On Monday (Jan. 19), Valentino Garavani, the Italian fashion designer and founder of the Valentino brand, passed away at the age of 93. TMZ reports the news was confirmed by the designer’s foundation, which shared an official statement via Instagram. According to the post, Garavani died, surrounded by family in his residence in Rome, Italy. A formal “lying in state” or viewing will take place at the PM23 on both Wednesday, Jan. 21st, and Thursday, Jan. 22nd, from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The funeral will take place on Friday, January 23rd, at the Basilica Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri in Rome, at 11 a.m. Born in the Italian province of Pavia in 1932, Garavani’s interest in fashion began early. His love only grew after he became an apprentice for his aunt, a local designer. He would go on to found one of the most prominent fashion houses in Italy and later the world in 1960. View this post on Instagram “Since I was a child, I loved the way a dress looks,” Garavani said in an interview During an interview, he spoke about being a young designer in Paris and revealed that while he thought his designs were “quite good,” he never thought he’d reach the level of stardom he did. “My dear, when you start it’s quite difficult to dream for everybody. But of course you have aspirations. I did a very important collection in 1968 and I realized that I was quite good. All the magazines and everybody came to visit me. I became quite well known for my glamour and my femininity and women started to love my clothes.” He also spoke about how much “beauty” inspired him as a creator. “Beauty is the most important. Since I was a child I loved the way a dress looks, I admired a great face, a lovely body. I enjoy the beauty in a woman, in a man, in a child, in a painting. Beautiful things are important and make life important. Since I was a kid I’ve been encouraging myself to appreciate beauty.”

Rihanna has joined the chat and wants to let people know she’s riding behind her man, A$AP Rocky. The FENTY Beauty founder recently commented under a post of the rapper performing his new song, “STOLE YA FLOW,” where he supposedly takes shots at Drake. Rocky had recently headlined Amazon Music’s new live docu-performance series, Songline. Judging by Ri’s comment, she is in full support of the track. “I meaaaannnn….!!!!” she wrote. “First you stole my flow, so I stole yo’ b*tch,” Rocky raps. “I can’t trust a soul, just my pole and my kids/Swear to never lie, cross my heart, hope to die, uh/Then I sold the switch, then I hit it with a kiss, mwah.” Following the release of his long-awaited album Don’t Be Dumb, fans quickly zeroed in on the track, with many interpreting certain lyrics as a possible shot at the Toronto rapper. However, Rocky has now made it clear that the song was not intended as a diss. In a recent interview, the Harlem rapper explained that “Stole Ya Flow” isn’t about Drake specifically. When asked if it can be confirmed he was dissing Drake, Rocky explained, “It’s for whoever feels like it’s about them.” Rihanna post a comment on A$AP Rocky’s diss track “STOLE YA FLOW” “I meaaaannnn….!!!!” pic.twitter.com/2ie13n1Bgs — DailyRapFacts (@DailyRapFacts) January 17, 2026 A$AP Rocky Calls Himself Rihanna’s Husband; Fans Can’t Get Enough In other news, during a recent interview with Perfect, Rocky details where his happiness lies these days. “I think peace really makes me happy. Being a father and a partner and a loving husband in my family is what makes me really, really happy. I hope this doesn’t sound cliché, and I would hate if it does, because that’s what honestly does get me going.” He continues, “Being able to express myself creatively, being able to be a family man, and being able to be an artisan. It doesn’t matter what hat I wear that day, it’s just about being able to give it my all and do these things.” This isn’t the first time Rocky hinted at potential wedding bells between the two. During a previous interview with Elle Magazine, Rocky asked the reporter, “How do you know I’m not already a husband? I’m still not gonna confirm it,” which left fans wondering.

Nicki Minaj had some choice words for Don Lemon, following his reporting on an anti-ICE protest in a Minnesota church. On Sunday (Jan.18), protestors stormed a Minnesota church after it was revealed that its pastor had alleged ties to the federal agency. Don Lemon, who had been reporting via his livestream, confronted that pastor about his connections to the group. Not long after the clip began to circulate online, it somehow reached Nicki Minaj’s timeline, and she slammed the long-time journalist. Minaj called Lemon a disgusting “c*cksucker” and demanded he be thrown in jail. “DON ‘COCK SUCKIN’ LEMON IS DISGUSTING. HOW DARE YOU?” she wrote in an X post. I WANT THAT THUG IN JAIL!!!!! HE WOULD NEVER DO THAT TO ANY OTHER RELIGION. LOCK HIM UP!!!!!” Lemon told TMZ he’s not “surprised” about Nicki’s actions. “[She] does not understand journalism and is weighing in on matters that are above her capacity.” DON ‘COCK SUCKIN’ LEMON IS DISGUSTING. HOW DARE YOU? I WANT THAT THUG IN JAIL!!!!! HE WOULD NEVER DO THAT TO ANY OTHER RELIGION. LOCK HIM UP!!!!! pic.twitter.com/xoQBl9KDJY — Nicki Minaj (@NICKIMINAJ) January 19, 2026 Nicki Minaj Slams Gavin Newsom At Turning Point Event This isn’t the first time Nicki Minaj has used her platform to defend her beliefs. The rapper recently slammed Gov.Gavin Newsom during her appearance at Turning Point USA’s AmericaFest. Throughout her conversation with Erica Kirk, the wife of late right-wing commentator Charlie Kirk, Nicki Minaj discussed her ongoing beef with California Gov. Gavin Newsom. Minaj specifically commented on Newsom’s support for gender affirming care for transgender youth. Not long ago, during an appearance on The Ezra Klein Show, Newsom said, “I want to see trans kids…I have a trans godson. There’s no governor who has signed more pro-trans legislation than I have. No one has been a stronger advocate for the LGBTQ community.” During the event, Minaj decided to re-read one of her X posts where she criticized Newsom. “Imagine being the guy running on wanting to see trans kids, haha, not even a trans adult would run on that,” she read. “Normal adults wake up and think they want to see healthy, safe, happy kids — not Gav.”

Ski Mask The Slump God promises always to remember his late best friend and fellow Members Only rapper XXXTentacion’s legacy, whether fans like it or not. On Jan. 17, 2026, the Florida rapper took to his Instagram Story to address criticism from fans who claim he leans too heavily on XXXTentacion’s music during his live shows. The comments struck a nerve, prompting Ski to clarify his setlists, defend his performance record, and explain why honoring his late friend remains central to his shows. “N***as talking about I only play X at my shows,” Ski wrote, opening with a blunt rebuttal. Ski Mask the Slump God goes off on fans complaining that he only plays XXXTENTACION’s music at his shows “N****s talking about I only play X at my shows n***a if you was informed you would know I play 100 of my songs before that, my bad my best friend who I made the most music… pic.twitter.com/V9dBkghSA3 — Wost (@mosthiphop) January 19, 2026 He quickly challenged that perception. “If you was informed you would known I play 100 of my songs before that,” he added, suggesting critics were speaking without firsthand knowledge. According to Ski, the narrative ignores the breadth of his catalog and the structure of his performances. Ski Mask The Slump God has released two full-length studio albums. The most emotional moment came when he addressed XXXTentacion’s death. “My bad my best friend who I made the most music with passed and I want to keep his name alive,” Ski wrote. Ski Mask The Slump God Rips Fans Complaining About His Members Only Friend XXXTentacion Tribute Before His Shows The statement underscored the bond between the two artists, who rose together as core members of the Members Only collective. For Ski, performing X’s music functions as tribute, not dependence, and reflects a shared history that shaped both careers. Ski also responded to claims questioning his live show credibility. “I also seen someone say someone saved me from performing at Rolling Loud,” he wrote, before firing back, “show me one Rolling Loud set that I don’t have the whole crowd jumping.” He framed crowd reaction as the real metric, not online chatter. XXXTentacion and Ski Mask The Slump God frequently toured together early in their career. He further rejected claims that his popularity has declined. “I sell out all my solo tours 3 to 4k people buddy,” Ski said, dismissing talk of smaller venues. “They said I probably do 500 people venues,” he added, calling the idea disconnected from reality. Ski closed with a wider point about taste and respect. “Music is subjective,” he wrote, comparing fan bias to dismissing artists like Taylor Swift despite clear success. His final line, “When I drop all year. I don’t want to hear you cop pleas either,” signaled confidence going forward. The message blended frustration with loyalty, showing Ski Mask defending his present while preserving XXXTentacion’s legacy.

50 Cent stirred fresh conversation across hip-hop on January 17 after posting a pointed Instagram caption alongside a resurfaced VladTV clip featuring R&B singer Aaron Hall. The video shows Hall, best known for his 1993 hit “I Miss You,” speaking in explicit terms about alleged sexual encounters and naming figures such as Sean “Diddy” Combs and members of Jodeci. Soon after the clip circulated again, reports emerged claiming Hall could not be located by private investigators. 50’s caption leaned into mockery and spectacle. “ he doing the race They can’t even find him, said ask everybody they seen me. LOL OH SHIT! ” View this post on Instagram The mogul offered no clarification, instead letting the emojis and phrasing frame the moment. As usual, his commentary landed somewhere between humor and provocation. The phrase “he doing the race” reads as street shorthand for running from pressure. In the context of Hall’s recent remarks, 50 Cent suggested avoidance rather than coincidence. “They can’t even find him” alludes to the singer potentially in hiding from authorities. 50 Cent Drops Hilarious Reaction To Reports Aaron Hall, “I Miss You” Singer, Is Missing “Said ask everybody they seen me” played as sarcasm, flipping Hall’s graphic storytelling into a punchline about disappearance. The contrast felt intentional. Hall spoke freely on camera, then reportedly vanished from public view. The closing line, “LOL OH SHIT!,” underscored 50’s tone. He treated the situation as absurd rather than sensitive. That approach fits his long-established social media presence, which thrives on trolling moments where hip-hop history, controversy, and power collide. The post quickly drew reactions, with fans debating whether 50 was joking, signaling skepticism, or amplifying questions around accountability. While the caption avoided direct accusations, it highlighted the strange timing between Hall’s comments and his reported absence. The moment said as much about 50 Cent as it did about Aaron Hall. By reframing the situation through humor and disbelief, 50 once again positioned himself as hip-hop’s loudest commentator on chaos, using laughter to spotlight discomfort lingering within the culture’s past.

Fivio Foreign’s sobriety journey has the Brooklyn rapper hitting the reset button and looking to make amends with others, starting with DJ Akademiks. On Sunday (Jan.18), Fivio took to X to publicly reach out to media personality DJ Akademiks, signaling a desire to mend a relationship that once played a role in his rise. The message struck a reflective tone, blending gratitude, accountability, and an invitation for dialogue. “Yo @Akademiks used to support tf outta me,” Fivio wrote, acknowledging Akademiks’ early backing during his breakout years. We gon set it up fo sho https://t.co/BdU3TJ9tBi — DJ Akademiks (@Akademiks) January 19, 2026 Akademiks frequently amplified Fivio’s music and movement online, helping push his name into wider hip-hop conversations. Over time, that relationship cooled, though neither side had clearly addressed the fallout. Fivio admitted he still doesn’t fully understand how things went left. “Idk where we went wrong or what I said,” he continued, framing the tension as unintended rather than personal. Instead of pointing fingers, the rapper placed responsibility on his past mindset and behavior. “I was high asf for past 6 yrs,” Fivio wrote, offering a blunt admission about prolonged drug use. Fivio Foreign Seeks To Make Amends With DJ Akademiks, Akademiks Agrees The statement reframed earlier moments of friction as part of a larger struggle, not calculated disrespect. He followed that with a declaration of growth. “I’m sober now & a conversation needs to b had,” he added, making clear that he views sobriety as a turning point and a chance to clean up unfinished business. The post ended simply: “hit me.” The direct ask suggested Fivio was ready to move the conversation offline and away from public timelines. Akademiks responded quickly and without hesitation. Retweeting Fivio’s message, he replied, “We gon set it up fo sho.” The response confirmed openness to reconnect and resolve whatever lingered between them. In an era where rap disputes often escalate online, the exchange stood out. Fivio’s message leaned on honesty and self-reflection, while Akademiks’ reply signaled receptiveness. Together, the moment hinted at a shift from tension to conversation, and possibly, reconciliation.

Rapper Offset has satisfied a federal tax lien totaling more than $1.5 million, resolving one portion of a broader tax dispute unfolding alongside his ongoing divorce from fellow artist Cardi B, according to public filings. The Internal Revenue Service released the lien on Dec. 26, 2025, after determining that Offset owed $1,575,266.73 for the 2022 tax year. The IRS originally recorded the lien on April 3, 2024. Court records show the balance has since been paid, significantly reducing the artist’s federal tax exposure. Rapper Offset has paid off a $1.5 million tax debt that Uncle Sam demanded amid his bitter divorce from Cardi B, Us Weekly can exclusively report. https://t.co/a4aSJhjqxG — Us Weekly (@usweekly) January 16, 2026 State tax claims, however, remain unresolved. The Georgia Department of Revenue filed a separate lien in March 2025 alleging Offset failed to pay approximately $292,000 in state income taxes for the 2021 tax year. That filing lists an initial assessment of $167,916, which later increased due to accrued interest, penalties, and collection fees. According to state records, interest added more than $53,000 to the balance. Penalties accounted for roughly $40,000, while collection costs and related charges added an additional $33,000. Combined with other outstanding liens, Offset’s remaining state-level tax obligations total approximately $778,426. Offset Reportedly Pays Off Tax Debt The tax dispute surfaced publicly during Cardi B’s comments about the delayed divorce proceedings. In September 2025, she alleged that unresolved tax liabilities contributed to the impasse. “The only reason why I’m still married is that somebody wants me to pay for their taxes,” she said during a livestream. She also claimed financial demands had complicated settlement negotiations. It was recently revealed that Cardi B has a restraining order against Offset. “I’m not gonna live my life on a contract,” Cardi added, stating she pays her own taxes and intends to protect her assets. The couple married after being linked in 2017 and share three children. Offset also faces unrelated civil litigation in Florida. He is challenging a $232,000 default judgment stemming from an alleged 2021 assault at a Miami nightclub. Plaintiffs Leamsy Izquierdo and Humberto Crespo claim they suffered injuries requiring medical treatment. A hearing on Offset’s motion to vacate the judgment is scheduled for February 2026.

The hip-hop world is mourning the loss of Damien “E-Love” Matthias, a behind-the-scenes architect whose image helped define rap’s political imagination. For decades, his silhouette stood frozen inside the crosshairs of Public Enemy’s iconic logo, one of the most recognizable symbols in music history. The image became shorthand for confrontation, resistance, and Black truth-telling in an era when hip-hop demanded to be heard. Public Enemy confirmed E-Love’s passing on Friday through a tribute shared on Facebook. “Rest in power to our brother, @ELOVEGLOBAL,” the group wrote. “The man in the logo drawn by @MrChuckD almost four decades ago.” The message acknowledged his central place in the group’s legacy and the culture they helped reshape. View this post on Instagram The logo has often been misunderstood. Some assumed the figure represented a police officer because of the hat. In reality, the silhouette came from a photograph of E-Love standing next to LL Cool J. Chuck D, who studied graphic design, later adapted the image by hand in the mid-1980s. Set inside gun-sight crosshairs, it reflected surveillance, state power, and the vulnerability of Black life. Hip-Hop Mourns LL Cool J’s Hype Man & Public Enemy Affiliate Damien “E-Love” Matthias Dies At 58 Chuck D has long described the image as representing “the Black man in America.” That meaning anchored Public Enemy’s identity as a political force and reinforced their self-styled role as a “black CNN,” reporting realities ignored by mainstream media. E-Love’s impact stretched far beyond symbolism. He was a multi-platinum writer, producer, and director credited with contributing to more than 35 million records sold. His fingerprints appear throughout Def Jam’s rise, especially through his close relationship with LL Cool J. E-Love co-produced LL’s groundbreaking debut album, Radio, and later helped amplify his crossover success. He also co-produced the video for “I’m Goin’ Back to Cali” alongside Rick Rubin. He also helped clear paths for future icons, including Tupac Shakur and John Forte of the Fugees. In 1989, E-Love survived a near-fatal shooting in Queens, later reinventing himself through film and production. His journey mirrored hip-hop’s own growth, marked by resilience, reinvention, and enduring influence.

T.I. has made his official (and final) return to music with his latest single, “LET EM KNOW.” It features production from Pharrell Williams and is the first single off the rapper’s upcoming album, Kill The King. The track begins with Williams’ iconic four-count start as T.I. reminds folks he’s still the King Of The South, tapping back into his Trap Muzik roots. “Big dog, all we get is bread, I ain’t never scared/Big flex on a n***a head,” he raps. “What I’m standing on? Business, big check, we done did that/Pushing whips back, better give me respect and some more.” The rapper’s last project, The L.I.B.R.A., was released in October 2020. Guest appearances on the project ranged from 21 Savage and Benny the Butcher to Killer Mike and comedian Ms. Pat. Following its release, it landed in the top 20 of the Billboard 200 at No.18. It also cracked the top 10 on the R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart at No.9. The new single, “Let Em’ Know,” is expected to appear on his upcoming album, Kill the King, which is expected to drop later this year. T.I. LET EM KNOW PRODUCED BY PHARRELL FIRST SINGLE OFF HIS NEW ALBUM OUT NOW pic.twitter.com/m04LbEcb6I — Ahmed/The Ears/IG: BigBizTheGod (@big_business_) January 18, 2026 T.I. Claims Mistaken Identity With Balding Hat Video: ‘The Devil Is A Lie’ In other news, before chopping off his locs, T.I. addressed rumors he was rocking a bald spot following a TikTok video circulating online. Last month, he stopped by Yung Joc & The Streetz Morning Takeover and confirmed that, in fact, things were not as they appear. According to T.I., he was not the man in that TikTok. “The devil is a lie,” the ATL actor said. During one moment in the discussion, one of the hosts even proposed that the footage could have been digitally altered, to which T.I. agreed. That said, the rapper appears to be taking the onslaught of jokes online in good fun. “It’s comedy, so I laugh,” he says. “It wouldn’t be funny if it were true.” Overall, the “Live Your Life” rapper believes people online need more “discernment” to tell what’s true or not. “In this age of technology where everyone keeps their phone in their hand,” he says. “… You have to use discernment, ya know, the word says, ‘use discernment.’” Discernment would say that the person that I’ve grown to know over these 25 years—the person I have grown to know as TIP—I can’t see him moving around in the house, let alone on stage like this.”

A$AP Rocky is headlining Amazon Music’s live docu-performance series, Songline, to pay tribute to A$AP Yams and perform songs from Don’t Be Dumb. The livestream is expected to kick off at 9 p.m. EST and 6 p.m. PT. It will be available to view on Amazon Music, Prime Video, and Twitch.”A$AP Rocky returns to the stage to perform his new album Don’t Be Dumb in a special tribute to A$AP Yams, marking eleven years since his passing,” says Amazon Music’s website. The surprise news came Saturday (Jan.17) after A$AP Rocky shared a teaser of the event on his Instagram Story. The reel was also shared on Amazon Music’s official Instagram page. “The city’s watching. A$AP Rocky livestream, 9pm ET | 6pm PT,” the post’s caption reads. View this post on Instagram A$AP Rocky Clarifies Reported Drake Diss In other news, A$AP Rocky responds to claims that he’s dissing Drake on his new project. Following the release of his long-awaited album Don’t Be Dumb, fans quickly zeroed in on a track titled “Stole Ya Flow,” with many interpreting certain lyrics as a possible shot at the Toronto rapper. However, Rocky has now made it clear that the song was not intended as a diss. In a recent interview, the Harlem rapper explained that “Stole Ya Flow” isn’t about Drake specifically. On the track Rocky raps, ““First you stole my flow, so I stole yo’ btch,” and “N***s getting BBLs, lucky we don’t body shame / Throwing dirt on Rocky name, turn around and copy game.” When asked if it can be confirmed he was dissing Drake, Rocky explained, “It’s for whoever feels like it’s about them.”