A proposed exhibition between Mike Tyson and Floyd Mayweather Jr. is targeting April 25 in the Congo, according to a report by Mike Coppinger. While the bout would not impact either fighter’s professional record, the potential matchup has stirred immediate debate across boxing. View this post on Instagram Tyson, 59, and Mayweather, 48, built Hall of Fame résumés in different eras and weight classes. Tyson became the youngest heavyweight champion in history, overwhelming opponents with speed and knockout power. Mayweather retired undefeated at 50-0, relying on defensive precision and tactical control to dominate multiple divisions. In their primes, the stylistic contrast would have created a blockbuster event. Mike Tyson V. Floyd Mayweather Jr. Coming April 25 Tyson’s aggression defined late-1980s heavyweight boxing. Mayweather’s shoulder roll and counterpunching mastery reshaped modern defense. Now, decades removed from their peaks, the intrigue centers on legacy and spectacle rather than titles. Tyson last fought professionally in 2005. He returned to the ring in November 2024 for a high-profile exhibition streamed on Netflix. He lost by unanimous decision to Jake Paul in that bout. Despite the setback, Tyson has remained open to additional exhibitions. Mayweather has not fought professionally since defeating Conor McGregor in 2017. He continues to headline exhibition events worldwide, most recently facing John Gotti III in August 2024. His exhibitions emphasize entertainment and global reach over rankings. Tyson sounded confident when discussing the possibility of facing Mayweather. “I still can’t believe Floyd wants to really do this,” he told TMZ Sports in September. “It’s going to be detrimental to his health, but he wants to do it, so it’s signed and it’s happening!” Whether the April date materializes remains uncertain. What is clear is that Tyson and Mayweather still command attention. Even in retirement, their names alone drive conversation across the sport.

The world grieves the loss of Civil Rights icon Rev Jesse Jackson, who passed away surrounded by family at home in Chicago, Illinois, on Tuesday morning (February 17). The cause of death has not been given at this time. He was 84. Jackson’s family confirmed the icon’s passing and also shared that he died peacefully. The Jackson family issued a public statement on Tuesday with the confirmation. It reads: “Our father was a servant leader — not only to our family, but to the oppressed, the voiceless, and the overlooked around the world. We shared him with the world, and in return, the world became part of our extended family.” RIP Rev Jesse Jackson Jackson emerged as a national leader in the turbulent days following King’s assassination in 1968. He had met King at the Lorraine Motel shortly before the shooting in Memphis. In the years that followed, he positioned himself as a standard-bearer for the unfinished work of the civil rights movement. The Rev. Al Sharpton said Jackson “was not simply a civil rights leader; he was a movement unto himself,” adding that he taught that “faith must have feet” and that justice demands daily effort. For decades, Jackson pressed for voting rights, economic justice, education access and health equity. Through the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition, he challenged corporate America to hire more inclusively and invest in marginalized communities. His activism fused moral language with political strategy. His most enduring refrain, “I Am Somebody,” became a declaration of dignity for people across race and class. “I may be poor, but I am Somebody,” Jackson often proclaimed, transforming verse into a call for collective self-worth. Even as Parkinson’s disease and progressive supranuclear palsy limited his mobility, Jackson continued public appearances during the Black Lives Matter era. Addressing demonstrators in Minneapolis before Derek Chauvin’s conviction, he cautioned, “It’s relief, not victory. Stop the violence. Keep hope alive.” In 2000, President Bill Clinton awarded Jackson the Presidential Medal of Freedom, recognizing a lifetime spent pressing America toward its democratic promise. Jackson is survived by his wife and family.

Kanye West’s recent touring plans suggest a renewed effort to reestablish his global stage presence. After facing international booking challenges in recent years tied to past antisemitic remarks, the artist has returned to live performances abroad. He opened 2026 with back-to-back concerts in Mexico City. Now, he is scheduled for a one-night show in India this spring, marking an important step for West. According to an announcement circulated by the NFR Podcast, West will perform on March 29 at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi. The venue can accommodate as many as 60,000 attendees, according to Forbes. Organizers have not yet disclosed ticket sales figures. If recent performances are any indication, the set list is expected to draw from his two-decade catalog—highlighting West’s longstanding influence. Speculation about guest appearances has accompanied many of West’s recent shows. During his Mexico dates, fans anticipated appearances by Travis Scott and Peso Pluma, though neither joined him onstage. Instead, his daughter North West appeared on opening night to perform her single, “PIERCING ON MY HAND.” The moment underscored West’s blending of family and performance in his current touring era. Notably, both North and Kanye West shared the stage together, captivating the audience. View this post on Instagram March Could Be Make-or-Break for BULLY Attention has also shifted to the status of his forthcoming album, BULLY, which has faced multiple delays. Spotify currently lists a March 20 release date. Charlamagne Tha God referenced the timeline during a segment on The Breakfast Club, saying, “I heard it’s coming out in March.” Whether the album arrives as scheduled remains uncertain for West fans. The India performance is part of a broader international calendar. West is set to appear on June 6 at the GelreDome stadium in Arnhem, Netherlands. Plans for an additional show in Italy have also been mentioned, though details have not been finalized. For now, March stands as a potentially significant month in what appears to be a renewed global push for West.

There was a time when a Rick Ross setlist reliably included Drake without raising eyebrows. Before their highly publicized split in 2024, the two artists collaborated frequently, shaping some of the early 2010s’ most recognizable rap records. Now, even playing one of those songs can feel loaded. That undercurrent surfaced again during a recent club appearance by Ross. While performing “Aston Martin Music,” Ross was joined unexpectedly by French Montana, according to footage shared by 2Cool2Blog on Instagram. The 2010 track, released on Teflon Don, originally featured Drake and Chrisette Michele. Onstage, Ross and French greeted one another as the song played, a routine moment on its face. In the current context, however, it carried added resonance and further connected Ross to the history of the track. Drake’s imprint on the song runs deeper than a single verse. His reimagined take, “Paris Morton Music,” later evolved into an expanded version on Nothing Was The Same and was eventually included on Care Package. His original verse remains embedded in the song’s identity, both in the single and its video. Hearing it now inevitably recalls a partnership that once seemed seamless, frequently featuring Ross in the mix. French Montana shrugs off the Drake–Ross rift French Montana, who has maintained relationships with both artists, recently addressed the divide. Speaking with Bootleg Kev, he expressed confidence that time could ease tensions. “It’ll happen,” he said. “Brothers always fight and make up, man. It’ll happen. Nobody got shot, nobody died, you know?” His tone suggested familiarity rather than alarm, especially when mentioning Ross. Montana’s name has surfaced in discussions about how the rift began. Reports have pointed to a cease-and-desist issued by Drake over a verse intended for “Splash Brothers,” which was ultimately released without him but included Ross and Lil Wayne. The episode appeared to strain alliances. Since then, Ross has signaled some openness to reconciliation, while Drake has remained more reserved publicly.

NLE Choppa, who has recently begun calling himself NLE The Great, revived his long-running tension with Blueface over the weekend. What had seemed like a cooling-off period between the two rappers shifted back into public view when Choppa posted a challenge on X on Sunday, February 15. In the message, he urged Blueface to “get in the octagon.” The comment reignited speculation about whether their dispute might one day move beyond social media. Furthermore, fans are curious about Choppa’s next move following his challenge. The idea of a one-on-one fight is not new for the pair. In previous exchanges, both had entertained the possibility of settling matters in a controlled setting. At one point, however, the conversation became more controversial when Blueface suggested their children should compete instead—a remark that prompted criticism and ultimately apologies. Since then, both artists have indicated that any physical contest would remain strictly between them. On that note, it is clear Choppa remains central to these discussions. Let’s get in the octagon @bluefacebleedem — NLE THE GREAT (@nlethegreat1) February 15, 2026 From Personal Rift to Public Rivalry—and a Possible Fight Ahead The friction between the two dates back to late 2023, when personal tensions spilled into the public sphere. Reports at the time suggested the disagreement escalated after one of Choppa’s children’s mothers declined Blueface’s advances. The matter lingered online through pointed posts and lyrical references, including what many listeners interpreted as a slight in “Shotta Flow 8.” As often happens in rap, competition and personal grievance became intertwined, especially where Choppa is concerned. Although the feud cooled after family members were drawn into the exchange, neither rapper has entirely dismissed the idea of a sanctioned bout. Blueface, however, has a separate commitment approaching: a scheduled boxing match in May against former NBA player Nick “Swaggy P” Young. That event may influence whether he responds to the latest challenge from Choppa in the near term.

Over the weekend, Brandy performed at the 2026 NBA All-Star Game. While many of her fans praised her soulful rendition of the U.S. National Anthem, others weren’t so pleased. On Sunday (Feb. 15), at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, CA, the 47-year-old led an a cappella performance of “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Joined by June’s Diary—the all-girl group formed by Kelly Rowland—the R&B legend put a new spin on the classic song with her iconic vocal harmonies. However, as more clips of the performance have started to surface, some fans seem to think the singer was a bit overzealous with her performance. “It’s not that Brandy’s rendition was bad vocally or sonically. Just the National Anthem ain’t the time for all that (to me). If she was gonna stack vocals like that, it should’ve been some music to accompany,” one person wrote on X. “Maybe I’m old-fashioned, or this is a boomer take, but I really don’t like this rendition. It’s the national anthem, not a remix. I get artists wanting to leave a mark and innovate, I just don’t think this is the song/occasion to do so with.No hate to Brandy, but this ain’t it,” says another fan. Similarly, another person noted that while the singer is an “undeniable talent,” there is a “time and place” for everything. Implying that Brandy should’ve gone with a more subtle performance. “An artist is supposed to evolve and know how to set a tone for a particular audience. Stacked backing vocals is never needed for the National Anthem,” they wrote. That said, there were also a huge number of supporters of the performance. “BLACK people are mad at Brandy for being creative and diverting from the traditional way the national anthem is sung this ONE TIME during BLACK HISTORY MONTH. Y’all are embarrassing…not Brandy. Be different! Embrace uniqueness. Stfu and do something yourself, instead of hating,” one fan commented.

Kevin Durant’s appearance at the NBA All-Star Game on Sunday, February 15, was meant to be a celebration of the season’s best players. Instead, much of the attention afterward shifted online. Social media users began circulating screenshots that allegedly show Durant messaging a fan. The posts revived long-standing speculation about the use of so-called burner accounts. Durant has not publicly responded to the claims. The screenshots were shared by the account @MrBusby4o8 on X and later amplified by Kurrco on Instagram. In a caption attached to the images, the user wrote, “Look, I got my past transgressions that I’ve been put on the summer jam screen for past st I’ve said. So in a way I KINDA empathize with @KDTrey5. But this n*a BEEN a whole a** weirdo that be talking to himself in my DM’s..” The images have not been independently verified. Furthermore, it remains unclear whether the messages are authentic, although many users continue to discuss Durant as the subject of the alleged DMs. Alleged DMs add fuel to an already viral controversy In the alleged exchange, the sender appears to write: “Buzz u talked to Kendrick today?,” “Aye fats. Why do u want Drake dead?,” “Stop ignoring me bro,” and “Who cares about a chain when u got billion. I’m wondering if your daddy Kendrick knows u exist.” The messages reportedly followed the fan’s public support of Kendrick Lamar in an ongoing cultural rivalry involving Drake. Drake has maintained a close friendship with Durant, who has often found himself at the intersection of sports and music. Sports and music fandom often overlap online, and the boundaries between them can blur quickly. The renewed scrutiny comes amid other unverified claims circulating over the weekend, including allegations that Durant used anonymous accounts to criticize teammates and former colleagues. Those claims, like the direct message screenshots, remain unconfirmed. Online speculation, however, has a way of gathering momentum regardless of verification, especially when Durant is involved.

Haus of Creators Foundation officially unveiled its Haus of Creators AI Labs Pre-Incubator Venture Studio with an exclusive kickoff event at Coexist Gaming during New York Fashion Week. HOT 97 got the chance to attend the event that brought together top creatives, AI fashion innovators, investors, founders, influencers, and media voices all focused on where culture and technology are headed next. The evening featured an intimate panel conversation with creators Venus Rose, T. Dionne, and Musa which was moderated by Kimberly Morgan. The panelist are actively integrating artificial intelligence into design, production, and brand strategy. Attendees also got a live demo from Raspberry AI, highlighting how AI-powered fashion tools are already being applied in real-world workflows. The room was filled with notable players across industries, including executives from investment banks, AI companies, global fashion, beauty and retail brands, educational institutions, law firms, and leaders spanning AI, fashion, and venture capital. “Our goal is to build the new infrastructure of the Creator Economy with AI as both a tool and a partner — empowering creatives to not just use technology, but to shape and own the companies defining the future,” said Venus Rose, Founder & CEO of Haus of Creators. Photo via: @VenusRose The kickoff officially launches a six-month, in-person workshop series aimed at equipping creatives with AI literacy, applied tools, ethical frameworks, and venture readiness. Select participants will advance into the Haus of Creators AI Labs Venture Studio. View this post on Instagram

Ray J sparked major concern from fans after being spotted with blood dripping from his eye during a recent performance. Over the weekend, the singer held a special Valentine’s Day show in Shreveport, LA. Clips of the performance have begun circulating online. In one clip, in particular, the singer is seen with bloody tears streaming down his face as he hands roses to his fans. Ray J also seemingly appeared to be wearing a heart monitor patch. The singer has yet to reveal what caused the bloody tears or why he was, in fact, wearing the patch. A few weeks back, Ray J landed in the hospital after experiencing severe pneumonia and heart pain. 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 a Janurary Instagram post. Ray J performed last night with his heart monitor, and fans assumed real blood was coming out of his eyes and chest. pic.twitter.com/Mi8L6xpf5F — livebitez (@livebitez) February 15, 2026 Ray J Gives Shocking Health Update Not long ago, TMZ reported that, 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. In Ray’s opinion, his drug and alcohol usage greatly contributed to the situation he is in now. “I fcked up,” he continued.” You know why? Becuase I think I thought that I was a bigger ngga…[So] I could handle all the alcohol, I could handle all the adderall, all the drugs, I could handle everything, but I couldn’t.” This isn’t the first time Ray J battled a major health issue. In 2021, he publicly disclosed that a previous battle with pneumonia “nearly cost him his life. According to MayoClinic, Pneumonia is “an infection that inflames the air sacs in one or both lungs. The air sacs may fill with fluid or pus (purulent material), causing cough with phlegm or pus, fever, chills, and difficulty breathing. A variety of organisms, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi, can cause pneumonia.”

Cardi B wasn’t here for BIA’s comments about her ex-boyfriend and baby daddy, New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs. On Sunday (Feb.15), during her tour stop at the Kia Forum in Inglewood, CA, right before Cardi was set to perform, “Pretty & Petty,” a diss track dedicated to BIA, she decided to clap back at the “WHOLE LOTTA MONEY” rapper for shading Diggs. While Cardi admitted that she and Diggs weren’t on the best of terms, she made it clear that she won’t stand for others talking down on her former partner. “Let me tell you sumthin’, just cause I ain’t f*cking with my baby daddy, doesn’t mean you get to talk about my baby daddy b*tch.” Fans Say Cardi B Admits She’s Taking a Break From Stefon Diggs and Responds to Bia Shading Him During Her Concert pic.twitter.com/l15JXBNqZs — livebitez (@livebitez) February 16, 2026 BIA Reignites Beef With Cardi B Earlier this week, Cardi B kicked off her Little Ms. Drama Tour. Clips of the performances have begun to circulate online. One in particular, where Cardi performs “Pretty & Petty,” was shared by a fan page on X, which caught the attention of BIA. In response, BIA hopped into the comment section of the post, taking shots at Diggs. “Can u name someone with more bms than receiving yards? I can! and I know that… ykwnvm ,” she wrote. Diggs has faced several paternity lawsuits in the past and recently took a major loss at Super Bowl LIX. Cardi B and BIA’s beef stems back to early 2024, following the release of the Love & Hip Hop Alum’s “Like What (Freestyle).” BIA claimed that it was a rip-off of her track released a year prior, “I’m That (B*tch).” Both tracks happened to feature a sample from Missy Elliott’s “She’s a B*tch.” Not long after Cardi dropped off her freestyle, speculation arose that Cardi had copied BIA’s sound—a sentiment to which she agreed.