Sheriff Garry McFadden of Mecklenburg County is addressing public scrutiny after meeting with rapper DaBaby. The recent light rail video by DaBaby drew widespread criticism. In a statement to HOT 97, McFadden framed the encounter as part of his broader commitment to community engagement and rehabilitation. He emphasized his decades-long approach to law enforcement. “As the Sheriff of Mecklenburg County in Charlotte, N.C., I have dedicated four decades of law enforcement service. I have consistently interacted with individuals who have been marginalized or impacted by the criminal justice system,” McFadden wrote. “As Sheriff, my primary responsibility is to engage not only with those housed in our detention center but also with members of the broader community. This is particularly true for those seeking to make a positive difference after their personal struggles and life experiences.” The sheriff highlighted DaBaby’s history of charitable work, including providing Thanksgiving meals. DaBaby has donated thousands of toys and iPads to children. He has also organized voter engagement through his Vote Baby Vote campaign. “The rapper has also offered financial assistance to families in crisis and supported efforts to combat homelessness in our community,” McFadden noted. McFadden Stresses Second Chances and Community Dialogue Acknowledging critics of the meeting, McFadden stressed that his role is not to judge past actions but to foster positive impact in the present. “I understand that some may criticize my decision to meet with individuals who have had prior involvement with the criminal justice system. However, I firmly believe that everyone deserves a chance to contribute positively to society. This is especially true as we are faced with ongoing challenges with little to no support, resources, or valid solutions to combat these issues,” he said. McFadden also clarified that his office had no involvement in the controversial light rail video. “To be very clear, the Sheriff’s Office had no involvement or influence in any video or media project associated with the incident,” he emphasized. Closing his statement, the sheriff reaffirmed his commitment to dialogue with all community members. “Once again, I will meet with anyone, regardless of their position. This includes a president, a pastor, a homeless individual, or a community member. Even critics with ideas to better serve others. I do not discriminate and will never turn away those seeking support for the needs and well-being of our community,” McFadden wrote.

NBA legend Allen Iverson is opening up about a powerful new chapter in his life. During a recent interview on CBS Mornings with Maurice DuBois, the former Philadelphia 76ers star revealed that he has been six months sober, calling the milestone “one of the best decisions I ever made in my life.” The 11-time All-Star shared that sobriety has transformed more than just his relationship with alcohol. “It’s changed everything — how I think, how I move, how I treat people, and how I treat myself,” Iverson said. Throughout his Hall of Fame career, Iverson was both celebrated and criticized — praised as a cultural icon who redefined basketball swagger, yet scrutinized for his off-court struggles. Reports over the years tied the superstar to battles with alcohol and gambling, along with the pressure that came from living under an unrelenting spotlight. Perhaps no moment symbolized that tension more than his infamous 2002 “practice” press conference — a viral rant that has lived on in NBA history. Though rumors swirled for years that Iverson was intoxicated during that appearance, he has denied those claims, insisting the emotional outburst stemmed from grief over the recent death of a close friend. Now, at 50, Iverson is taking back control of his narrative. He’s currently promoting two new projects — a memoir titled Misunderstood and an upcoming Amazon Prime documentary, Allen Iv3rson — both of which chronicle his rise, his struggles, and his ongoing journey toward peace.“I’ve made a lot of mistakes, but I’ve learned from every one of them,” Iverson said. “This isn’t about basketball anymore — it’s about becoming a better man, father, and friend.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Shade Room (@theshaderoom)

A recent incident at Logic’s concert at Red Rocks Amphitheatre has sparked a heated conversation online about the boundaries between performers and their audiences. Midway through his set, Logic paused to address a front-row fan who appeared engrossed in texting. With a mix of exasperation and showmanship, he declared, “Motherfcker, are you on your phone texting as I am giving my all? Get this motherfcker out of here.” He then asked if the messages were intended for the fan’s girlfriend, to which the attendee replied, “My bad.” The rapper went on to stress the importance of full engagement during live performances. “You think you can do me a favor and pay attention in the f*cking front seat? Alright, let’s try this one more time. Let me show you how hard it is to do what I’m doing,” he said, blending a serious admonition with a theatrical demonstration. The moment, part reprimand, part performance, was captured by attendees and circulated widely online. Maaan who does Logic think he is? pic.twitter.com/9mNrRmcvFK — BSOLZ (@BSOLZ_) October 6, 2025 Fans Divided Over Logic’s On-Stage Callout Amid New Music Push Fan reactions were sharply divided. Some viewers found humor in the exchange, one joking, “He not a real bag chaser like me. I woulda sued Logic for PTSD, doxxing, harassment, hate crime, and emotional distress.” Others defended the fan, suggesting that while texting during a show might be disrespectful, singling him out publicly seemed excessive. Another observer added, “The insecurity is strong in that one, must be ’cause he fell off earth,” highlighting ongoing debates about Logic’s current relevance in the music industry. Amid the online buzz, Logic remains focused on his creative output. Throughout 2025, he has released a series of singles leading up to his upcoming project, SideQuest, though the album’s official release date is still unknown. Tracks such as “Witness” and “NOBODY SAFE” dropped in August, with hints of potential revisions shared in September on Discord. Expanding his creative scope further, Logic also made his directorial debut this year with Paradise Records!, demonstrating a continued evolution of his career beyond the stage.

A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie and Future are making headlines after their teams reportedly got into a major fight at a Tokyo nightclub. The altercation went down on Friday, October 3rd, during the Magic City Takeover event at Zouk Japan, which was supposed to be a night filled with music, champagne, and celebration. Instead, it turned into a full-blown brawl that left the club wrecked and money scattered everywhere. TMZ Hip Hop obtained video of the chaotic aftermath, showing the trashed venue and partygoers running for safety. Future wasn’t at the event, but A Boogie was seen in bright yellow Air Jordan 4 Retro Lightning sneakers, standing on a platform in the middle of the commotion. Witnesses said he appeared to be searching for something to throw as the chaos unfolded. In the clip, someone can also be heard yelling, “put the bottle down,” as the situation grew increasingly tense. It’s still unclear what triggered the fight, but people who were inside the club claim A Boogie’s crew was the most aggressive during the altercation. Despite the damage and the intense scene, no arrests have been reported. Both artists were in Japan for the Force Festival, a massive multi-artist event that also featured Metro Boomin, Central Cee, Trippie Redd, Sexyy Red, Latto, and Polo G. The two rappers had previously worked together on the track “Somebody,” released last year, but after this incident, fans doubt they’ll be performing it together anytime soon. TMZ reached out to both Future’s and A Boogie’s teams for comments, but neither side has responded. For now, fans are left wondering what exactly went down that night and whether this incident will create lasting tension between the two camps.

Porsha Williams is stepping into a new chapter of her love life. During her appearance at CultureCon 2025 in New York City on October 5, the Real Housewives of Atlanta star revealed that she’s currently talking to both a man and a woman just months after finalizing her divorce from Simon Guobadia. “I’m talking to two people right now — one is a man and one is a woman,” Williams shared during a candid conversation at the event. “They’re both really nice, and I’m just seeing what feels right for me.” The revelation marks the first time Williams has publicly discussed being romantically involved with a woman. The reality star said she’s in a space of exploration and healing, adding that she’s open to new experiences after navigating a highly public breakup earlier this year. Williams said she “really just wanted to make sure that these were normal people” following her divorce. “What I talked about with my therapist the other day was — I’m having a hard time opening up because they’re not narcissists,” she said. “And guess what narcissists do? They love bomb you, they do everything, they look perfect, they mirror you. And these people are not.” Finalizing The Divorce: Williams finalized her divorce from Guobadia in June 2025 after nearly two years of marriage. The split made headlines after she described her ex husband as a “narcissist” and accused him of being controlling during their relationship. Now, the 43-year-old TV personality says she’s focusing on happiness and authenticity. “I’m learning not to box myself in,” she said. “Love is love, and I’m just open to what feels good and what’s real.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by HOLLYWOOD UNLOCKED (@hollywoodunlocked)

The swift rise of artificial intelligence has ushered in a new—and increasingly divisive—chapter for pop culture. This includes AI-generated videos that recreate the likeness of celebrities, both living and long gone. One recent viral example shows the late 2Pac casually shopping at a Target. This scene is so eerily lifelike that it’s both fascinating and deeply unsettling. While many marvel at the technology, others see it as crossing a moral threshold. They argue that reviving public figures without consent is done for entertainment’s sake. The video, which depicts 2Pac chatting with fans, has left viewers unsettled by how easily AI can mimic human nuance. Social media quickly lit up with concern over the potential for misinformation. “I know some auntie on Facebook fell for this video saying PAC is alive… AI is scary man,” one commenter wrote. This summed up the unease rippling through online communities. Another warned, “AI is really getting out of hand. I guess people aren’t gonna care until crimes are being committed and assigned to the wrong individuals using AI but whatever, smh.” Beyond the shock factor, legal and ethical questions loom large. Some users pointed to past reports that 2Pac’s estate considered suing artists. They mentioned artists like Drake for allegedly using AI-generated imitations of his voice. “And his estate should sue them just like they sued Drake,” one viewer said. This echoed a broader call for safeguards to protect the legacies of deceased artists in an era when their images—and even their voices—can be artificially revived. The Broader Impact: Kobe Bryant and Beyond 2Pac isn’t the only cultural icon to receive a digital resurrection. A separate clip showing Kobe Bryant playing a recent version of NBA 2K has sparked similar outrage and reflection. For many, these simulated moments blur the boundary between tribute and exploitation. Even Snoop Dogg pushed back against an AI-generated song featuring 2Pac. He said, “I don’t know about an AI song with 2Pac because to me it ain’t real when I got real records with him.” He emphasized that authenticity—born from shared history and creative collaboration—cannot be replicated by code. As AI continues to shape entertainment, it’s forcing uncomfortable questions about authenticity, ownership, and consent. The technology promises innovation, but it also threatens to warp collective memory. It endangers the meaning of legacy. For artists—past and present—the stakes have never been higher. Whether these digital recreations are viewed as homage or exploitation may depend on how responsibly they’re used. View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Neighborhood Talk (@theneighborhoodtalk)

Kodak Black has never shied away from controversy. But this time, he’s speaking for himself. After months of whispers about alleged drug use, the 27-year-old artist took to Instagram Live to push back. He addressed the speculation directly and in his own unmistakable voice. “I eat good… high or not… I don’t be on no f*cking meth,” Kodak said, shutting down claims that he’s been using methamphetamine. Though he admitted to having experimented with the substance in the past, he argued that traces of similar chemicals are found in far more common places. “There’s meth in every drug… For people who drink liquor, smoke weed; for those who partake in anything, y’all don’t know what’s in the ingredients,” he explained. He then added, “Mind your own business, for real for real… Y’all really just want to have something against me.” The remarks followed growing concern about Kodak’s health. This was sparked by a freestyle on On The Radar, where he mentioned a “young n**** with a meth habit.” Soon after, a viral video appeared to show him drinking lean while behind the wheel. This prompted fresh debate online. His lawyer, Bradford Cohen, quickly stepped in to clear the air. He insisted the liquid in question was “just juice,” an attempt to quiet the rumors swirling around the rapper. Kodak weathers scrutiny, stays focused on music For Kodak, the public scrutiny is as relentless as it is personal. While parts of the hip-hop community say they worry about him, he sees much of the attention as thinly veiled criticism. His journey—a mix of raw talent, run-ins with the law, and tabloid fascination—has often played out in public. This reveals the uneasy balance between fame and privacy in modern rap culture. Still, his career shows no signs of slowing down. Kodak is rumored to be working with Drake on a track titled “Skies Parted,” expected to appear on Drake’s upcoming album ICEMAN. If the collaboration materializes, it would mark their first official release together. This would be a sign that despite the noise, Kodak remains focused on the music that made him a star. View this post on Instagram A post shared by No Jumper (@nojumper)

In September, DaBaby ignited a firestorm after recreating the stabbing of Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska in a music video filmed on a Charlotte train. The depiction, meant as an artistic statement, drew swift backlash from audiences who deemed it insensitive to a devastating real-life event. Yet the controversy took an unexpected turn as local authorities appeared more receptive to DaBaby than many had expected. According to the New York Post, DaBaby recently met with Mecklenburg County Sheriff Garry McFadden. An Instagram post captured the encounter, showing the two sharing a light-hearted moment as DaBaby flashed a peace sign. The caption hinted at potential collaboration: “Yesterday, Sheriff McFadden sat down with DaBaby to discuss important issues and potential collaborations. Stay tuned to what’s cooking up.” While the details remain unclear, speculation suggests the conversation may have touched on community safety and local initiatives. DaBaby’s Tribute Sparks Backlash Over Ethics The meeting follows DaBaby’s release of “SAVE ME,” a song dramatizing Zarutska’s death. In the video, he is shown intervening in an attempted murder, ending with a screenshot of a GoFundMe for Zarutska’s family, which has raised more than $471,000. Though framed as a tribute, many viewers criticized the video as exploiting grief for artistic purposes, highlighting the delicate balance between homage and controversy. Local transit authorities also entered the fray. The Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) confirmed that DaBaby’s team had not received permission to film on the city’s light rail, prompting their swift removal. The clash underscores the challenges artists face when incorporating real-world tragedies into creative projects, particularly in public spaces.

Along with being the queen of rap, Nicki Minaj is also a secret Swiftie, and recently praised Taylor Swift’s new album, Life Of A Showgirl. On Friday (Oct.3), Taylor Swift dropped off her twelfth studio album, and upon its first day of release, Life Of A Showgirl sold nearly 3,000,000 (exactly 2.7M). While many of the reviews were mixed among critics and fans, according to a series of X(formerly Twitter) posts from Nicki Minaj, Taylor’s writing is “going over people’s heads.” One of the rapper’s favorite tracks on the project so far is “Eldest Daughter.” In her opinion, “The writing is always so intentional & always resonates with the AUTHENTIC lone wolves.” She’s also obsessed with the title track, “The Life of a Showgirl,” which features “Espresso” singer Sabrina Carpenter. “I love how animated Sabrina came in on her verse,” the QUEEN rapper said. “She’s fully in character. She gets it.” Eldest daughter > the writing is always so intentional & always resonates with the AUTHENTIC lone wolves. — Nicki Minaj (@NICKIMINAJ) October 3, 2025 “Let’s Go Taylor!” Nicki Minaj wrote in an X post One of the tracks on the project, “Actually Romantic,” is rumored to be a diss toward British pop star Charli XCX, so it’s no shocker that it became an instant favorite with Nicki. In the song, Taylor sings, “I heard you called me boring Barbie /when the Coke’s got your brain.” Nicki referred to the singer as a “battle rapper” and told her to “go in for the kill.” She added, “Why all the SAG’s giving out lashings tonight? Oh wow. and #Cancelled is diabolical … Let’s go TAYLOR!!!!!!” Back in December 2023, Nicki revealed in another X post that she would collaborate with the singer “in a heartbeat.” She added, “The [SAGITTARIUS] QUEEN TAYLOR DESERVES!!!! PERIOD!!!!!” she wrote. “She takes months & years off then comes back with great music & fans who’ll never leave her!!!!”

On Thursday (Oct.2), Young Thug linked up with controversial Kick streamer Adin Ross. Throughout the nearly three-hour session, the pair discussed several things, including Thug’s new project, UY Scuti, his favorite artists, and more. However, it’s what the YSL rapper said about disgraced mogul, Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs, that really caught people’s attention. The stream began awkwardly, with Young Thug entering and exploring Ross’s bedroom. Not long after, he comes across a bottle of baby oil and begins to approach the streamer playfully. “What the f*ck are you doing with that?” Ross exclaimed. “Aye, aye, aye! No baby oil over here, bro.” Young Thug backed off, returning the bottle to Ross’ dresser, where he said, “Free the OG Diddy, man.” Ross did appear to look shocked at Thug’s statement; however, he immediately joined in following up Thug’s words, saying, “Alright, free Diddy…If he said it, ‘I’m ‘Free Diddy,’ too.” Unfortunately, it doesn’t seem like Thug’s pleas were heard. The following day, Friday (Oct. 3), the Bad Boy CEO was found guilty on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution. Cassie’s Lawyers Issue Statement Following Diddy’s Sentencing: ‘Nothing Can Undo The Trauma’ Earlier this week, Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs was sentenced to 50 months—which translates to around four years— after being found guilty of two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution. It took nearly two months for the highly publicized trial to draw to a close, with Diddy ultimately receiving a guilty verdict back in July. According to a statement released by Cassie Ventura’s attorneys, Douglas Wigdor and Meredith Firetog (Wigdor LLP), “nothing can undo the trauma caused by Combs.” That said, Ventura’s attorneys believe that the sentencing “recognizes the impact of the serious offenses he committed.” The statement continued: “We are confident that with the support of her family and friends, Ms. Ventura will continue healing knowing that her bravery and fortitude have been an inspiration to so many.”