News

Diddy to Receive Lifetime Achievement Award at BET Awards

by

Sean “Diddy” Combs will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2022 BET Awards.

The hip-hop icon will be honored for his three-decade career in entertainment during the awards show on June 26, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

The award “honors industry giants who have not only significantly shaped culture through their extensive careers, but who have also been transformative leaders that consistently inspire generations by setting a true standard of excellence,” BET said.

The 52-year-old mogul, whose Bad Boy Records remains one of the most influential hip-hop labels of all time, recently launched his R&B label Love Records where he will release his new album. He debuted his new single “Gotta Move On” featuring Bryson Tiller at last month’s Billboard Music Awards.

“Diddy has always been a pioneering force in our community, breaking barriers, achieving unprecedented heights, blazing new trails, and, in so doing, raising the bar for all of us,” BET CEO Scott Mills said. “His virtuosity is matched only by his range — from music to media, culture, business and philanthropy — Diddy has exemplified Black excellence. We are delighted to have this opportunity to use our biggest stage to recognize the extraordinary accomplishments of our friend Diddy.”

Diddy joins a prestigious list of past Lifetime Achievement Award recipients including Whitney Houston, Prince, Queen Latifah, Anita Baker, Mary J. Blige, Samuel Jackson, Lionel Richie, and New Edition.

Hosted by Taraji P. Henson, the 2022 BET Awards will air live on Sunday, June 26 at 8 p.m. ET from the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.

Doja Cat leads with six nominations, followed by Drake and Ari Lennox with four each.

Post Malone Welcomes Baby Girl

by

Post Malone is a girl dad.

The “Cooped Up” hitmaker has welcomed his first child, a baby girl. He inadvertently announced the big news during an interview on Howard Stern’s SiriusXM radio show while answering a question about what time he woke up.

“I woke up at 2:30 in the afternoon. I went and I kissed my baby girl,” he said before Stern questioned what he meant by “baby girl.”

“Are you referring to your girl or do you have a baby?” he asked Malone, who clarified, “That’s my daughter.”

Later during the conversation, Post revealed that he is engaged to the mother of his child. He has not revealed the identity of his fiancée.

Just last month, it was reported that Post was expecting his first child. “I’m excited for this next chapter in my life, I’m the happiest I’ve ever been, and for since I could remember I was sad,” he said. “Time to take care of my body and my family and friends, and spread as much love as we can every day.”

Ahead of his daughter’s arrival, Post said he was “pumped beyond belief” to become a father and had been waiting for the moment since he was a child. “I was like four or five, and I had this little baby I would carry around everywhere,” he told Zane Lowe on Apple Music. “It was a baby doll. And I thought that was the coolest thing. I would take him around everywhere.”

The new dad is busy promoting his new album Twelve Carat Toothache, which debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200. Earlier today, he announced dates for his “Twelve Carat Tour” with Roddy Ricch, which kicks off Sept. 10 in Omaha.

Young Thug Sends Message From Jail at Summer Jam

by

Young Thug is speaking out from behind bars.

The rapper made a surprise appearance via video during Hot 97’s Summer Jam on Sunday, thanking fans for their support while he faces RICO charges alleging that YSL is a criminal gang.

Following videotaped messages from Post Malone, DJ Khaled, Polo G, and G Herbo, Thug addressed the crowd at MetLife Stadium while encouraging them to support the Protect Black Art initiative, a law that could prevent prosecutors from using rappers’ lyrics in court against them.

“This is Thug. I just want to say thank you to all my friends and my family for coming out and supporting us. You know, your support during this time means a lot to us, ya know,” he said.

Thug, along with Gunna and other members of YSL, were named in a 56-count indictment, which includes charges ranging from drug and gun possession to murder.

“You know, this isn’t just about me or YSL, I always use my music as a form of artistic expression, and now I see that Black artists and rappers don’t have that, you know, freedom,” Thug continued. “Everybody please sign the ‘Protect Black Art’ petition and keep praying for us. I love you all.”

Last week, 300 Entertainment CEO Kevin Liles started the “Rap Music on Trial: Protect Black Art” petition to protect rap artists from having their lyrics used by prosecutors in a criminal trial.

“This practice isn’t just a violation of First Amendment protections for speech and creative expression,” Liles writes in his petition. “It punishes already marginalized communities and silences their stories of family, struggle, survival, and triumph. It is a racially targeted attack, and this shameful and un-American practice must end.”

In January, lawmakers in New York introduced the “Rap Music on Trial” bill, which would limit the circumstances in which any form of “creative expression” can be shown as evidence of a crime to a jury. It was backed by JAY-Z, Big Sean, Fat Joe, Killer Mike, and Meek Mill, who voiced his support for Thug and Gunna during his Summer Jam set.

“Protect Black art because now they’re using our lyrics against us and they’re taking that to a courtroom, and this is the way that we found a way to feed our family and make millions,” said Meek.