On Monday night, Snoop Dogg joined commentators Terry Gannon and Reggie Miller for the Clippers-Warriors game. He infused the broadcast with his unmistakable energy. The matchup reached a turning point when Golden State head coach Steve Kerr was ejected. Viewers were eager to hear Snoop’s take on the unfolding drama. As the fourth quarter intensified, Kerr’s frustration with the officials boiled over. This followed a contentious non-call on a play involving John Collins. Gary Payton II stepped in while Kerr vented at the referees. Amid the commotion, Snoop quipped, “Back him up, back him up, GP, back him up, Steve,” later adding, “Steve backing… Inglewood right now. Inglewood, G, Steve. You and Inglewood, Steve. The Arizona Wildcat that came out and looked at it. Back him up.” Fans quickly reacted online, with clips of Snoop’s commentary spreading across Instagram via The Shade Room. Many expressed delight at his playful energy. One user called the broadcast “too entertaining,” while another encouraged networks to feature more of Snoop’s insights to re-engage viewers. View this post on Instagram What Led to Kerr’s Ejection The dismissal followed a key moment when Kerr contested John Collins’s block of Gary Payton II’s layup. He argued that it should have been ruled goaltending. Instead, the decision—or lack thereof—shifted momentum. Steph Curry picked up his fifth foul during the subsequent fast break. After the game, crew chief Brian Forte acknowledged the officiating error. He stated, “The shot by [Gary] Payton hit the backboard prior to being touched by Collins. It should have been ruled a goaltending violation.” He clarified that a review was impossible because the play occurred outside the final two minutes. Additionally, there was no initial call to challenge. Ultimately, the Clippers narrowly defeated the Warriors 103-102, leaving Golden State with a 19-18 record. They held the eighth spot in the competitive Western Conference. Snoop Dogg’s humorous commentary provided a counterpoint to the tense game. This reminded viewers of the entertaining interplay between sports and culture.

As 2026 begins, 50 Cent is already making waves, cementing his status as one of New York’s most-streamed rappers on YouTube. Central to this early momentum is the enduring hit “In Da Club,” which has now surpassed two billion streams on Spotify. According to uDiscoverMusic, fewer than 300 songs in history have achieved such a milestone. Decades after its release, the track continues to captivate listeners, blending nostalgia with ongoing relevance in today’s music landscape. Originally released in January 2003 as the lead single from his debut album Get Rich or Die Tryin’, “In Da Club” rapidly ascended the charts, reaching the number one spot on the US Billboard Hot 100. It marked 50 Cent’s first chart-topping success and eventually earned Diamond certification from the RIAA. The track’s production was helmed by Dr. Dre and Mike Elizondo, who had initially considered giving the song to Eminem’s group D12, a decision that inadvertently launched 50 Cent into mainstream superstardom. Its music video also achieved monumental acclaim, winning MTV Video Music Awards for Best Rap Video and Best New Artist in 2003, and has since amassed over 2.5 billion views on YouTube. Streaming Momentum and What Comes Next The triumph of “In Da Club” is just one highlight in a year that has already begun on a high note for 50 Cent. Throughout early 2026, he has maintained his position as New York’s most-streamed rapper on YouTube, a fact he humorously shared on Instagram: “I thought we got over this guys, it is what it is. LOL.” His continued popularity reflects both the enduring power of his early hits and his ability to engage audiences in the digital age. Looking ahead, 50 Cent has hinted at upcoming projects, including a potential response to a diss track titled “Squatters,” which involves Maino, Fabolous, Jim Jones, and Dave East. The ongoing conflict stems from criticisms these artists made about his Netflix documentary Sean Combs: The Reckoning, discussed on their podcast Let’s Rap About It. Reflecting on his outlook for the year, 50 Cent remarked during recent festivities, “Let’s toast to success, health, and prosperity. I’m planning my new year; when I’m done, I’ll come out to play. You know everyone who plays with me wishes they didn’t in the end.”

Kanye West has taken another definitive step toward releasing his next album, Bully, confirming a January 30 release date and unveiling a 13-song tracklist split across two sides. The update followed the quiet appearance of a pre-save link on his official YouTube channel, first spotted by @GoodAssSub on X. After a series of false starts and shifting timelines, the announcement offers the most concrete sense yet that the project is nearing completion. For listeners, it brings long-running speculation into sharper focus regarding Kanye West’s release strategy. West is also leaning into physical media, launching a dedicated website offering Bully on vinyl, CD, cassette, and in collectible box sets. The move reflects his continued belief in albums as objects, not just streams. Adding to the spectacle, he has introduced a custom set of grills modeled after the album’s cover, blurring the line between merchandise and art. As with past releases, Kanye’s rollout positions the album as a broader cultural statement rather than a standalone drop to display West’s artistry. Bully Tracklist Side One Preacher Man Beauty and the Beast Last Breath White Lines I Can’t Wait Bully All The Love Side Two Losing Your Mind This One Here Highs and Lows Mission Control Circles Damn The Pre-save link for BULLY is now displayed in Ye’s bio on his YouTube pic.twitter.com/ccpB8rN3Ba — GoodAssSub (@GoodAssSub) January 6, 2026 As Bully nears release, scrutiny lingers Production choices have remained a central point of curiosity, particularly amid rumors about artificial intelligence. Those questions were addressed directly by music manager Peter Jideonwo, who wrote that “there is no AI on Bully,” a statement later highlighted by Complex. The clarification follows West’s own comments earlier this year, when he described AI in an interview with Justin Laboy as a potential next phase of sampling. For now, the album is being presented as grounded in more traditional methods, showcasing the artistic decisions of Kanye West. Bully was first introduced in September 2024, initially taking shape through unfinished material and a short film created with Hype Williams. Since then, the project has cycled through multiple anticipated release dates, each passing without arrival. That stretch coincided with renewed backlash over Kanye West’s public conduct, often eclipsing discussion of the music itself. As the album finally comes into view, it arrives not just as a long-delayed release, but as a moment that may determine whether the work can stand apart from the noise surrounding West’s public controversies.

Cardi B is once again locked in a familiar fight with blogger Tasha K, reviving a defamation battle that has lingered long after the courtroom verdicts. The latest tension surfaced after Tasha K floated online suggestions that Cardi could be connected to alleged witness intimidation tied to a case involving her boyfriend, New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs. Cardi was not named outright, but the implication was enough to trigger a swift and public response. For both sides, it marked yet another turn in a dispute that has already carried significant financial and reputational consequences. Addressing listeners on X Spaces, Cardi flatly rejected the insinuations and accused Tasha K of continuing a pattern of provocation. The rapper, who is still owed millions from their prior defamation case, warned that legal technicalities would not shield ongoing attacks. Her frustration spilled over in a blunt statement that quickly circulated online: “You gonna be in your fcking hospital bed owing me, btch.” The remark intensified a conflict that has rarely stayed confined to legal filings. Tasha K responded by shifting the focus to personal identity and self-image. Speaking to her audience, she framed the moment as one of self-affirmation, saying, “My original face, my original hair, and my hairline. It will always stay like this.” She emphasized pride in her appearance and described her confidence as inseparable from who she is. The response reframed the clash as cultural rather than purely legal. Cardi answered just as directly, dismissing any suggestion that race was at the center of her remarks. “Don’t be trying to use your skin color. It’s not about your fcking skin color, it’s because you’re fcking ugly,” she said. She rejected what she viewed as an attempt to recast the dispute and insisted her criticism had nothing to do with complexion. The exchange highlighted how quickly the feud slips from legal argument into deeply personal territory. View this post on Instagram The Stefon Diggs Case Adds Another Layer The online back-and-forth has unfolded alongside serious legal allegations facing Stefon Diggs. The Patriots receiver is charged with felony strangulation and misdemeanor assault following claims from a former private chef. The accuser alleges a financial disagreement last December escalated into violence, an account Diggs has firmly denied. The case remains pending. Cardi briefly weighed in on the situation with a post on X that was later deleted. “Not once has that woman said anything to me about being touched.. NOT ONCE!!,” she wrote, according to TMZ. Her statement signaled public support for Diggs while drawing further attention to an already complex legal moment. Together, the overlapping disputes have kept Cardi B at the center of an increasingly fraught public conversation.

Earn Your Leisure is setting the tone for financial success in 2026. Known for breaking down money, investing, and wealth-building in a way that’s both practical and culturally relevant, Rashad Bilal and Troy Millings is sharing key financial principles everyone should have in their playbook this year. Ahead of the release of the paperback edition of their New York Times bestselling book You Deserve to Be Rich, Earn Your Leisure joined HOT 97 for a powerful conversation centered on smarter money management, long-term wealth strategies, building financial discipline, avoiding common pitfalls, and positioning yourself to win in an ever-changing economy. View this post on Instagram What are the top three financial principles everyone should bring into 2026 if you had to say, if you had to pick three? Troy Millings: I guess we can both give three, or however you want us to do it, I would say in this kind of a principle that we’ve lived by is that having one income is too close to none, especially in this economic environment where we’re seeing your wages being cut. We’ve seen inflation. We’ve seen affordability run amok having one income, especially here in New York City, is not even an option. So we got to figure out ways to create opportunities to have more income coming into our accounts and our households, whether that’s creating a skill, creating a business and figuring out a way to monetize that. So that would be my first one. The second one is that is pretty, pretty interesting is that ownership is the new job security. I read that in a report earlier this week when you’re talking about CPI, and it was that idea around, you know, people and I come from that world where it was like the w2 employee, you know, if I got tenure in education, I felt like I was secure. But again, that’s still the only guarantees that I have on paycheck. And so we got to figure out ways to how do we create things that we own, whether it’s only stock, owning real estate, earning owning crypto, how do we start to realize like that is the new job security? It’s the only thing that’s going to protect us in economic turmoil. And then the last one, and this is for the world of like reality TV social media, is that, let’s talk more execution. Oh yes, I think people are watching things that they believe are reality, and they could be the furthest thing from that. And so people aren’t necessarily compare themselves to things that are falsehoods, and the people that are actually doing it, you know, or saying that they’re doing it, aren’t. So, you know, wealth is something that is built with patience, and sometimes that’s quiet. And so let’s talk more execution. Rashad Bilal: Principles? Yeah. I mean, well, also like actions as well. And I think that budgeting, it starts with budgeting. So I think that everybody should know. Most people don’t even know how much money is coming in and coming out. It’s like if you run a business and you don’t know how much money is coming in coming out, then that business not gonna work. It business. But that’s most people are living their life. They don’t really know how much money they make. Because even if you know how much money you make, you know, you don’t know how much you spend, you don’t know how much taxes are actually coming out. You don’t know. You know how much you’re putting in your 401 K. You forgot how much your health insurance cost. You forgot about how much FICO is. You forgot so much different things you’re paying for your kids school. It just comes out automatically, especially now auto pay. So you don’t, you don’t even know. So really, having a gage of how much money’s coming in, how much money coming out, that’s really the best way it starts at then actually look to see what’s coming out and see how you can actually cut a lot. Most people need to have more money at the end of the month, so the only way you can get more money is if you increase your income or you cut back on expenses, or a combination of both. So a lot of times we spend money on things that add up over the course of time, like little stuff going out to eat, and you know, things that you don’t believe in fully understand by time you look at it, you spend $500 a month on lunch, so little things like that. As far as creating a budget is important, begin to invest. If you have not invested, and if you are investing, then can continue to do that, but add more. So dollar cost averaging is a way that you can actually go about it. That’s a method where you put money into investments on a monthly or weekly basis, small, small amounts over the course of time, but it adds up. So if you put $100 you have a goal, okay, I’m put 100 $200 to the stock market every single month on the 15th of the month. That’s a disciplined way to go about it, as opposed to just kind of waiting for the right time or waiting to have enough money, and that usually never happens, and then definitely really re evaluate your relationship with debt, I think a lot of times, especially even during this season, holiday season, people are going into debt for Christmas gifts or going into debt for vacation. You know, going into debt to, you know, buy an outfit, and that’s not really the best way to go about it, and that’s going that’s going to leave you paying back two times, three times, four times more than what you actually paid originally. So really reevaluating your relationship with debt, that is good, but not how most people use

Cher believes she manifested her partner Alexander “AE” Edwards into her life. In a podcast episode with Armchair Expert, the “Believe” singer, 79, revealed how she manifested boyfriend AE and his 6-year-old son way before they became an item. “Before I met him, I walked around my house saying, ‘I want a man and a toddler,’” she spilled. “I wasn’t expecting them together, but that’s what I wanted. I was expecting them separately.” Cher spoke on how 6 year-old Slash, the music producer’s son, whom AE co-parents with ex Amber Rose, 40, has brought joy to her life. “I’ve just seen The Lion King because we have a 6-year-old. And he’s really precocious,” she admitted. “His dad ended up chasing us, and I had a guard there, and he [Slash] goes up to the guard, and he takes his face, and he goes, ‘My dad’s a psychopath!’ He’s not.” Cher added that her boyfriend of over three years is a “wonderful person” and said he’s “really funny.” In addition to those compliments, she says AE isn’t jealous of her stardom, explaining, “The more I shine, the more he has won.” The couple, who have been linked since November 2022, have a significant 40-year age gap, which Cher addressed in an interview with Gayle King on CBS Mornings. “You know, you get older but your spirit is younger. I just love him. I think he’s beautiful and he’s really talented, she said in the interview. In response to criticism, she added, “They’re not living my life. Nobody knows what goes on between us, but we just have a blast.” Edwards works as a music executive at Universal Music Group where he helps produce tracks for artists such as Tyga as well as his own songs. 

Ebony Riley stopped by Nessa’s show and shared her inspirational journey from working mall jobs to modeling for global brands and now as a flourishing musician! She talks about living in Detroit to how she made her jump to become a successful model for international luxury fashion brands. Now, she’s excited for the next chapter in her career as a musician. She discusses her upcoming new album and how some of her exes inspired some of her new songs. Things get spicy as she talks about her experience filming her music video for “Only You.”

Harlem rapper Dave East goes viral on January 5 after a clip shows him refusing to work for free with a producer’s new artist due to past dealings with the producer. The clip is a lesson on how you treat those on the climb in the music business. The footage shows East speaking directly to a producer who requested a free verse for another artist. Instead of agreeing, East declined—and he didn’t hold back about why. “I don’t care about your artist,” East said flatly, cutting through the ask without bitterness. “I be seeing you and I still show you love.” Even as he refused the favor, East made it clear this wasn’t personal—it was about principle. Dave East refuses to give a verse to a producer’s artist after that producer refused to give East a beat when he was coming up pic.twitter.com/Wfx1ZS6mzm — Daily Loud (@DailyLoud) January 5, 2026 The heart of the moment lies in history. “We not doing nothing because when I had no name that’s how you was acting with me,” East explained. “That’s a fact.” The words resonate with a common narrative in hip-hop: the struggle for recognition and respect before fame, and how early dismissals can linger long after an artist blows up. East has become an actor and recording artist since he arrived in the mid-2010s. East called out the producer by name. “Your name Skitzo, right? I know who you are,” he said, making it clear he remembered the past. Dave East Reminds Producer Of Past Charges While Refusing To Work With His Artist For Free He recounted a specific incident from his early career: “When I asked you for a beat that time… Nahhhhh,” East said, shaking his head. The gesture reinforced that he hadn’t forgotten being turned down when he was grinding and unknown. The producer continues to speak his peace about the past. Even in refusal, East kept it measured. “I don’t want to do nothing,” he said, then softened the moment with a gesture of respect: “But, it’s love, when I see you, it’s love. I’m good.” It’s a subtle reminder that boundaries can coexist with civility, and that respect is earned and remembered. The clip has struck a chord because it reflects an unspoken code in the culture. Connections and favors in hip-hop don’t flow retroactively—how you treat people before they blow matters. East’s response wasn’t revenge. It was consistency, a statement that he remembers the past and honors it on his terms. In the modern rap landscape, where clout and visibility often shift power dynamics, Dave East’s clip is a blueprint. Success doesn’t erase history—it amplifies it. And in his world, respect is currency.

Celina Powell appears to have had enough with rappers after sharing a post on January 6 with a blunt message on Instagram Story after going viral with rapper Offset. Directed at rappers, Powell’s post read, “I will NEVER fck with a rapper again in life !!!!!” Celina Powell says she will never mess with a rapper again pic.twitter.com/456yJY72Iu — SAY CHEESE! (@SaycheeseDGTL) January 5, 2026 The declaration followed renewed online chatter sparked by a short video clip Powell shared showing herself in bed with Offset. While she stopped short of confirming a sex tape, the framing suggested intimacy and immediately reignited public scrutiny around her long-discussed ties to hip-hop stars. The post landed as Powell once again found herself at the center of rap-adjacent controversy. Over the years, the content creator has built a polarizing reputation through viral moments tied to high-profile artists. She has previously claimed or been rumored to have sexual relationships with rappers including Snoop Dogg, Trey Songz, and 6ix9ine. Those claims, disputed by some and amplified by others, have often driven Powell’s visibility while inviting harsh judgment online. Celina Powell Issues A Blunt Message That She’s Done Messing With Rappers After Offset Her caption reads as more than a passing comment. The wording and emphasis suggest a breaking point. For Powell, public attention has frequently come with accusations of clout chasing and narratives that frame her relevance through proximity to famous men. Declaring an end to sexual relationships with rappers signals an attempt to redraw boundaries and redirect how she is perceived. Still, the timing matters. Powell’s statement arrived hours after the Offset clip spread across social platforms, dominating discussion about her work. The emotional punctuation and forceful tone imply frustration with how quickly her identity becomes reduced to rumor and speculation. Within hip-hop culture, women linked to sexual narratives often shoulder the backlash, while male artists remain insulated from lasting damage. Powell’s message appears to confront that imbalance head-on. At the same time, Powell is fluent in the language of virality. Making a firm declaration immediately after sharing provocative content sustains attention and invites debate. Whether the post reflects genuine resolve or calculated spectacle remains open to interpretation. What is clear is that Powell understands how controversy fuels conversation. In framing her decision so publicly, Powell positions herself as someone attempting to reclaim agency over her image. Yet the contradiction remains. Her platform thrives on moments that blur intimacy with performance. The caption underscores the tension between control and exposure that defines her digital presence. Powell’s statement does not close the door on controversy. Instead, it marks another chapter in an ongoing negotiation between visibility, power, and self-definition in hip-hop’s online orbit.

A civil lawsuit filed in New York state court accuses Grammy-winning gospel singer and pastor Donnie McClurkin of sexually abusing a former congregant over nearly a decade, allegations McClurkin has forcefully denied through counsel. The complaint, filed Friday by plaintiff Giuseppe Corletto, alleges McClurkin engaged in repeated acts of sexual assault and rape between 2007 and 2015. Corletto names McClurkin as the sole defendant and seeks unspecified monetary damages for alleged physical, emotional, and psychological harm. According to the filing, Corletto met McClurkin in 2003 after joining Perfecting Faith Church in Long Island, New York, when he was 21 years old. Corletto says he sought spiritual guidance while struggling with his sexuality. The lawsuit notes McClurkin had previously written publicly about being “delivered from homosexuality,” which Corletto claims positioned the pastor as a trusted authority figure. The complaint alleges McClurkin provided prayer and mentorship framed around sexual “deliverance,” then later hired Corletto as a personal assistant. That role allegedly required extensive travel, during which the misconduct is said to have occurred. Donnie McClurkin Faces Sexual Abuse Lawsuit The lawsuit claims the first assault took place in 2007 at a hotel in California, where Corletto alleges McClurkin forced him into oral and anal sex. Additional assaults allegedly followed over the next several years during trips to New Jersey, Manhattan, Long Island, Florida, Boston, and Niagara Falls. Corletto alleges he attempted to sever ties multiple times. However, the complaint claims McClurkin discouraged him by asserting that Corletto’s spiritual purpose and healing depended on their continued relationship. Corletto ultimately left his employment in 2008 but remained within overlapping professional and religious circles, according to the filing. The lawsuit also includes an image of a 2013 email purportedly sent by McClurkin. In the message, the sender appears to acknowledge inappropriate sexual behavior and expresses remorse. The email has not been independently authenticated. McClurkin’s attorney, Greg Lisi, rejected the allegations in a statement, calling them “categorically false” and inconsistent with the facts. Lisi said McClurkin “did not engage in sexual abuse, assault, or coercion” and argued that some allegations reference conduct from decades ago. The complaint alleges Corletto suffered lasting emotional distress, physical pain, loss of enjoyment of life, and other damages. McClurkin has not personally commented on the lawsuit. The case remains pending.