The killing of Carlos Brown, a Fayetteville rapper who performed as Filthe Rich, left a lingering sense of grief in North Carolina’s music circles when he died in May 2023. This month, a Cumberland County jury found Joshua Tashun Joyce guilty of murder in the case. Joyce, a 42-year-old Army veteran, was sentenced to 20 to 25 years in prison. Prosecutors said the shooting followed a dispute that began on social media. It ended on a porch along Lynn Avenue; Rich later died at a hospital. Meanwhile, many fans felt Rich deserved more recognition during his life. During the trial, jurors were shown a series of Instagram exchanges between the two men. Joyce allegedly wrote, “I’ll be up there in a few minutes,” beneath a video Rich had posted shortly before the confrontation. Testimony also described tension that escalated after Joyce reacted with a laughing emoji to a post in which Rich shared personal struggles. According to witnesses, the disagreement was tied in part to a burglary that had left Rich without his belongings. This burglary had strained their relationship as well. Above all, the community mourned Rich and the contributions he made. Rich was half of the Fayetteville duo Bomm Sheltuh, alongside Brion Unger, who performs as Nervous Reck and testified during the proceedings. Unger described his collaborator as “definitely not a violent person at all,” adding, “Given the environment he grew up in, he probably had every reason to be that type of person. But he never was.” In court, the focus often returned to Rich’s character. The aspirations he continued to pursue were noted as well. In fact, Rich’s legacy was highlighted in many testimonies. Legal Closure, But a Career Cut Short At the time of his death, Rich was facing financial hardship and living in his car after the burglary displaced him. Unger said they had plans to meet in Durham the following week to record new music. However, that work, like much of what Rich intended to create, was left unfinished. As a result, Rich’s musical impact continues to resonate with those who remember him. Bomm Sheltuh’s influence extended beyond Fayetteville. J. Cole has credited the group with inviting him to perform at open mic nights as a teenager. The group also gave him one of his earliest recorded appearances on their Fayettenam Bommuhs compilation. For those who followed Rich’s career, the verdict brings legal resolution. However, it cannot restore the momentum that was abruptly cut short.

Rihanna has not announced a new album, but a recently posted vlog has stirred familiar speculation. The video, styled as a day-in-the-life montage, shows her moving between meetings, reviewing instrumentals, and briefly stepping into a recording booth. She does not reference any upcoming project, yet the sight of her in that setting was enough to prompt conversation. In one scene, she appears to jot down notes; in another, she sways to music playing through studio speakers. For fans who have waited since 2016, those fragments carried weight. Online reactions ranged from certainty that a return to music is imminent to skepticism that the footage could relate to film work, brand collaborations, or one of her many business ventures. View this post on Instagram Why Every Rihanna Sighting Sparks Album Buzz That level of scrutiny speaks to Rihanna’s particular place in popular culture. Over the past decade, she has built a sprawling portfolio in beauty and fashion, becoming as identified with entrepreneurship as with pop music. Each public appearance, especially one involving studio equipment, tends to be interpreted as a potential signal. She is also balancing motherhood and a high-profile relationship, realities that shape how and when she works. In that context, even a brief studio stop can feel significant. Nonetheless, this vlog was a quiet tease or simply a candid look at a full schedule, it served as a reminder that anticipation for her next album remains very much alive.

The public dispute between 50 Cent and T.I. has expanded to include the next generation. This week, T.I.’s son Domani released a track titled “Ms. Jackson.” He adds his voice to a conflict that has largely played out through social media posts and diss records. The song appeared on YouTube and quickly circulated online. As a result, it drew attention not only for its lyrics but also for its imagery. The cover art depicts a house in flames, an apparent reference to long-standing allegations involving Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson and a fire at a residence connected to his former partner and child. The title gestures toward Domani’s mother. It also recalls Outkast’s “Ms. Jackson,” a song about family tension and accountability. In doing so, Domani places the current feud within a broader narrative about legacy and personal history. That history continues to be shaped by the involvement of 50 as a central figure. In the opening verse, he raps, “I want to have a one on one convo about the man you sacrificed your life for so the world could see his talent. He’s a legend now, I guess it worked out, but I need some answers / Are you happy with the way he been holding your family name? / I need to know ’cause I can’t sleep at night thinking you died in vain / I think it got to them, people won’t tell him because he pay them / The emperor’s new clothes, a tale we need to tell.” The lines blend grievance and reflection. They shift the focus from rivalry to questions of responsibility and memory. This is especially relevant as 50 Cent’s legacy is discussed. When Rap Beef Turns Personal King Harris, Domani’s brother, has also weighed in online. At times, he references Jackson’s late mother, Sabrina Jackson. She died in an apartment fire when he was eight, a tragedy that remains unsolved and has long been part of his personal story. The mention of her name has added a more sensitive dimension to what began as a dispute over a proposed Verzuz battle and years of intermittent tension. This all happens within the context of the ongoing 50 Cent controversy. For now, the exchange continues to unfold in music and on social platforms. Whether 50 Cent chooses to respond directly to Domani’s track remains to be seen. What is clear is that a rivalry once contained to two established artists has evolved into something more layered. It now touches on family, history and the weight of public reputation that surrounds 50 as well.

Anthony Edwards’ pockets are just a tad bit lighter today. ​In a statement, the NBA officially announced that Edwards was being docked 25 grand for throwing the basketball into the stands. ​“Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards has been fined $25,000 for throwing the game ball with force into the spectator stands. “It was announced today by James Jones, Executive Vice President, Head of Basketball Operations,” the statement read. During halftime of the Timberwolves’ 124-121 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers. After the second-quarter buzzer sounded, Edwards grabbed a loose ball and launched it the full length of the court toward the opposite hoop. Eventually, the ball struck an arena staff member. adidas responds to Edwards’ fine When news of the fine went public, adidas revealed a perfectly timed marketing response. Just minutes after the fine was announced, the brand released a new ad for the Anthony Edwards 2 featuring an “accountant” character. In the spot, the account explains that he has set aside $430,000 for the season to cover Edwards’ various “mishaps, disagreements, or slips of the tongue.” View this post on Instagram In the ad, which Adidas captioned on social media with a cheeky “Good thing we saved for times like this… Believe That,” referenced the fact that Edwards had racked up over $420,000 in league fines the previous year. Cleverly, adidas turned the fine into a viral brand moment and a promotional tool for his popular signature sneaker. Edwards is having the best season of his career Outside of the fine,  Edwards is putting together a career-best campaign in the 2025-26 season. Currently, he is the league’s third-leading scorer with an average of 29.6 points per game. He’s also shooting a career-high 49.3% from the field and 39.9% from three-point range. Edwards also earned his fourth consecutive All-Star selection and won the 2026 NBA All-Star Game MVP award.

Bow Wow is hinting at a shakeup for the upcoming B2K’s Boys 4 Life Tour. On Friday morning, the rapper jumped into conversations on X, formerly Twitter, responding directly to fan critiques about the tour’s crowded lineup. The highly anticipated run features Omarion, B2K, Pretty Ricky, Waka Flocka Flame, Jeremih and Amerie, among others. One user complained that “Chris Brown doing more promotion for the Boys 4 Life Tour along with @smoss and B2K than the rest of the acts on the tour … i got my tickets but i need to feel some energy.” line up change is coming i told yall im not playing… https://t.co/36yKbYG6X4 — Bow Wow (@smoss) February 27, 2026 Another added, “it’s definitely too many acts.” A third suggested trimming the bill entirely: “We don’t need that many ppl Pretty Ricky, B2K, then Bow ends the show…Maybe one more small opener b4 Pretty Ricky THAT’S IT.” Bow Wow did not dodge the criticism. Retweeting the concerns, he replied, “line up change is coming i told yall im not playing…” Bow Wow Claims A Change In Lineup For B2K’s Boys 4 Life Tour Is Coming The statement immediately fueled speculation that the tour’s supporting roster could be reduced. Previous Bow Wow and B2K tours included Trey Songz, Chris Brown, and Mario. In a second response, he revealed frustration from the performer’s side. “hate that shit! niggas be taking time from us doing songs. then our shit be short. yall be wanting to hear songs and we cant cuz they bill it like a damn radio show!” hate that shit! niggas be taking time from us doing songs. then our shit be short. yall be wanting to hear songs and we cant cuz they bill it like a damn radio show! https://t.co/Mo5CV2edMc — Bow Wow (@smoss) February 27, 2026 The comment suggests that a packed lineup limits set times, forcing headliners to shorten fan-favorite records to accommodate multiple acts. Bow Wow closed the thread with reassurance: “I got yall TRUST ME! news dropping today!” i got yall TRUST ME! news dropping today! https://t.co/F3zyp3oscu — Bow Wow (@smoss) February 27, 2026 His tone signals urgency and control. While official changes had not yet been announced, Bow Wow’s tweets indicate that adjustments are imminent. For fans hoping for longer sets and tighter curation, the rapper appears ready to recalibrate the Boys 4 Life Tour experience.

T.I.’s son and rapper King Harris takes a moment in his ongoing feud with mogul 50 Cent to speak to 50’s oldest son Marquise Jackson, offering a chance to talk. On Thursday (Feb. 26), King posted on Instagram Stories a direct message to Marquise, who also has long-standing issues with 50 Cent, after days of escalating tension between their camps. King and 50’s beef stems from the mogul’s post about the rapper’s mother, Tiny Harris, amid his reignited beef with T.I. “2 Marquis, what I said was out of emotion & ain’t have to be said u got nun to do wit it,” King wrote, punctuating the statement with a salute emoji. He followed with, “As a man I was wrong. Let’s chop it up,” adding a crown emoji to signal respect. King Harris reached out to 50 Cent’s son Marquise Jackson saying what he said was outta emotion and he wants to chop it up man-to-man Should they link up and dead the drama or stay out 50’s beef? pic.twitter.com/9Lkw3e2Mpy — Traps N Trunks (@trapsntrunks) February 26, 2026 The apology arrives after a heated back-and-forth that saw King, Tip and his brother Domani fire shots at 50. The friction intensified when 50 posted content referencing Tiny Harris, King’s mother and T.I.’s wife. From there, the exchange spiraled. During the online barrage, 50’s late mother, Sabrina Jackson, was mentioned — a move many fans called out as crossing a line. King’s original diss asked 50 to explicitly exhume his late mother’s grave. T.I.’s Son King Harris Wants To Speak To 50 Cent’s Son Marquise Jackson Over Comments About Grandmother Sabrina Jackson King’s latest message suggests reflection. “What I said was out of emotion & ain’t have to be said,” he admitted, owning the heat-of-the-moment reaction. Adding “u got nun to do wit it,” it’s clear Marquise shouldn’t be pulled into a dispute. “As a man I was wrong” stands out in a culture where pride often fuels prolonged beef. “Let’s chop it up” hints at a private conversation instead of public sparring. Whether 50 responds remains to be seen. For now, King appears focused on accountability. He attempts to separate the sons from the smoke while the OGs handle their differences.

Rapper Nipsey Hussle’s The Marathon Burger is coming to New York City’s Times Square — according to Nip The Great’s brother Blacc Sam. In the latest episode of the Scottie & Friends Podcast, released on Thursday (Feb. 26), Blacc Sam confirmed that The Marathon Burger is officially heading to New York City — specifically to the bright lights of Times Square. The forthcoming location marks the brand’s first expansion outside of Los Angeles, where three original storefronts have operated successfully for years. “Yeap, we got a New York location locked and loaded, Times Square,” Sam said. “So I think that’s going to be huge. It’s under renovation now. Gotta do it.” Blacc Sam announces The Marathon Burger Is Coming to Times Square, New York pic.twitter.com/jNYMYnsPmV — SBRBN LOS ANGELES (@Sbrbnla) February 26, 2026 For Sam, the move is more than strategic growth. It is deeply personal and rooted in the vision of his late brother, Nipsey Hussle. “Hussle loved New York,” he shared. “Hussle went out there and was living out there when he was doing his mixtapes, when he first got signed. New York embraced him.” That early embrace left a lasting impact on Nipsey’s outlook and ambition. According to Sam, the rapper often pushed the idea of planting roots in the city. Blacc Sam Announces Rapper Nipsey Hussle’s The Marathon Burger Coming To New York City’s Times Square “He would always be very vocal with us, like ‘I love New York, you gotta get to New York,’” Sam recalled. The connection to the city is woven into family history. “My first time in New York was with bro,” Sam added. “We got a lot of love for New York because of that. And because it always showed Hussle so much love and the brand so much love.” Positioning The Marathon Burger in Times Square signals scale and symbolism. “I know that Times Square is going to just go crazy,” Sam said. With renovations underway, the expansion stands as both business evolution and homage — a testament to Nipsey’s enduring blueprint.

Megan Thee Stallion is taking her star power from the charts to center stage. The three-time Grammy winner will make her Broadway debut in Moulin Rouge! The Musical at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre from March 24 through May 17. The Houston rapper will assume the role of Zidler, a character traditionally portrayed by a man and long considered the flamboyant heartbeat of the Parisian cabaret. View this post on Instagram Her casting marks a historic milestone. Megan becomes the first female-identifying performer to take on the role in any global production of Moulin Rouge!. The part was originated on Broadway by Tony Award winner Danny Burstein and anchors much of the show’s spectacle and emotional stakes. Megan approaches the opportunity with reverence and resolve. “Stepping onto the Broadway stage and joining the Moulin Rouge! The Musical team is an absolute honor,” she said in a statement. Megan Thee Stallion To Play Zidler In Moulin Rouge! Broadway Debut “I’ve always believed in pushing myself creatively.” She added, “Broadway demands a different level of discipline, preparation, and storytelling, but I’m up for the challenge.” That challenge is real. Broadway performers deliver eight live shows a week. Vocals are raw. There are no retakes. Stamina defines success. Inspired by Moulin Rouge!, the musical follows the doomed romance between Satine and Christian. Its jukebox score blends modern hits like Firework, Your Song, and Chandelier into a theatrical spectacle. The Tony Award-winning production is directed by Alex Timbers with choreography by Sonya Tayeh. Producer Carmen Pavlovic celebrated the moment. “We want our show to go out with a spectacular bang, and Megan is the force of nature to lead us there,” she said. Subtle nods to Megan’s own music will surface in the production, bridging hip-hop and Broadway tradition. With this move, she expands rap’s presence on theater’s most prestigious stage — and proves her artistry has no ceiling.

Former NBA star Chris Bosh is opening up about a recent sudden health scare. On Wednesday (Feb 25), Bosh shared a video on his social accounts where he urged his followers to “take action” when it comes to living their hopes and dreams. The former Miami Heat star started off his message, “So I woke up covered in my own blood,” adding, “It was crazy. It was fast. It was instant. There was no warning, I didn’t have any time to prepare for it.” Bosh — who retired from playing professional basketball in 2019 due to health concerns — said he’d been getting ready for a date night with his wife, Adrienne Williams Bosh, when the next thing he knew he was “on the ground.” He didn’t go into the specifics of what happened but did point to the severity of the situation by showing off his blackened eyes.  “A numbing sensation shot down my left leg, that sharp, electric feeling you get when you bump your funny bone,” he explained on his Substack, The Last Chip. “Before I knew it, I was on the floor. “I slowly came to in a pool of my own blood while my wife frantically spoke with 911. I tried to move my body the way I always had, and it didn’t respond. There was no choice but to surrender. It was a terrifying event, something I had never experienced before.” Some things change you overnight. I wrote about my experience. pic.twitter.com/d8tYNsnvx5 — Chris Bosh (@chrisbosh) February 25, 2026 The 41-year-old explained, “I’m lucky to be alive, and I feel great about that,” adding, “And now I’m thinking about how I live my day to day life, that’s really it, but don’t wait.” Bosh cites the incident as having a new outlook on life, encouraging others to stop waiting and step out on faith. “It was a scary thing, and it came fast,” Bosh said. “It made me really have a different outlook on life, and how things go, what we do for ourselves, what we do for our family, and how we live our lives.” “Don’t wait, just do it,” he said. History of Health Issues Per the NY Times, in 2015, Bosh was ruled out for the remainder of the season after a blood clot was discovered in his lungs. Months later, another clot was discovered leading to a tense riff between Bosh and the Miami Heat on whether he was deemed medically fit to return. The NBA ruled in June 2017 that the recurrence of a clot constituted a career-ending illness for the 11-time All-Star. Bosh officially retired in 2019.

For much of his career, Drake has paid close attention to presentation. Album covers like Take Care, Nothing Was the Same, and Views have become part of the visual shorthand of the 2010s, as recognizable as the songs themselves. But the artwork for his 2021 release Certified Lover Boy—a dozen pregnant-woman emojis arranged on a blank white field—has remained a point of contention. The album was a commercial success, yet its cover drew immediate skepticism from some fans who questioned its spare, almost ironic design. In the years since, alternative concepts that surfaced before the album’s release have circulated online, fueling speculation about what might have been. The conversation flared up again this week beneath an Instagram post from NFR Podcast, where the hosts debated polarizing album art. Drake via IG story “ICEMAN 2026” pic.twitter.com/Of4PggOYDR — Kurrco (@Kurrco) February 24, 2026 When the Cover Becomes the Conversation When one commenter called Certified Lover Boy the worst example, Drake replied succinctly: “r u dumb lol.” The response, brief and unfiltered, reignited discussion about how much album packaging still matters in an era dominated by playlists and streaming thumbnails. For some listeners, the cover’s simplicity reads as playful provocation; for others, it remains a rare visual misstep in an otherwise carefully curated catalog. The renewed scrutiny comes as Drake prepares his next studio effort, ICEMAN. He has referenced the project since 2025 but has not confirmed a specific release date beyond indicating a 2026 timeline. As anticipation grows, attention is likely to fall not only on the music itself but also on the imagery that frames it—a reminder that, even now, presentation can shape perception.