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A federal jury acquitted hip-hop star Durk Banks, known professionally as Lil Durk, on all five charges tied to a Los Angeles murder-for-hire case. The jury returned its verdict after three days of deliberations. Banks, however, has not been released from federal custody following the acquittal. Prosecutors accused Banks of orchestrating a 2022 shooting targeting rapper Quando Rondo. The attack instead killed Rondo’s cousin, Saviay’a Robinson, near the Beverly Center. The government alleged t

Beyoncé Knowles-Carter marked her 45th birthday with a $2 million gift to the Studio Museum in Harlem, extending the music icon’s influence into the business and cultural worlds. Beyoncé announced the contribution Sept. 4, with The Art Newspaper first reporting the donation. The gift comes less than a year after the museum opened its $300 million building on 125th Street in Harlem. View this post on Instagram A post shared by the Jasmine BRAND (@thejasminebrand) The expanded facility giv

Megan Thee Stallion is opening up about her past relationship with NBA star Klay Thompson.  During a recent interview, the “Hiss” rapper revealed that her time dating the professional basketball player was marked by a lack of peace, leading her to feel “on edge all the time.”  The musician reflected on the difficulties of balancing her high-profile career with a relationship that she now believes was a poor fit. Megan explained that she spent much of the romance attempting to conform to Thomps

Ciara and NFL quarterback Russell Wilson have announced they are expecting their fifth child. The couple shared the news through a joint social media post on Sunday, showcasing the growing family as they prepare for a new addition.  The announcement comes as the latest chapter for the high-profile pair, who have been married since 2016. Ciara, 40, revealed her pregnancy in a stylized video featuring her silhouette, confirming that the “Level Up” singer is ready to expand her household once agai

R&B singer Mary J. Blige has found herself at the center of an unexpected AI controversy after appearing in an advertisement for music technology company Suno. The 85-second clip shows the Queen of Hip-Hop Soul inside a recording studio. Blige appears to listen to an AI-generated track inspired by the sonic world she helped define. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Stereogum (@stereogum) The song recalls elements of Blige’s influential 1990s and 2000s R&B sound. In the footag

LeBron James is bringing a golf event to his hometown of Akron. On Tuesday, James announced a new partnership with the PGA Tour to bring a new golf event to the city of his birth. According to ESPN, the LeBron James Family Foundation Invitational will be held in Akron, Ohio, in 2027. The inaugural event will occur July 6 through July 7 at the South Course at Firestone Country Club. Featuring amateurs and pros from the tour’s Pathway to Progression program, the LeBron James Family Foundation I

Sean “Diddy” Combs’ projected release date from federal prison has been moved up again, according to Bureau of Prisons records. The hip-hop mogul is now scheduled to leave Federal Correctional Institution Fort Dix in New Jersey on Feb. 5, 2028. His prior projected release date was Feb. 20, 2028. View this post on Instagram A post shared by TMZ (@tmztv) The latest adjustment cuts more than two weeks from Combs’ projected federal incarceration. His release date has shifted several times s

Trump's portrait has made its way on to a US coin - the latest move by the president to put his personal stamp on American institutions. On Wednesday, the US Mint launched the $1 coin with a portrait of Trump alongside the words "LIBERTY" and "IN GOD WE TRUST", to celebrate America's 250th anniversary. The Mint said the coins were not being put into circulation, but they may be used as legal tender. Federal law prohibits a living president from appearing on US currency, but a design clause in

Lionel Richie has been admitted to a St. Louis hospital for medical observation following a performance in the city over the weekend.  According to reports, Richie checked himself into an intensive care unit to undergo a series of tests after appearing to struggle during his Saturday night set at The Muny in Forest Park.  Witnesses at the outdoor venue reported that the 77-year-old “Hello” singer seemed physically taxed as his performance drew to a close. During his final song of the night, “A

Rap star Cardi B addresses the darker side of becoming one of hip-hop’s biggest stars to help guide those newly famous from falling into the same pitfalls. The “Aha Aha” hitmaker reflected on fame, pressure and public scrutiny in Vogue Arabia’s September issue. Her rise from social media personality to rap superstar brought the success she once wanted. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Cardi B (@iamcardib) The reality of that success, however, looks different than she imagine

Gladys Knight is slowing down, but the Empress of Soul is not saying goodbye. After more than seven decades onstage, the 82-year-old icon announced Thursday that she plans to perform less. Knight also wants to devote more time to family and personal projects. The decision marks a meaningful shift for a singer whose voice has defined generations of soul and R&B. “After much soul-searching, I’ve decided that I will be easing into fewer performances,” Knight wrote. She said the change reflects “

Martell, one of the oldest cognac houses, enters a new era after announcing this week that it has appointed award-winning music journalist Ivie Ani as its new Culture Ambassador.  Ivie Ani, a NYU alum, is recognized by many as an influential figure in music, media and fashion. The opportunity further elevates her profile and provide inspiration to others to discover similar opportunities.  For Martell, appointing Ani is proof that media can still use it unique voice to sharp the future in the

J. Cole canceled his scheduled performance at the Golden 1 Center on Tuesday night following a fatal vehicle accident involving a member of his touring production crew.  The incident, which occurred early Tuesday morning, involved a logistics truck transporting equipment for the artist’s current tour. Dreamville Records, the label founded by Cole, released a statement on social media confirming the cancellation shortly after the news broke.  The label expressed deep sorrow over the loss, stati

Hip-Hop mogul Ye, formerly Kanye West, will not be headed to Gazprom Arena in St. Petersburg, Russia, after all this October — according to new reports. The “Stronger” and “Good Life” hitmaker was scheduled to perform Oct. 10 and 11 at the Gazprom Arena. The venue now says no agreement exists for either show. View this post on Instagram A post shared by BBC News (@bbcnews) “Gazprom Arena was not and is not the organizer of this event,” the stadium said. “This was handled by the Moscow-b

Samuel Monroe Jr., whose film career began with the searing 1993 drama “Menace II Society,” has died. He was 52. His mother, Joyce Patton, announced his death on Facebook. Her message came after months of concern surrounding Monroe’s declining health. “I want to thank all of my Facebook family and friends, new and old, for praying for Samuel Monroe Jr., my son,” Patton wrote. “But today God called him home.” She asked supporters to continue praying for Monroe’s family, particularly his three

Award-winning singer-songwriter Miguel and his wife, Margaret Zhang, are preparing to welcome another child, while keeping much of the pregnancy private. The couple has not revealed the baby’s sex or due date. Instead, their recent appearance has offered the clearest glimpse into this next chapter of their family life. It looks like Miguel & Margaret Zhang are expecting baby number 2! 🍼 🎥: IG / shirleystempleshow pic.twitter.com/Z1PqfmOMAi — TMZ (@TMZ) August 24, 2026 Miguel and Zhang pr

Dolly Parton, the legendary singer, songwriter and philanthropist whose career defined the modern era of country music, has died at the age of 80. Her family announced her passing Tuesday through a video shared on her official Instagram account, featuring her nephew, Bryan Seaver, and her head of security. The news marks the end of a storied career that spanned six decades and saw Parton rise from the poverty of rural Tennessee to become a global icon.  Born Jan. 19, 1946, in Sevierville, Part

Legendary music producer Pharrell Williams wants T-Pain to help restore R&B’s cultural heartbeat. The legendary producer recently surprised T-Pain during a Nappy Boy livestream. Instead of exchanging pleasantries, Pharrell delivered an unexpected creative challenge. “What the f*** are you doing, man?” Pharrell asked. “There’s no one in your way.” The Virginia native then explained why he believes T-Pain is uniquely positioned to redefine R&B. “No one can make R&B that’s missing like you,” Ph

LeBron James is expanding his digital empire into fairways and greens with the launch of a dedicated golf-focused YouTube channel.  Known for his relentlessly competitive drive, James has embraced golf as his newest athletic obsession, framing the sport as a grueling personal challenge that keeps his competitive fire burning away from the hardwood.  Rather than relying strictly on standard sports commentary, his channel offers fans a vlog-style, behind-the-scenes look at his journey to master

Druski is addressing the viral speculation surrounding his loyalty during the highly publicized musical feud between Drake and Kendrick Lamar.  In a new cover story for GQ, the Atlanta native clarified that his personal relationship with the Canadian superstar remains unshaken despite the industry-wide tension that defined much of the past two years. “That’s my brother. I don’t care about what’s hot at the moment or what’s going on,” Druski said regarding his friendship with Drake. He emphasiz

Award-winning actress Halle Berry celebrated turning 60 with a topless message about confidence, health and embracing every stage of life. The Oscar-winning actress marked her Aug. 14 birthday with a series of sultry photos shared on social media. Berry appeared topless beneath a lace-trimmed red and black robe in one striking image. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Halle Berry (@halleberry) The photographs captured Berry enjoying a sunny celebration with longtime partner Va

New York Knicks star Karl-Anthony Towns and Jordyn Woods are officially husband and wife. The couple exchanged vows in Malibu, California, over the weekend. Their celebration brought together Towns’ Knicks teammates, Hollywood stars and longtime friends. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Andscape (@andscape) Jalen Brunson, OG Anunoby and Josh Hart were among the Knicks players reportedly attending. Their presence highlighted Towns’ bond with the team following his move to New

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.  Acc

Luigi Mangione is expected to enter a guilty plea Friday in Manhattan federal court, potentially reshaping his separate New York murder prosecution. A federal hearing is scheduled for 11 a.m. EDT. The proceeding appeared on the court calendar earlier this week without advance public notice. Mangione, 28, faces two federal stalking-related counts resulting in death. Each charge carries a potential life sentence. He initially pleaded not guilty to the federal allegations. Multiple news outlets