Hip Hop News

Pop culture fans are determined to create a war between Justin Bieber’s ex-girlfriend and wife. Between 2010 to 2017, Bieber and fellow pop star Selena Gomez were in an on-again-off-again relationship, and after that romance came to a definite end, Bieber and then-Hailey Baldwin got engaged in 2018. Although all parties seemed to be happy where they are, fans will not let Selena or Hailey have any peace, and often, the ladies are pitted against one another.

Simple social media moments have made for viral, controversial internet fiascos and such was the case after Hailey and Selena shared similar videos. After Hailey promoted her new skincare line Rhode, Selena uploaded a clip showing her skincare routine. Soon, the singer’s timelines across all platforms were flooded with hate.

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Messages varied from teasing to downright cruel, and it became so intense that Gomez shut off her comments for a time. It seemed that she was completely unaware of what had occurred because she returned with an apology in hopes of dulling the noise.

“This is why I believe in taking care of your mental health,” Gomez wrote. “Guys no idea what I did but I really am sorry. Zero bad intention. Deleting soon.” Recently, in a TikTok video, Hailey told trolls to ease up with their harsh comments and to “be miserable somewhere else.” 

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His new book won’t be available until later this year, but Omarion has already begun his press run. The singer has been actively involved in the industry since he was a child, but unlike other stars with similar beginnings, Omarion has managed, for the most part, to keep himself out of trouble. He has avoided the scandalous headlines of arrests and addictions—although, he did have a few moments with the mother of his children, Apryl Jones.

Still, things seem to be more peaceful these days between the former couple, and Omarion will now be sharing insights on how he has managed to remain grounded through the chaos. Unbothered: the Power of Choosing Joy is his literary debut and will offer “an intimate lens into his spiritual journey that has inspired so many to nurture themselves,” explains an overview.

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The overview added:

Organized by three pillars—Spiritual, Mental, and Physical—Unbothered shows how Omarion has centered his life around holistic wellness, detailing the practices he uses including breathing exercises, meditation, yoga, dancing, ancient mantras, and an overall embrace of positivity. Omarion reveals never before shared stories alongside the practices that keep him centered, even through public setbacks that have made headlines. Omarion is not interested in settling scores: these poignant stories are about grace and forgiveness—and about exercising emotional intelligence.

The book will reportedly host mantras, meditative images, journal prompts and breathing exercises to help, even if temporarily, silence the weight of the world. In a recent chat with EBONY, Omarion spoke about his new endeavor and the joys of fatherhood.

“When you become a parent, there’s no manuscript. You have to look at your parents and the things that they had or didn’t have and take full responsibility for what you want,” said Omarion. Watch that below and keep an eye out for Unbothered: the Power of Choosing Joy. 

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Over the weekend, Mary J. Blige hosted her inaugural Strength of a Woman Festival in Atlanta, a partnership with Live Nation Urban and Pepsi. The event was the talk of the town as it featured special guests Chaka Khan, City Girls, Ella Mai, Queen Naija, Omerettà The Great, Kiana Ledé, and more, but aside from the star-studded appearances, Blige once again spoke about her journey. Over the last few years, the Queen of Hip Hip-Soul has become even more transparent about learning to accept and love herself, especially after her highly-publicized divorce.

“I have control now over what it really is, how I really look, how I really feel, where I’m going and I move slower because that’s a part of loving myself,” she said.

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The Grammy-winning singer also touched on the current state of R&B, and it is a topic that has been heavily debated among fans and professionals. In recent years, there have been complaints about the evolution of the genre and its impact on music culture. Some have lamented that R&B once reigned across the globe, but according to Blige, she’s impressed with the voices that have found success and others that are just obtaining their footing.

“Right now, I love the state of R&B because of people like Ella Mai, Kiana Lede, Summer Walker, H.E.R., Jazmine [Sullivan], SZA, Ari Lennox – it’s so much hotness out there,” Blige said. “I’m really proud of what Anderson .Paak and Bruno Mars [have] done before they were Silk Sonic. Music is just going in the right direction, R&B is back. I remember one time I was worried about R&B, I was like ‘Uh-oh, we’re done.’ But no, the [new] generation has revived us.”

Do you agree that “R&B is back” and that those complaints are unwarranted? 

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It’s a full-circle moment for a J. Cole fan as the rapper has reportedly made good on his promise. It was back in 2013 when a young Cierra Bosarge reportedly called into a radio station and told the hosts that it was her wish to have J. Cole give her a birthday message. Bosarge told Complex that it took three months before she heard from Cole, and later, she received the opportunity of a lifetime when they were able to meet face-to-face. Bosarge entered that meeting with a letter in hand that she penned years before.

Bosarge said she wrote about “all I went through,” including being adopted and having parents who were drug-addicted. Because both of her parents were incarcerated at the time, she asked Cole if he would attend her high school graduation. He said yes.

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“I read your letter twice now. you are so strong, I admire YOU,” Cole wrote to Bosarge all those years ago. “I will be at your graduation… only IF you get into a 4 year University. go!”

Well, Bosarge did just that, and Cole made good on his promise and attended her high school ceremony. However, he extended the invitation and attended Bosarge’s college graduation from Rowan University, as well. Unsurprisingly, photos of Cole have surfaced online and it made for one epic ceremony to see the Dreamville icon in attendance. 

 Congrats to Cierra! Check it out below.

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Throughout his longstanding career, Andy Dick’s successes have become almost a footnote to his legal issues. The comedy icon was once at the top of his game and his career seemed as if his reign wouldn’t end, but then, there were a series of arrests and allegations of drunken attacks, violent behaviors, groping people, and overall strange occurrences.

According to news out of Los Angeles and Orange County, Dick has once again been taken into custody and this time, the 56-year-old is accused of sexually assaulting another man.

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PEOPLE stated that “Andy Dick was escorted out of an RV trailer in O’Neill Regional Park and later handcuffed on Wednesday, after a younger man claimed the comedian sexually assaulted him.” Police reportedly received the call about the incident at the campground at 9:00 a.m. and Dick was arrested “on suspicion of felony sexual battery.”

This comes on the heels of Dick’s two arrests in 2021; back in June, he was taken into custody on “suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon” and in November, he was arrested for allegedly “attacking his boyfriend with a liquor bottle.” Years ago he was accused of sexually assaulting a man—specifically, groping his rideshare driver. 

Dick has been candid about his struggles with addictions and has reportedly had several stints in rehab. In recent years, Dick has all but disappeared from Hollywood, only to emerge when he has found himself on the wrong side of the law. It is unclear if he remains incarcerated at this time, but reports stated that his bail was set at $25K.

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A Tennessee weatherman jumped into hot water over the weekend when he made an alleged racist remark about Draymond Green. As the Golden State Warriors were battling it on the court against the Memphis Grizzlies, meteorologist Joey Sulipeck fired off a tweet that read: “And chew on this: Draymond runs his knuckle-dragging open mouth ALL GAME LONG, but mild-mannered Kyle Anderson disputes one call and gets ejected? Next level jackassery.” 

It was argued that Sulipeck was comparing Green to an ape or a monkey which has long been a racist trope against Black people for centuries. The backlash was swift, with Evan Barnes, a football reporter, writing, “Emotions are high right now among teams and fans over the play in question but this right here? @joeysulipeck – unacceptable. Memo to @FOX13Memphis – talk to your mans and check him. This is over the line and I won’t stand for it. This is bullsh*t.”

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Sulipeck deleted his comment but the screenshots lived and were quickly shared on social media. He would later re-emerge on Twitter to deny that his comment was intended to be racist. “Anyone who knows me knows what I am. Race is never an issue to me. To anyone who was offended, I apologize but there was no ill intent.” Still, the criticism became too much for the weatherman and he deleted his Twitter account in its entirety.

Meanwhile, his news station stated that they are looking into the matter. 

“During Saturday’s Memphis Grizzlies’ game, Meteorologist Joey Sulipeck tweeted a comment that does not reflect the values of FOX13,” the station tweeted. “We take this matter very seriously and will take appropriate action pending a full investigation.” Green added his voice to the controversy and it doesn’t look like he’ll be accepting any apologies anytime soon.

“Also, I don’t believe in cancel culture. This is not a cancel attempt. Just stand on your words. ACCOUNTABILITY,” Green wrote. “Yours truly, THE NEW MEDIA.” Read through it all below.

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An update to Casanova’s case has been given, but his plight is far from over. We previously reported on the news that Casanova has agreed to a plea deal that could land him behind bars for a minimum of five years. According to reports, Casanova pleaded guilty to crimes related to robbery and drug dealing, but thankfully, the attempted murder charge was taken off the table.

USA Today reported that Manhattan U.S. Attorney Damian Williams released a statement saying the rapper “now stands convicted of playing a leadership role in Gorilla Stone, a particularly violent Bloods gang that operates throughout New York and across the country.”

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After the news of his plea deal was shared, a message from Casanova appeared on his Instagram Story where he claimed the authorities were making shady moves.

“The system is crazy they had me in the box for four months for no reason,” the rapper wrote. “Probably so I can take this plea. As soon as I copped out they moved me straight from court to Essex County without my knowledge and without any of my property, legal work or nothing SMH this is crazy.”

His wife, Jasmere “Swaggy Jazzy” Corbett has been his biggest supporter throughout this ordeal and uploaded a photo of herself with her husband. “Hope for the best… Prepared for the worst,” she penned in the caption. “However it come just know that we ready! …..Back to the basics, me and you in the courtroom….. I love you baby[red heart emoji]It’s free @bigcasanova_2x til he free.” Check it out below.

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It has undeniably been a rough season for Blac Chyna. The reality star set off a legal war against the Kardashian-Jenners that recently came to its conclusion, at least for now, after a jury sided with the famous family. Chyna was hoping for a $100 million payout after alleging that the Kardashian-Jenners kept her from earning money from an E! reality show, but after listening to both sides, she escaped a victory.

This week, we also reported on Chyna filing documents against the presiding judge in the case as she accused him of being “hostile” and “biased” during the trial. The Kardashian-Jenners’ attorney fired back, stating that Chyna was grasping at straws and had ample opportunity to verbalize her grievances during the trial.

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As if that wasn’t enough, Chyna is reportedly under investigation after she allegedly attacked a woman at a Los Angeles bar after believing that she was being filmed. The altercation was reportedly captured and shared online, making way for a new legal battle for Chyna. Meanwhile, there is a bit of celebration happening for the mother of two as she rang in her 34th birthday today (May 11). While others would post videos of themselves living it up in the club, Chyna instead shared a clip of pool baptism.

The video shows Chyna being submerged as her group of loved ones watch on. “Born again on my Birthday [praying hands emoji] 5/11/22 #newbeginnings,” she penned in the caption. Her fans have praised her next chapter. Check it out below.

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