Anderson .Paak doesn’t just celebrate milestones, he curates moments. Anderson .Paak celebrate his 40th birthday at his acclaimed restaurant and lounge, Andy’s, in West Hollywood On The Rocks Bartender Created Cocktails and Jim Beam Caroline Cassidy The 8x Grammy winner rang in his 40th birthday with a star-studded celebration at his own West Hollywood hotspot, Andy’s. Partnering with On The Rocks Bartender Created Cocktails and Jim Beam, the night flowed with elevated vibes and countless premium pours of Jim Beam & Lemonade, and an exclusive first taste of the brand-new On The Rocks Whiskey Sour. Anderson .Paak and Janelle Monáe celebrate his 40th birthday at his acclaimed restaurant and lounge, Andy’s, in West Hollywood On The Rocks Bartender Created Cocktails and Jim Beam Caroline Cassidy As drinks circulated, so did some of music and culture’s biggest names. The star-studded room featured appearances by Dr. Dre, Kaytranada, Jermaine Dupri, Saweetie, Janelle Monáe, Cordae, Baron Davis, Mario, Freddie Gibbs, Thundercat, D Smoke, Shaboozey, and The Free Nationals. The outcome turned Andy’s into a full-blown Grammy weekend reunion. Anderson .Paak and Kaytranada celebrated Anderson .Paak’s 40th birthday at his acclaimed restaurant and lounge, Andy’s, in West Hollywood On The Rocks Bartender Created Cocktails and Jim Beam Caroline Cassidy Anderson .Paak was recently nominated for Best Dance/Electronic Recording for “No Cap,” for his collaboration with Disclosure. Adding to the momentum, .Paak is gearing up for his film and directorial debut, K-POPS!, which hits AMC Theaters exclusively on February 27. 

In a new interview, 50 Cent reveals why he hasn’t been releasing music as of late. According to the rapper, while he enjoys making music and doesn’t plan on quitting anytime soon, hip-hop is a young man’s game. “Look, I’m going to make music. I’m excited that this is the feeling. The general consensus is they want to hear something new from me, right?” he tells Rolling Stone. “You can have the best verse, but I don’t think you should have the best verse at 50 years old.” In the rapper’s opinion, hip-hop is “connected to youth culture.” He added, “I’m glad I stopped, ’cause you can bang your head against the wall until your brain falls out the other side. And it’s not that the music isn’t right, it’s that they’re choosing something else at the moment.” LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 3: 50 Cent performs onstage during a concert at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on July 3, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Katja Ogrin/Getty Images) 50 Cent Calls Out Jay-Z Lyrics After Sharing “Young Girl” Verse In other news, 50 Cent drew renewed attention this week to a lyric from a Jay-Z verse released nearly two decades ago. In an Instagram post, he shared a meme placing Jay-Z’s face onto the Predator character from the film series. The image was paired with a line from Jay-Z’s appearance on Pharrell’s 2006 song “Young Girl / I Really Like You.” The track was released years before Jay-Z and Beyoncé married in 2008. The lyric includes Jay-Z rapping, “Hov got a young girl / Still not quite 21.” When the song was released, the line passed with little scrutiny beyond its place in a pop-leaning collaboration. Viewed now, it has taken on a different weight amid changing cultural conversations. The renewed focus came not from a reissue or interview, but from how the lyric was presented.

Not long ago, footage of Comedian Corey Holcomb punching a woman—an accusation which he denied—circulated online. Now Holcomb is going after media outlets, like TMZ, that reported on the incident. “I lost a lot of my gigs, by the way, thank you, TMZ,” Holcomb said on a recent episode of his 5150 podcast. “I lost another gig today…Y’all got me good, TMZ. I’m ’bout to be out here on welfare.” After a clip of the conversation made its rounds online, Holcomb faced heavy criticism for his remarks. Many faulted the comedian for not taking responsibility for his actions.   “The epitome of a f—g loser is Corey Holcomb. No accountability at all!,” one X user wrote. Corey Holcomb says TMZ has ruined his life. He claims he can’t get any shows, and the ones he had are all being canceled. He blames them for releasing videos of him punching comedian Cristina Payne in the face — an accusation he previously denied. ‘Y’all got me good, TMZ. I’m… https://t.co/15CYpkvIh2 pic.twitter.com/ICSaef1Y8W — Rain Drops Media (@Raindropsmedia1) February 6, 2026 “Corey Holcomb crying because he’s losing gigs for hitting a woman on video, and he’s STILL not taking accountability,” someone else posted. Another X user likened Holcomb to a high school bully. “Corey Holcomb is coming across like that bully you went to highschool with, that never grew up. Go back to your home time, they still there…thinking they’re still cool. But in reality everybody laughing at them now.” Back in November 2024, TMZ broke the story, but at the time, no footage was made available. However, last month, 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. Per the outlet, the pair had been feuding for quite some time before this incident.

50 Cent was recently called out by T.I. to compete in a Verzuz. That said, T.I. also claimed that the New York native “didn’t want the smoke” with him or his catalogue. The G-Unit founder, of course, responded in the only way he could, with trolling. In a post on Saturday (Feb. 7), 50 Cent shared a video of what appears to be T.I. testifying on the stand. In the clip, T.I. identifies the body of a dead man named Phil, as well as details the process of calling his family to inform them of his death. “No, no, I don’t like it No verses, let’s do (The stay away challenge ) and stay away from me. LOL @50centaction,” Fif wrote in the post’s caption. A day prior, Fif shared another video of T.I. in a promotional ad for Crime Stoppers Atlanta. “I know Atlanta pick and choose who they support, but yall gotta do better. LOL keep my name out ya mouth ! @bransoncognac,” the post’s caption read. It seems safe to say that Verzuz won’t be happening anytime soon. View this post on Instagram 50 Cent Hasn’t Released New Music For One Specific Reason, He Says In other news, during a new interview, 50 Cent reveals why he hasn’t been releasing music as of late. According to the rapper, while he enjoys making music and doesn’t plan on quitting anytime soon, hip-hop is a young man’s game. “Look, I’m going to make music. I’m excited that this is the feeling. The general consensus is they want to hear something new from me, right?” he tells Rolling Stone. “You can have the best verse, but I don’t think you should have the best verse at 50 years old.” In the rapper’s opinion, hip-hop is “connected to youth culture.” He added, “I’m glad I stopped, ’cause you can bang your head against the wall until your brain falls out the other side. And it’s not that the music isn’t right, it’s that they’re choosing something else at the moment.”

A civil lawsuit filed by Liza Gardner accusing Sean “Diddy” Combs and singer Aaron Hall of sexual assault has cleared an early procedural hurdle after months of delay. Gardner alleges the assault occurred in 1990 during an MCA Records–related event, when she was 16 years old. The lawsuit was filed in April 2024. Progress in the case had been slowed by difficulties locating Hall. Gardner’s attorneys said they made repeated attempts to serve Hall with court papers, including public notices and the use of a private investigator. Those efforts succeeded on February 2, 2024, when a process server located Hall at a motel in Alpharetta, Georgia. The service was completed shortly before noon, according to court filings. It marked the first confirmed delivery of legal documents to Hall in the case. AllHipHop‘s exclusive report describes the encounter in detail. The process server, Andrew Drake, identified Hall at approximately 11:58 a.m. After checking with the motel’s front desk, Drake went to Hall’s room to deliver the paperwork. What followed, according to the account, was brief but tense. Drake told Hall he had legal documents to serve. Hall refused, saying, “I ain’t doing that,” and attempted to close the door. The server then placed the papers at Hall’s feet before the door shut. The exchange ended without further incident. Court Records Detail Service in Combs Civil Case Witnesses described Hall as wearing a tan hoodie with the words “Always Thinking Big,” a phrase associated with the late rapper Biggie Smalls. He was also described as having a white beard and wearing a black durag. No physical confrontation was reported. The service was documented as complete under civil procedure rules. Gardner’s lawsuit is part of a broader wave of sexual misconduct claims brought against Combs in recent years, many of which have named individuals from his early professional circle. Hall is named as a co-defendant in this case. Both men have denied the allegations. No criminal charges have been announced. Court filings clarify that earlier difficulties serving Hall did not involve law enforcement or a missing persons investigation. The issue was procedural, not criminal. As the case moves forward, additional filings and responses are expected. Combs has publicly denied the claims and has said he intends to contest them in court.

Bianca Censori has spoken publicly about ongoing speculation surrounding her fashion choices, pushing back against the idea that they are directed by her husband, Kanye West. In a recent interview she addressed the assumptions that often accompany her highly visible appearances. At 31, Censori framed her clothing as a matter of personal and creative choice. Her remarks were aimed at clarifying a narrative that has followed her closely. Censori said her approach to dressing is collaborative, not controlled. “I wouldn’t be doing something I didn’t want to do. My husband and I collaborate on my outfits; it’s never been about him dictating my choices,” she said. The statement emphasized shared input rather than imbalance. She described herself as fully involved in the decisions that draw public attention. Censori and West married in December 2022, shortly after his divorce from Kim Kardashian. Since then, public focus has extended beyond their relationship to her appearance. Much of the commentary has centered on how she presents herself in public. Censori suggested that those interpretations often overlook her role in the process. She also addressed the suggestion that her marriage was motivated by visibility. “I didn’t marry my husband for any platform. I married him because I love him,” she said. Acknowledging the attention that comes with proximity to fame, she added, “I’m famous by association, but it feels like an invasion seeing your image replicated without consent.” The comments reflected an awareness of how quickly public narratives can form. View this post on Instagram Claiming Visibility on Her Own Terms Censori described the tension between visibility and privacy as ongoing. She noted that recognition can blur personal boundaries. Even so, she has continued to engage publicly. Her comments suggested a desire to define the terms herself. Debate around Censori’s fashion intensified after her appearance at the 2025 Grammy Awards. She arrived in an oversized fur coat, later revealing a flesh-toned mini dress that drew widespread attention. Images from the event circulated rapidly. West later said she had become “the most Googled person” worldwide following the ceremony. The moment became a reference point in discussions about fashion and spectacle. For some, it raised questions about authorship. For Censori, it appeared to affirm her comfort with visibility. She did not suggest regret. Censori described her interest in the body and clothing as deliberate. “I have an obvious obsession with nudity, but it’s about more than just exposure,” she said. She framed visibility as a form of expression rather than provocation. “This level of visibility without dialogue hasn’t been experienced before,” she added. Her work, she said, is rooted in intention. “I live for my artwork,” she explained. The statement underscored her view of fashion as practice rather than performance.

Lil Jon said this week that his son, Nathan Smith, has died after authorities recovered a body from a pond in Georgia believed to be the 27-year-old. Smith, who performed under the name DJ Young Slade, had been reported missing days earlier. Officials said confirmation from the medical examiner is still pending. The news has drawn widespread attention and sympathy. In a statement to TMZ, Lil Jon described the loss in personal terms. “I am profoundly heartbroken over the tragic loss of our son, Nathan Smith,” he said. “His mother, Nicole Smith, and I are utterly devastated. Nathan was truly one of the kindest individuals you could ever encounter—deeply caring, considerate, courteous, passionate, and compassionate. He loved his family and friends wholeheartedly.” The statement focused on Smith’s character rather than circumstance. Smith was a producer, artist, and engineer who had recently graduated from New York University. His father said the family took pride in his work and his growth. “We loved Nathan with all our hearts and take immense pride in him. He was cherished and valued; in our final moments together, we found comfort in knowing that we communicated this love to him,” Lil Jon said. The remarks reflected a close relationship. Law enforcement officials said Smith had been reported missing earlier in the week. The Cherokee County Fire Department located the body early Friday morning while assisting Milton Police. Authorities said there were no immediate signs of foul play. The case remains open as officials await final identification and a determination of cause of death. A Son, an Artist, and a Life Remembered Beyond the Headlines Police said Smith had left home on foot without his phone. Officers indicated he may have been disoriented and in need of help. Family and friends had raised concerns as the search continued. Few additional details have been released. Smith had spoken previously about his relationship with his father and his own ambitions in music. In an interview with Big Facts Network, he reflected on growing up around fame. “It’s strange because I see him merely as Dad while everyone else sees him as Lil Jon,” he said. He credited his father’s work ethic as an influence. As word of Smith’s death spread, tributes emerged from across the music community. Friends and collaborators described him as generous and creative. He is remembered not only through his family name but also for his own path and promise. His loss has left a quiet but lasting impact on those who knew him.

As 2026 gets underway, attention has returned to Drake’s unreleased album, Iceman, which many fans expected to arrive last year. When the project failed to materialize in 2025, speculation only grew. The silence that followed left little clarity. Recently, however, there have been signs that the album is beginning to take shape. Those signals have come through short audio clips shared by the online personality Akademiks. In one snippet, Drake addresses ongoing debates about his standing in rap, calling the label of “greatest” an “understatement.” He suggests that conversations around his work often overlook how recognition is distributed among his peers. The remarks are reflective rather than celebratory. In the same clip, Drake turns his attention to critics and industry relationships. He refers to some detractors as “double agents” and speaks candidly about his experience with his record label. “Even my label, gave ‘em 15 years of my soul,” he says. The line suggests lingering frustration alongside a sense of endurance. After posting the excerpt, Akademiks briefly shifted focus to J. Cole’s upcoming album, The Fall-Off, before returning to Drake’s material. A second snippet soon followed, this one containing a reference to “Free Slime.” Together, the clips have fueled speculation about the album’s direction. They suggest a project shaped by both personal reflection and broader context. AKADEMIKS PLAYS A SNIPPET FROM DRAKE’S UPCOMING ALBUM ICEMAN pic.twitter.com/dGiiJaYXhX — Akademiks TV (@AkademiksTV) February 6, 2026 AKADEMIKS PLAYED ANOTHER SNIPPET FROM ICEMAN pic.twitter.com/bFTYqInXJb — Akademiks TV (@AkademiksTV) February 6, 2026 High expectations, few answers Iceman would mark Drake’s first solo album since For All the Dogs in 2023. In the meantime, he released a joint project with PARTYNEXTDOOR, $ome $exy $ongs 4 U, which included the hit “Nokia.” The gap between solo releases has sharpened interest in his next move. Expectations remain high, but details are scarce. Drake has also used social media to share more introspective thoughts in recent months. In one post, he wrote, “I was expecting people who look up to me to look me in the eyes too… I was wrong about them like I was wrong about you.” The message echoes the tone of the leaked snippets. It points to an album shaped by reassessment rather than spectacle. Industry observers are watching closely. Iceman has been listed by Complex as one of the most anticipated albums of 2026, alongside projects from other high-profile artists. No release date has been confirmed. For now, the album remains out of reach, but no longer out of view.

Max B isn’t slowing down anytime soon. NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JANUARY 17: Max B performs at Brooklyn Paramount on January 17, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Johnny Nunez/WireImage) (Photo by Johnny Nunez/WireImage) Fresh off his collaboration mixtape Coke Wave 3.5: Narcos, with French Montana, the wavy rapper continues to remind the culture why his influence still hits the same. His latest drop, “One & Only,” pairs him with Shyst Vader, a Raleigh, North Carolina native who proclaims himself to be “The Legendary Rookie.” “One & Only” blends nostalgic hip-hop with Max B’s signature gritty but melodic flow. Watch the video below. For Max B, the release marks another chapter in his ongoing comeback, as he continues bridging generations without losing the sound that made him a cultural staple. For Shyst Vader, it’s a major statement as he stands next to the Harlem native, while carving out his own lane. “One & Only” will appear on an upcoming EMG the Label project dropping next month.

Christopher “Kid” Reid is stepping back into the spotlight with a story bigger than any chart run. The Kid N’ Play legend revealed he recently underwent a heart transplant, opening up for the first time during an emotional appearance on Good Morning America. Reid, one half of the iconic duo that helped define hip-hop culture in the late ’80s and early ’90s, spoke with Michael Strahan about the health crisis that nearly cost him his life. Doctors diagnosed him with congestive heart failure after an emergency room visit last July. At first, the signs felt familiar. Fatigue crept in. Breathing became harder. Reid assumed it was age catching up after decades of touring and performing. “You kind of chalk it up to getting older,” he said. “The road is harsh.” By last summer, the symptoms hit harder. Reid went to the hospital, where doctors confirmed heart failure and started treatment. Three weeks later, during a follow-up, his cardiologist saw alarming changes. Dr. Erika Jones noticed swelling had returned fast. She said that reaction rarely happens once treatment begins. Blood work followed. The results showed Reid’s heart was failing and stressing other organs. Christopher “Kid” Reid (Kid N’ Play) Reveals Heart Transplant Plans shifted instantly. Reid skipped a scheduled performance and returned to the hospital. Doctors rushed him to intensive care. The verdict was blunt. A heart transplant was his only option. Cardiothoracic surgeon Dr. Laura Dichiacchio described the situation as life or death. Reid was placed on the transplant list under urgent status. Eight days later, the phone rang. A donor heart was ready. Reid arrived the next evening. Seven hours after surgery began, he woke up with a new heart. Through it all, doctors said Reid stayed calm and grounded. Now, gratitude drives him. “This is a beautiful life,” Reid said. “I want to be around for it.” He hopes his story reaches the culture, especially communities of color. Reid urged people not to ignore warning signs. “We don’t go because we fear bad news,” he said. “We stay hustling. You might not get over it.” Reid calls his recovery a second chance with purpose. Protect your health, he says. Listen early. Stay here.