Charley Crockett is making it clear that Beyoncé belongs in country music. In a lengthy Instagram post, the Texas artist pushed back against critics of Cowboy Carter while accusing the industry of hiding behind double standards. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Charley Crockett (@charleycrockett) “Hey country folks,” Crockett wrote. “Beyoncé ain’t the source of your discontent. It was 25 years of bro country.” His words came as a response to the wave of backlash Beyoncé has faced since releasing the record, which blends traditional country with other genres. Crockett pointed out how some of today’s biggest stars built their reputations while borrowing from Hip-Hop and pop. “#1 country artist on earth listens to nothing but rap,” he said. “Openly says he doesn’t really know any country music. Gotta respect his honesty.” He added, “These ‘country boys’ been singing over trap beats for years. So what’s different now? Authenticity.” He went on to highlight Beyoncé’s accomplishments, noting that she became the first Black woman to win Best Country Album at the Grammys in 2025, while still being overlooked by the Academy of Country Music Awards. “The machine points to a black woman who’s making a statement about marginalized people being removed from the conversation altogether,” Crockett wrote. Sharing his own experience, he revealed that Nashville executives once attempted to mold him into a prefabricated star. “Many of those business folks called me early on. They had whole albums pre-written and recorded, ready to just plug me in. I have receipts.” Crockett closed his message by stating, “I don’t need to put down a black woman to advance my music. That’s just embarrassing to the idea of America and I got no respect for it.” He even praised Texas rapper BigXThaPlug as “genuine” and “a true story teller.”

According to the BBC, Doechii has pulled out of two of the largest music festivals in the U.K., as well as another performance in Paris. On Tuesday (Aug.19), in a social media post, the Rock en Seine shared that Doechii had unexpectedly pulled out of her performance set for Thursday, Aug. 21. Mere hours later, the All Points East festival posted to its official Instagram account that they were “sorry to announce” the rapper would no longer be performing. “She is an incredible artist, and, like all of her fans, we were hugely excited to see her on stage,” the post continued. Prior to the cancellation notice, Doecii was slated to take the stage on Saturday, Aug. 23. Not long after All Point East’s announcement, Forwards Bristol festival shared similar news, in a social media post, and had “sadly announced” Doechii “will not be performing at her upcoming shows.” The rapper was scheduled to perform at the festival this upcoming Sunday, on Aug. 24. Neither Doechii nor a representative from her team has released a statement or explanation as to why the rapper pulled out of her upcoming shows. NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MAY 05: Doechii attends The 2025 Met Gala Celebrating “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style” – Arrivals at Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 05, 2025, in New York City. (Photo by Theo Wargo/FilmMagic) In other news, Doechii has been named in a lawsuit where an Atlanta event company says it was scammed out of nearly $200,000 in a bogus booking deal for one of Baltimore’s biggest festivals. Blackout Management LLC claims it paid New Jersey agent Christopher Young $187,500 in December 2024 to lock in performances by Doechii and SiR for the AFRAM Festival. Young allegedly assured the company that his ties to Top Dawg Entertainment gave him direct access to the artists. According to AllHipHop, things started to unravel by March 2025 when Young reportedly told Blackout that both acts had scheduling conflicts. The company says that after months of unanswered questions, it reached out to TDE directly and learned that Doechii had never been booked and that there were only brief talks about SiR. No contracts, promotional materials, or official documents were ever provided. According to the lawsuit, the deposit never reached the label and was instead kept by Young and his business, Sacrifice Management LLC.

During a live session on X(formerly Twitter) spaces, Cardi B called out the critics of her new song, “Imaginary Playaz.” The track features a sample of Jay-Z’s track, “Imaginary Player,” which appeared on his 1997 album, In My Lifetime, Vol. 1. While many of the rapper’s supporters enjoyed the Bronx native’s twist on the classic track, there were quite a few who weren’t fans of it. According to Cardi, the majority of the criticism is coming from “grown-ass” men who are waiting for her “downfall.” However, at no point during the conversation did the rap starlet name anyone in particular. “For people to dog pile on me over one song,” she said. “And when it comes to dog piling, it’s not even just like, ‘Oh well, I don’t like this song,’ because if you don’t like this song, fine, but to come at the way I speak, to make narratives of how I think I am and who the fuck I think I am, to talk about every single piece of me, to bet on my downfall is crazy.” She continued, “There’s grown men that are practically betting for me to lose. Grown-ass men that I ain’t never did nothing to, betting on my downfall. And my thing is with these people, it just be like, when my record do good, when ‘Outside’ did good, people couldn’t believe it.” “When I do good, the numbers ain’t real. When I do bad, my career is over,” Cardi added. “It’s almost ridiculous.” Cardi B’s full space. 8/22/25 pic.twitter.com/Sst59tQVGH — (@cardiuniverse) August 22, 2025 In other news, Cardi B recently shut down rumors that she would be expecting her fourth child. During a recent Instagram live, Cardi B made it clear that she is not currently with child. “’We thirty weeks pregnant?’ No, you stupid b*tch. I’m just f*cking out of breath ’cause I have asthma… Stop f*cking being f*cking funny in this b*tch before you get motherf*cking blocked, b*tch.” Cardi has three children that she shares with her estranged husband, Offset. As previously reported, in a candid moment with Ebro, Offset reflected on his personal failings amid the tense dynamics with his estranged wife, Cardi B, stating: “I f*cked up… I gotta acknowledge that and then get back on the journey… I’ve accepted the actions I’ve done to cause certain situations to happen.”

Ice Spice has kept a low profile on the music side lately, but she is signaling that something new is coming. The Bronx star first delivered her EP Like..? before stepping fully into the spotlight with her debut album Y2K! last summer. That record included features from Travis Scott, Gunna, and Central Cee and marked a major milestone in her career. Her latest move suggests a new wave is about to start. On Instagram, she previewed a track that flips M.I.A.’s 2012 anthem “Bad Girls.” Along with the snippet, she wrote, “Baddie Baddie im feelin nasty .” The song does not yet have a release date, but her followers quickly reacted. “She’s back ,” one person commented. Another wrote, “Oh you have a hit on your hands,” while someone else added, “And the haters were saying YOU FLOPPED .” Fans are already debating whether this could be part of a larger project in the works. Even while the music has slowed, Ice Spice has remained a topic of conversation. Earlier this year, she was spotted shopping with professional football player Sauce Gardner, which sparked dating rumors. The two have since been seen at public events together and occasionally interact online, though neither has confirmed anything directly. In April, they were photographed at Adin Ross’ boxing event, further fueling speculation. When Gardner was asked about the situation by TMZ Sports in June, he chose to keep things vague but still offered praise. “It’s still the same, for real. I ain’t trying to speak too much on it,” he said. “We just be having a good time … Two young individuals. She’s from New York, I play in New York. She’s talented, real talented at what she do. Same for me. Two people that get hated on that’s really good at what we do, so we’ve got a lot in common.”

BigXthaPlug welcomed Billboard to Los Angeles with a stop at Max City BBQ, where he dug into smoked links while ribs were brought out as an extra treat. Between bites, the Dallas rapper opened up about how a difficult time in jail became the starting point of his career. At just 20 years old, he was serving time after a probation violation when his son Amar celebrated his first birthday. “It took a toll on me,” BigX explained. “And made me very emotional. So they [jail officials] had to confine me by myself. And in that confinement, I felt like I was losing myself mentally.” Looking for ways to keep his spirit intact, he asked other inmates how they coped. One idea was to try writing, which soon turned into rap lyrics scribbled on medical sheets since notebooks were not allowed. “I wasn’t planning to be a rapper,” he admitted. His focus shifted after he made a vow to Amar that “you’ll never not be with me ever again,” pushing him to find a way to support his family while staying present in his children’s lives. That decision set the stage for a breakthrough. Today, BigX boasts hit singles like “Texas,” “Mmhmm” and “The Largest,” along with a gold-certified album Amar in 2023 and a platinum project Take Care in 2024. His third release, I Hope You’re Happy, arrives this week through UnitedMasters. The record blends his Texas roots with country influences and includes features from Bailey Zimmerman, Jelly Roll, Shaboozey, Luke Combs, Ella Langley, and Ink. Now raising two children, Amar and Leilani, BigX was recently honored with the Innovator Award at Billboard’s Country Power Players. He says this new album reflects heartbreak, fatherhood, and growth, while he also takes time to enjoy being a dad and keeping an eye on the coming football season.

Claressa Shields has been spending time in Atlanta, but not for her own fight camp. Instead, the undefeated boxing champion has been helping rapper Diamond The Body get ready for the upcoming Baddies reunion. Shields, who saw her anticipated bout with Laila Ali fall apart, has been putting her skills to use by training Diamond inside the gym. Claressa Shields Training Diamond the Body For Potential ‘Baddies Reunion’ Fights https://t.co/etpcaYT7Xw pic.twitter.com/naGYwYfOn4 — TMZ (@TMZ) August 21, 2025 In footage obtained by TMZ Hip Hop, Shields guided Diamond through fundamentals like head movement, footwork, and defensive slips, before adding in some light grappling techniques. The session showed Diamond staying focused and committed, knowing the reunion could bring heated confrontations. With a fighter of Shields’ caliber in her corner, she will be walking into the Zeus Network taping at the end of September more prepared than ever. Diamond is no stranger to on-camera altercations, having already built a reputation for clashing with fellow cast members. Still, working directly with a two-time Olympic gold medalist changes the equation. The training not only boosts her confidence but also sends a clear warning to anyone who might think about squaring up with her during the show. The rapper’s ambitions extend far beyond the television drama. Just days before the training footage surfaced, Diamond secured a recording contract with 1501 Certified Entertainment. The label, which previously launched the careers of Megan Thee Stallion and Erica Banks, welcomed her with praise from CEO Carl Crawford, who expressed excitement about her potential. Between the new deal and her preparation with Shields, Diamond is stacking wins on multiple fronts. The reunion may provide fireworks, but Diamond’s focus appears to be both on defending herself if necessary and advancing her career in music. With the support of a boxing legend and the backing of a proven label, she is entering the next stage of her journey with momentum.

JAY-Z could soon make a return to music. The rap mogul has not delivered a studio album since 2017’s 4:44, but longtime collaborator Memphis Bleek recently revealed that something might be in the works. On Drink Champs, Bleek shared, “I just was with him in Vegas. He just came out on the show, like, yo, my n-gga, they went stupid.” He recalled asking Jay for a spot on whatever he was creating. “I said, ‘Listen, I know you working. Save me a verse.’ He’s like, ‘Alright, I got you.’ So if it happens, it happens.” While fans are eager for new music, Jay has been contending with legal challenges. Earlier this year, a woman accused him and Diddy of sexually assaulting her as a teenager. The story quickly collapsed under scrutiny, and the accuser eventually withdrew her case. Following that dismissal, Jay filed a defamation lawsuit against the woman and her attorney, Tony Buzbee. In his suit, Jay stated that the accusations caused serious financial damage. He alleged he “lost other contracts in the sports and entertainment space that would have generated revenues of, at least, $20 million.” The complaint also detailed that a $55 million credit line was denied and Roc Nation was turned down for a $115 million loan after the allegations surfaced. His filing continued, “We have agreements to produce entertainment programs for certain sporting events. After Mr. Buzbee filed the lawsuit, the media reported that other businesses could end their deals with Roc Nation, and forced one to speak out and address whether these false allegations would end our business relationship.” Buzbee sought to have the case thrown out and claimed there was an agreement between both sides. Jay’s legal team strongly denied that assertion, stating, “Total lie. He brought a false case, lost badly and was forced to dismiss quickly. End of story.”

Lil Nas X was arrested early Thursday morning (Aug. 21) in Los Angeles after a bizarre and troubling series of events that ended with the rapper allegedly assaulting a police officer. According to reports, the 25-year-old star was spotted around 4 a.m. walking along Ventura Boulevard wearing only white underwear, cowboy boots, and at one point a traffic cone on his head. Witnesses say he told a passerby he was heading to a party. By 5:50 a.m., police responded to multiple 911 calls about a naked man roaming the street. When officers arrived, Lil Nas X allegedly charged at them, striking one officer in the face twice before being subdued and taken into custody. Authorities, concerned about a possible overdose or other health issues, first transported him to a hospital for evaluation. Later that morning, at 11:22 a.m., he was officially booked on a misdemeanor charge of battery on a peace officer at Van Nuys/Valley Jail, where he is being held without bail. Neither Lil Nas X nor his representatives have released an official statement on the arrest. The arrest comes just days after reports that the Grammy-winning artist had been hospitalized for a possible overdose, raising further concerns about his well-being. As of now, no court date has been announced, and the Los Angeles Police Department has not provided additional details. View this post on Instagram A post shared by TMZ (@tmz_tv)

Fivio Foreign shows no sign of letting go of his brief but intense feud with streamer PlaqueBoyMax, which erupted during a January livestream. Earlier this year, Fivio and Lil Tjay joined PlaqueBoyMax on a stream, but the session ended abruptly when the rappers, smoking inside an Airbnb, were asked to stop. Frustrated, they walked out, drawing online backlash. Fivio later addressed the spat in a diss track titled PlaqueBoyMax, underscoring that tensions linger. The feud reignited this week when Fivio challenged PlaqueBoyMax to a boxing match. “Somebody tell that PlaqueBoyMax n***a we gotta box,” he wrote on his Instagram Story, as shared by DJ Akademiks. “Let’s do it. We could put up $1 million, $5 million, however you want to do it.” PlaqueBoyMax has yet to respond publicly. PlaqueBoyMax Weighs In on Streamers and Nas The streamer, however, may have his own grievances. Earlier this week, he discussed his perspective on streamers during a conversation with Jim Jones. “Rappers is cool, right? Streamers… I’m just telling you nothing but facts… the streamers got lit off of having the cool people on they stream,” he said. “It’s the streamer that’s lit, they [fans] like the platform. People like the platform. People don’t really like the individual.” PlaqueBoyMax also shared his thoughts on Nas, adding a further layer to the conversation. “I grew up with ns like Sosa, Gino. And I’m not saying that the man [Nas] is wack, he’s not legend,” Fivio claimed. “He’s been out for years, I got a song with the n and I got a song on the album and the album got a Grammy. But I can’t sit there and say a Nas bar to you or a song.” As the back-and-forth continues, fans remain split between support for the New York rapper and the viral streamer, with speculation mounting over whether the proposed boxing match will ever come to fruition. View this post on Instagram A post shared by DJ Akademiks (@akademiks)

Key Glock may have a new love interest, and fans are already paying close attention. The Memphis rapper was recently spotted in New York City with Love Island USA’s JaNa Craig, setting off rumors that the two could be more than friends. Cameras caught them walking together in outfits that looked perfect for a night out. They weren’t kissing, but the way they interacted told a different story. At one point, the person recording even pointed out that they looked like they were blushing, and the pair smiled as if they had been caught. JaNa was caught outside with the rapper key Glock and she’s glowing omggg pic.twitter.com/1lJgfSiYBv — NATE (@NATERERUN) August 19, 2025 Craig did not reveal much about her link to Glock, brushing it off by saying they were “just working.” Still, she did take the time to share advice for Love Island’s newest winners, Amaya Espinal and Bryan Arenales. “Communication is key,” she said. “If there are arguments, talk them out. Go through his phone if she needs to. Just saying.” The timing of the sighting comes shortly after Craig’s very public breakup with her Love Island partner Kenny Rodriguez. She confirmed the split in late July, telling fans on Instagram that it was far from amicable. “Hi my loves… Thank you for all your love & support. It means the world to me,” she wrote. “As you know, Kenny and I are no longer together. Please know that I have seen all the breakup theories and none have matched up to how terrible, disgusting and disappointing it truly is.” She continued, “Discovering that someone you loved isn’t who you thought they were and that the relationship you thought you were building hasn’t been genuine since day one has been truly devastating.” Craig later called Rodriguez a “manipulative liar,” while her friend Charmane Smith claimed he only dated her for fame. View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Shade Room (@theshaderoom) Glock shared an Instagram story, captioned “GLOCK ISLAND,” though both have stayed quiet on the rumors.