DaBaby is hitting back at claims that he’ll be performing at a MAGA-themed Valentine’s Day event. According to an X post made by the rapper on Saturday (Jan.24), the reports are “fake news.” DaBaby makes it clear that he does not involve himself in politics. He added,” Don’t take the bait!” Not long ago, MAGA influencer CJ Pearson shared a flyer claiming the rapper had been tapped to perform on his Instagram Story. The post quickly circulated online, leading to an onslaught of criticism toward DaBaby. Not long after the rapper’s post, Pearson deleted the flyer from his Instagram. He’s yet to offer any comments on whether DaBaby was, in fact, set to perform or if the post was meant to be a joke. While the rumors turned out to be untrue, DaBaby isn’t the only rapper who has faced criticism for alleged ties to the MAGA movement; Snoop Dogg and Nelly have also come under fire for performing events for the Trump administration. Anything mentioning my name & politics right now is fake news. Dont take the bait! “POP DAT THANG” out now#BEMOREGRATEFUL THE ALBUM NEXT FRIDAY PRE-SAVE THE ALBUM NOW — DaBaby (@DaBabyDaBaby) January 24, 2026 A$AP Rocky Says DaBaby Is “The Illest MC” He Knows In other news, A$AP Rocky just surprised social media by telling Questlove the best lyricist he knows is DaBaby. While promoting his long-awaited album Don’t Be Dumb, the Harlem rapper used his appearance on The Questlove Show to deliver a pointed endorsement of DaBaby that cut through years of surface-level narratives. “Shoutouts to DaBaby man, he’s one of the illest MCs and lyricists I know,” he said. The statement immediately reframed how he wants listeners to think about the North Carolina rapper. In a culture quick to flatten artists into headlines and controversy, Rocky focused on fundamentals. Calling DaBaby an “MC” put emphasis on command, rhythm, breath control, and presence. Adding “lyricist” made it clear the respect runs deeper than performance alone.

Beyoncé seemingly teased her return to music with an exclusive collection, “Beymine,” ahead of Valentine’s Day. The intimate set included candles, silky robes, eye masks, rhinestone pasties, and more. Prices range from $40 to $300. Items are available to purchase on the Renaissance singer’s official website. “A LITTLE ROCK N ROLL WITH A WHOLE LOTTA SEXY,” the website reads. According to reports, the singer’s highly anticipated Act III project is set to be released any day. Similar to Act I and Act II, the singer will explore a different genre—specifically, rock music—and its roots in Black culture. So far, there’s been no direct confirmation from the singer or her team that an album is forthcoming; however, fans think the CECRED founder has something up her sleeve. Beyonce teases her upcoming ACT III album in her new ‘Beymine’ collection for Valentines Day: “A little Rock n Roll with a whole lotta sexy” pic.twitter.com/yqzYH2j1nR — Pop Tingz (@PopTingz) January 25, 2026 Beyoncé’s Net Worth Surpasses $1 Billion In other news, Beyoncé has reached a financial milestone few entertainers ever touch, officially entering the billionaire ranks.  Forbes confirmed the achievement this week, placing her among a select group of artists whose careers have translated into lasting wealth. The moment follows the runaway success of her Cowboy Carter tour. This genre-bending run pushed country music into stadium-sized territory. Even by Beyoncé’s standards, the scale of the accomplishment is striking. Launched in April with a marquee opening in Inglewood, California, the tour stretched across North America before wrapping in July in Paradise, Nevada. Over 32 shows, Beyoncé delivered performances that proved as lucrative as they were ambitious. Pollstar reported more than $400 million in ticket sales. Additionally, merchandise brought in an additional $50 million. The numbers place Cowboy Carter among the highest-grossing tours in modern music history.

Ray J has made a startling revelation regarding his current health status. A few weeks back, Ray J landed in the hospital after experiencing severe pneumonia and heart pain. Now, after being released, the singer is breaking his silence. According to Ray J and Love & Hip Hop alum, his heart is only working at 25% capacity. “My heart’s only beating like 25%, but as long as I stay focused and stay on the right path, then everything will be all right. So thank you for all your prayers,” Ray J said in an Instagram video. Along with offering a health update, Ray J also promoted his reality TV streaming service, Tronix Network. The new network is in partnership with Zeus. “Big announcements are on the way. Tronix Network is back in full effect,” he says. View this post on Instagram Ray J Hospitalized Back in 2021 for Pneumonia, Nearly Lost His Life This isn’t the first time Ray J experienced a major health issue. In 2021, he publicly disclosed that a previous battle with pneumonia “nearly cost him his life,” a statement that resurfaced as the latest reports emerged. That experience highlights the seriousness of the illness and shaped public reaction to his current condition. According to MayoClinic, Pneumonia is “an infection that inflames the air sacs in one or both lungs. The air sacs may fill with fluid or pus (purulent material), causing cough with phlegm or pus, fever, chills, and difficulty breathing. A variety of organisms, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi, can cause pneumonia.” The website notes that Pneumonia symptoms can range from “mild to life-threatening.” The condition is also the “most serious” for infants and young children, seniors, and people with health problems or compromised immune systems.

Pharrell Williams is facing a new lawsuit from his former Neptunes bandmate, Chad Hugo, who is accusing the famed producer of financial misconduct. In a federal California courtroom on Friday (Jan. 23), per court documents obtained by Complex, Hugo claims Williams is guilty of withholding money and mishandling their company’s account records. The pair, who’ve created dozens of hits together as both members of N.E.R.D and the production group, The Neptunes, founded their company N.E.R.D. Music, LLC, back in 2014. According to the terms of their company, Williams receives 50% company’s funds, which come from “touring and other income,” whereas Hugo and the third N.E.R.D. member, Sheldon “Shay” Haley, each receive 25%. All “merchandising and trademark income” is equally distributed among the three members. NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JUNE 16: Inductees Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo of The Neptunes pose backstage at the Songwriters Hall of Fame 51st Annual Induction and Awards Gala at Marriott Marquis on June 16, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Gary Gershoff/Getty Images for Songwriters Hall of Fame ) Hugo Claims A ‘significant number’ of songs are missing from his catalogue Hugo, who refers to his role in their partnership as the “principal composer, arranger, multi-instrumentalist, and producer responsible for programming, instrumentation, and overall sound design,” claims Williams is required to provide documentation about “income, expenses, royalties, and other financial issues,” but has failed to do so. However, Hugo claims that since 2021, he has been blocked by Williams from reviewing the company’s financial records. He also claims that he’s yet to receive “[an] appropriate share of royalties in connection with The Neptunes and N.E.R.D.’s album sales and released music, as well as distributions from touring income, and various merchandising deals.” Additionally, Hugo noted that “a significant number of songs are missing from [Hugo’s] label portals and SoundExchange portals, indicating that Plaintiff has not received the royalties he is entitled to.” For example, just off their 2017 project, No One Ever Really Dies, Hugo claims he’s owed over $1,000,000 alone. Hugo’s attorney, Brent J. Lehman, has yet to make a public statement. Similarly, neither Williams nor his team has yet to offer a comment on the situation.

TMZ reports that d4vd’s friend, 23-year-old Neo Langston, was recently arrested by the LAPD for failure to appear as a witness. According to the outlet, he’d been picked up while visiting his mother’s home in Helena, Montana. A copy of Langston’s mugshot was also obtained, where he can be seen smiling. Before bailing out of jail on Saturday (Jan.24), he’d been held on a $60,000 bond. It’s unclear the extent of Langston, a popular streamer, and d4vd’s friendship, but it was apparently close enough that LAPD officials needed to speak with him. Last September, the body of 15-year-old Celeste Rivas was discovered in the truck of d4vd’s Tesla. The teen had been missing for nearly two years, last seen in April 2024 at age 13. The singer had a rumored romance with the missing teen and has now become the center of a possible murder investigation. Prior to the discovery, the singer was on a meteoric rise, with his track “Romantic Homicide” trending all over TikTok. BREAKING: D4vd’s friend, Neo Langston, has been arrested and booked into the Lewis & Clark County Jail in Helena, Montana, on an out-of-jurisdiction warrant from Los Angeles County for failure to appear. @LAmag I spoke with Helena Police, who said Langston remains in… pic.twitter.com/60NB6DpfgK — Lauren Conlin (@conlin_lauren) January 23, 2026 Burn Cage And Chainsaw Found In D4vd’s Hollywood Hills Home According to the outlet, the singer will more than likely face murder charges. The grand jury that convened in November is expected to give an indictment any day now. It’s also been confirmed by sources that one of the lead prosecutors, Beth Silverman, believes d4vd is guilty of murder. The outlet reported that the singer’s former manager, Robert Morgenroth, recently testified in court. Morgenroth claims he didn’t call the police because it “wasn’t his responsibility.” Earlier this month, KTLA reported that during the raid on his Hollywood Hills home, an unused burn cage incinerator and a chainsaw were found. Steve Fischer, a private investigator who’s been following the case, noted in an X post that while the cage was unused, it was “an item you would expect to find on a farm rather than in a home in the Hollywood Hills.”

Recently, footage of comedian Corey Holcomb punching a fellow comedian, a woman named Cristina Payne, resurfaced online. Payne spoke with TMZ Live in an emotional interview, noting that she’s now in fear for her life. She claims that Holcomb has continued to threaten her since the footage dropped. “[I’m] not able to leave the house,” she says. Back in November 2024, the outlet broke the story, but at the time, no footage was made available. However, on Friday (Jan.23), the footage was obtained and shared by an Instagram account named The Bizi. The pair had been embroiled in what appears to be a heated argument in front of Hollywood Improv, surrounded by a group of people. Apparently, the pair had been feuding for quite some time before this incident. Instagram.com/cristina_payne “It’s horrible the way he treats women,” Payne Says “It’s horrible the way he treats women, the way he talks about us,” Payne tells TMZ. “And then to the point where it’s like, really, you’re going to hit me?” Payne was horrified that no action had been taken following the incident, despite filing a battery report with the LAPD. “I’m just disappointed in how nothing was done,” she said. She also claims that prior to the incident, Holcomb had flashed a gun, but it hadn’t been caught on camera. “That video really needs to start from when I walk out there initially,” she said. She continued: “There’s a gun involved that he passed off to another female comedian and was like, ‘Oh, go put that up for me,’ before he hit me.’ Payne says the conflict began in the summer of 2024, when the two had an apparent falling out. Sources claimed that Holcomb made harsh remarks toward Payne and later confronted her in person.

In a recent social media post, Nicki Minaj confirmed that she’ll be a guest speaker at an upcoming summit on behalf of President Donald Trump. According to reports, Trump will be joined by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and philanthropist Michael Dell. On Saturday (Jan.24), Minaj reposted a flyer about the event from Bessent’s press secretary with a photo of her in front of an American flag. Dubbed the “Trump Accounts Summit,” the day-long event will take place on Wednesday, Jan. 28, in Washington, D.C. The event is to help encourage parents to create a “Trump Account.” Set to kick off in July 2026, the provision is part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which passed last July. Per the official Trump Accounts website, the investment account aims to “build long-term financial security for millions of children” in the U.S. under the age of 18. Any child born between January 1, 2025, and December 31, 2028, is eligible to receive a one-time payment of $1,000 when parents sign up. At age 18, the account is transferred over, and funds can be withdrawn around age 60. To help funds grow over time, families have the opportunity to contribute to $5,000 annually, whereas employers can contribute another $2,500. https://t.co/OtY5lorRBr pic.twitter.com/OpjcVEHM6Y — Nicki Minaj (@NICKIMINAJ) January 24, 2026 Nicki Minaj’s Maga Pivot Turns Heads Back in December, Minaj turned heads when she stopped by Turning Point’s AmericaFest. Throughout her conversation with Erica Kirk—the wife of late right-wing commentator Charlie Kirk—Nicki Minaj discussed her ongoing beef with California Gov. Gavin Newsom. The rapper also shared her thoughts on Donald Trump’s administration. Minaj specifically commented on Newsom’s support for gender affirming care for transgender youth. Not long ago, during an appearance on The Ezra Klein Show, Newsom said, “I want to see trans kids…I have a trans godson. There’s no governor who has signed more pro-trans legislation than I have. No one has been a stronger advocate for the LGBTQ community.” During the event, Minaj decided to re-read one of her X posts where she criticized Newsom.“Imagine being the guy running on wanting to see trans kids, haha, not even a trans adult would run on that,” she read. “Normal adults wake up and think they want to see healthy, safe, happy kids — not Gav.”

As Chris Brown’s dog attack lawsuit moves closer to trial, his attorneys are pushing to keep the proceedings tightly centered on the alleged incident itself. The singer’s legal team has asked the court to exclude references to past controversies, arguing that unrelated history could cloud a jury’s judgment. Their position is straightforward: the case should hinge on the facts of one encounter, not on Brown’s public reputation. Whether the judge agrees could shape the tone of the trial. According to Rolling Out, Brown recently filed a motion seeking to prevent Patricia Avila and her daughter, Maria Avila, from referencing his 2009 assault case involving Rihanna. That case concluded years ago, with Brown completing probation, community service, and counseling after pleading guilty. His attorneys argue that reopening that chapter offers no legal relevance to the current civil dispute. They maintain that introducing it would risk unfair prejudice rather than clarify liability. The lawsuit itself stems from allegations by Maria Avila, who claims she was seriously injured after being attacked by Brown’s dog, Hades. Court filings describe lasting harm, including nerve damage, facial disfigurement, and partial vision loss, with surgery potentially required. The severity of those injuries has drawn significant attention to the case. Brown’s team, however, disputes claims of negligence. Brown’s defense leans on reports and procedural focus as trial nears In support of their defense, Brown’s lawyers cite an Animal Control report documenting an immediate response after the incident. Officer Angela Hooks noted that Brown and a security guard reacted quickly when Avila screamed. The defense also asserts that the dog had no known history of aggression. They further argue that Avila ignored security warnings about approaching the animal without supervision. The case unfolds as Brown faces other legal developments. A separate $500 million lawsuit he filed against Warner Bros. and Ample was recently dismissed. In that matter, Judge Colin Leis ruled that a docuseries examining Brown’s past relied on documented legal records and fell within protected reporting. As the dog attack lawsuit heads toward trial, Brown’s legal strategy is becoming increasingly clear. His attorneys are aiming to keep jurors focused on the specific allegations before them. The court’s rulings in the coming weeks will determine how narrowly that focus can be maintained.

Emmy winner Jackée Harry is starting the new year with a youthful appearance. The Sister, Sister actress revealed in an interview with Entertainment Tonight(ET) that she received a deep plane facelift. This procedure lifts muscle and fat, restoring youthful contours. Harry went to the Lasky Clinic Surgical Center, located in Beverly Hills, where the procedure took four hours and involved Harry having her face and neck lifted. According to Harry’s surgeon, the cost ranges from $40,000 to $250,000. Harry explained to the outlet that her concern was loose skin on the sides of her face. While she was terrified of the procedure, she was also eager to get it done. She mentioned a few naysayers who suggested that she shouldn’t follow through with the idea. “When you constantly want something that bad, you gotta do it,” she said. “And I discovered I wanted it that bad. It’s terrifying but exciting.” She name dropped other celebrities that she used as inspo for her facelift.”‘The Ricki Lake’ special I call it. And then Kris Jenner, up close it looks really good.” She mentioned actress Jane Fonda and the late, Diahann Carroll who “told me I should have it done at 35.” View this post on Instagram In the almost 4-month post-op photo, shared by her doctor, Harry’s facial skin is visibly lifted and wrinkles appear to be smooth. “Like many of our patients, we discussed her desire to keep her expressive and animated face while maintaining her natural beauty,” Dr. Davis wrote in the caption of the before and after post. “She didn’t want to look like anyone but herself, and that’s something we strive for. Now, she is nearly three and a half months post-op with about three more months of healing ahead of her.” View this post on Instagram Harry is seemingly overjoyed with the results so far. “They call it snatched,” Harry said of the reactions to her facelift. “I’m yanked.” “I have no qualms about how old I am or who I am,” she said. “This helps, it boosts it. It pushes it forwards, so why not?” Harry is best known for her breakout role as Sandra Clark on NBC’s “227.” She gained further notoriety for her role as Lisa Landry on the ABC/The WB sitcom Sister, Sister.

On a recent episode of The Joe Budden Podcast, A$AP Rocky reflected on the indie rock and hipster scenes that shaped his formative years in New York. While promoting his forthcoming album, Don’t Be Dumb, Rocky discussed the musical influences that continue to inform his artistry. He also reflected on the evolution of hip-hop over the past decade. His remarks combined nostalgia with a clear-eyed assessment of how the city’s music landscape has shifted. Rocky noted that during his early career, a niche he calls “hipster rap” was emerging. This new style blended experimental sounds with traditional hip-hop rhythms. In addition, he suggested that contemporary hip-hop is navigating a similar transitional phase. The genre is moving away from dominant trends like drill and gangster rap. “There’s always cycles in music,” he said. He further highlighted that cultural shifts are gradual reflections of wider artistic movements. He also recalled New York’s indie rock influence, citing bands such as Vampire Weekend and Foster The People. These bands’ crossover into mainstream music left a lasting impression on him. Rocky expressed admiration for the creative freedom and energy of that era. Moreover, he observed that its experimental spirit continues to resurface in new forms. A$AP Rocky says he misses the hipster” wave in music and talks about the cycles that happen in HipHop and how we are now moving on from the gangster rap /drill wave Joe budden patreon. pic.twitter.com/BmJBr6uaTI — joebuddenclips/fanpage (@chatnigga101) January 23, 2026 Parallels Across Generations Reflecting on hip-hop’s trajectory, Rocky compared past and present movements within the genre. He pointed to the recent prominence of drill and gritty gangster rap. Additionally, he noted their connection to legal issues and artist controversies. These shifts, he suggested, mirror earlier transitions. Examples include the Five Percenter–inspired rap of the 1980s and the commercially oriented gangster rap of the late 1990s and early 2000s. “When I first emerged, the scene was dominated by hipster music, grunge rap, cloud rap, and emo sounds. Right now, we are seeing the consequences of that ‘gangster’ lifestyle and culture. The club scene is not what it used to be, and personally, I would rather revive those hipster days—sitting back, enjoying good music, and having genuine experiences,” Rocky said. Rocky’s debut project, LIVE.LOVE.A$AP (2011), coincided with a broader indie revival. LONG.LIVE.A$AP followed two years later, which solidified his influence on the genre. Now, with Don’t Be Dumb arriving 15 years after he first emerged, Rocky suggests a return. He feels that hip-hop may be poised to revisit the experimental and boundary-pushing spirit that first inspired him.