Derrick Parker, the former NYPD detective known as the “Hip-Hop Cop,” died July 24 at 65, his family said. Parker’s brother, Ralph, told Fox News Digital that the longtime detective died unexpectedly at a Nassau County hospital. He did not disclose a cause of death. A funeral is scheduled Thursday at J. Foster Phillips Funeral Home in Jamaica, Queens. Parker gained prominence during hip-hop’s explosive growth in New York during the 1990s. He headed the NYPD’s rap intelligence unit, where he monitored artists, entourages and potential conflicts. His approach emphasized prevention and intelligence gathering. Parker worked with nightclub operators and law enforcement agencies to track artists and groups entering New York. “You have to watch and see who’s coming to your city,” Parker told Fox News Digital in 2024. “Who’s there and who’s what.” “We can’t track everybody,” he added. “But when certain people come to the city, you should know who.” Parker spent more than two decades with the NYPD. His assignments included homicide and cold-case investigations. He also worked alongside the U.S. Marshals Service, ATF, DEA and FBI. NYPD’s Derrick Parker, Legendary Hip-Hop Cop, Dead At 65 His career intersected with several pivotal moments in hip-hop history. Parker participated in the 1999 investigation into the Club New York shooting. Sean “Diddy” Combs faced charges stemming from that incident before his acquittal. Jennifer Lopez was also briefly detained and released. Parker later described his relationship with Combs as professional. “I was the law, so he was always friendly,” he said. “I’m never hard on these guys.” His investigative career became the subject of his book, “Notorious C.O.P.” The memoir detailed investigations involving Tupac Shakur, The Notorious B.I.G. and Jam Master Jay. Parker retired from the NYPD in 2002. He later worked in executive protection and event security. He remained active as a commentator on major criminal cases. Days before his death, Parker followed the Las Vegas prosecution of Duane “Keffe D” Davis. Parker also hoped to publish another book. “I want to really tell a big, big story about a lot of stuff,” he said. His death came before a planned birthday dinner with Ralph. “We were supposed to go out to dinner for my birthday,” Ralph said. “Well, I won’t be able to go eat with him.”

Music legend Lionel Richie took a shot at R&B superstars Usher and Chris Brown during a performance in Arizona this week, contrasting his generation’s behavior with the legal and social media troubles of modern artists. Speaking to a crowd at the Mortgage Matchup Center on Tuesday night, the 77-year-old singer suggested that the younger generation’s attempts at innovation are actually echoes of the past, albeit with more controversy. Richie, who is currently navigating his own headlining arena tour, referenced the “R&B Tour,” a massive joint stadium venture between Usher and Brown. The “All Night Long” singer told the audience that while the pair are attempting to “do something new,” his former bands already set the blueprint decades ago. He noted that the primary difference between his era and the present day was a lack of criminal records and the absence of constant digital scrutiny. “Commodores and Earth, Wind & Fire, we were doing that back 40 years ago,” Richie said in fan-recorded footage shared on social media. “Only difference is, between then and now, we didn’t go to jail! We’re fine Christian men.” Richie’s comments appeared to target the long history of legal issues surrounding Brown, 37, as well as recent viral mishaps involving Usher, 47. The “R&B Tour” has been plagued by a string of unusual headlines, primarily centered on Usher. The singer recently faced backlash in Nashville for an awkward onstage interaction with a fan and sparked rumors in New Jersey that he had utilized a body double for portions of his set. Richie suggested that the immediate nature of platforms like TikTok and Instagram has amplified modern celebrities’ ability to spread misinformation or have their mistakes broadcast globally. “See, we didn’t have that Instagram and that TikTok and that go out and tell a lie and they go and post it,” Richie said during his Phoenix set.

Diddy Combs has been released from solitary confinement at a federal correctional facility in New Jersey following an alleged physical altercation with another inmate last month. Combs, who is currently serving a federal sentence at FCI Fort Dix, was reportedly returned to the general population after spending several weeks in disciplinary segregation. The move to “the hole,” as the unit is commonly known, followed a July incident where Combs allegedly traded blows with another prisoner. According to TMZ, the conflict began when another inmate directed insults at the 56-year-old producer. The verbal exchange quickly turned physical, involving pushing and punches before correctional officers intervened to break up the fight. While Combs is no longer in isolation, it remains unclear if the Federal Bureau of Prisons will impose further administrative sanctions. The Federal Bureau of Prisons has maintained its standard policy regarding the matter. “The bureau does not comment on the specific disciplinary status or internal movements of individual inmates for safety and security reasons,” a spokesperson said in response to inquiries regarding the incident. Combs has been held at the low-security Fort Dix facility since October 2025. He requested a transfer to the New Jersey site from the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn shortly after his sentencing. Recent footage prior to the fight showed Combs participating in routine outdoor activities on the prison grounds. The Bad Boy Records founder is currently serving a 50-month sentence. In 2025, a jury found him guilty on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution. However, he was acquitted of more severe charges, including racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking, which could have resulted in a much longer term. U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian handed down the sentence in October 2025, granting Combs credit for the time he had already spent in custody following his initial arrest in September 2024. Despite the recent disciplinary issues, his projected release date has fluctuated slightly in federal records, with the most recent estimates placing his exit in late February 2028. For now, Combs remains under the supervision of federal authorities as he completes the remainder of his term.

Kim Kardashian and Kris Jenner’s defamation case against Ray J will continue after a Los Angeles County Superior Court judge rejected the singer’s bid to dismiss the lawsuit. The ruling allows Kardashian and Jenner’s claims to proceed toward a scheduled May 2028 trial. Ray J, whose legal name is William Ray Norwood Jr., has vowed to appeal. COURT UPDATE A Los Angeles judge has DENIED Ray J’s Anti-SLAPP motion seeking to strike Kim Kardashian and Kris Jenner’s defamation and false light lawsuit, finding they presented enough evidence for their claims to continue. On August 11, 2026, Los Angeles County Superior… pic.twitter.com/40ToQpLLgB — Document Tingz (@DocumentTingz) August 12, 2026 Kardashian and Jenner sued the entertainer over statements they say falsely connected them to a federal racketeering investigation. Ray J also allegedly suggested their conduct could be worse than that attributed to Sean “Diddy” Combs. Ray J sought dismissal, arguing his statements constituted protected opinions under the First Amendment. He also contended that some remarks occurred after he mistakenly believed a livestream had ended. The judge declined to end the case at this stage. The court found that a reasonable person could understand some of Ray J’s statements as factual assertions. That distinction is central to the litigation. Opinions generally receive constitutional protection, while provably false factual statements can support defamation claims. Judge Denies Ray J’s Dismissal Request In Kim Kardashian-Kris Jenner’s Defamation Ray J’s attorney said the defense will challenge the ruling on appeal. “We will promptly appeal the ruling which failed to recognize Ray J’s First Amendment right to publish his opinion about the despicable behavior of Kim Kardashian,” the attorney told TMZ. “The appeal freezes the proceedings,” the attorney added. “It is unlikely there will be a trial in 2028 or ever.” The dispute stems from Ray J’s public comments about Kardashian and Jenner. The allegations have placed renewed attention on his history with Kardashian and the legal boundaries surrounding celebrity commentary. The latest ruling does not determine whether Ray J defamed Kardashian or Jenner. Instead, it permits their claims to survive the dismissal stage. The appeal could alter the litigation schedule before the case reaches trial. Meanwhile, Kardashian and Jenner will continue pursuing their claims while Ray J challenges the ruling. The case now moves into its next phase with the First Amendment dispute remaining at its center.

Travis Barker’s daughter, Alabama Barker, shuts down STD rumors after a livestream and an alleged search-history screenshot sparked online speculation about whether she has herpes. The entertainer and daughter of Travis Barker addressed the rumors Monday, Aug. 10, after followers circulated a screenshot that appeared to show a search for “Genital Herpes Medication – Roman Herpes Treatments Online.” During the livestream, Barker confronted a follower who repeatedly mentioned sexually transmitted diseases. “Bitch, stop commenting STD, bitch,” she said. “Hey bitch, I am clean.” Barker also claimed she had shared her blood work and insisted, “I’ve actually never had an STD in my life — respectfully.” View this post on Instagram She later addressed the speculation on Instagram, saying she wanted to “address this once and dead the subject.” “I do not have any STDs, and the false information being spread about my health needs to stop,” Barker wrote. She also explained the circumstances surrounding the search-history screenshot. Barker said she had typed “Roblox” into the search bar, which prompted something from Ro.co to appear. She said she had previously looked into herpes information because people were claiming her friend Nadia had the condition. Travis Barker’s Daughter Alabama Barker Addresses Herpes Rumors By Posting Clean STD Test Results On Livestream “I wanted to inform myself on what they were talking about !! not because I have anything,” she wrote. Barker added that she does not regularly use the computer and initially thought the circulating screenshot was fake. In another Instagram comment, she wrote, “You guys, this iMac has no search history. I have no idea what Roman herpes is.” She said she purchased the computer two weeks ago and had not used it until the day before. Several commenters defended Barker’s decision to research sexual health. “She is young and there is absolutely nothing wrong with educating yourself,” one user wrote. Another added, “It’s wonderful that she gets tested!” A third joked, “So now because I’m googling herpes and how the test work because of Bam, yall gon think I have it too? ” Barker has continued to deny the herpes allegations, urging followers to stop spreading what she described as false information about her health.

Rapper Rod Wave is drawing renewed attention after body-camera footage captured an April 2025 traffic stop involving the Florida artist. The 62-second video surfaced on X and has surpassed 1.5 million views. The footage shows an officer recognizing Wave during the roadside encounter. The body-camera timestamp places the stop at 1:09 a.m. April 3, 2025. The officer initially approached Wave in a casual tone. “Bro, you got your license on you, bro?” the officer asked. “Hell no,” Wave replied. Cop was super excited when he pulled over Rod Wave and immediately called the station to let them know pic.twitter.com/VyiS0IEaaK — My Mixtapez (@mymixtapez) August 10, 2026 The officer then appeared to recognize the rapper. “You know who you are? I just seen you coming,” he said. The officer instructed Wave to secure his seatbelt before returning to his patrol vehicle. He then radioed another officer identified as Brown. “Brown, I got Rod Wave pulled over, bro,” the officer said. A colleague appeared to ask whether Wave was live. The exchange reflected the officer’s apparent excitement after recognizing the rapper. The officer also discussed Wave’s driving. He said Wave “swear he tried to take off on me a little bit” and claimed he had to catch him. Despite reporting a speed of 83 mph, the officer declined to cite Wave for speeding. Instead, he issued a seatbelt citation. Rapper Rod Wave Gets Seat Belt Ticket After Going 83MPH In Bodycam Footage From April 2025 Traffic Stop “I ain’t going to give it to you for the speed we was going,” the officer said. “It was only 83, it’s not a super speed.” The officer explained the citation process and asked Wave to sign it. He also clarified that the signature was not an admission of guilt. Wave remained composed during the encounter. Near the end, he appeared relieved by the outcome. “I appreciate you stopping,” Wave said. “But … thought we was going to get into it.” “Come on, shawty. Have a good one,” the officer replied. The encounter ended without an arrest or additional charges. The footage has prompted discussion about officer discretion and celebrity recognition during traffic stops. The officer’s demeanor appeared to change after identifying Wave. The video does not establish new criminal conduct. Instead, it documents a traffic stop resolved with a seatbelt citation. Wave, whose legal name is Rodarius Marcell Green, has faced other encounters with law enforcement. His legal matters include proceedings in Georgia stemming from separate incidents. The footage offers a glimpse into an otherwise routine encounter involving a high-profile recording artist.

Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors are currently working on an extension ahead of next season. The Athletic reports that Mike Dunleavy Jr., Warriors general manager, told reporters that the two sides are negotiating. “I think there are two things I’m confident about with Steph,” Dunleavy said. “He really, really wants to win. And he wants to finish his career as a Warrior. And I don’t think that changes tomorrow, Aug. 29, the start of the season, the middle of the season, the end of next season. I think those things are gonna be consistent.” “That’s always been the message,” Dunleavy continued. “And that’s always been sort of what we’ve discussed. I think that’s tracking quite well. Obviously, he’s eligible for an extension coming up at the end of this month, and we’ll talk through all that stuff and can’t speak on it much right now, but I’m pretty confident Steph will finish his career here.” According to Dunleavy, the ball is Curry’s court. “But ultimately, it’s his call, his decision. Whether that’s allowing his contract to run out and move on… Tf he comes to me and wants to be moved, (Warriors owner) Joe (Lacob) and I will talk it through,” he said. “We wouldn’t love it, but he’s earned the right to (go) where he wants and do those things. But as far as the messaging or any idea that he would be anywhere else. That’s not a thing we’re looking at or he’s looking at.”  Last season, Curry battled health issues that limited him to just 43 regular-season games.  Despite a lingering knee injury, Curry remained elite when on the floor. He earned his  12th career All-Star selection. He also averaged 26.6 points, 4.7 assists, and 3.6 rebounds per game while firing near 40% from three-point range.

Russell Westbrook has announced his retirement from the NBA after 18 seasons in the league. Westbrook confirmed his retirement on social media on Wednesday. “Sometimes you don’t even know when you’ve already watched the end,” Westbrook’s captions read. “You had to be there. And now it’s over.  Sometimes you don’t even know when you’ve already watched the end. You had to be there. And now it’s over. pic.twitter.com/6YoOW8WyIV — Russell Westbrook (@russwest44) August 12, 2026 According to ESPN, Westbrook “had offers this offseason with the Sacramento Kings and Washington Wizards.” Instead, he leaves the game on his own terms. WESTBROOK’S HALL OF FAME CAREER Defined by his hyper-athleticism and competitive fire, Westbrook built a historic NBA legacy as one of the most explosive point guards to ever play the game. Westbrook’s 11-season run with the Oklahoma City Thunder (2008–2019) remains one of the most explosive, relentless, and transformative eras for a player and a franchise in modern NBA history.  Drafted fourth overall as the franchise transitioned to Oklahoma City, Westbrook quickly formed a dynamic duo alongside Kevin Durant, leading the Thunder to four Western Conference Finals appearances and a trip to the 2012 NBA Finals. However, his legacy in OKC reached iconic status after Durant’s 2016 departure, when Westbrook embraced sole leadership of the franchise with unmatched ferocity.   In the  2016–17 season, he won the League MVP and became the first player since Oscar Robertson to average a triple-double across an entire season. He would repeat the feat he went on to repeat three more times. Eventually, he surpassed Robertson as the NBA’s all-time leader in career triple-doubles.  Selected as a member of the NBA’s 75th Anniversary Team, Westbrook’s resume features nine All-Star selections, nine All-NBA Team honors, two All-Star Game MVPs, two scoring titles, and three assist titles, solidifying his spot among the league’s all-time premier playmakers.  Westbrook also played for the Houston Rockets, Washington Wizards, Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers, Denver Nuggets, and Sacramento Kings. 

Comedian and actress Tiffany Haddish pleaded guilty Tuesday to a driving under the influence charge in a Georgia court, concluding a legal saga that began with her arrest more than four years ago. The negotiated plea deal allows the “Girls Trip” star to avoid additional jail time in connection with the January 2022 incident. Haddish, 46, entered her plea via video conference, admitting to one count of DUI driving less safe. In exchange for the plea, prosecutors dropped all other pending charges against her. The court sentenced the comedian to 12 months of probation and a 24-hour jail term. Because Haddish had already spent a day in custody following her initial arrest, the judge credited her for time served. The case originated in Fayetteville, located south of Atlanta, when officers responded to reports of a driver asleep behind the wheel. The resolution of this Georgia case follows a similar legal incident in California. In early 2024, Haddish reached a separate plea agreement regarding a November 2023 arrest in Beverly Hills, where she was also found asleep in a vehicle. During the Tuesday proceedings, the court finalized the terms that will keep the actress under supervision for the next year. Haddish has been open in the past about her personal growth and her commitment to sobriety following her high-profile legal challenges. By pleading to the lesser “less safe” charge, Haddish avoids the more severe penalties associated with a standard DUI conviction while still being held accountable under the state’s traffic laws. The Emmy and Grammy-winning entertainer has remained active in her career despite the ongoing litigation. With the Georgia case now closed, Haddish is expected to continue her upcoming projects without the looming threat of a criminal trial.

A 27-year-old man was taken into custody over the weekend after allegedly breaking into the multi-million dollar estate of reality television star Kim Kardashian and stealing a vehicle from the premises. Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department deputies responded to the $60 million Hidden Hills property around 3:45 p.m. Sunday. Authorities said the suspect gained entry to the home, removed several items and then took a Lexus belonging to one of Kardashian’s employees for a joyride through the exclusive gated community. The SKIMS mogul and her four children were not present during the intrusion. According to local reports, the family has been staying at a nearby rental property while the 15,667-square-foot mansion undergoes extensive renovations. Deputies arrested the male suspect on suspicion of burglary and grand theft auto. Law enforcement officials confirmed the individual was apprehended without incident and was booked into the Los Angeles County Jail, where he was being held without bail as of Monday afternoon. “The incident is in the preliminary stage of investigation,” LASD Sgt. Chris Soderlund said. While the suspect’s identity has not been publicly released, officials are working to determine how he bypassed the security measures of the high-profile neighborhood located in the Santa Monica Mountains. Kardashian originally purchased the estate for $20 million in 2014 along with her former husband, Kanye West. The property features eight bedrooms, 10 bathrooms, a private home theater and a professional-grade gym. The home has become a centerpiece of Kardashian’s real estate portfolio, which also includes properties in Idaho and other parts of Southern California. This latest security breach highlights ongoing concerns regarding the safety of high-profile celebrities in the Calabasas and Hidden Hills areas. The investigation remains active as authorities review surveillance footage from the estate and the surrounding gated community to finalize formal charges.