It appears that Joe Budden and Nicki Minaj’s long-time association has come to an end following Minaj’s appearance at the latest Turning Point USA event with Erika Kirk. Budden announced the decision on a recent episode of The Joe Budden Podcast after clips of the event began circulating online. The New Jersey rapper’s co-hosts would agree with the decision. Minaj appeared onstage at the conservative conference alongside Erika Kirk, the wife of the late right-wing activist Charlie Kirk. The appearance quickly drew attention across hip-hop and political spaces, prompting debate about Minaj’s increasingly visible alignment with MAGA-affiliated figures. Budden said he received multiple phone calls alerting him to Minaj’s participation before he watched the footage himself. After seeing the clips, he said his response was final. “I’m out. I’m done. That was it,” Budden said. He described the moment as “the last candle on the cake,” signaling the end of any public support or personal engagement. Joe Budden says he is cutting all ties with Nicki Minaj after she appeared on stage with Charlie Kirk’s wife, Erika Kirk, at Turning Point USA’s AmericaFest pic.twitter.com/lxV8f8zlt7 — FearBuck (@FearedBuck) December 24, 2025 Budden emphasized that his reaction was not impulsive. He said Minaj had time to consider the implications of appearing at the event and how it would be received by her audience. According to Budden, the optics alone made the decision difficult to reconcile. He also criticized Turning Point USA directly, arguing that its political positions conflict with the values historically associated with Minaj’s music and fan base. “I don’t even know how much of this conversation I could have,” Budden said. “They’re so anti-transgender, which is confusing to me because I’ve been to the Nicki concert.” Joe Budden Says He’s Done With Nicki Minaj After Turning Point USA’s AmericaFest With Erika Kirk Budden said the disconnect between Minaj’s past messaging and the event’s ideology felt impossible to ignore. He described his reaction as disappointment rather than surprise. “Sometimes how y’all move out there does affect how I view you,” he said, adding that he would be “a fool” to believe Minaj had not anticipated backlash. He went further, labeling the appearance “anti-Black” and saying it felt chaotic and out of step with hip-hop culture. Budden framed his decision as a matter of principle rather than publicity. The comments come as Minaj faces growing scrutiny for her recent political signaling. She has not publicly responded to Budden’s remarks or addressed the AmericaFest appearance. As debate continues, the episode underscores broader tensions within hip-hop over politics, identity, and public alignment.

Nicki Minaj is confronting a backlash that many fans once thought would never touch her. Over the past week, speculation has circulated through hip-hop circles, nightlife spaces, and social media timelines, focusing on her politics and their implications. For a portion of her longtime audience, the break now feels real. Minaj rose as a rap superstar whose early career resonated strongly with queer listeners. Her music projected rebellion, self-expression, and freedom at a time when hip-hop often resisted those themes. That relationship, once central to her cultural power, now appears under strain. Rumors of a growing disconnect between Minaj and parts of her fan base remain unconfirmed, but the reaction has been loud. The tension escalated as Minaj became more publicly aligned with Donald Trump and right-leaning voices. For some fans, that shift erased any benefit of the doubt. The scrutiny intensified after her recent sit-down with the ex-wife of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, a figure long criticized in hip-hop and progressive spaces. Soon after, online users resurfaced past clips of Kirk disparaging Minaj. The contrast fueled confusion and anger. Many questioned why Minaj would engage with figures who once dismissed her. The optics alone unsettled listeners who believed her values aligned with theirs. Is Nicki Minaj Banned From LGBTQ Clubs After Turning Point USA? Online chatter suggests some DJs have quietly pulled back on spinning her records in clubs. Others argue her recent releases have struggled to cut through culturally. Those critiques now blend with speculation about a broader pivot in her public strategy. Several LGBTQ-owned venues are said to be responding quietly, avoiding public statements while making internal changes. For many fans, the issue runs deeper than playlists. Some describe a sense of betrayal, arguing Minaj once used coded language, imagery, and alliances that suggested solidarity with queer communities. That history makes her current positioning feel sharper by contrast. Critics have also accused Minaj of antagonism toward Black women, immigrants, and queer people. Those claims dominate online discourse. Comparisons have surfaced to artists like Kid Rock, who faced similar accusations of benefiting from hip-hop culture before embracing politics seen as hostile to it. Minaj has not publicly addressed the criticism. Few observers expect an apology tour. Many believe she understands the stakes and is choosing her lane. In hip-hop, loyalty carries weight. When that bond breaks, it is hard to rebuild. Nicki Minaj once stood as a symbol of fearlessness for millions. Now, her legacy faces competing narratives. How she navigates this moment may shape the future of her career.

Eager to retire at 35, Ice Spice has her sights set on making mo’ money, mo’ money, mo’ money in 2026, according to her latest interview. On Bravo’s Watch What Happens Live, host Andy Cohen asked the Bronx rap star to share a New Year’s resolution, and the Bronx rapper offered a blunt response. “Just make more money,” she said. In 2026 Kate Hudson wants to read, and Ice Spice wants to make more money! #WWHL pic.twitter.com/nOSRwqBIu0 — Watch What Happens Live! (@BravoWWHL) December 23, 2025 The remark drew laughter from her fellow guest, actor Kate Hudson, and from Cohen. “That is real,” Cohen replied. Ice Spice did not retreat. “No, I’m deadass,” she said, addressing the seriousness behind the joke. At 25, Ice Spice has already established herself as one of rap’s most visible new figures, with chart success and a sharply defined public persona. Now, she is extending her ambitions beyond music. Acting has become a central focus, marking a deliberate expansion of her creative footprint. Earlier this year, Ice Spice made her film debut in Spike Lee’s Highest 2 Lowest, appearing as Marisol Cepeda. The role introduced her to a wider cinematic audience and placed her within a lineage of artists Lee has used to reflect contemporary culture. The performance suggested a growing ease on screen, even in her first major role. Ice Spice Wants To Make More Money In 2026 That expansion continued through voice acting. Ice Spice voiced a character in The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants, which opened in theaters last week. She also contributed an original song, “Big Guy,” to the film’s soundtrack. At the premiere, she arrived in a sheer white lace dress and a bright pink wig, an ensemble that matched both the franchise’s whimsy and her own visual brand. Speaking later on The Kelly Clarkson Show, Ice Spice described the lengthy process behind the song. “This was probably the hundredth draft,” she said. She explained that the film’s narrative required discipline. “The whole premise of the film is about SpongeBob becoming a ‘big guy,’” she said. The revisions, she said, were worth the effort. The final version became her favorite, shaped by repetition and restraint. Together, Ice Spice’s remarks and recent projects reflect a carefully managed ascent. Financial ambition remains explicit, but so does creative curiosity. Music launched her career. Film and animation now offer a wider horizon, one she appears intent on claiming, directly and on her own terms.

Attorney General Letitia James will have the honor of swearing in Zohran Mamdani, the next mayor of New York City. According to CBS News, James and Senator Bernie Sanders will swear in Mamdani at the offcial ceremony. “It’s an honor to swear in Zohran alongside his family,” James said. “He ran a campaign that brought together New Yorkers around the universal idea that we should all be able to afford to live in our city. I look forward to working with him. And his administration to deliver on that vision as we keep all New Yorkers safe.” Sanders will then give the oath of office at Mamdani’s public swearing-in ceremony. “At a moment when democracy is under attack and cynicism about our politics runs deep, Zohran Mamdani represents a new generation of progressive leadership rooted in courage, integrity and solidarity,” Sanders said. “His victory is not just about one city or one election, it is about the strength of a working-class movement that says unequivocally: the future of New York belongs to the people, not the billionaire class. It is my honor to swear him in as the next mayor of New York City.” ​Mamdani expressed his gratitude for having James and Sanders swear him in. ​”It is an honor to be sworn in by two leaders I have admired for years: Attorney General Tish James and Senator Bernie Sanders. Attorney General James has taken on powerful interests in her defense of New Yorkers. And embodied the principle of equal justice before the law,” Mamdani said in a statement. “Senator Bernie Sanders laid the foundations for our movement with his steadfast commitment to the dignity of working people. His belief in a government that serves the many, not just the few. I can think of no better leaders to help usher in a new era for New York City.” The ceremony starts at 1 p.m. on New Year’s Day and takes place at City Hall. CBS News New York will stream the ceremony live.

Spike Lee is still passionate about filmmaking. ​Speaking with E! News, the Oscar winner shared why he still loves his craft. ​”Look at the work,” he said, “Look at them joints. And look at them Spike Lee joints.” ​Lee made his 1986 feature film debut with She’s Gotta Have It. A landmark of independent cinema that redefined,  the film centers Black female agency and urban romance. It follows Nola Darling, a free-spirited Brooklyn artist who juggles three very different suitors at the same time ​“My community’s been honoring me by going to my films since She’s Gotta Have It way back in 1986,” he explained. “Next year’s gonna be the 40th anniversary.” ​After directing 25 feature films and 12 documentaries, Lee says he still has more to do. ​“There are a lot of films I have not made yet,” he continued, “but it’ll get done.” ​Lee recently received the Career Achievement Award at the Critics’ Choice Association’s 8th annual Celebration of Black Cinema and Television. ​Lee praised Ryan Coogler for his directorial work on Sinners during his speech. “They’re never going to invite me to another screening because I was acting like I was courtside at The Garden,” Lee said. ​Lee then showed his displeasure with the Academy for snubbing Delroy Lindo over the years. ​”F**k the Academy, they can kiss my Black ass two times,” Lee said. ​Lee’s latest film, Highest 2 Lowest, reunited him with long-time collaborator Denzel Washington. A modern “reinterpretation” of Akira Kurosawa’s 1963 classic High and Low, the story centers on David King (Washington), a powerhouse New York City music mogul at the height of his career. The plot ignites when a kidnapper, played by A$AP Rocky, abducts a child in a case of mistaken identity. Instead of King’s own son, they take the son of King’s loyal chauffeur (Jeffrey Wright).

Lil’ Kim reminded the internet exactly who she is on December 23, firing back at critics who accused her of photoshopping recent images. The Brooklyn rap legend took to Instagram Stories with a short but deliberate video that mixed performance, proof, and pure attitude. Facing the camera, Kim paused several times, shifting her angles and freezing like a posed selfie. The visual setup felt intentional. Then she spoke. “Y’all want me to be ugly and insecure so bad,” she said. “But then you would be out of work. Stupid bitch. Yeah, you thought it was photoshopped, bitch.” View this post on Instagram The comments landed after social media users questioned the authenticity of her photos, claiming digital enhancement. Instead of typing out a response, Kim chose motion. She let the camera roll in real time, lingering on her face, daring skeptics to keep talking. The pauses mattered. They mimicked the stillness of edited photos while dismantling the accusation. Kim’s words reframed the backlash as obsession. By saying critics “want” her to feel insecure, she suggested projection. The follow-up line cut deeper. “But then you would be out of work” framed her haters as dependents, people whose relevance relies on tearing her down. In Kim’s view, criticism isn’t commentary. It’s currency. Lil Kim Addresses Haters’ Photoshopped Claims The insult that followed wasn’t random. It was punctuation. Lil’ Kim has always used blunt language as a shield. From her Hardcore era to now, she has survived scrutiny over her body, fashion, and choices. This moment carried that same survival instinct, sharpened by decades in the spotlight. Her final line addressed the rumor head-on. “Yeah, you thought it was photoshopped.” The tone suggested triumph, not defense. By choosing video, Kim positioned movement as truth. Filters can freeze images. Video doesn’t lie. She made that distinction clear. The clip also tapped into a larger cultural conversation. Women in hip-hop, especially legacy artists, face relentless judgment over aging and appearance. Kim has endured that microscope longer than most. Her Story rejected the idea that she owes anyone softness, explanations, or reassurance. Without saying it outright, Lil’ Kim reaffirmed her status as the Queen of Rap. The video wasn’t about convincing critics. It was about control. She reminded viewers that attention follows her, not the other way around. Lil’ Kim didn’t debate. She performed. She paused. Then she spoke. And once again, the message was loud and clear.

Kai Cenat is continuing to speak publicly about his mental health, using his platform to encourage honesty and self-reflection among young fans. Cenat, one of the most-watched streamers in the world, has recently used livestreams and interviews to discuss stress, burnout and emotional pressure. His openness reflects a broader shift among digital creators addressing mental health challenges tied to internet fame. Cenat has built a massive audience through humor, high-energy streams and viral collaborations. Behind the scenes, he says the constant attention can be overwhelming. “People see the laughs, but they don’t see what happens when the camera turns off,” Cenat said during a recent livestream. “That’s when everything hits you at once.” Mental health experts say creators face unique stressors, including nonstop visibility and pressure to perform. Research from the American Psychological Association links social media fame to anxiety and emotional exhaustion. Cenat has acknowledged those struggles in plain language that resonates with fans. “I had days where I didn’t even want to go live,” he said. “Not because I hate it, but because my mind was tired.” Speaking Directly to Fans Cenat’s audience is largely made up of teenagers and young adults. Many fans say his honesty makes them feel seen. “I’m not perfect, and I don’t want y’all thinking I am,” Cenat told viewers. “If you’re going through something, that doesn’t make you weak.” He has repeatedly urged followers to seek help when needed. Cenat has mentioned therapy and leaning on trusted friends during difficult periods. “Talking to somebody saved me more times than people know,” he said. “Holding it in only makes it worse.” According to the National Institute of Mental Health, young adults report rising rates of anxiety and depression. Public figures sharing personal experiences can help reduce stigma. Cenat has been careful not to present himself as an expert. He frames his comments as lived experience rather than advice. “I’m not here to preach,” he said. “I’m just telling my truth.” Balancing Fame and Responsibility As his influence grows, Cenat says he feels a responsibility to be honest about both success and struggle. He has spoken about learning to set boundaries and step away when needed. “I had to learn that it’s OK to take a break,” Cenat said. “The grind will always be there.” Industry analysts note that creator burnout has become increasingly common. Long streaming hours and constant engagement can take a toll. Cenat says he hopes conversations like his help normalize rest and mental health care. “If me opening up helps one person feel less alone, it’s worth it,” he said. By continuing to speak candidly, Cenat is reshaping how online success looks behind the scenes. His message remains simple and consistent. “Take care of your mind,” he told viewers. “Everything else comes after that.”

50 Cent is back in his favorite lane—trolling with purpose—and this time his target is former Black Mafia Family (BMF) boss Demetrius “Big Meech” Flenory, with Power Book: Force actor Kris D. Lofton caught squarely in the middle. On Tuesday afternoon (Dec. 23), the G-Unit mogul took to Instagram after a screenshot began circulating showing Big Meech sending a direct message earlier that morning to Lofton, who plays volatile Chicago drug dealer Jennard Samson on Starz’s Power Book VI: Force. Meech’s message was brief but loaded with implication: “Wassup fam let’s work!!” View this post on Instagram That single line was all 50 Cent needed. “Work on what ,” 50 wrote in his caption. “He’s an actor, he don’t want to sell dope fool. You watching to[o] much FORCE .” In classic 50 fashion, the comment doubled as a joke and a warning shot. On one level, he was clowning the idea that Lofton’s fictional street persona translates into anything real. By stressing that Lofton is “an actor,” 50 drew a sharp line between scripted crime drama and real-life consequences, suggesting Meech had let television fantasy blur his perspective. 50 Cent & Power Universe Roasts BMF’s Big Meech After Reaching Out To Actor Kris D. Lofton The post also reopened a long-running rift. Once business partners through Starz’s BMF series, 50 Cent publicly fell out with Big Meech and his son Lil Meech in 2023 after the pair appeared to align themselves with Rick Ross and Floyd Mayweather—two of 50’s most visible rivals. Since then, 50 has repeatedly mocked both men online, using social media as a stage to reassert control over the narrative that once tied their names together. Lofton wasted no time distancing himself from the situation. Posting the screenshot of Meech’s DM to his Instagram Story, the actor responded bluntly: “Not a chance Demetrius…. .” The laughter softened the blow, but the double traffic lights sent a clear message: full stop. The Power Universe quickly rallied behind 50 and Lofton. Power Book II: Ghost actor Gianni V. Paolo jumped into the comments under 50’s post, tagging Lofton and laughing it off: “@krisdlofton maaaaannnn .” Taken together, the exchange highlights 50 Cent’s ongoing mission. The Power franchise may thrive on drug-game mythology, but 50 remains determined to remind everyone—especially Big Meech—that television is fiction, influence is real, and he’s still the one running the show.

DK Metcalf will sit out the next few games. The NFL announced the suspension of Metcalf following a physical altercation with a fan during Sunday’s win over the Detroit Lions. According to the league,  Metcalf was cited for “conduct detrimental to the NFL.” Camera footage showed Metcalf approaching Ruan Kennedy, wearing a blue wig in the front row at Ford Field. He grabbed him by the shirt and then swiped upward. It’s unclear if Metcalf struck Kennedy. “Metcalf’s actions violate league policy. [It] specifies that players may not enter the stands or otherwise confront fans at any time on game day. If a player makes unnecessary physical contact with a fan in any way that constitutes unsportsmanlike conduct or presents crowd-control issues and/or risk of injury, he will be held accountable,” the league said in a statement. Metcalf accused Kennedy of calling his mother a “derogatory word” and calling the wide receiver a racial slur. The Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver also plans to appeal the suspension. Kennedy issued a statement through his attorney. “At no point before, during, or after the incident did Mr. Kennedy use racial slurs or hate speech of any kind.” “Ryan Kennedy categorically denies using the ‘N-word,’ the ‘C-word,’ or any racial, misogynistic, or hate-based slur during the incident …,” the statement read, via ESPN. “These allegations are completely false.” If the suspension stands, it could be costly for Metcalf. Based on his contract, the suspension would allow the Steelers the choice to void not just the rest of his salary for this season. Also, the team could void $45 million in future guarantees, $25 million fully guaranteed in 2026, and $20 million in a 2027 injury guarantee. On the field, the timing couldn’t be worse for the Steelers, who are in the midst of a playing push. This season, Metcalf has 59 catches for 850 yards and six touchdowns in his first year with the Steelers.

BigXThaPlug chose jokes over panic after his name got dragged into a viral social media rumor, flipping the narrative with humor in a December 20 Instagram video that quickly caught fire. Filmed inside a Miami, Florida, mansion, the clip served as the Dallas rapper’s tongue-in-cheek response to a post that surfaced a day earlier, in which a Caucasian woman claimed she had been paid for sex and shared photos of a large Black man asleep across a hotel bed in Dallas, Texas. A screenshot attached to the post read, “big x the plug right now in dallas tx,” drawing comparisons to a similar sex worker controversy involving Florida rapper BossMan Dlow in November. View this post on Instagram Rather than issue a dry denial, BigXThaPlug turned the situation into a full-blown skit. Addressing his entourage member Jarrett, the rapper opens with mock seriousness: “Aye Jarrett, aye man, you need to go get your partna. Your partna in Dallas, paying for causcasian coochie, man.” Jarrett immediately pushes back. “Ain’t no way.” BigXThaPlug Trolls Himself After Woman Makes False Claim He Paid For Sex BigX keeps pressing, deliberately leaning into the absurd. “Your partna, BigXThaPlug, he is — I’m telling you.” As Jarrett escalates—“I’m about to call his ass…”—BigX adds increasingly impossible details designed to collapse the rumor under its own weight. “He down there right now, buying for causcasian coohie. He even put his dreads back in.” Jarrett stops him cold. “He put his dreads back in?” BigX doesn’t flinch. “And I don’t know how the fuck he got rid of his tattoos, but them bitches is gone.” Jarrett fires back with disbelief. “Bitch, I thought he went bald.” BigX responds with a deadpan shrug: “Mannn…” The exchange wraps with BigX mock-advising his friend. “Listen, control yo partna.” Jarrett cracks up. “I’m finna go call his ass right now (laughs).” By inventing impossible physical transformations—vanishing tattoos, magically restored dreads, sudden baldness—BigXThaPlug made it clear he wasn’t taking the allegation seriously. The Miami location tag further undercut claims placing him in Dallas, while keeping the tone light and self-aware. In an era where viral accusations can spiral fast, BigXThaPlug’s response showed control and confidence. Overall, the latest claim continues to validate the crossover artist’s superstardom.