Lil Wayne and Chris Brown headline a list of celebrities who misused funds from the Shuttered Venue Operations Grant, designed to help venues and arts groups during the pandemic.
According to The Business Insider, they went on expensive trips, shopping sprees, lavish parties, and self-pay at the cost of everyday taxpayers. Celebrities who received grants include Rae Sreummurd, Steve Aoki, and Marshmello.
The law was enacted by Donald Trump in 2020, allowing artists to obtain up to $10 million for “ordinary and necessary” expenses. Still, it required a good-faith statement from the Small Business Administration, highlighting a 25% loss in revenue between matching quarters in 2019 and 2020.
The report notes Lil Wayne received $8.9 million, which he used to buy $460,000 in designer clothes, $2.14 million to pay off the debt owed to his former manager Cortez Bryant, and $1.3 million for personal private jet use. During a $8,000 shopping trip at Dover Street Market, Wayne purchased a Balenciaga sweater, Rick Owens sneakers, and more. There was also a near $15,000 fee to a mystery woman.
Christmas is just one week away for Diddy. How will he spend the day? According to PEOPLE, it will be less glamorous.
Diddy will begin his day at 6 a.m. in his detention unit in New York City and receive a special Christmas lunch of Cornish Hen, Macaroni and Cheese, cranberry sauce, and rolls. The holiday meal will continue at dinner, during which he will get two peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.
One jail employee stated Diddy is “doing fine,” adding, “Nobody wants to be here.” Diddy will also have the option of playing Spades, dominos, three-on-three basketball, or soccer. One inmate notes Diddy enjoys playing basketball.
Additionally, Diddy is considered to be “well-liked inside prison. People are getting along with him.”
Earlier this week, Brendan Paul, a former assistant to Sean “Diddy” Combs and a one-time Syracuse University basketball player, is no longer facing legal trouble in Florida after prosecutors dropped the felony drug charge against him. TMZ confirmed that Paul successfully avoided jail time and probation through a pretrial diversion program.
According to Paul’s attorney, Brian Bieber, state prosecutors officially dismissed the case on Tuesday. However, federal sources clarified that Paul did not cooperate or strike any deals with federal prosecutors concerning the ongoing investigation involving Diddy.
The case against Paul stemmed from his March arrest at Miami-Opa Locka Executive Airport. Authorities reportedly discovered cocaine and marijuana edibles in Paul’s bag during a search, leading to a felony drug possession charge. At the time, Paul was believed to be acting as Diddy’s assistant, and his arrest coincided with high-profile federal raids on Diddy’s homes in Los Angeles and Miami.
Those raids were part of a broader federal investigation into serious allegations against Diddy, including sex trafficking. The music mogul has since been indicted and remains in custody in Brooklyn as he awaits trial. Paul’s cleared charges mark a small but notable development in a case that continues to unfold.
Following the filing of petitions on November 25, sales of “Not Like Us” have surged by 440 percent, with streams increasing by 20 percent, according to Talk of the Charts. The dramatic spike highlights the song’s renewed attention, driven by the recent developments.
Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” is aiming for a roughly 440% increase in US sales and 20% increase in US streams this week. pic.twitter.com/btQxuuCddV
In related news, Kendrick Lamar’s unexpected album GNX has made a powerful debut at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart dated Dec. 7, earning the rapper his fifth consecutive chart-topping project. Released without prior notice on Nov. 22, GNX garnered 319,000 equivalent album units in its first week, according to Luminate, marking the sixth-largest debut of the year.
Streaming drove most of GNX’s success, with 285,000 SEA units translating to 379.72 million on-demand streams of its 12 tracks. This achievement secured the album the No. 1 spot on Top Streaming Albums and delivered 2024’s biggest streaming week for an R&B/hip-hop album. Among all genres, it ranks as the year’s second-largest debut and third-biggest streaming week, trailing only Taylor Swift’s The Tortured Poets Department.
The remaining units include 32,000 album sales and 2,000 TEA units. Despite only being available as a standard digital download, GNX landed at No. 2 on Top Album Sales.
The album includes 12 tracks, including the one teased in the “Not Like Us” video, officially titled “Squabble Up.” The album also includes a trailer of Lamar with his GNX ride. You can peep it all below.
Megan Thee Stallion has filed a civil restraining order against Tory Lanez, citing continued harassment despite his ten-year prison sentence. A hearing is set for January 9.
Megan’s legal team argues that without protection, she faces emotional distress and fears for her safety upon Lanez’s release. The filing also ties Lanez to Milagro Cooper, named in Megan’s federal defamation and cyberstalking lawsuit.
Zelle records obtained by Megan’s lawyers show that Lanez’s father, Sonstar Peterson, paid Cooper $3,000 in six payments between October 2020 and March 2022. The filing underscores these connections as part of an ongoing campaign targeting Megan.
The restraining order seeks to prevent further harm as Megan continues navigating the high-profile case’s aftermath.
The filing mentions Lanez’s connection to Milagro Cooper, and Megan’s federal defamation and cyberstalking lawsuit against Milagro. Details on the lawsuit: https://t.co/ch2otCQx4upic.twitter.com/I76cRoS2Pf
Megan’s lawyers also obtained Zelle records that show Lanez’s father, Sonstar Carlisle John Peterson, paid Milagro $3,000 between Oct. 28, 2020 and March 3, 2022, in six payments between $200 and $1,000. pic.twitter.com/2mBjsmnFcu
St. Louis is holding down their favorite Hip-Hop sons with keys to the city. Nelly and the St. Lunatics got the honor at Nelly’s Black & White Ball in the Lou.
Nelly had Ashanti, Ne-Yo, Bow Wow, Jermaine Dupri and more on hand. Delivering the honor was St. Louis mayor Tishaura Jones.
“You’ve had an amazing year and an amazing career. I think we can all agree in this room that Nelly has put St. Louis on the map,” Jones said.
In related news, Nelly will embark on his highly anticipated Where The Party At Tour in 2025, marking the 25th anniversary of his debut album Country Grammar. The global tour kicks off March 21 in New Zealand, with stops across Australia, Canada, Europe, and the U.S., making it Nelly’s most extensive tour to date.
The Live Nation-produced tour will feature performances from Ja Rule, Eve, the St. Lunatics, Fabolous, Jermaine Dupri, Chingy, and other surprise guests, offering fans an unforgettable celebration of hip-hop and R&B. Iconic venues like London’s O2 Arena and Los Angeles’ Intuit Dome will host the tour, where fans can relive hits like “Hot in Herre,” “Dilemma,” and “Ride wit Me.”
Nelly shared his excitement: “Yo, ‘Where Da Party At Tour’ we are taking this tour worldwide — I got my folks with me Ja Rule, Jermaine Dupri, Eve, the St. Lunatics, and Fabulous — so you know it’s all 2025… LETS GOOOOO..!!! Da Party AT…!!”
Tickets go on sale Friday, December 13 at 10 a.m. local time via RealNelly.com, with presales starting December 10. Fans can also opt for VIP packages, including exclusive meet-and-greets, premium seating, and even a chance to join Nelly on stage in select cities.
With a legacy spanning genres and generations, Nelly’s Where The Party At Tour promises to deliver high-energy performances and a walk through his illustrious career.
WHERE THE PARTY AT 2025 TOUR DATES:
AUS + NZ: Nelly, St. Lunatics, Chingy, Jermaine Dupri | Canada: Nelly, Ja Rule, Chingy, Jermaine Dupri
EU + UK: Nelly, Eve, Fabolous, Jermaine Dupri | US + Toronto: Nelly, Ja Rule, Eve, Chingy, Jermaine Dupri
^Chingy Will Not Support This Date | #Ja Rule and Eve Will Not Support This Date | *Not a Live Nation Date |
~Festival Date, No Support
Fri Mar 21 – Auckland, NZ – Spark Arena
Sat Mar 22 – Brisbane, AUS – Eaton’s Hill Hotel
Tue Mar 25 – Sydney, AUS – Hordern Pavilion
Thu Mar 27 – Melbourne, AUS – John Cain Arena
Sat Mar 29 – Perth, AUS – HBF Stadium
Fri Apr 11 – Halifax, NS – Scotiabank Centre^
Sat Apr 12 – Moncton, NB – Avenir Centre^
Mon Apr 14 – Ottawa, ON – Canadian Tire Centre
Tue Apr 15 – Montreal, QC – Bell Centre
Fri Apr 18 – Winnipeg, MB – Canada Life Centre
Sun Apr 20 – Saskatoon, SK – SaskTel Centre
Mon Apr 21 – Edmonton, AB – Rogers Place
Tue Apr 22 – Calgary, AB – Scotiabank Saddledome
Thu Apr 24 – Vancouver, BC – Rogers Arena
Sat May 24 – Oberhausen, DE – Rudolf Weber-Arena
Sun May 25 – Brussels, BE – ING Arena
Mon May 26 – Amsterdam, NL – Ziggo Dome
Wed May 28 – Hamburg, DE – Barclays Arena
Thu May 29 – Copenhagen, DK – Royal Arena
Sun Jun 01 – Paris, FR – Accor Arena
Mon Jun 02 – Frankfurt, DE – Festhalle
Wed Jun 04 – Birmingham, UK – Utilita Arena
Thu Jun 05 – London, UK – The O2
Sat Jun 07 – Manchester, UK – AO Arena
Mon Jun 09 – Glasgow, UK – OVO Hydro
Wed Jun 11 – Dublin, IE – 3Arena
Wed Jul 23 – Bristow, VA – Jiffy Lube Live
Fri Jul 25 – Virginia Beach, VA – Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater at Virginia Beach
Sat Jul 26 – Holmdel, NJ – PNC Bank Arts Center
Sun Jul 27 – Wantagh, NY – Northwell at Jones Beach Theater
Thu Jul 31 – Toronto, ON – Budweiser Stage
Fri Aug 01 – Buffalo, NY – Darien Lake Amphitheater
Sat Aug 02 – Hartford, CT – Xfinity Theatre^
Sun Aug 03 – Mansfield, MA – Xfinity Center
Tue Aug 05 – Cuyahoga Falls, OH – Blossom Music Center
Wed Aug 06 – Bethlehem, PA – Musikfest*~
Fri Aug 08 – Oshkosh, QI – Crossroads 41 Festival*~
Sat Aug 09 – Clarkston, MI – Pine Knob Music Theatre
Sun Aug 10 – Cincinnati, OH – Riverbend Music Center
Wed Aug 13 – Tinley Park, IL – Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre
Thu Aug 14 – Noblesville, IN – Ruoff Music Center
Sat Aug 16 – Greenwood Village, CO – Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre*^
Fri Aug 22 – Concord, CA – Toyota Pavilion at Concord
Sat Aug 23 – Los Angeles, CA – Intuit Dome
Wed Aug 27 – Chula Vista, CA – North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre
Thu Aug 28 – Phoenix, AZ – Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre
Thu Sep 04 – Houston, TX – The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion presented by Huntsman^
Fri Sep 05 – Dallas, TX – Dos Equis Pavilion
Sat Sep 06 – Oklahoma City, OK – Zoo Amphitheatre*#
Tue Sep 09 – West Palm Beach, FL – iTHINK Financial Amphitheatre
Fri Sep 12 – Atlanta, GA – Lakewood Amphitheatre
Sat Sep 13 – Raleigh, NC – Coastal Credit Union Music Park
Sun Sep 14 – Charlotte, NC – PNC Music Pavilion
Tue Sep 16 – Nashville, TN – Ascend Amphitheater
Thu Sep 18 – Birmingham, AL – Coca-Cola Amphitheater
Fri Sep 19 – North Little Rock, AR – Simmons Bank Arena
Hitting Instagram, Bailey said fans say she “got a new man every week.” You can see her speak on it below.
Am Not in love with Burna Boy, “I got a new man every week.”- Chloe Bailey finally addresses rumors of being in a serious relationship with Burna Boy … pic.twitter.com/JNMyYhWky5
Chance the Rapper’s wife, Kirsten Coley, has officially filed for divorce from the Chicago star. According to TMZ, Coley filed on Friday to end their five-year marriage.
In April 2024, the two announced their separation and plans to divorce. There are currently no details on the requested terms at the end of the marriage.
Chance and Kirsten share two daughters, Kensli and Marli.
Jamie Foxx has released a statement following an altercation at Mr. Chow’s restaurant over the weekend. In case you missed it, a flying glass hit Foxx while he was at dinner with his family, leading to a fight.
Hitting Instagram, Foxx wrote in the image: “The devil is busy… but I’m too blessed to be stressed.”
The caption added more: “The devil is a lie. Can’t win here… thank you to everybody that pray and check on me… when your light is shining bright… they try to bring you darkness … but they don’t know that you’re built for it… the lights have been shining bright… and huge thank yous to everyone that have watched and been inspired by “What Had Happened Was” … number 1 on @netflix if you haven’t checked it out please go check it out it’s from my heart and my soul…”
Jamie Foxx’s 57th birthday celebration took a shocking turn Friday night when the comedian and actor found himself at the center of an altercation at the upscale Beverly Hills restaurant, Mr. Chow.
The Hollywood icon hosted a star-studded bash at the famed dining hotspot, drawing in friends and family for an evening of celebration. However, the festive mood was disrupted when Foxx reportedly clashed with patrons from a nearby table.
According to TMZ, the incident unfolded around 10 PM, prompting law enforcement to respond to reports of a fight inside the restaurant. Witnesses claim that the trouble began when individuals at a neighboring table directed rude and vulgar comments toward Foxx. Concerned about the behavior, particularly with his family present, Foxx is said to have asked the group to tone it down.
The situation escalated when one of the individuals at the table allegedly threw a glass at Foxx, striking him in the mouth. The impact reportedly required Foxx to receive stitches. A spokesperson for the actor confirmed the incident, stating, “Jamie Foxx was at his birthday dinner when someone from another table threw a glass that hit him in the mouth. He had to get stitches and is recovering. The police were called, and the matter is now in law enforcement’s hands.”
As of now, the incident is under investigation, with authorities working to determine the full details and any potential charges stemming from the altercation. Despite the dramatic turn of events, fans and friends have been sending well wishes to Foxx as he recovers from the unexpected birthday ordeal.
Known for his charismatic presence both on and off screen, Jamie Foxx has a reputation for handling challenges with grace. While this incident marred his celebratory evening, it’s clear that Foxx’s resilience and poise remain intact.
OG Maco is currently recovering and is stated by his family to be in “critical but stable condition.” The official statement released on Maco’s X account, follows rumors and a report by TMZ of attempted suicide.
“We want to inform OG Maco’s fans, friends, and supporters that he is currently in critical but stable condition,” the statement reads. “He is receiving the best possible care, and we are staying hopeful as he continues to fight. At this time, we kindly ask that you respect our privacy, but if you would like to send any messages or have anything you wish to get to the family, please reach out via DM.”
all 2025… LETS GOOOOO..!!! Da Party AT…!!”
TheLagosPaparazzi 
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