Early this week, NBC News reported that Diddy had been named in a new sexual harassment lawsuit filed by Rodney “Lil Rod Madeit” Jones, a producer on Diddy’s album The Love Album: Off The Grid. The suit also named Diddy’s son, Justin Combs; chief of staff Kristina Khorram; Universal Music Group CEO Sir Lucian Grainge; and former Motown Records CEO Ethiopia Habtemariam as defendants for either aiding Diddy or failing to address complaints about his behavior.
However, as news of the suit spread, some other names mentioned in the suit piqued music fans’ interest. One of those names was Usher’s. So,
Why Was Usher Mentioned In The New Lawsuit Against Diddy?
Usher is not named as a defendant in the suit; however, a redacted excerpt caught the attention of gossip blogger DJ Akademiks, who used the provided footnotes to extrapolate the identities of the redacted names. “Mr. Combs informed Mr. Jones that he had engaged in sexual intercourse with rapper[5] (REDACTED), R&B singer[6] (REDACTED), and Stevie J,” it read. The footnotes provided background info for anyone involved who might need context for the redacted names. 5 was described as “a Philadelphia Rapper who dated Nicki Minaj,” which could only be Meek Mill, while 6 “performed at the Super Bowl and had a successful Vegas residency.”
Now, it’s important to remember that unless these assertions are corroborated, they should probably be taken with a massive grain of salt — actually, just throw the whole salt shaker in there. Celebrity lawsuits are often filled with lurid details to bait headlines that plaintiffs’ lawyers hope will prompt quick settlements to avoid lengthy trials and more embarrassing headlines. In Diddy’s case, although he did quickly settle his ex Cassie’s sexual assault lawsuit last year, he’s since maintained that the wave of suits that followed it was just a series of money grabs.
South African superstar Tyla has the world in a chokehold. In addition to dropping hit after hit, Tyla recently starred in a Gap campaign — a dream she has manifested for so long. Next month, she will release her hotly-anticipated self-titled debut album.
Tyla has big plans for this album rollout, and we’ve put together a guide with everything you need to know about Tyla.
Release Date
Tyla is out 3/22 via FAX and Epic Records. Find more information here.
Tracklist
Some tracks from Tyla have been released, however, she has not revealed the tracklist in its entirety. You can see a partial tracklist below.
3. “Water”
4. “Truth Or Dare”
7. “Butterflies”
8. “On And On”
14. “Water” (Remix) Feat. Travis Scott.
Singles
Tyla has shared four singles from her upcoming album — “Truth Or Dare,” “Butterflies” “On And On,” and the viral hit, “Water.” She has also released a remix of “Water” with Travis Scott.
Features
So far, the only feature on the album that has been revealed is Travis Scott on the “Water” Remix.
Artwork
You can see the Tyla artwork below.
FAX/Epic
Tour
You can see Tyla’s upcoming tour dates below.
03/21/2024 — Oslo, Norway @ Parkteatret
03/22/2024 — Stockholm, Sweden @ Nalen
03/24/2024 — Copenhagen, Denmark @ Amager Bio
03/25/2024 — Berlin, Germany @ Säälchen
03/27/2024 — Cologne, Germany @ LUXOR
03/28/2024 — Paris, France @ Cabaret Sauvage
03/30/2024 — Amsterdam, Netherlands @ Melkweg
04/01/2024 — London, UK @ KOKO
04/22/2024 — San Francisco, CA @ The Regency Ballroom
04/24/2024 — Seattle, WA @ The Showbox
04/26/2024 — Portland, OR @ Wonder Ballroom
04/28/2024 — Vancouver, BC @ Commodore Ballroom
05/01/2024 — Denver, CO @ Cervantes’ Masterpiece Ballroom & Cervantes’ Other Side
05/03/2024 — Austin, TX @ Emo’s Austin
05/04/2024 — Dallas, TX @ The Echo Lounge & Music Hall
05/06/2024 — Houston, TX @ White Oak Music Hall
05/07/2024 — New Orleans, LA @ The Joy Theater
05/09/2024 — Miami Beach, FL @ Miami Beach Bandshell
05/11/2024 — Orlando, FL @ The Plaza Live
05/13/2024 — Atlanta, GA @ Center Stage Theater
05/15/2024 — Norfolk, VA @ The NorVa
05/17/2024 — Washington, D.C. @ 9:30 Club
05/18/2024 — Philadelphia, PA @ Union Transfer
05/20/2024 — Boston, MA @ Paradise Rock Club
05/22/2024 — Montreal, QC @ Théâtre Beanfield
05/23/2024 — Toronto, ON @ The Danforth Music Hall
05/28/2024 — Minneapolis, MN @ Varsity Theater
Two men — Ronald Washington and Karl Jordan Jr. — have been found guilty of the 2002 murder of hip-hop pioneer Jam Master Jay. According to Variety, jurors at the U.S. District Court’s Eastern Division of New York in Brooklyn convicted the accused killers on Tuesday (February 27) after weeks of trial testimonies.
Jordan, who is described as Jay’s godson, was charged with firing the gun, while Washington was also involved in the plan. The two men allegedly plotted the killing in revenge for being cut out of a drug deal by Jay, who had reportedly turned to the drug trade as the popularity of his group, Run-DMC, faded in the late ’90s. Jay Bryant, the third member of the alleged conspiracy, will be tried separately in 2026.
The only two witnesses to the execution-style shooting were Jay’s assistant assistant Uriel “Tony” Rincon and Lydia High, an employee of Jay’s JMJ Records label. Both had been intimidated by Jordan, refusing to testify for decades. Jordan and Washington both could be sentenced to up to 20 years in prison.
At the time of his death, Jam Master Jay was just 37 years old. He was survived by three children: two boys and a daughter. Both boys followed him into the DJ business.
Columbus Short says that Diddy attempted to groom him back in the 2000s while working on the 2008 film, A Raisin in the Sun. Appearing on Boss Talk 101, the actor recalled connecting Diddy with his acting coach and explained how their relationship grew from there. Short explained that he would party with the Bad Boy mogul, but clarified that he “wasn’t at those parties. I was at the big parties.”
“Now, looking back, it’s like the groomage,” Short admitted. As for the litany of allegations plaguing Diddy in recent months, Short said: “As I got further deeper into the game, people talk. So I would hear stories but I never saw nothing… I didn’t know they’re ‘after-after parties.’”
LOS ANGELES, CA – NOVEMBER 12: Choreographer Columbus Short attends the GQ Men Of The Year Party at The Ebell Club of Los Angeles on November 12, 2013 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Michael Buckner/Getty Images for GQ)
Short previously claimed that Diddy once called him up at 2:00 AM to invite him to his hotel room after the BET Awards. He detailed the incident on Instagram back in December. “He tried it on me. So I know it’s true. I was married. My ex-wife. I got a phone call in the middle of the night, about 2:30 in the morning. I picked up the phone. It was Diddy. He said, ‘Hey man, we didn’t see you at the BET Awards. What are you doing?’ I said, ‘I’m in bed with my wife.’” He then claimed Diddy told him he was alone at a hotel in Beverly Hills.
The latest lawsuit against Diddy comes from Rodney Jones, who accused him of sexual assault. In a statement for TMZ, Diddy’s attorney, Shawn Holley, explained: “Lil Rod is nothing more than a liar who filed a $30 million lawsuit shamelessly looking for an undeserved payday. His reckless name-dropping about events that are pure fiction and simply did not happen is nothing more than a transparent attempt to garner headlines. We have overwhelming, indisputable proof that his claims are complete lies. Our attempts to share this proof with Mr. Jones’ attorney, Tyrone Blackburn, have been ignored, as Mr. Blackburn refuses to return our calls. We will address these outlandish allegations in court and take all appropriate action against those who make them.” Be on the lookout for further updates on Columbus Short and Diddy on HotNewHipHop.
Soul & R&B royalty Luther Vandross has long been revered for his unparalleled timeless compositions. Considering the excellence of his music, it was only a matter of time before Hip Hop artists recognized the goldmine of inspiration embedded within his catalog. For decades now, the singer’s music has been sampled in Hip Hop tracks, contributing to many unforgettable gems.
While it’s been almost two decades since he sadly passed away, Luther Vandross remains in the hearts of fans. His name recently made its way into tabloids following an incident at a Madonna show. The “Like a Prayer” singer included Luther’s photo in an AIDS/HIV tribute when, in fact, he died of a stroke and didn’t have either disease. Nevertheless, since we’re all thinking of Luther Vandross and honoring his legacy, let’s take a look at some of his best samples in Hip Hop.
After releasing The Blueprint 2 in November 2002, Jay-Z dropped “Excuse Me Miss” as its third single on February 4, 2003. The track is a mesmerizing blend of smooth R&B vibes and hard-hitting rap verses. Produced by The Neptunes, it boasts an infectious groove driven by crisp percussion, lush synths, and a hypnotic bassline. In addition, it features lyrics and melodies from “Take You Out” (2001) by Luther Vandross. The sampled material appears within the first minute of “Excuse Me Miss” and is sung by Pharrell Williams.
“Things I’ve Been Through” — Jadakiss
“Things I’ve Been Through” was released as a part of Jadakiss’ third album, The Last KisI (2009). Although it didn’t get the single treatment, this is undoubtedly one of the standout tracks on the album. An introspective masterpiece, it offers a poignant glimpse into the rapper’s trials, tribulations, and triumphs. Additionally, it features one of the most memorable Luther Vandross samples in Hip Hop. The iconic hook of Jadakiss’s track was lifted from “Promise Me,” a song from Luther’s 1982 sophomore album. The sample comes on at the beginning of “Things I’ve Been Through” and is present throughout the song.
“Got Me Waiting” — Heavy D & The Boyz
When Heavy D & The Boyz dropped this song in 1994, it quickly rose to the top 20 of the Billboard Hot 100. “Got Me Waiting” is arguably the most successful single from the group’s Nuttin’ But Love album, and for good reason. The track seamlessly blends velvety R&B melodies with infectious rap verses in a way that only Heavy D could master. However, this song would not be what it is without the Luther Vandross sample that quite literally gives it life. It samples the instrumental from the 1981 Luther Vandross song “Don’t You Know That?”
“The Way Life Used To Be” — Snoop Dogg
An underrated gem in Snoop’s discography, “The Way Life Used to Be” was released in 2011. It appears on the rapper’s eleventh album, Doggumentary, and is one of its best tracks. Set against a backdrop of lush production characterized by silky melodies, the song captures the essence of West Coast Hip Hop at its finest. Another standout feature of “The Way Life Used to Be” is its excellent use of a Luther Vandross sample. The song it borrows from is “Bad Boy / Having a Party,” off of Luther’s sophomore album.
Bone Thugs-N-Harmony is one of the most revered rap groups in the history of Hip Hop. With a discography like theirs, it’s easy to see why they have the reputation they do. “Mind of a Souljah” was released as a part of their third album, The Art of War. Like “Things I’ve Been Through” by Jadakiss, this song samples “Promise Me” by Luther Vandross. The haunting melody the sample sets the stage for Bone Thugs-N-Harmony to deliver their powerful message with unflinching intensity.
“No Better Love” — Young Gunz Ft. Rell
“No Better Love” by Young Gunz is a timeless anthem of youthful exuberance and the pursuit of success. Released as the lead single from the duo’s debut album, Tough Luv, it showcases their musical strengths. The song’s hook and upbeat tempo create a vibe that is both nostalgic and irresistibly catchy. Additionally, it features a smooth sample of the instrumentals of Luther Vandross’s “Better Love.”
On December 2, 2003, Twista released “Slow Jamz” as the lead single of his fourth album, Kamikaze. All three artists on this track bring their A-game and deliver a masterclass in storytelling. Without a doubt, Jamie Foxx and Kanye West’s contributions elevate the song to iconic status. Equally iconic is the sample of “A House Is Not a Home” by Luther Vandross featured on “Slow Jamz.” The sped-up vocals of the singer appear throughout the song and add an undeniable flavor to it.
Born with a sparkle of talent, Alba Baptista took her first steps in the Portuguese cinematic universe, catching the eye of critics and fans alike. Early roles in her native Portugal offered the world a glimpse of a star in the making. Yet, her dedication, discipline, and sheer love for the craft hinted at the mega-stardom awaiting her. By 2024, Alba Baptista’s industry prowess led her to amass a net worth of approximately $1 million, according to CooPWB.
Silver Screens & Standing Ovations
2021 European Shooting Star, Portuguese actress Alba Baptista poses. During the 71st Berlinale International Film Festival in Berlin, Germany, on June 14, 2021. Due to the Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic, the Berlinale Summer Special will be a purely outdoor event. With mandatory testing for all spectators, taking place from June 9 to 20 at 16 outdoor venues. (Photo by AXEL SCHMIDT / POOL / AFP) (Photo by AXEL SCHMIDT/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
The world sat up and took notice when Baptista stepped into the role of Ava in Warrior Nun. A complex character, she infused Ava with a depth and vulnerability that resonated with audiences worldwide. Yet, for those familiar with her oeuvre, this was no surprise. Her riveting performances in Patrick and Leviano had already established her as an actress of substance, capable of weaving magic on screen.
Intimate Interludes: Personal Life & Highlights
Portuguese actress Alba Baptista poses during the photocall of the film “Patrick” at the 67th San Sebastian Film Festival, in the northern Spanish Basque city of San Sebastian, on September 25, 2019. (Photo by ANDER GILLENEA / AFP) (Photo credit should read ANDER GILLENEA/AFP via Getty Images)
Despite the dazzling spotlight, Baptista maintains a degree of enigma. Her social media provides fleeting glimpses into her life: a sun-kissed vacation here, a book recommendation there. Yet, she remains a figure of intrigue, drawing a fine line between Alba, the actress, and Baptista, the individual. In 2023, it was reported that Alba married movie star Chris Evans. She hasn’t spoken much about their relationship, but a global fanbase has looked on with interest.
Beyond The Curtains: Business Ventures & Philanthropy
VENICE, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 05: Alba Baptista arrives at the Hotel Excelsior during the 79th Venice International Film Festival on September 05, 2022 in Venice, Italy. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)
Baptista’s ambitions aren’t confined to the realm of acting. Whispers in the industry corridors hint at her desire to don the producer’s hat soon. She’s not just about reel life. Real-world issues matter to her. Baptista has expressed a keen interest in lending her voice and influence to charitable causes, ensuring her star power benefits more than just box office numbers.
The Confluence Of Craft & Charisma
While relatively nascent, Baptista’s journey demonstrates a trajectory many spend decades striving for. Her adeptness at switching between dramatic depths and lighter moments is a testament to her range. As she continues her ascent, the industry and fans alike await her next move with bated breath, wondering what cinematic treat she’ll deliver next.
With a solid foundation established in international cinema, the future looks promising for Baptista. If her past endeavors are any indicator, we can anticipate a mix of avant-garde projects and mainstream cinema from this powerhouse talent. Moreover, her potential forays into production hint at a broader, holistic vision for entertainment. As Baptista carves her niche further, she’s bound to solidify her standing as an actress and a beacon in cinema.
Kim Kardashian has made prison reform and pursuing a law degree among her top priorities over the past few years, and though she works hard to help everyone she can, the 42-year-old doesn’t always get it all right. As she continues to advocate for Texas death row inmate Ivan Abner Cantu, Kardashian found herself in some hot water after another man of the same name’s photo was used in a social media post calling on Governor Greg Abbott to reconsider ending Cantu’s life. According to the reality starlet, the prisoner was wrongfully convicted of killing his cousin and fiancee – she’s been helping to share his story since earlier this year.
When the New York-based Cantu came across Kardashian’s Instagram Story, he put out a message online to soothe any worries stirred up amongst his loved ones thanks to the mishap. “To all my friends and family, I am not getting executed, some idiot who runs @kimkardashian [socials] used my picture instead of Ivan ‘Abner’ Cantu,” he shared on Facebook earlier this week, OK! Magazine reports. Afterward, the East Coaster said he totally “understands that someone from Kim’s team likely shared the incorrect image by mistake,” but still “wouldn’t be opposed to an apology” from her.
Texas Gov Greg Abbott is last resort for 30 day reprieve for Ivan CANTU, set to die TODAY. Urge him to use his power to allow time for new evidence in Ivan’s case to be evaluated, lest Texas execute a wrongfully convicted man. Urge… https://t.co/qkNU4juu6d
To make things right on her end, the SKIMS founder did just that. “A wrong image of Mr. Cantu was posted earlier today and I would like to apologize to the person who’s image was used in error,” Kardashian continued before returning to her fight for Cantu’s life.
On the topic of Kim Kardashian and her famous family, her former brother-in-law, Lamar Odom, was recently asked about his thoughts on the alleged family curse. Looking back, it’s no secret that most of the men who have been involved with Kourtney, Kim, Khloe, Kendall, or Kylie have faced dramatic setbacks in their careers. Still, the former NBA star doesn’t think there’s any validity to the rumours. Read everything he had to say at the link below and check back later for more hip-hop/pop culture news updates.
From lyrics to lifestyle, the world of rap has often attracted controversy, stirring debates and sparking outrage in equal measure. Among the myriad of issues that have ignited public scrutiny, one recurring theme is the clash between rappers and animal rights activists. Over the years, many rappers have angered PETA in several different ways. The renowned organization advocating for the ethical treatment of animals has frequently found itself at odds with Hip-Hop acts. Here’s a list of rappers who have upset PETA and found themselves in the organization’s crosshairs.
On Cardi B’s 31st birthday in October 2023, Offset went above and beyond with the gifts he got her. The “Stir Fry” rapper gifted his then-wife three expensive crocodile skin Birkin bags. Obviously, PETA frowns heavily upon such things, and the organization wasted no time in expressing its frustrations. Soon after the photos of the bags hit the internet, PETA vice president Lisa Lange dropped a statement addressing the issue. “Instead of using his wealth and influence for good, Offset chose to funnel hundreds of thousands of dollars into a gruesome, violent industry that electroshocks crocodiles, shoves metal rods into their heads in an attempt to scramble their brains, and mutilates them while they’re still alive,” she wrote.
On August 7, 2020, Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion dropped their smash hit, “WAP.” The song was accompanied by a music video which PETA subsequently blasted the two rappers for. Three days after the video dropped, PETA aired its opinion on the video’s apparent use of live tigers. Their statement read, “If Tiger King taught us anything, it’s that tigers and other wild animals are abused for music videos, selfies, and gawking roadside zoo visitors. So if real animals were used instead of computer-generated imagery, the message sent is that animal exploitation is Okurrr—and it isn’t. If Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion really care about p**sy liberation, they wouldn’t use suffering big cats as props.”
When Valee dyed his little dog red in 2019, the rapper probably didn’t think it would cause any outrage. However, the opposite happened as he joined the list of rappers who got on the bad side of PETA. On May 27, 2019, he uploaded a video on his Instagram, showing off his newly-dyed red dog. A month later, on June 28, 2019, he revealed on Twitter that PETA had sent him a letter. It reads, in part, “Valee should know that putting dye on animals is extremely dangerous. Although the dye used on Valee’s dog was reportedly non-toxic and vegan, no animal has a natural desire to be dyed.” While they also implored him to take down the video, Valee has left it up since then.
When Maroon 5 headlined the Super Bowl Halftime Show in 2019, they were briefly joined on stage by Big Boi. One-half of the iconic Hip Hop duo OutKast, the rapper donned a fur coat as he delivered a great performance before stepping off the stage. Following the event, however, PETA wrote a letter to Big Boi expressing their disappointment and disapproval of the rapper’s fashion choice. The full letter reads:
Dear Antwan, Our hearts sank when you took the stage during the Super Bowl in a fur coat. You have many, many fans here at PETA and around the country who love your music, and were thrilled when it was announced that you’d be involved in the halftime show. Can we please convince you to make that your last appearance in a fur coat? We can help you donate any furs you have to people in need as we’ve done numerous times over the years with the thousands of coats donated by people who, once seeing how horribly animals are treated on fur farms and trapped in the wild, gave them up. We’ve given furs to homeless shelters in this country and sent donated furs to Syrian refugees who desperately need the extra warmth. We’d be honored to add your furs to this donation program. There will soon be a gorgeous faux fur on its way to you that offers a look that kills that no animal had to die for. The animals need you on their team, what do you say?
Kanye is one of a few rappers to successfully rile PETA up multiple times. He did it in 2010 when he arrived at a fashion week event in a fur coat. After he released “Theraflu,” in 2012, he angered the organization again. In the song, Kanye raps, “Tell PETA my mink is draggin’ on the floor,” lyrics which earned him another scathing statement from the group. Most recently, in 2022, Ye came under fire when he used the photo of a skinned monkey to promote a song. On January 14, 2022, PETA president Ingrid Newkirk gave a statement to Billboard addressing the topic.
“The photo is reminiscent of the monkeys PETA has found, sometimes heads, sometimes hands, sometimes the whole body, in meat markets around the world and it makes it clear that when you remove the fur you can’t miss that there’s a person in there, that they are fellow primates, and do not belong to us to abuse for any purpose — not in laboratories, roadside zoos, movies, or meat markets,” Newkirk said.
Last week, French Montana released his new album Mac & Cheese 5. The project sports an impressive feature list. It netted appearances from Kanye West, Rick Ross, Lil Baby, Lil Wayne, JID, Lil Durk, Meek Mill, and many more. The project followed his Coke Boys 6 mixtape with DJ Drama which dropped last year and his most recent studio album They Got Amnesia which dropped in 2021. Now the first week sales projections for the album are in. Fans are extra interested in how the project performs because Montana went to extreme lengths in an attempt to get the sales as high as possible.
In addition to the original version of his album, French Montana also dropped numerous other versions of Mac & Cheese 5. Digital streaming platforms got an acapella version, an instrumental version, a slowed-down version, and a sped-up version in addition to the regular album. There’s also a “Versions” edition of the album which brings all of the versions together. It presents an astounding 126-song tracklist featuring numerous different versions of the same songs in a row. The album also got a deluxe edition released on the exact same day as the original which added just one additional track. See what they did to his sales numbers below.
One of the reasons his sales numbers look so impressive is the 44k pure sales. That part doesn’t come from streaming but rather purchases of the album itself. But fans think they’ve figured out why it’s so high. Earlier this year, Montana surprised fans by selling pre-ordered vinyl copies of the album for just $5.
The stunt seems like it’s paid off as he generated more in pure sales for Mac & Cheese 5 than most rap albums, even by major artists have done in the past few years. What do you think of French Montana selling over 50k in his first week and potentially debuting as high as #3? Let us know in the comment section below.
Lil Yachty’s imagination and creativity continues to run wild. Everyone knows the fascinating and explorative streak he has been since dropping Let’s Start Here. a little over a year ago. Sure, he has went back to his introductory trap rap style here and there. In fact, some of those reroutes have been fantastic releases. But, what has been really interesting is seeing him try out different instrumentals and genres. Today, Lil Yachty, Fred again.. and Overmono are working together on “Stayinit.”
Fred again.. is a hip-hop adjacent producer that we have covered quite a bit. He also likes to drop sick tracks with tech house and EDM instrumentals. That is where “Stayinit” lives in. The usual structure of a track like this shows up, with fragments of verses and ultra repetitive choruses.
Listen To “Stayinit” By Lil Yachty, Fred Again.., & Overmono
One of Fred’s recent efforts we covered included the increasingly popular “leavemealone” with Baby Keem. This may be another favorite of many as the beat is quite good and perfect for ragers at the club. According to Stereogum, this song was previewed days after Fred again won a GRAMMY. He popped out to a New York show hosted by Overmono, the other producer for this song to preview it. Now, streaming fans can enjoy this song at the leisure.
What are your thoughts on this brand-new single, “Stayinit,” by Fred again.., Lil Yachty, and Overmono? Is Yachty the best genre-bending rapping rapper out right now, why or why not? What was your favorite element of the song and why? We would like to hear what you have to say, so be sure to leave your takes in the comments section. Additionally, always keep it locked in with HNHH for all of the latest news surrounding Fred again.. and Lil Yachty. Finally, stay with us for the most informative song posts throughout the week.
Quotable Lyrics:
I know you Down with the pain, see my rain in [?] Realize everybody won’t be perfect But I do Try hard to fix the mistakes that I made with you With you, you do, you do, you do
THE STATE WILL EXECUTE IVAN CANTU TODAY 
