Naturi Naughton-Lewis recently shared that she wanted to direct episodes of Power but was not allowed. Appearing on the third electrifying installment of PLLRS, held at Soho Works in Brooklyn, Naughton-Lewis, along with her husband, Two Lewis, a film producer and entertainment executive, shared how she was not permitted to sit in the director’s chair. “I was on Power for six years, and then four years on Power Book II: Ghost. I did 10 years of a show that went on and on, and I begged to direct an episode and never got the opportunity. That felt very hurtful, and it was frustrating,” Naughton-Lewis told journalist Keith Nelson Jr.. “No one trusted me to do one episode. I had taken classes. I was showing people I can do it. I think that was where I felt like, ‘Jesus, I want to be more than just Tasha.” Refusing to have her creativity stifled, the couple launched their own production company, Take Two Entertainment. They’ve already produced short film 333, which is in the American Black Film Festival, and The Color Book, which was in the Tribeca Film Festival. Additionally, they’re set to co-produce Duke & Roya, an off-Broadway play starring Insecure’s Jay Ellis. Elsewhere in the conversation, Naughton-Lewis spoke about why she hasn’t released any new music since she co-founded 3LW. She went on to share some of the struggles she faced in the music industry. “I was taken advantage of as a teenager. I was mistreated. I made no money. I worked my ass off and literally was broke. I had nothing. I could barely buy a car. My dad helped me buy my first car, a BMW 325i with the $10,000 I made over four years of being in a group called 3LW,” Naughton-Lewis said. “After selling 1.6 million records, I had $10,000. I was on financial aid in college. I did all the regular stuff, and people were like, ‘Wait, weren’t you just on TRL or 106 & Park?’ The music business broke my heart.”

After trying to keep pace with a hectic touring schedule, Tyler, the Creator recently admitted that he’s mentally drained due to constant live performing. During a conversation with Converse in London on Wednesday (May 28), Tyler shared a glimpse of reality as touring artists. “The unfamiliarity, a different bed every night, the food—I’m not from this side of the world, so as much time as I spend on thinking about where I’m going to eat, bro it’s draining,” Tyler said. He added that it’s “so much stuff outside the clothes that you bring and, hopefully, the people around you.” “It’s just brand new every day, and after a while it gets a bit stressful. My temperament is Los Angeles, so wide streets, low buildings, you see the sky all the time,” Tyler explained. “A lot of places out here in Europe … it feels claustrophobic. It’s people on the street all the time, it’s a lot. And it feels heavy; I can’t go anywhere without a bunch of security.” As he continued, Tyler said that the “stress” impacts his body, and it is difficult to find “solitude.” “What makes up for it is that these shows are incredible, and the people are excited,” he explained. Tyler also shared that it takes a bit of delusion to be a successful artist. “To make stuff, you gotta be delusional,” he said around the 26-minute mark. “And when you’re delusional, you need people around you that trust you. Because what the f–k they gon’ trust? You say some normal stuff like, ‘The sky is blue.’ Yeah, you don’t need people to trust you to say that. I’m delusional, but I knew what I wanted to do since I was five years old.” Currently, Tyler is headlining his Chromakopia World Tour that wraps up in September.

If male artists want to work with Latto, they must respect her relationship with her man. During a conversation on Speedy Morman’s 360 With Speedy, the  Atlanta rapper spoke highly about her man, whose identity is a mystery to her fans. “They gon’ test the water, but for the most part, everybody respect what I got going on,” she told Speedy. “They know don’t play with me. Don’t play with him. They respect that belt.” Latto also said that because she’s a Capricorn, her boyfriend is constantly on her mind. Even when she’s had to use the bathroom. View this post on Instagram A post shared by speedy (@speedymorman) “Eat, my man. Shit, my man. Bathe, my man. Sleep, my man,” she said. Elsewhere in the interview, Latto said it was  “a blessing to have somebody that you just want to just devour,” noting that she still gets “butterflies” after five years of being together. “I think it’s just meant to be for real. And then I think because we don’t got everybody in our business, like, y’all want to know so bad,” Latto explained. “You’re not.” The “Somebody” rapper said that by taking care of herself, she “attracted that energy” to make a connection with her secret lover. “I made myself a boss, then I got with a boss,” she added. Along with loving her relationships, Latto is preparing to hit the road on her Big Mama Takes Europe tour. Latto will be performing at festivals “DLT Malta in St. Paul’s Bay, Malta, Tinderbox in Odense, Denmark, Yardland Festival in Paris, France, and Les Ardentes in Liège, Belgium, as well as shows in London, Berlin, and Amsterdam.”

Chris Brown is showing major dad energy as he celebrates his daughter Royalty’s 11th birthday. On Tuesday, May 27th, the R&B singer shared a heartfelt post for his eldest child, making sure fans knew just how much he adores her. “Happy BIRTHDAY TO MY TWIN ,” Chris wrote on his Instagram Story. He added, “LOVE YOU SO MUCH CHICKEN NUGGET,” along with an “11” to mark her milestone age. The affectionate nickname and message continue Brown’s tradition of publicly acknowledging Royalty’s special moments, dating back to when she was first introduced to the world in 2014. View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Shade Room (@theshaderoom) Royalty’s mom, Nia Guzman, also took to Instagram to honor their daughter with a series of loving tributes. One highlight was a sweet video montage capturing moments from Royalty’s childhood through the years. “HAPPY 11th BIRTHDAY TO MY PRINCESS @missroyaltybrown!!! I LOVE YOU SO SO SO MUCH,” Guzman captioned the touching clip. In addition to celebrating Royalty, Chris recently shared another sweet birthday moment. While closing out the 2025 Millennium Tour in Los Angeles, he joined Ray J in singing “Happy Birthday” to Bow Wow’s daughter, Shai Moss, who turned 14. The moment was caught on video and shared by Bow Wow himself. “On the last night of the Millennium Tour, she got her uncles [Chris Brown] and [Ray J] to sing,” Bow Wow wrote, sharing the heartwarming clip. Between heartfelt posts and surprise performances, Chris Brown is enjoying his role as a proud girl dad, making sure the young ladies in his life feel loved and celebrated.

Charles Rangel, a renowned former congressman who represented the Harlem community on Capitol Hill for nearly fifty years, passed away on Monday. Michelle Stent, a spokesperson from the City College of New York, confirmed that Rangel passed in the hospital. Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., paid tribute to Rangel’s legacy “Charlie Rangel was a great man, a great friend, and someone who never stopped fighting for his constituents and the best of America,” Schumer wrote on Monday. “The list of his accomplishments could take pages, but he leaves the world a much better place than he found it.” Charlie Rangel was a great man, a great friend, and someone who never stopped fighting for his constituents and the best of America. The list of his accomplishments could take pages, but he leaves the world a much better place than he found it. pic.twitter.com/d1j0YwzWs3 — Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) May 26, 2025 Born and raised in Harlem, his father, Ralph Rangel, was mostly absent and left the family. His mother, Blanche Mary Wharton, was a domestic worker and as a seamstress in a factory in New York’s Garment District. A promising student, Rangle dropped out of high school in his junior year and enlisted in the US Army. He was a veteran of the Korean War, where he earned a Purple Heart and the Bronze Star.  After an honorable discharge, he attended college on the G.I. Bill, earning degrees from New York University and St. John’s University Law School. Beginning his work in politics, her served in the New York State Assembly and was appointed Assistant U.S. Attorney In 1970, he defeated legendary Harlem politician Rev. Adam Clayton Powell and would represent the community for more than 40  years. He became a founding member of the Congressional Black Caucus, dean of the New York congressional delegation, and, in 2007, the first Black chair of the influential Ways and Means Committee. In 2017,  Rangel retired from the United States Congress 2017 and began serving as the Statesman-in-Residence at The City College. In 2022, Rangel launched the Charles B. Rangel Infrastructure Workforce Initiative (RIWI) at CCNY “to boost modern infrastructure jobs in upper Manhattan and the Bronx.” He was a member of Alpha Phi Alpha and of the fraternity’s World Policy Council. Rangle was the last surviving member of The Gang of Four, also known as the Harlem Clubhouse, which dominated the political world of Harlem. He was predeceased by David Dinkins, Basil Paterson, and Percy Sutton. We at HOT97 extend our prayers and condolences to the family and friends of Congressman Charlie Rangel.

During a pivotal day in the federal trial of Sean “Diddy” Combs, longtime stylist and associate Deonte Nash delivered emotional testimony, alleging the music mogul held a troubling level of control over Cassie Ventura during their decade-long relationship. Nash told jurors he witnessed repeated instances of abuse, including one in which Diddy allegedly slammed Ventura Fine’s head against a bed frame. He also claimed Diddy threatened to release intimate recordings and used emotional manipulation to isolate her from others. Nash described a dynamic marked by control, claiming Ventura would often cry over Diddy’s attempts to dictate her career, social life, and appearance. According to Nash, the pattern of behavior extended beyond private settings. At one point, he recounted Diddy berating him over Ventura’s look at an Oscars event, portraying a man intent on managing every facet of her public image. The pressure, Nash said, weighed heavily on Ventura’s emotional state. Kid Cudi Break-In, Jealousy Claims Surface in Diddy Trial Prosecutors also introduced testimony surrounding a separate incident involving Kid Cudi. LAPD officer Chris Ignacio told the court he saw a vehicle registered to Diddy’s company leaving the scene of an alleged break-in at Cudi’s home. The incident, prosecutors allege, was driven by jealousy related to Ventura. The courtroom also heard details about a separate episode where Ventura Fine allegedly suffered a gash requiring stitches after an argument turned physical in a hotel room. Nash said he and another team member attempted to intervene but were overpowered. “He was in a rage,” Nash recalled, describing how Diddy allegedly yanked Ventura Fine off a couch in the middle of the confrontation. Diddy has pleaded not guilty to all charges. His defense team pushed back during proceedings, calling for a mistrial over what they claimed were prejudicial statements by prosecutors regarding possible destruction of evidence. The judge denied the motion. Meanwhile, cross-examinations of law enforcement witnesses revealed forced entry at Cudi’s residence but no stolen property.

NBA YoungBoy has received a presidential pardon from President Donald Trump. On Wednesday (March 28), YoungBoy, along with eight others, including real estate entrepreneurs Todd and Julie Chrisley and Michael Grimm, a former GOP Congressman, were granted clemency. In a statement, YoungBoy expressed his gratitude for being pardoned. “I want to thank President Trump for granting me a pardon and giving me the opportunity to keep building – as a man, as a father, and as an artist,” YoungBoy said in a statement shared to social media. “This moment means a lot. It opens the door to a future I’ve worked hard for and I am fully prepared to step into this.” In addition to Michael Grimm and the Chrisleys, President Trump used his pardon power to grant clemency to a wave of individuals Wednesday, including:  — Former Connecticut Gov. John Rowland, who was convicted twice — Kentrell Gaulden, the rapper who goes by NBA YoungBoy and… — Kaitlan Collins (@kaitlancollins) May 28, 2025 “Big thanks to the Pardon Czar, Ms. Alice Marie Johnson, for fighting for second chances for so many people, and to my lawyer, Brittany K. Barnett, for being in my corner and all your hard work to make this possible,” his statement continued. “And thank you to everyone who believed in me.” Throughout his career, YoungBoy has faced constant legal troubles, including firearms charges and house arrest. Even while dealing with legal issues, the Baton Rouge rapper has dropped several albums and mixtapes while serving time in prison. Youngboy’s pardon comes in just as his upcoming 27-city concert run, which begins on September 2 in Dallas, is called the Make America Smile Again (MASA) .

Shannon Sharpe has announced the postponement of his Nightcap Tour with co-host Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson amid sexual assault allegations. Now officially pushed back to 2026, the tour was to feature Sharpe and Johnson bringing their conversations to live audiences. “We’ve decided to postpone the Nightcap tour,” Sharpe said during the most recent episode of the show. “We look forward to seeing you guys in the summer of 2026. It’s going to be even bigger, even better,” Sharpe continued. “But Ocho and I have come to the conclusion that this is the best thing, as of right now, was to postpone the tour. We look forward to seeing each and every one of you in 2026.” As HOT97 previously reported, Sharpe was accused of several sexual assault accusations and was hit with a $50 million lawsuit in April. Filed in a Nevada state court, the Pro Football Hall of Famer is being accused of comitting assault, sexual assault, battery, and sexual battery, and engaged in the intentional infliction of emotional distress in what is described as a “rocky consensual relationship” that went on with a woman for almost two years.  The plaintiff alleges that “Sharpe brutally sexually assaulted her several times at the end of 2024 and the beginning of 2025.” The suit also alleges that the ESPN personality Sharpe threatened to kill her on multiple occasions, was “manipulating and controlling,” and “repeatedly threatening to brutally choke and violently slap her.” “One time specifically, he was yelling at her while there was a firearm visible in his room,” the complaint states. “Terrified for her safety, Plaintiff tried sharing her location with friends from her iPhone—just in case. But Sharpe saw her doing this. The moment he realized what she was doing, he grabbed her by the neck and told her, “If you ever do that again, I will f–king kill you.” Sharpe has denied allegations levied against him.

The third week of Sean “Diddy” Combs’s federal trial resumed Tuesday, May 27, as prosecutors continued building their case against the music mogul. Diddy, a central figure in hip-hop culture for decades, is facing serious charges, including sex trafficking, racketeering, and transportation for prostitution. He has pleaded not guilty, and the trial is expected to extend into the summer months. Capricorn Clark, a former assistant to Diddy, took the stand in one of the trial’s more emotionally charged testimonies to date. Her name was previously mentioned by rapper Kid Cudi, born Scott Mescudi, who testified that Clark had informed him about Diddy allegedly entering his home without consent. Clark’s long-standing friendship with Diddy’s former partner, Casandra “Cassie” Ventura—also a key figure in the prosecution—has placed her at the center of this ongoing legal battle. Clark followed two other former assistants who also testified about their time working with Diddy. She described professional struggles after leaving her position in 2012, stating she went three years without consistent employment. According to Clark, her former association with Diddy made it difficult to reestablish her footing in the industry. Clark Alleges Abuse, Threats, and Coercion in Diddy Testimony During her testimony, Clark recalled witnessing an alarming encounter between Diddy and Ventura. “He kept kicking her. He never used his hands,” she said. The courtroom remained focused as Clark delivered her account, which has not yet been corroborated by additional evidence or witness statements. Clark also spoke of an incident tied to the Kid Cudi testimony, describing how Diddy allegedly arrived at her home in a state of rage and armed. “He was livid, furious, mad at me,” she said, recalling that he told her, “Get dressed, we’re going to go kill him.” Defense attorneys have not yet issued a detailed response to this portion of her testimony. Another segment of Clark’s account focused on what she described as an act of coercion. She testified that Diddy accused her of stealing jewelry, brought her to an office building, and had her confronted by a large man who informed her she would be given a polygraph test. “If I didn’t pass,” she said, “I’d be thrown into the East River.” Clark claimed she was subjected to five days of testing before being released. Clark’s testimony adds another dimension to the prosecution’s portrayal of Diddy as someone who allegedly used fear, control, and retaliation in his personal and professional relationships. The defense maintains that the charges are unfounded and continues to contest the credibility of the witnesses. The trial remains ongoing, with more testimonies expected in the days ahead.

Victoria Monét has confirmed her relationship with British rapper Stormzy.  During an appearance on Keke Palmer’s podcast, she described Stormzy as “a really special guy.” She says she’s learning a lot about him. “I havee so much respect for him and I got to learn more about him by dating him.” Speculation about their relationship began in October 2024 when the pair were photographed sharing a kiss at London’s Heathrow Airport, shortly after Monét announced her separation from her longtime partner, John Gaines. Monét and Gaines, who share a daughter named Hazel, had actually parted ways ten months prior but delayed the public announcement to avoid false rumors. Similarly, Stormzy had ended his on-again, off-again relationship with TV host Maya Jama in July 2024. Both Monét and Stormzy have emphasized mutual respect and amicable separations from their previous partners. View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Jasmine Brand (@the.jasmine.brand)