the group received the 2,834th star on Hollywood Boulevard, marking more than 70 years of musical innovation. The ceremony celebrated a career that has bridged gospel, soul, R&B, funk, rock, and hip-hop, while influencing generations of artists across genres. KTLA 5 entertainment anchor Melvin Robert emceed the event. Sony Music Publishing chairman and CEO Jon Platt spoke about the group’s songwriting legacy and business impact. Producer and songwriter Terry Lewis highlighted the Isleys’ role in shaping modern Black music, calling their catalog foundational. Formed in Cincinnati in 1954, The Isley Brothers began as a gospel trio featuring O’Kelly Isley Jr., Rudolph Isley, and Ronald Isley. Their path shifted after the 1955 death of younger brother Vernon Isley. By the late 1950s, the group relocated to New York and moved toward secular music, a decision that changed their trajectory. The Isley Brothers Awarded Star On Hollywood Walk of Fame That shift led to their 1959 breakthrough, “Shout,” a call-and-response anthem that became a cultural touchstone. The song’s influence stretched across rock and pop, shaping live performance traditions for decades. The group soared through the 1970s and early 1980s with albums including “3 + 3,” “The Heat Is On,” and “Between the Sheets.” “The Heat Is On” topped the Billboard 200, while “Between the Sheets” later became a cornerstone of hip-hop sampling culture. After the group’s expanded lineup disbanded in 1983, Ronald and Ernie Isley carried the name forward. Albums such as “Mission to Please,” “Eternal,” and “Body Kiss” introduced the Isleys to a new generation, driven by hits like “Contagious.” With more than 18 million records sold in the U.S. and charting hits across six decades, the Isley Brothers’ star cements a legacy defined by resilience, reinvention, and lasting cultural power.